Wrap it Up!

Okay, so my idea to blog the 12 Days of Christmas did not work. Christmas is crazy, crazy fun! So instead....

Turner Family Christmas Highlights: (not in any particular order)

1. Zoo Lights

2. Grandma Austin's Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

3. Gingerbread Houses

4. Willard Bay Lights

5. Snowstorms

6. Chocolate Mint Pie

7. Family Parties--The Austin Family party was originally planned to be a sleepover, We (I) had decided that we would not sleep there because Ryan needed to work and I was feeling sick so we were just going to spend the one day. Once there we were having sooo much fun we could not leave so decided to stay (Ryan left us there while he returned to SL for work--good boy). Regan, Will, my Mom and I got to sleep out under the Christmas Tree--it was so FUN--thanks for playing Regan!

8. Games left by Santa

9. Baby Jesus--I hope to remember it always as read by my youngest Turner--with the same excitement, love and joy that he did this Christmas Season. (I can't even begin to describe it so I won't even try)

The 1st and 2nd Day of Christmas

The First Day of Christmas we watched a Holiday Movie. This year it was Elf. I don't know why for sure but it makes us all laugh hysterically. Alec was not present because he was at the Winter Formal.



The Second Day of Christmas we wrote letters to Santa. The letters not only include what they are asking for from Santa, but also what they have accomplished during the past year, as well as what their siblings would enjoy from Santa. They write great, thoughtful letters. Good job kidos--Santa should include you on the NICE LIST.

What Traditions?!?

To prepare for the Season I chatted with each child and Ryan about Christmas Traditions. More specifically I wanted to find out which ones they loved, which ones they thought they could do without, and which ones they absolutely couldn't stand. This would help me decide what I wanted to do this year without making it crazy.

I got the same answer from each one of them: "What Traditions--we don't have any Christmas Traditions!" Are you kidding? I was under the impression that the whole season was just getting in one tradition after another--and it was getting hectic. I GUESS I was WRONG.

But maybe NOT! In an effort to prove them wrong, I will document them here over the next 12 days. Oh yeah--celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas is a TRADITION. (This is where they all said, and I quote: "oh yeah...I forgot about that."

Starting with Day N. (This is a substitute day for when I am too tired, crouchy, or unable due to multiple reasons to celebrate a day).

DAY N: DECORATION GINGERBREAD HOUSES







More Gingerbread House FUN:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas FAQ's

My sis-in-law emailed this list to me and I thought it was fun--not so much my answers (I already know them), but hopefully those of you who read it will answer the questions and blog it too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping paper--it can make a "good" gift into the "best gift ever". My Mom is awesome at wrapping gifts.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real (cut), we used to get a potted tree so that we could plant it outside in the spring. When in Cedar City a couple weeks ago seeing those trees made me homesick!
3. When do you put up the tree? My kids would tell you just a couple days before Christmas, but I promise we usually get it up by the second week of December.
4. When do you take the tree down? January 1st.
5. Do you like eggnog? NO, Ryan loves the rotten stuff, my kids won't touch it--smart like their Mom.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many, my Mom was the master santa. A baby doll highchair stands out, as well as the many books of lifesavers.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Ryan--if he wants it he already has it.
8. Easiest person to buy for? (Me--I tell you exactly what I want) Regan--again like her Mom.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a beautiful one my Mom gave me for Christmas a few years back, I hope to keep building on it. I also have a wooden block one that my kids love to play with. Alec, Austin and Will just built a tower of wisemen and a star last night. Can you image my surprise when I saw that this morning!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither. I would love to send cards. Maybe next year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The year after my Dad died everything was bad--it is better now!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love all Christmas Movies, even the cheesy ones on the Hallmark channel. Ryan and I watch them and laugh/make fun of them, but I still LOVE them.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Haven't yet, maybe in a few days!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes--a bread slicer. Ryan was mortified!
15. Favorite thing to eat or drink at Christmas? Mom's fudge, sugar cookies, Grandma's cookies, hot chocolate, chocolate mint pie, Ham.
16. Lights on the tree? Clear lights belong on trees, my kids fight for colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little drummer boy by BNL and Sarah
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, we used to spend it every year at my Mom and Dads, but the kids got too old. It is nice to be home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, if I sing them.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel, reminds me of the family I have lost.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning after breakfast.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Doesn't last long enough, and the let down after.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the silver bells that we get from Ryan's parents every year.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Doesn't matter as long as we have lots of family, one year we all packed into my house in the living room, we couldn't even open the front door--one of my best Christmas memories.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Books, slippers, and a good H2O bottle. (See I tell you exactly--if you want to know the books just say the word!)
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Hopefully Jamie, and neighborhood ladies.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Brothers and Ryan
28. Favorite thing about Christmas? FAMILY--my kids are growing up and I am not their favorite person to "hang with", so I hoping for some good quality time with them, and of course my extended family--I miss you all!

Now it's your turn---fill it in send it on

Happy Holidays

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Did ja know it?

Thora Barbara Austin. My Grandmother on my Dad's side. It is her Birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Growing up I heard these words from her a lot: "Did ja know it?" They always followed a sincere compliment, such as: "You did a good job, did ja know it?", or "Your hair is so soft and shiny, did ja know it?", or "You were the best one out there, did ja know it?", or "You are a great cook, did ja know it?" (yay, seriously she would say this to me after I opened her a can of campbells soup). She went to everything I did as a child, teenager, college student, and young mother. The first time I gave a talk without her being present was at her funeral (and technically she was there). I always heard those same words. She spent endless hours at my dance recitals, colorguard competitions, and church programs, talks and advancements. And I could always count on those words.

After she died, many people--her friends and family would come and tell me how much she loved me, how proud she was of me--they would ask if I knew how much I meant to her. And YES I DID. I did know it!

So to celebrate her this year I have made a goal to be more like her. I want my loved ones, family and friends--but especially kids to know that I love them. I am going to tell them more often, I am going to show up to things more often, I might even utter those words.

Thanks Grandma, I know!

BTW, I can't mention her without telling of what a blast she was. Austin Family: remember when she went sledding with us when she was very old (Alec and Regan were alive), and cheated at cards, and teased Gramps, and made us eat hot spicy peppers, I even have a pic of her swinging with Austin.

PLUG/UNPLUG

First the plug:

I told my little bro I would plug his new website: http://www.kcelevation.com/ Check it out.
Enjoy. Preserve. Elevate. Outdoors.
It has some good articles about the Outdoors. He has promised to add "Great Hikes for Little Legs", and "30 Minutes from Salt Lake"--both suggestions from the Turner Household. Plus you get to see Ryan pull a fish hook out of my baby brother's finger as my other brother films it...what were they thinking?? If you listen closely you can hear Ry call k. a pansy--we still laugh about it here.

Now the UnPlug:

At dinner the other night: We were all jockeying for our position at the table (the best place to sit as to see the t.v.), we had our plates full of the food that we had to throw an elbow into a blood relative in order to obtain (not really, but I swear the kids act as if they have not had a bite to eat for days--not minuets, and that if they did not take possession of the food immediately it would disappear) when Ryan asked Regan to say the blessing on the food.
(This is when the UNPLUG comes into play) Will immediately unplugged (took out his pacifier) and said: "ankyou, ankyou, ankyou! Men! (thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! Amen!) Then plugged back up. We all sat there in a bit of shock. The first time our dinner table was quiet. Will had never said the prayer before. I guess he has been listening to all the lessons we have had lately about saying our prayer's of gratitude.

It was awesome.