New Year & New Resolutions...

Hello All,

Although, I must confess... I feel like I'm typing into cyber space waiting for someone to pick up my digital note in a bottle. If you're out there... please let me know.

I don't typically make "New Year Resolutions". I think it's a silly time to make a resolution. The holidays are busy, emotional, and crazy (in the good way and sometimes the bad way). How is one going to make a healthy realistic goal that builds one up, rather than tear them down even more? Anyways... regardless, I feel drawn to making one this year. This year's goal is a return to simplicity. It's an easy goal I return to about every few months. I go through my calendar, agendas, and to-do lists. I nix off the items that aren't essential, and enjoy the next several weeks of being a mommy, wife, and friend. After a couple months, some more non-essential craziness clutters my life and we start over. So, here's to another SIMPLE new year :D

The holidays have been wonderful. We are so excited to go to my parents' cabin. Alvin & Paul are really excited to go snow machining and shoot off fireworks.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! This morning has been wonderful. This year, we went minimal on presents and it's been nice. I must admit, I was anxious for them to wake up and enjoy the morning as a family. I couldn't fall asleep until after midnight and was wide awake by 5:30am. Nick and Rilie woke around 6:30am and Alvin & Paul around 7am.

One of our traditions that I love is the kids help pass out the gifts, then we open them one at a time talking about the person who sent the gift. The boys opened their stockings: Pezz Dispensers, Bath Toy, Travel Game, a few goodies (emphasis on few). Santa graced our home with a box of home-made blocks for all three boys to share. Alvin & Paul were so cute, they opened their cards first and we talked about who sent them.

Last night, we visited with Grandma & Grandpa Anderson. Aunt Tasha & our cousins the Moses were there. Grandma Anderson put together a lovely Christmas activity for the kids. There was a paper tree with ornaments all cut out ready to be glued on. Each ornament had a number & scripture on it. Each number lead you to a question that the scripture answered. It was a great way to bring us back to the reason for Christmas. The kids enjoyed all the matching and gluing. Hannah and I always love singing Christmas Carols together. She has such a beautiful voice. Nick received Talisman, a role-playing board game. He and most the house enjoyed learning how to play it.

After the Anderson party, we drove around town looking at Christmas lights. We found a whole neighborhood decorated from roof to foundation. It was amazing! Nick and I shared what we liked and what we didn't. We keep talking about when we have a home and how we want to decorate it. After that, we helped our tired boys get into their jammies (Alvin, not so tired). We read the children version of the Christmas story & put out Egg Nog and Auntie Sam's truffles for Santa. Alvin's plan: Stay awake all night and once he heard the jingle bells of Santa's sleigh, he would fall asleep.

The morning has been so peaceful. I think toning down the gifts and treats made a HUGE difference. The boys have been quietly building with their Legos. Rilie went back to sleep awhile ago... and Nick and I are ready to take a quick snooze.

Merry Christmas to All!

Becki

Deck the Halls

I want to find a Christmas backdrop... any suggestions?

Tis the season, and I don't want it to slip by to fast. I want to enjoy baking, giving, and singing our way through the Christmas season. So bring out the red marker and block off my calendar for festive memory making fun!