Home for the Holidays

Pretty awesome when you can have the whole nativity scene with just your own children- complete with Mary, Joseph, baby, an angel, wiseman, and shepherd!

Our Christmas holiday break was just that- a break.  We had a wonderful 2 weeks just being home with our family and enjoying each other.    

The day after Christmas, Aaron took Erika and Kyle skiing for their first time.  They had lessons to start the evening and by the end of the night, they had gotten quite comfortable with it!  

Dec 27th we went down to Salt Lake to spend some time with the Michel's.  My sister had just arrived from California the day before.  We stayed at my parents' house on Dec 26-27 and then Sunday right after church we packed up and headed up to the cabin together.  We have had very little snow this winter- it has been very unusual for Utah!  So, the kids were glad to have some snow to play in, and their cousins there.  They have been waiting a long time to see them and it was very exciting!  We spent the night of the 28th and 29th at the cabin.  I enjoyed hanging out with my siblings and making new memories.  

We had a very special anniversary this year- our 15th!!  Aaron put a lot of work into making it nice for me and I am so grateful to him.  We went down to Salt Lake on Dec 19th and stayed in a nice hotel that night.  The kids went with my parents, who gladly took them to my grandma and grandpa Schulz's annual Christmas party with them (where we made our appearance and then left).    We took the baby with us, of course, and she did great!  The next day, they drove all our kids back to our house and took Erika to her piano recital and Tavaci performance (a second performance we had already seen).   We met up with them back at our house late that night.  

When we arrived at the hotel, I knew something was going on but I wasn't quite sure what.  Aaron had me sit in a conference room for what felt like at least an hour but it probably wasn't.  I was getting really curious, though.  Then, we went out to eat at an Indian food restaurant- our favorite!  

After that, we came to the room.  He had set up a huge protector and screen in our room and we sat in comfort and watched a movie he had made for me.  Wow!  He had pictures of each of our children in order and then he videoed  most of the members of our families and had them tell what they loved about me.   I don't think I've ever received such a thoughtful, well-planned gift!  At the end of the movie, he pulled out a ring he had specially made for me- a mother's ring with my birthstone in the middle and all the kids on each side.  It is beautiful!!   What a surprise!  

We spent the next day relaxing in the hotel until checkout time- sitting in the hot-tub and just doing nothing.  It was great!  Then, we headed over to Salt Lake.  We did a little bit of shopping, of course, and then went out for an early dinner at Bennihana's, one of my all-time favorite restaurants!!  I love watching the Japanese chefs cook on the table in front of us!   After that, we walked over to the Energy Solutions arena where we watched the "Piano Guys" concert.  I had no idea at all what to expect and I was extremely impressed by them.  It was incredible and very inspiring!

Thank you, honey- for the wonderful anniversary gift!  And, for the most amazing gift of all- you.  Thank you for sharing the last 15 years of your life with me and for making me so happy!

Christmas 2013

Heidi, tickled to sit on Santa's lap and talk to him.  :)

This past Christmas seemed like it arrived much too quickly, although I had been preparing for it months before.  Christmas is such a big holiday for us, and it is so much fun!  Just before Thanksgiving Erika had her Tavaci Christmas concert and at the end a special guest arrived to see the kids.  Of course, our kids wanted to wait in the long line to see Santa!  

Jared said he wanted to see Santa, but once he got there, he wasn't so sure...  Sorry, Santa!

Notice that Erika didn't take a turn.  She hasn't wanted to for the last couple years.
Hmmm...  She hasn't said why, but I have my guesses...

Just 2 days after Jeremy's wedding, on December 23rd, we went back down to Salt Lake for my parents' Christmas party with my siblings.  We would've just stayed down there all weekend, but I am the ward Choir director and had to be to our ward on Sunday to lead the choir.  

We had a fun Christmas party with almost all of my siblings there!   It's a pretty amazing thing when we can all be together and it doesn't happen very often.  My sister was here from California for the wedding so we got to see her for Christmas, too!                                                         The next morning after my parents' party was Dec 24th.  We stayed there till the afternoon.   The kids went on a horseback ride to the gully being pulled behind the horses in sleds.  And, we just hung out the rest of the morning.   Then, we headed back home.  We didn't get home until about 5 pm and Aaron's parents arrived  just before 7, so we had to hurry and unload and prepare dinner.  We had our traditional Fettucine Alfredo for dinner with everyone.  Aaron's brother Ryan and his brother Thayne was also there with his two girls.   It was great to have everyone there!    That night, we read some scriptures about Christ in the Book of Mormon, sang some hymns and shared our feelings about Christ with each other.  

Jared absolutely LOVED the knight costume
he got from Oma and Opa and refused to take
it off until bedtime.  Even when he went to sleep,
he kept his sword by him!  

Kyle showing off his Skylanders.  Just a note-
He chose not to change his mis-matched
PJ's even after mom's warning that someday
he'd be embarrassed by the pictures.. :)

Heidi got her first Lego set- Lego Friends Stables

Erika got the American Girl doll she's always wanted

Christmas morning the kids were so excited to open their presents.  It was busy and messy, but fun too.   After the kids opened their presents, we just hung out and they played.  The kids went out and played in the snow a little, too.  David and Tara arrived just after noon and we had our traditional Christmas dinner with turkey and the works.  Then, that night we had the kids dress up and act out the Nativity Story.   They were so cute!  

Our Nativity reenactment-  Kyle was Joseph, Kaidynce- Mary, Konae- shepherd, Jared- a Roman Centurion (with his knight costume), Erika- an angel, and Heidi- a "wise man" (with the graduation hat on).  

