Merry Christmas

Christmas!!!! 2008

I think this was the funnest Christmas I have had in a long time. I am not just talking about Christmas day but the entire month was amazing. I didn't do all the things on my list but we did a lot and I was actually in the Christmas spirit. The things accomplished this year: We cut down our own tree this year:) We actually cut down two trees. One for the kids to decorate down stairs and one for upstairs. We went out to cut down a tree after a major snow storm so it was kind of hard to find the perfect tree. lol. We finally found one after searching for a couple hours. The kids had a blast. I had a fun time with the kids this year. I think that with them both understanding Christmas it made it that much more enjoyable and exciting. I did a lot with them this year.

I put out all the books wrapped this year in a basket in front of the tree. It really made such a big difference in reading Christmas books. The took turns every night opening a book to read before bed and what a fun surprise it was. They loveds it.

We put together a Ginger Bread house and decorated it. I would normally make my own cookie house like my mom use to do but I just bought a kit because I was limited on time and I really wanted to have my kids decorate one. It was fun but I sure want to make one next year.

We went up to temple square in SLC and the lights were amazing. My dad and Jenny invited Zac and I to go to the sounds of sunday and a mini concert of Natalie Cole with the tabernacle Quior. It was beautiful. It was so amazing to see President Monson in person. I will never forget the feeling that came over me when he first walked in to the big conference center. Of course he was the size of an ant but it was something that I will never forget. Everyone stood up and you could hear a pin drop. It was crazy how loud it was then complete silence. I am so happy for the respect that everyone shows towards him as a leader and prophet. I get chills thinking about what a wonderful experience it was to be there. I hope to go again someday.

Also I took the kids to a live nativity at Tuahcan. It was fun to see the live Camel and for the kids to see Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wise men. I really enforced the true meaning of christmas this year. I think and hope if my kids were asked why we celebrate Christmas they would say because of Jesus Birthday. I went over it and over it with them because I really want them to know Jesus. I didn't really really realize the true meaning of Christmas until I was older (embarrassing ) but I really want my kids to know. Or I guess it didn't mean anything if I did know it. I really want my kids to love the true meaning. Jax loved the nativity set at our house. Baby Jesus was missing in action most of the holiday because Jax would take him everywhere and would stick him in random places. funny jax.

We had a Christmas party at Kourtney and Lukes house this year with Zac's siblings. Santa made a surprise visit;) It was fun for the kids. Santa read them a book and then told them stories and had them sing jingle bells with him. He let all of them sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted. We then had taco soup and rolls then we exchanged gift cards.

The dickens festival in St. George is the bomb and I love love it. I went twice! I love seeing all the fun and creative ideas that people have on making crafts. I love the entertainment, food and all the shopping. I will be saving for next year so I can spend more. I got a magnet board for my kitchen and I bought a few hats. I got my kids some wooden tops that I even love to play with. I little old guy was selling them and you know me.... I am one big big fan of wooden toys... love them. They are the toys that will still be around in 20+ years.

We drove around many nights looking at christmas lights. There are some really creative people out there thank goodness because we are not creative at all. There was one neighborhood that had the bible verses one in each yard, down on side of the street and up the next. Alot of people would park their cars and walk up and back reading the christmas story. I loved it. As for our own Christmas lights... We got one stran of lights up but thats all folks.... they may not even come down. They may be there all year round. Zac didn't enjoy putting them up at all actually. I took a pic of him while he was about to flip me off for laughing at him. Instead of starting at the outlet he started at the end. Well, when he got to the point of plugging them in he had a female end haha try figuring out how to plug that in. He then took the lights down and started all over again. Bet he won't do that again. hahaha and if he does, I will laugh again because it was really funny.

I took my kids to the fabric store and let them pick out material for pillow cases. I pointed out some fabric to Easton and said "this would make a cute pillow case" He said"Mom, thats old lady" He then rolled his eyes at me and went on to find the perfect kid fabric. Old lady? What the heck? How does a 3 year old distiguish what is OLd Lady? I couldn't believe his language. He's not 16... He is 3. Well Easton picked out fabric with Christmas trees and John Deer tractors and Jaxon picked out very bright fabric with Nut Crackers all over it. Very nice. I have to say they loved the pillow cases and slept very well with them. I also made them a sock monkey to sleep with and they love them too. I will let them sleep with the monkeys all year though.

