The Best Christmas Ever

In case you didn't notice, Erica is making a heart shape with her hands. It's own of her new poses for pictures.

 

We had a really wonderful Christmas together.  Following a delicious dinner of ham and cheesy potatoes, Christmas Eve entailed the traditional kids photo in front of the tree.  They then each opened a present from Grandma Terry, who had flown in for the week.  It was a pair of new pajamas for everyone.

 



Erica was just a little excited....

She kept doing this silly dance once the presents were opened and the Santa hats were brought out.

 



Elise got into the action too.  I had a hard time getting a shot of the kids in their jammies because she was moving so much!  Here she is actually moving her legs open and shut over and over again.  She definitely caught on with the idea that something fun was coming!

 

On Christmas morning, Eric and I were awoken to little feet running up and down the stairs, then Erica bursting into our room and saying in a really loud whisper, "Mommy! Santa really came! Santa really came!"

 

We had a wonderful morning opening presents and enjoying our fun new toys.  After lunch and a much needed nap, we headed to Mukilteo beach to burn off some steam.

 

It was such a beautiful day!  The sun was shining and it was relatively warm, so the kids enjoyed throwing rocks in the Sound, climbing on washed up logs, and playing on the equipment at the beach's playground.

 



 

The day after Christmas, we took the entire family to see the new Disney movie, "Frozen."  It is very rare that we take everyone to a movie, so it was a special treat.  I know that I really enjoyed the movie, and I think everyone else did as well.  Now Erica keeps insisting that she wants to have "white" hair, like the Frozen girl.

 

On Saturday, Terry and I went with a few of my friends to see the Broadway musical "Oliver" at the 5th Avenue Theater, in downtown Seattle.  We had such a fun time together, and I was so glad to get to share that experience with her!

 

I will remember this Christmas break as a time spent with those that I hold most dear.  It was a simpler year, with simple gifts shared and received.  I was a little anxious about what the kids would think about receiving fewer gifts this year, but I shouldn't have worried.  A few days after Christmas, Ethan came up to me and said, "This has been the best Christmas ever!" 

 

I couldn't agree more, Ethan.

Mary's Story

I have always been intrigued by Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.  What kind of woman must she have been to be entrusted with the incredible task of bearing and raising the Savior of the world?  She must have been one of our Father in Heaven's choicest spirits.  This must have been true about Joseph as well, to be humble enough to raise Jesus as his own, and to love and honor his mother, Mary.

Elder Robert J. Matthews said this about Mary:

"When we consider the strong influence that a mother has on the personality and attitude of a young child in the home, we sense the responsibility that our Heavenly Father gave Mary by entrusting her with the rearing of his chosen and Beloved Son.  This would require adequate training of Mary, both as a premortal spirit and as a young woman in mortality.  Notwithstanding her pre-earth assignment, Mary would not have been worthy to bear the Son of God and give him a body of flesh and blood unless she was clean and pure in mortal life."

When I first read the quote above from Elder Matthews, I was overcome with a feeling of admiration, respect, and love for this very choice daughter of God.  I am so thankful to have such an amazing example of a woman to study from the scriptures.  She truly exemplified faith, obedience, humility, and love.

Finally, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said this about Mary:

"As there is only one Christ, so there is only one Mary.  And as the Father chose the most noble and righteous of all his spirit sons to come into mortality as his Only Begotten in the flesh, so we may confidently conclude that he selected the most worthy and spiritually talented of all his spirit daughters to be the mortal mother of his Eternal Son."

I recently wrote a short story which was posted on my writing group's website for Christmas.  It is a portrayal of the story of Jesus' birth, as seen through the eyes of Joseph's donkey, who carried Mary on his back on their journey to Bethlehem.  I really enjoyed the opportunity which it gave me to think more about what Mary and Joseph must have really been like, what their daily life would have looked like, what the challenges were that they faced as they made this necessary trip to Bethlehem.  It made me appreciate even more the sacrifices that they each made, in order to bring our Savior into the world.  It also helped strengthen my testimony of our Father in Heaven's plan for each of us, and the joy which we can receive by following the example of Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful for a Father in Heaven who loved us enough to send his Only Begotten Son into the world, who would provide the way that we can return to live with them again one day.  Jesus Christ truly is the light of the world, and I hope that I can share that more fully with those around me, even if it is through the simple means of sharing a sweet bedtime story.

