St. Nick and Big Hero 6

 A few years ago we started the tradition of St. Nicholas visiting our house.  The kids have really enjoyed doing it.  In the past we leave our notes along with a special container that in the morning is filled with a treat.  This year Garrett and I read about the tradition together online.  We learned a few details that we could be doing differently to follow the actual holiday a little more accurately.  On December 5th you leave your shoes outside your room with a letter for St. Nicholas to take to Santa.  He usually leaves candy, nuts and coins in your shoes that night and takes the notes.  So we decided to change things up.  We left our shoes outside our rooms at night when we went to bed hoping to wake up to them filled with a special treat.   The kids really thought leaving their shoes outside their room was a lot of fun.  We woke up to find our shoes filled with chocolate coins and little chocolate bars.  The kids were so excited!

 

 Each year we do the canned food drive at the local movie theater.  You bring 5 cans of food and you can see a movie for free.  We were talking about how we were going to make it work this year with Nolan.  There is no way that he would sit still and be good for a movie.  We decided to split up and see the movies separate each taking a kid.  It worked out really well and it was nice to be able to have some one on one time with the kids.  I took the kids over to the theater in the morning so we could get our tickets.  Then when JJ got home from work Lucy and I headed over together to see "Big Hero 6".  We were looking forward to seeing it, we heard it was a cute movie.  Once we got home JJ and Garrett headed over to see the same movie.  We all really enjoyed the movie and thought it was really good.  We also enjoyed the time with the kids.

 

Dad's Conversion Story

My Dad told us over Thanksgiving that it has been 35 years since he joined the church.  A while ago my Uncle asked my Dad to write down his conversion story for him.  He emailed the story to him but also sent it to all of us children.  There are many details that have been left out and I hope someday he writes those all down for family history.  The story is such a miracle and it amazes me every time I read it.  I am so thankful for my Mom for being a good missionary and for my Dad accepting the gospel.  Many lives have been changed because of his decision.  I wanted to include this on here so it makes my yearly book, this was written in March 2014. 

Hi Gary, It was great talking with you the other night . It really brought back a lot of memories for me. After all the years that have gone by since I learned about the church it seems like it happened yesterday. I guess that is because my testimony is so strengthened by it that I reflect on it often. To start with I was about 24 yrs. old and was having some personal problems that had brought me to be unhappy to say the least. I had been raised in the catholic faith by my great Mom and Dad who loved me and provided for me in every way. I believed in God and knew I needed his help. So I started to pray every night , very heartfelt and sincere as ever I had prayed. Then I made some plans for a vacation that summer. I did this every summer usually in Aug. because the weather is hot and dry and I could get away from my landscaping work. I loved packing up my camping gear on my motorcycle and going to see various places. I had gone to Quebec Canada one summer. Another time I went to visit my brother Alan in Hollywood California then up to San Francisco to see my cousin Louis .I always wanted to take a ride to Alaska. So this summer I had 2 weeks and I thought I would see how far I could get. Knowing I could not make the whole trip I picked a very direct route to Glacier National Park and into Canada. Well Yellowstone Park was not at all in my plan or route. But that all changed because God had his plan for me as I was soon to find out.  I was sitting at a rest stop just north of Denver , it was a beautiful sunny day. Two motorcycle riders went by up hwy 25 going north. I thought to go catch up to them and see what was up with them maybe ride with them for a while. They were two friends from New Mexico on a trip together to Yellowstone. Really nice guys and we became friends easily and enjoyed each others company. Then it got cloudy and started to rain, a lot of rain.  The whole rest of the day ,set up camp in the rain, rained all night , still raining in the morning. Everything wet and miserable, hard to ride in could hardly see anything , it was bad! Well we got to a crossroad and I was going to leave these guys and get up to hwy 90 to stay on route to Glacier, I was really set and determined to go, but they would not give up on persuading me to go with them. The old misery loves company thing. I will never forget us in the pouring rain on the side of the hwy and they got their map out spread out on the gas tank of their bike showing me how I could go through Yellowstone and keep on track. Actually it did slow me down quite a bit out off my way and not as good as hwy etc. . But they talked me into it and on the way the sun came out. As we entered Yellowstone I saw a Laundromat and shower facility. I really wanted to get cleaned up . After we set up our tents and gear to dry in the sun I headed to the showers with all my dirty clothes. I was sitting on a bench wearing my blue jeans but no shirt, it was in the wash machine. There were benches just behind me , it was very busy place. I started to feel water spraying on my back. When I turned around ,There was a girl brushing her wet hair and it was hitting me on the back. It was Camille Purdy from Provo Utah. We said hello and I asked her what brought her to Yellowstone. She said she was with her church group on a bicycle trip camp out. I asked what church she was with and she said the Mormon church. I asked her if they drove cars. She said yes and that her brother in law had a gold Mercedes. I could not believe how little I knew about the Mormon church. It was Friday and she invited me to meet her Bishop Tracy Hall and his wife and the rest of their group. When I got back to our camp the guys kidded me about my making friends with Camille . When I told them we were all invited over to their fireside that night and they were Mormons and had a Bishop with them. Well they knew something about Mormons and said no they didn't want to go. I went by myself and met the nicest people ever and had such a good time, I really felt good about this and happy .I gave my address to Camille and she said she would mail me a book of Mormon. The next day was Saturday and we all took off in different directions. I left my friends ,never to see them again and headed to Glacier. Camille went back to Provo , they had to get back for church on Sunday. I made it up into Canada a ways and turned around and headed for home. When I got home the book of Mormon was in the mailbox. I started to read it and felt so good about it .I knew it was from God and he had heard my prayers and was helping me find my way back home. You know the rest of the story. Camille and I fell in love and got married in her Mom and Dads living room by Bishop Tracy Hall . And later sealed in the Provo Temple by her neighbor Bro. Brodbent. We have 7 children and 8 grand children with 2 more expected in April. I am so happy to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. Life is not easy , and we have so much to learn here on this earth. And at times I can still become sad and unhappy about things. That is when my testimony of this church and of our savior's love for us means the most to me and helps me on my way again. I know he hears our prayers and wants to help us. Sometimes in ways we never would have expected. Love you all ! Ric