We bought and had the kids open PJs on Christmas Eve and they loved them. I think this is a great tradition. Zac always does a good job at picking me out new PJs and he got me SOCKS HURRAY! All of my socks have holes in the heals. I love new socks.... so wonderful.

So Christmas night was very interesting because I sleep with a kid. I think my kid husband will sleep with the kids next year. He couldn't sleep... he was so excited that santa had come that he jumped out of bed at 3 to go wake the little raskels up. ummmm No!!! Zac it is only 3 am go back to sleep. So at 5am Zac still couldn't sleep so we woke the kids up! ARe you kidding me! Yes, you heard me right... We woke the kids up! It was a BLAST. Can't say I will be involved in waking them up instead they can wake me up but it really was fun. The first thing that Jax said was "Did Santa eat all the Cookies?" Easton rushed up the stairs as fast as he could go...

Surprise, Santa brought them both 4 wheelers. I know, I know, that is one big toy! The only thing they got was a new outfit and a stocking full of fun little things: crayons, markers, coloring book, monster trucks, play dough and CANDY! Spoiled kids wouldn't you say. Well worth it though because you should see them go on those 4 wheelers. Easton completely ran his out of gas! It is so adorable to see them ride around. Easton had to wear his back pack too. so funny.

Christmas Traditions

I love Christmas Traditions! I am anxious to continue traditions that I grew up doing and start some of my own. I have been a slacker this year and haven't done as much as I wanted to. I want to start traditions that my kids will remember forever and hopefully continue with their children. I have been doing a lot of thinking on what I didn't do this year so I can start next year. But first I want to share some of the cherished traditions/memories that I remember growing up:

• I remember decorating a cookie house every year with my family. It was so fun to gather around visiting and decorate the cookie house (The best part was eating all the candy). What a great way to spend an evening together.
• Doing the 12 days of Christmas to someone. What a great way to teach the gift of giving.
• Building a snow man or my dad would pile up a big mound of snow with a loader and we would build an igloo.
• Driving around looking at all the Christmas lights.
• Watching "The Christmas Story".
• Decorating the Christmas tree while listening to Christmas Music. (The music I remember most is Carols with the chipmunks, haha)
• Watching my mom make Christmas candy every year. (I still haven't learned how to make candy)Someday I want to learn
• Santa would come to our house every Christmas Eve and delivery our pajamas.
• My siblings and I would all sleep in the same room in sleeping bags. I remember getting up in the night and sneaking into the living room together to see what Santa brought.
• Leaving cookies for Santa
• We put up a Nativity which helped us to remember Jesus. (The set I remember putting up every year was one my brother made is school. He did a great job with it)
  

Some things I want to start with my kids next year:

• I want my kids to know and understand the true meaning of Christmas. (which I have worked on this year too) I want to make it a tradition to see a live Nativity and to read the same Christmas Story every year on Christmas Eve. (Anyone have any good stories?)
• I have been collecting Children Christmas books and want to collect more. Next year I want to put them in a basket in front of my tree wrapped. Every night before bed let them unwrap one for bed time stories. (Maybe I will wrap them this year before I store them away)
• I want to make SPECIAL Christmas Pillow cases for my kids to sleep on during the Christmas season, so they have sweet Christmas dreams. haha I know it sounds silly but I think my kids would love it.
• I bought both of my kids an ornament and put their name and date on it. I want to do this every year. I think it would be fun to get them a miniature tree for their room to decorate with their ornaments they get every year.
• I think it would be nice to give only 3 gifts to our kids like the three wise men. Maybe a book, a toy and something to wear. ( Christmas would be easier)
• I want to do a Christmas Count down
• I definetly want to do the 12 days of Christmas next year.
• I want to get Lyndas Breakfast casserole recipe and make it Christmas morning if we are not in Delta.
• Lynda, Could I get the red hot drink recipe too and any tradition ideas that you did with your kids.
• I need ideas... Feel free to leave a comment on some fun family traditions. I just want to make memories for my children that they will hopefully never forget.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! lOVE YOU ALL, Kamill

Christmas Party!

