Christmas memories - 2009

I'm finally getting around to our Christmas post.  December was crazy wonderful, we had a great mix of family togetherness with the Howick and Cantera clans, fun outings and activities, as well as our own family traditions.  Our home was "party central," which ended up being a lot of fun - we hosted Christmas Eve brunch and sledding with Jenna's family, Christmas Eve dinner and party with the rest of my family, enjoyed having my parents and brother over Christmas morning, then Cantera cousin fun and skiing with David the next day.  That was just the first three days.  Then it was helping host the big Howick family party at our church with my mom and aunt, then having the cousins over for New Year's eve, and finally the New Year's Eve party with grandpa Ron and the Cantera fam.  Here are a million pics of some of the festivities . . .

Sophie and friends at Annabelle's annual tea party.

At the "living nativity" - wow, very beautiful - next year the whole family is going!

Decorating gingerbread cookies - just one of our many fun projects in the kitchen.

First round of treats to give to friends . . . sugar cookies and pounds of toffee to follow!

Howick family tradition, now Cantera tradition (thanks Mom!) - the "Love Pillow" - we take turns expressing love and appreciation for one another. 

The kids love finding it on their beds!

Our annual family Christmas outing 2009 - This year we choose to go see the Joseph Smith movie, then lights at Temple Square, then dinner at Himalayan Kitchen.  It was so nice having Grandma Pat join us.

CHRISTMAS EVE with the Howicks

Family pics in our living room - My  mom and dad with the grandkids

Our photographer set up the studio right in our house - pretty slick . . .

And yes, Chris needed a haircut - hadn't had it cut since AUGUST -

oh well, I love my rockstar husband!

Christmas Eve dinner

Uncle Travis gave all his neices/nephews new beanies - how SWEET.

It's not Christmas Eve without traditional Norwegian Krumkake filled w/fresh raspberries and whip cream - yummy!

My favorite women - Mom, sister Jenna, and my sweet Caroline

Thanks Grandma!

Christmas Eve pjs - the kids had to forego the treasure hunt and settle for "hot and cold" this year - just got too late . . .

But they didn't seem to mind!

Liza with cousins Miriam and Avery

Singing "The Nativity Song" together before reading Luke 2 . . .

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Sophie and Liza's surprises from Santa

Always exciting!

Chris' gift from the kids - a nice, new blender for his protein shakes - they were SO excited to give it to him!

oh, and Wii Fit and snowshoes for me . . . fun!

Skiing and sledding with cousins . . .

Caroline and Shelby

Cousins Becca and Rachel with Liza and Soph before sledding.

On the sledding hill

NEW YEAR'S EVE with the Canteras

Party with the Cantera clan and Grandpa Ron - Ryan was awesome at celebrity charades - until he had to ask, "Who's Rosa Parks??"

Ryan can't wait to leave and go with his friends to a "real" party!

We  made it - the year is over - time to open up our 2009 box . . .

Inside our "2009" box - all the mementos from our year - always fun to open and remember the things we did together and individually, as well as the milestones that were reached during the year.

Friends

"A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where

you've been, accepts who you've become, and still,

gently invites you to grow . . ."

 Anonymous

I found this quote today, something I saved from "Academy For Girls" almost twenty-five years ago.  I was just thirteen years old when I spent a week down at BYU for this program.  I still remember my counselor, Katherine Kennedy (we actually connected on facebook of all places just recently), some of the talks that were given, and especially how I felt and grew spiritually during that time.  So, today while organizing some boxes I found this handwritten quote on a little piece of pink paper, given to me from one of the counselors and thought I would share.

It must have meant enough to me back then to keep all these years and I understand why.  After my family, it's truly my friends that keep my tank filled and bring so much happiness into my life.  Thanks to you all!

Quote for the day . . .

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

Mary Anne Radmacher

Resolutions?

Yep, New Year's resolutions - made some that I thought were pretty great.  Thought I would tackle some of my inner weaknesses, well guess what?  ALL bets are off when that perfect storm has been brewing for a week and is finally unleashed . . . ok, yes, you got it, that optimistic, cheerful, happy thing that rarely lets anything bother . . . um, ya, today I turned into "don't get close to me or I'll bite your head off" psycho lady.