New Carseat

Nolan outgrew his infant car seat in the weight category.  He was almost there in the other measurement's too.  We should had planned a little better when we bought him a new infant car seat, knowing that he was going to be a big kid.  We ordered him a new big boy car seat and it came last week.  I was thinking that he would look so small in his new big car seat but it actually seems to fit him really well.  He enjoys being able to sit up more and look around when we drive.  He can also see Lucy in the backseat better which is really fun.  It is a little more difficult to run errands with him.  When I run errands I am constantly getting him in and out of the car seat, buckling and un-buckling.  In the infant one you can just tote the car seat around.  Plus if he falls asleep he will stay asleep as I do my shopping.  On the other hand he is so heavy to be carrying around in the car seat.  It was getting obvious to other people too.  When I was at Wal-Mart I was putting him in the cart (in his infant seat) and I heard a lady tell her husband "that looks like a heavy baby!"  I am just getting a good workout anytime I carry him around.  Either way Nolan is growing up and each little milestone reminds me that my little baby is growing up way to fast!

I love babies in bathtubs! I have such a fun time watching him explore and play during his bath.  I love his little squishy arms and rolls on his legs.  He is so much fun and I couldn't help snapping some pictures of him the other night.  We were having such a fun time playing peek a boo and laughing together.  He has started to want to crawl around in the bath and hates to lay down in the water.  Bath time is one of my favorite times of day with him.  He loves it too and gets really excited when he sees that its is bath time.

Riding in the Cart

The other night we ran to the grocery store together as a family.  We put Nolan in the shopping cart for the first time.  He loved it and was so happy to be sitting up and looking around.  He loved holding onto the handle bar as we pushed him around.  He has always loved looking around at things from his car seat when we run errands.  It was fun to see him experience it now from a different point of view.  Such a fun little monument for him!

