With tickets in hand we were more than ready to board the train and before you knew it we were off.
Have I mentioned how unbelievably COLD it was??

Soon we were sipping on the oh so yummy HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT chocolate!
You have to sing that to get the whole effect. : )
Our train chef and server of the divine cocoa was Deborah and she was quite a funny individual who tried to embarrass Maddie every chance she got.

There was lots of sibling love going around which did this mama's heart good.
Erin the Elf was on our train as well and she packed enough Christmas spirit in her little pinky to carry the train all the way to the North Pole by herself. But when Santa came aboard the train. . .

This expression captures it all. And coming from my 10 year old made the moment priceless.
As for me and my house WE BELIEVE!!

The morning after the adventure we took some time for playing in the winter wonderland.
But did I mention how unbelievably cold is was??

Cooper is determined to eat an icicle before he leaves this frozen tundra.
Yes, Cooper is enjoying his icicle!

I wanted so much to recreate this moment with Cooper 5 years ago but due to a camera with a stinkin' delay and a Santa that was moving rather quickly, I missed the photo op. But just for tender memory's sake, I'm posting it here. And my wonderful friend, Don't Take My Picture Marie, made the moment even sweeter.

Did I mention how unbelievably cold is was??

Complete disrespect for the homeowners

A very brave man that dared to enter our yard wearing this get-up!

Something like this is likely to put you on the naughty list.

It's a good thing we happen to love this very brave man.

Sprinkles

When you are in Kindergarten

the more sprinkles ~ the better!!

Shakin' those sprinkles with great enthusiasm!

And the candycane masterpiece.

Cooper's friend Max was all about eating those sprinkles!

You'll be hard pressed to find someone more excited about

Christmas and all its trimmings than a classroom of 5 year olds!

Santa's lap

Hmmm. . .

I wonder where Maddie was for this picture?

Seems that sitting on Santa's lap and being 13 just

doesn't hold the magic it once did.

Sigh. . .

my angels

a bit under the weather

today was snuggle day for me and coop
he had to stay home from school with a sore throat.
He asked 'why can't I go to school? don't you want me to learn and get smartor ?'




To myself i said 'never! not if it is going to take away the way you talk.'

so we snuggled under blankets,
we put on fuzzy socks and slippers,
Coop wanted to push the button on the camera,
so all of these photos are courtesy of him.
we watched the Backyardigans try to discover the secret of snow,
he requested a peanut butter and honey sandwich with milk for lunch and now I'm off for more cuddle time -per Cooper's request. He just called out and said 'mom! I've got the blanket ready!'

I'm headed for the couch and into the arms of my baby.

Oh Christmas Tree

We welcomed her in. . .

Gave her the guest of honor spot

for Christmas 2008. . .

(she's real and she's lovely!)

We placed her crown. . .

We adorned her with lights and ornaments of love!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Oh Christmas Tree!

(very cheesy and I love it!)

Double digits

Some people don't like to turn another year older.

I really don't have a problem with my birthdays.

It's my children's birthdays that are hard on me.

And Davis turning 10 was no exception.

Don't get me wrong. . .

I LOVE to celebrate my children.

It is just the harsh reminder that time goes so fast.

So please indulge me a little reminiscing. . .

2 months old

1 year old

3 years old

3 1/2 years old

5 years old

10 years old

and so happy to finally be in double digits!

A family birthday party at Golfland.

It's a good thing we were almost the only people playing.

We were having quite a time!

More than once we found the water hazards

and were scrambling to save our golf balls from

a watery grave.

I think the kids secretly loved this part.

After 18 holes we were a bit giddy.

Family portrait by Maddie's unseen hand.

And who doesn't like to give gifts to someone who reacts like this every time!

Happy Birthday big D.

You've had my heart for 10 years now.

I wish I was more like you.

You feel our lives with so much goodness.

We are proud of the way you are learning and growing.

You are an example to your family.

Thank you for your big and hearty laughter, your easy smile, your quick forgiveness, your hard work and determination in school, your desire to choose the right, your creativity and artistic mind, your respect and thoughtfulness of others, and your ability to make a decision that will result in some else's happiness. Which really means, thanks for riding home with me tonight when the other kids wanted to ride home with Dad.

I love you '17'.

yeah, right

I was going to thoughtfully post about some of our

recent great family times together but then I came to my senses.

So here you have it people. . .

some really fun times but without all the prose.

Dad's oranage rolls!

Backyard project.

Perfection people!

And we found the tree!

Tis the season

Oh how I wish I was this clever!

Please check this out for some darling Christmas fun.

getting into the spirit early ~ literally

6:15 a.m. and cooper wants breakfast and his santa hat!

He is already proving to be at the perfect Christmas lovin' age.

goosebumps

I just got the goosebumps reading through this and had to share!

The Young Women General Presidency just sent this out:

A Return to Virtue

"Now is the time for a return to virtue!"

The attribute and value of Virtue has been added to the Young Women theme.

"Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity."

The time has come for the young women of the Church to lead the world in a return to virtue. This is the time to be pure and to qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. In the coming year, it is our desire that all young women and their leaders focus on the meaning of virtue, what young women can do to accept and act upon this value, and how this attribute can strengthen young women as they prepare to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive temple ordinances.

"I believe one virtuous young woman led by the Spirit can change the world."

Things to study:

Elaine S. Dalton, "A Return to Virtue," Ensign and Liahona, Nov. 2008, 78–80.

Elaine S. Dalton, "Stay on the Path," Ensign and Liahona, May 2007, 112–14.

Elaine S. Dalton, "Look toward Eternity!" Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 31–32.

New Era, Oct. 2008

What does it mean to be virtuous?

Doctrine and Covenants 4:6.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:33.

2 Peter 1:3–8.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:24.

Doctrine and Covenants 49:26–28.

Topical Guide, "Virtue, Virtuous," 557.

We invite young women and Young Women leaders to immediately include the addition of Virtue as they repeat the Young Women theme. —The Young Women General Presidency

All the details of how we will implement this into the Personal Progress program is on its way. I just got a much needed boost of happy!

Here is the link to the church's website:

http://www.lds.org:80/pa/display/0,17802,8449,00.html

searching for the right word

have you ever filled a glass to almost overflowing?

you know, where you fill it to the point that the liquid is above the actual rim of the glass.

it looks like it is going to spill over.

but it doesn't.

somehow that little bubble just hangs above the rim.

like some magical force keeps it contained.



i'm searching for the right word,

this feeling of my past few days.

melancholy?

at least I think that is the word I feel.

i'm going to check.

yes, a dictionary confirmed it.

melancholy is the perfect word.

if you only think you know it's definition, it is worth looking up.
it might come in handy one day.

is this too personal?
probably.

is this my blog?
absolutely.
and there are many reasons why i post.

i'm going to pour myself a glass of water and watch that suspended bubble of liquid.