I hope that you have time to enjoy my story:

"Samuel's Stable" by Heather White

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our beloved friends and family, near and far!

Our hearts are full of gratitude today for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, for His life and example, and for His atoning sacrifice on our behalf. Our wish this holiday season is to share His light and love to all we meet.  May God bless you and your families.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in front of the tree!

 

 

 

We spent a wonderful Christmas at home this year. Here are a few pictures from the holiday.

 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

 

 

Looks like a few kids are getting excited for Santa to come!

 

 

 

After opening presents on Christmas morning, we headed out to our annual trip to Mukilteo Beach.  It had been raining all day, and we lucked out in finding a brief pause in the rain.  It was very cold, though, with a biting wind!

 

 

We saw this scuba diver braving the cold on Christmas Day.  He teased us that he was probably warmer in the water than we were in the wind!

 

 

 

Erica didn't seem to mind the cold.  In fact, we had to drag her away from the water, numb hands, bare legs and all!  That girl is crazy!

 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this New Year brings you much peace, hope, and love! 

Christmas

The kids with Uncle Richard.

For the first time since we moved to Washington eight years ago, we had the opportunity to go home to Idaho for Christmas! We had so much fun spending time with family, and remembering what it was like to be home for the holidays! 

Christmas Eve, with the lights glowing!

There were plenty of presents under that tree!

Despite their fears, Santa was able to find the kids and they made off with a haul! Heidi got several new outfits, Ethan got a microscope and some parachute chord to practice his knot-tying skills. Elise got a talking puppy, which is programmed to say her name and sing various songs, while Erica got all things "Princess," her recent obsession.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family. It was the most precious gift of all this Christmas!

Christmas at Mt Baker

We spent Christmas with my parents and my sister and her husband at the base of Mt Baker. Despite all the extra snow gear, boots, gloves, hats, pants, and even sleds, there was.....

NO SNOW!!!

It was wet and rainy instead, but we had a lot of fun anyway!!!

We spent a considerable amount of time making the ornaments for the tree. All the decorations were made of paper: origami cranes, geometric boxes and stars, frilly snowflakes, and a paper chain garland. It turned out beautiful!

Ethan made this beautiful and elaborate star which adorned the top of the tree.





On Christmas Eve night, Grandma and Grandpa read the Christmas story. Erica fell asleep in Grandma's lap by the end.



Christmas morning was all about the presents!!! To Erica, it was all about the candy. She ate so much she got sick! Her favorite present was this Dora doll that Santa brought her.







We had such a wonderful time, creating memories I will always cherish!!

*Playing Christmas carols together on the musical instruments we brought.

*Heidi and Ethan's first ski/snowboard adventure at Mt Baker.

*Cooking with my mom in the kitchen, and enjoying her amazing cinnamon rolls.

*Playing games together.

*Watching movies together.

*Listening to the CD that Diana and Jordan made, with Christmas songs they recorded themselves.

*Experimenting and getting photo tips from my dad. (All the best photos here are his.)

*Relaxing in the hot tub, in the rain.

*Being completely surprised with an amazing diamond necklace from my sweet sweet husband.

*Making all the fun ornaments for the tree.

*Spending quality time with everyone, with no phones, and very little television.

Christmas Day at the Beach

Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny, with a crisp winter breeze. It was a perfect day to enjoy our annual visit to Mukilteo Beach after all the presents were sufficiently torn into and our tummies were full with Eric's yummy breakfast.

Erica was very entertained with the ferries that came and went at the dock and all the seagulls flitting around.

She also learned how to toss pebbles....Watch out! They were flying everywhere!

Elise applauded her sister on!

Ethan made use of the telescope my dad made for him for Christmas. Ahoy maties!!

Heidi, under the delusion that it is not still winter here....Of course, it made for a good picture! She is sporting a new Christmas outfit.

Heidi is also a fabulous photographer. Here she caught the old ma and pop.