Christmas Decorations

 The kids were so excited to get the Christmas tree put up.  We got everything out Sunday afternoon when we got back from church.  Once I got the tree all fluffed and ready to decorate I let the kids just go for it.  They move the ornaments around during the month and love to look at them and find the ones that are theirs.  So I figure if they enjoy it so much then why not let them do it.  I did move a few around and fill in some spots that looked a little bare.  They did a pretty good job and worked together really well.  I remember having fun helping with the tree and there were always ornaments I loved seeing each year.  It is fun to see my kids do the same thing.  They especially love their first Christmas ornaments.  I have my favorites too, we have bought a few ornaments while on vacations and at different places that are fun to see each year.  Christmas is such a magical holiday and I love having the tree up, it is such a pretty decoration.   

Nolan is very interested in the tree.  He went right over to it and loved to try to grab the lower branches.  We don't have very many ornaments at the bottom because we knew he would get to them.  He hasn't bothered it to much but every once and a while he goes over there.  I am going to hold off on putting any presents under there, I am sure he would tear the paper off.  He is so curious, it is fun to see him discover everything.

Garrett got all dressed and ready for church and looked so handsome in his blue sweater vest.  I then gave Nolan a bath and went to get him dressed.  I saw he had a blue sweater vest and decided it would be cute to have the boys match a little.  When JJ saw the boys in their blue sweater vest's he thought he should join in as well.  So the boys in the family looked handsome matching in their tan pants and blue sweater vests on Sunday.  I am not sure if anyone noticed but I think they had fun dressing alike. 

Special Package

Saturday evening when we got home there was a package on our doorstep.  It was a package sent to me from a few of my friends.  I have been blessed to have some wonderful friends over the years and I enjoy keeping in touch with many of them.  When my Mom was in the hospital I sent a text message to a few of my close friends letting them know what had happened.  They were so sweet to continue to send me messages asking how things were going.  Even with how busy we all get just a little message meant so much.  I know that they would be there for me if I needed anything.  They are like family to me and I hope I do enough to let them know how much I appreciate them and their friendship.  They wanted to send the package to me letting me know they had been thinking of me through the past little while with everything going on.  The package was filled with awesome things and such a sweet card from them all.  It made me so happy to get his package from them.  It brought a huge smile to my face and tears to my eyes to know how much they love me.  All of the little things in there are so much fun and I know they put a lot of thought into each thing.  It made me think that when I get promptings to do things for others that I need to follow through more often.  These little things mean so much and I am so grateful that they took the time to do this for me, love you girls!

Zoo Trip

Saturday was such a beautiful day, hard to believe it was the end of November! We headed to the zoo after JJ got home from work.  We meet the whole family down there, we got there a little over a hour before them.  It was kind of nice to have that time with our family.  We decided to go over and see the big cats.  We haven't been over there for a while but every time we go see them they are usually pretty active and easy to see.  They were all out laying on the rocks and enjoying the nice warm weather and sun. 

We then headed over to the red rock area, where we saw some interesting ostrich behavior.  Nolan enjoyed watching the giraffes walk around. 

 

We meet up with everyone and got in line to ride the train.  It has different hours during the winter and we wanted to make sure we could get on.  While we were waiting in line to get on the train we saw a tiger eat a pigeon.  He was causally walking around and a pigeon flew into his area.  He walked up behind it and swatted it and then in the same swoop ate it whole.  We just saw feathers go up in the air and were shocked that he just ate the bird so fast! The kids were like what just happened!?  It was crazy!

 

Nolan loved the train ride as long as we were moving.  He cried at every train stop, he was such a good sport because he missed so many naps during the holidays.  Lucy and Garrett had fun sitting with their cousins on the train. 

After the train we went into the reptile house.  We saw a snake eating a mouse, we saw lots of interesting things at the zoo that day.  The kids had fun looking at all the things in there.  We ran into some friends from church there.  As we were leaving they had the lights on and they were all so pretty.  If we get some warm weather again it would be fun to go down and see the zoo lights.  I am glad we were able to go, it was the perfect day to go and we had a fun time.

Black Friday

Friday morning I went over to the mall to do a little shopping in the morning.  When I got back we replanted our tulip bulbs together really fast, we keep forgetting to get that done.  We then decided to head over to Faust Park.  My family was all heading over earlier but there wasn't anyway we would be ready fast enough to meet them there.  We thought it still sounded like something fun we wanted to do.  The weather was pretty nice outside so the kids had fun playing on the playground together.  We then rode the carousel.  It was Nolan's first time to ride and he thought it was so fun!  He loved holding on tight to the horse and was all smiles during the ride.  It was a fun simple thing to do.  We then headed over to my parents house to hang out, having dinner and play some games.