The kids had a lot of fun playing their new "just dance" wii game

On the 26th, the kids had fun making big gingerbread men and a gingerbread house.

Jordan getting some luvs from grandma!

Heid and Aaron showing off the Lego stables they put together.
  (while mommy got an AMAZING nap!)

"Yes, we made this gingerbread house- with a little bit of help from  mom..."

Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday this year.  To head off the season,  I was in charge of the program for the ward party on December 9th.  I put together a musical program with characters dressed up from the nativity who sang musical numbers, including two songs from the Forgotten Carols.  We also had a nativity scene and a narrator dressed as a Roman Centurion who spoke in-between the musical numbers. It was a lot of work for me to put it together but rewarding, too.    I learned a lot from the experience.  I was also glad to have it over.  (I wish I had a few pictures to show from the program).   After the program, we had dinner and then a surprise visitor came to the church.   The kids lined up to sit on his lap and get a candy cane.  

As you can see, not everyone was thrilled
to sit on Santa Claus's lap.

A few days later, when I was tucking Heidi in bed, I asked her, "So, what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"  She said, "A candy cane."   "Oh, really?  Anything else?"  and all she would say was "a candy cane".   I thought,  "Wow!  I guess I shouldn't push that one!   Give it a few years and she'll have a list a mile long."  How fun that they are thrilled with the simple pleasures of life!  

We enjoyed a nice Christmas at home with our family.  We have had fun the last few years establishing our own traditions.  We took a trip down to Salt Lake on Dec 22nd to visit extended family.   We went to my grandma Schulz's Christmas party and then also visited my Oma and Opa Michel.  It was great to see all of them.  We also stopped in to visit Aaron's grandpa Christensen.  His wife just passed away in September and she is greatly missed.    We met up with Aaron's brothers and parents at Temple Square where we enjoyed the Christmas lights.  

On Christmas Eve we had a nice dinner and a program with our kids and with Aaron's parents and brother Ryan.  Erika and Kyle played songs on the piano, we sang some Christmas songs and then acted out the nativity while Aaron did the narration.  

Jared loves to climb into things and if he's lucky,
his siblings will push him around.

Jared was figuring out the whole "opening presents" thing
and just happy with a few small gifts.

Heidi was loving opening presents.  
They all got new pajamas for Christmas.  

Erika and Kyle were the most excited about the Wii and couldn't wait to play it.  

Erika, Kyle, and Heidi each also got a scooter from Santa Claus (the rest was from mom and dad and grandma and grandpa).

After church we took some pictures in front of the Christmas tree while everyone was still dressed up.

We had a nice turkey dinner and then just enjoyed playing with our new toys and spending time together.  It was such a great break!   We enjoyed relaxing and being with family.   One thing that was different this year was the lack of snow outside, but we found other things to do to have fun.  

Jared Laughing

This video was taken back on December 5th, 

but I wanted to show it because it is so fun to watch Jared laughing!!  

Our First Christmas at Home

I know we're almost a month out, but I wanted to share a few photos from our first Christmas at home.  Yes, this was our VERY FIRST Christmas in our own home and we were so excited to create our own traditions.  Every year since our marriage, we have spent Christmas Eve and Day at either of our parents' houses out of a suitcase.  It has been great to make memories there, but when our kids started asking, "When are we going to have Christmas at our house?"  we knew it was time to do it on our own.   Aaron's parents and brother did come and stay here through the holiday, which was wonderful.  They are pretty-much empty-nesters and so now they get to come and enjoy our celebration.  

Aaron's parents arrived on Christmas Eve in the afternoon.  We were still finishing our gift-wrapping and getting the house ready when they came.   We had one of our favorite meals for dinner- homemade fettucine alfredo with shrimp and chicken.  Then, after dinner we had a little program.  Erika and Kyle sang a song, Erika and I played a piano duet of "Jingle Bells" (which she had played at the school talent show a few weeks prior) and then I sang "Oh Holy Night".

Mary holding baby Jesus

Doesn't she look the part of an angel?

Then, we had the kids dress up for a nativity program.  While Aaron read the story, the kids acted it out.  They also did a little flannel-board story of it.  The kids were really excited about this because it was their first Christmas present- a Bible and Book of Mormon flannel board set.  (I think mommy was the most excited about this!)  After the program, we sang some songs and then the kids each got to open one gift (which were all books) and then we went to bed!  Oh, we also remembered to put out a few cookies and hot chocolate for Santa and we sprinkled some oats out on the driveway for the reindeer.   

  

Here is the note Erika left for Santa:

Christmas morning, the kids waited patiently downstairs until mom and dad were ready.  Then, the fun began of opening presents.   We enjoyed a nice relaxing morning opening gifts and then had a great breakfast of sticky buns and eggs and sausage.   I think the kids were all very happy with the gifts from Santa and mom and dad.  

Kyle got a marble tower.

Erika was surprised by a new barbie house built by her dad. 

Jared had the most fun playing with (and eating) the wrapping.

After breakfast, we headed out and went sledding.  This was a challenge because there wasn't much snow.   We had to drive over the mountain towards Logan to find some.  We found a great spot by Wellsville close to the road so grandma and grandpa could even shuttle us up the hill with the car!   We had a great time!   It was a beautiful sunny day.   

Uncle Ryan making a run with all the kids.

A beautiful view of cache valley and the mountains.  

When we got home, we had a delicious turkey dinner.  Then, we watched a movie together, "Despicable Me", one that has recently come out.   After that, Christmas was over and we headed off to bed.   It was great to have grandma and grandpa here to share it with us.   It was a very memorable Christmas!  

We didn't get around to making our gingerbread house until the week after Christmas, but that's okay, right?