It was purely self loathing.  Self pity for the squishy belly that suddenly appeared, for the lovely cellulite that's multiplying and replenishing on my thighs from all the junk I've put into my body the past few weeks, and for not having the drive get my sorry self out for an intense workout.  Today was going to be "the day" - the day to get out and do something active . . . well, I forgot about a PTA meeting I had to go to (only to face the principal's disappointment that I messed up on a project), then it was finishing the Christmas clean-up, then it was laundry, then it was kids . . .

SO, after barely squeezing into my favorite jeans yesterday + not working out seriously for over a MONTH + gorging myself with every holiday treat in sight (dang my aunt's homemade chocolates) + drinking coke (which i never do) + the inversion + "that time of month" + my sassy kids + feeling like I have no "me" time to actually get out and exercise = the version of Julie that probably has offended everyone within earshot - my kids, my friends, the neighbors, strangers, the neighbor's dog . . . you get the picture.

SIGH . . . the good news is that when i finally connected with Chris on the phone today at 6pm and he asked "how's your day been?" I didn't hesitate to say, "honestly, it stunk - ugh, lousy day, I think it's because I haven't had a good workout in ages."  Thank goodness I said what I felt, thank goodness I didn't say "fine, it's been fine," which normally I would do and just deal with it, because he said, "GO - tonight - take as much time as you need, I'll take care of the kids."

And I did - even if it was just running at a lousy 10 minute pace for 3.5 miles on a treadmill - I was sweating, my heart was racing, my face was red, and it felt OH, SO GOOD.  Tomorrow morning I have a tennis workout which I haven't been to since before Thanksgiving, and I'm going running afterward, Friday I'm skiing with Sophie, and if I'm not skiing with the big kids on Saturday, I'll be on my new snowshoes up the Quarry Trail in Little Cottonwood . . .

Life is good again.  My sincerest apologies if any of you experienced my wrath first hand today, I'm still not perfect, even if at times I think I am :-).

Date Night

Cozy dinner and cinnamon tea at our favorite Lebonese restaurant:  Simply amazing.

Watching Chris take 15 minutes to parellel park:
"Laugh so hard you cry" funny.

Masterpiece of a movie at our favorite downtown theater: 
Compelling.

Chris admitting that he really is a movie snob, just like me:
Oh, so satisfying.

Finally finding some time alone to talk, laugh, and connect with each other after more than a week of holiday company and craziness: 
Priceless.

Reflection

I want to share the most eloquent words I've read all year.  They came as a Christmas card greeting from a dear friend of mine, the last will and testament from her grandmother.  So, as we contemplate "new year's resolutions" and the fresh start 2010 offers, I am reminded that it's the simple, everyday moments that I want to place my focus this year . . . living each moment filled with gratitude and joy:

"My love of learning is yours for the seeking.

My excitement over Earth's beauty

Is to be snatched in the fleeting moments

By the observant.

My deep well of contentment will be found

In quiet moments of thankfulness.

The riches I have found in life

are for each of you.

Find them in a baby's smile,

In a friend's warm touch,

In the understanding smile of a stranger,

In the security of family love.

The peace I have

That God is a good and forgiving father

I give to all of you with my love and blessings."

Maurine Conover Jensen (1913-2007)

So, if I die anytime soon, just copy and paste these words into my own "last will and testament." I couldn't express how I feel any better.  Here's to a beautiful 2010.

Good-bye 2009

Wow, that went fast.  Too fast.  This month flew by, and here it is New Year's Eve and in twenty minutes it will be 2010.  I have a good feeling about 2010, it just sounds promising.

2009 was a fun year, and I'm hoping to capture a few more memories here on the blog in the next day or two.  The Christmas break has been bliss, especially now that the final party hosted at our house is over and peace has been restored ;-).  So, here I sit, alone by the fire trying to keep my eyes open while I wait for my teenager to come home from a New Year's party.  Chris was wiped out by 10pm, Caroline went to a friend's for a sleepover, and after the cousins left tonight, the little girls couldn't keep their eyes open one minute longer.

In the past I would have thought I needed to be somewhere celebrating, but not anymore.  I can't remember the last time Chris stayed up until midnight, so it's just me here enjoying the Christmas tree lights one last time before we take it out tomorrow and contemplating the new year ahead and its endless possibilities.  Not too shabby.