Every year we get together with Zac's siblings and have our own little christmas Party. This year was so much fun! Thanks Meghan for hosting it and the soup was soooo Yummy! Thanks Kourtney for the cute outfits and books. Thanks Meghan for the puzzles! I am so glad that we live close enough to get together like this.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We took advantage of the Snow Storm and bundled up the kids and went out for a couple hours. Easton thought snow was the neatest stuff ever. He loved building a snow man and throwing snow balls at Daddy! What a great time! Love You Zac, Thank you so much for making it such a fun and exciting day! The kids have the best Dad in the entire world and I have the best husband in the entire universe!

Family Christmas Party!

What a GREAT turn out for the Annual Family Christmas Party! Lynda you did a great job putting it together! Amazing.... Everyone was there! It was a GREAT time!! What a close family.... I love it! The food was amazing! The gift card/ game was so fun.... What a great idea Whitney!! It was so fun having so many Children there. They are what makes the Holidays amazing. I love the sound of them running and playing, laughing and screaming. The only thing I regret is not taking enough pictures of everyone. I did get some pictures but it was just of everyone mingling and visiting. I can't wait for next year! I also just want to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome in the family! I love you all!

Easton opening the Present Grandma and Grandpa Stout gave him..... Then giving them a hung for the present! Thank you so much for the gifts for our Boys, they love them!

Aren't these three boys the

cutes boys ever!

Cooper, Boston, and Jaxon!

They had fun playing on the stairs!

Chase was our entertainment most of the night singing and playing his Guitar! Sounded Great! Chase, keep it up and you will be famous someday!

Cuddling and Kissing Cousins!!

PRAYER PADS!!

I went to a local Festival yesterday and it was great! I love going to things like that because you can get great ideas from crafty people and you can also buy things that you don't generally see anywhere else.

So I came across a lady selling Prayer pads... my first thought was how silly and who would ever buy those. haha! Then I thought about how saying prayers at night was such a challenge at our house and sometimes very unpleasant. I have thought to myself many times "is it really worth it because I do want it to be a positive thing for my kids." So I did buy 4 of them, one for each of us. I showed Easton and explained to him that we each got a prayer pad to kneel on every night when we say prayers. He was so excited and he wanted to say a prayer right then. so cute! He kept asking, is it time to say prayers yet? I am so excited about these prayer pads! Hopefully prayer time at our house will be less squirmy, more peaceful and comfortable!

Also the other day, I was cleaning up all the scattered toys and Easton came up to me and said," Mom can you help me find my Mac Trailer" I told him to help me pick up toys and we would more than likely find it. He asked "Mom, lets say a prayer to help me find Mac's Trailer okay" I was so surprised by this comment because I haven't ever taught him to pray like this. We say night time prayers that are usually really hard but its working because he must have picked this up from saying prayers at night.

So everyone needs to get prayer pads for your family. Hope you are as excited about them as I am. I know they are silly but kids love them and it will make praying so much fun! You can order them from myprayerpads.com or the local number is 435-773-3033

My Big 30th

This is my 30th Birthday cake that Easton made me! He is so funny!

To Celebrate my BIG 30, we went up to Brian head and stayed a couple nights in a really nice condo right across from the ski lifts. Unfortunately the one lift with man made snow wasn't open yet but we still had a blast four wheeling around all over the mountains. I am really inspired now to go skiing this year, to teach Zac and Easton how to ski. They had the cutest little 16 inch skis for 2 year olds and I am so excited to get Easton up on the slopes this year. It will be a blast.

I was showing this picture of the deer to Easton and he got really excited and said " That deer has my Binky" A couple weeks ago I told Easton we were giving his Binky to the baby deer and he hasn't had a Binky sense. It was to cute that he remembered and pointed out that this deer had is Binky

Cedar Breaks

Beautiful!

This is my Crazy Husband trying to hurt himself! Testing out the Ranger to see what it would take to flip it over. Crazy kid!

We found fun trails all over those beautiful Mountains.