Thanksgiving

Ever since my Mom had her stroke I was concerned what would happen during the holidays with her not being able to eat.  I was talking to a friend at the gym and she was saying there was no way we could make a big dinner and sit down and eat it in front of her.  I agreed, this may be the year to skip the feast and just play games and hang out together.  Food couldn't be the focus of the day.  As she continued with her therapy we realized that she was improving.  They were hoping that she would be able to eat some sort of thanksgiving dinner.  They scheduled to have her retake her swallow test on Monday.  She felt confident that things would go well and they did, she passed! This was so exciting, and made us all nervous at the same time.  To us there was a safety in her not eating, we didn't have to worry about her choking or eating the wrong things.  She was going to need to ease back into eating and start with soft and moist things.  Things in her throat were still not functioning all the way and she needs to be very careful.  She needs to sit down and focus while eating, taking a swallow in between each bite and swallow.  We discussed the things that she would be able to eat on thanksgiving day  We all worked together to add a few side dishes to the menu to accommodate her new eating.  We hoped by planning ahead what she would put on her plate would ease people a little more so we wouldn't feel like we had to watch her so close.  My Dad bought a turkey fryer and was so excited to fry up a turkey.  We did 2 big turkeys, on fried and one baked in the oven.  It was so cold outside and my Dad was freezing as he sat out there watching his turkey.  Everything was so good, all the food turned out delicious!  We all loved the special side dishes and my Mom really appreciated her special servings that we fixed for her.  It was a very special year and we all had so much to be thankful for!  We all feel so lucky to have my Mom still here with us.  We all understand that it could have easily been different and we know to not take time with her for granted.  We have also been blessed to add Nolan to our family this year and as a family we have been able to grow and accomplish a lot together.  We are so thankful for all the wonderful blessings we have, we have been given so much. 

 

 

 

After dinner we went outside to go for a little walk.  It had warmed up a little bit and the kids enjoyed running around and getting rid of some energy. 

We had a nice day with family playing games and visiting together.  Lucy and Garrett love being able to play with their cousins from out of town.  We headed back to our house early in the evening and did a little black Friday shopping to get a few deals.  We were able to get everything we wanted and it made me excited to start to prepare for the next holiday!

The day before Thanksgiving the kids were off school.  We didn't have anything planned other then we needed to go grocery shopping in the morning. The kids really enjoy going to the store with me.  I forget how much fun it is for them to have input on the things we buy.  They also have fun looking at everything in the store.  Lucy and Garrett were good helpers so we were done pretty quickly.  Other then that we stayed home and played together.  As the kids were getting ready I came into Nolan's room and saw Lucy reading him story books.  They are so sweet together and Lucy loves to read to him.  He loves it too!

 

 

Garrett loves to clean the shower doors.  I think it is funny how much he enjoys his bath time.  He has the best time playing in there! 

Nolan has gotten really good at doing the army crawl.  He is all over the place!  We have to make sure to keep the basement door closed and keep a good eye on him.  You never know where you will find him.  He is very curious and loves to explore things. 

After lunch we got a little bit of snow, it really made it feel like a holiday!  I bundled the kids up and sent them out to play in it.  They had a blast running around outside.  We had some hot chocolate when they came back inside. 

Since Nolan can crawl he loves to go over and be in the action with Lucy and Garrett.  It is so sweet to see all 3 of them playing together.  They were shooting cars down the hallway and having a blast!

That evening we went to some friends house for pie night.  I wasn't assigned to make pumpkin pie for my family so I was looking forward to still getting to make some to take over that night.  I also knew that I would most likely come home with leftover pie to still enjoy.  I made my pie that afternoon while watching a Christmas movie with the kids.  There was all sorts of yummy pie to eat that evening.  It was fun to visit with people there and the kids had fun playing with the other kids.  It was good to eat pie before thanksgiving because thanksgiving we are usually to full to enjoy all the different pies.