Happy New Year my friends.

Memory Lapse?

Today Liza brought home a little something from school, and I thought you all might find it as funny as we did:

Don't worry, Ryan's feelings were only mildly hurt.  The rest of us were laughing so hard that Liza referred to him as "Brudr" instead of his name . . . too much!

Tea Party

No, not that kind of a "tea party" . . . a Julie specific "tea" party, meaning drinking my absolute favorite peppermint herbal tea before bed.  Soothing and wonderful and just one of those things that makes me, me.

Just thought I'd share, because if you don't drink herbal tea, you're missing out on one of life's most relaxing little pleasures :-).

Feels Like Christmas

SNOW!  Yes, snow, the wonderful Christmas kind of snow that falls softly overnight and blankets the neighborhood the next morning . . . just what we need to really feel the warmth of the season.  After decorating gingerbread cookies last night and watching the classic "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" the little girls were skipping around the house this morning after we had hot chocolate with whipped cream, and then while Christmas tunes played in their bedroom as they got ready for school.

Ahhhh, I love it.  It's mornings like these when the excitement from Elizabeth is just electric and is truly what makes Christmas so special . . . those feelings you remember from your childhood.  It's those memories of  family, warmth, and heightened anticipation, combined with the smells, sounds, and tastes of the season that one never forgets.

Hopefully we'll have more mornings like today this season . . . even if the girls did get to school 30 minutes late!!

Oh, and I'm putting the thought that I haven't STARTED Christmas shopping yet, completely out of my mind . . . I think today I'll enjoy more hot cocoa and turn on the fire :-).

Manna from heaven

I praise the genius who first dipped a cinnamon bear in milk chocolate . . . these little creations have got to be my favorite holiday treat.  A few years ago you could only find them in specialty chocolate shops, now they are EVERYWHERE . . . heavenly.  So today when Caroline and I discovered the "Sweet Shoppe" chocolate display was set up at Dan's, we were giddy with excitement (I'm not joking - GIDDY) as we scooped over 2 lbs. of these delights into a white paper bag and rushed through the checkout so we could finally open our sack of treats and indulge - aaahhhh, love Christmas!

Option 2

My conversation with Liza while fixing dinner tonight:

Liza - "Hey I have another idea for Christmas"
Me - "Great, because I'm not sure Santa can bring a talking dog."
Liza - "That's ok, I either want a talking dog or an elf."
Me - "Exactly what type of an elf are you talking about?"
Liza - "You know, one of Santa's little elves."
Me - "So, do you think you would like a boy or a girl elf?"
Liza - "A girl elf . . . oh, WAIT, I think a boy elf because we have too many girls in our family, we need another boy."
Me - "OK, you'll have to ask Santa if he can part with one of his elves."
Liza - "All right - I'll tell him that I'll take good care of him and make sure he wears his seatbelt."

Anyone want to help me with THIS Christmas wish??

Update:  I've been trying to talk Liza out of this request, but to no avail.  When I told her that Santa really can't just give away one of his elves, she responded that she only wants an elf without a home - an "orphan elf" - because she'll take really good care of an elf who needs a family.  Sigh.

I can't wait to hear what the local "Santa" has say when my daughter sits on his lap and asks for a  real elf!  I think I'll have the video camera rolling for this one :-).

LOVED this movie

After spending the entire day yesterday CLEANING the house (it feels great - hopefully today I'll get up Christmas) I decided to treat myself to this fabulous film - Meryl Streep was amazing, just amazing.  Yes, just me, at the Sugarhouse dollar theater.  I actually don't mind going to movies by myself, especially on a weeknight when the theater is practically empty and I can take my shoes off, put my feet up, and stretch out across three seats while I laugh out-loud at the funny parts and even shed a tear or two during the tender scenes.

Now that the year is coming to a close, I think I've seen maybe FIVE movies total in the theater - pathetic - especially when I know I've missed some great independents at the Broadway, and also knowing that of those five, two or three were with the kids.   So, I'm just going to start doing this more often because great films are released monthly and by the time I get Chris to go see them with me, they're already out on DVD and I've missed the theater experience!  If anyone out there wants to be my movie buddy, call me and we'll start seeing movies once a month - I think it's something I need :-).

In his element

Someone caught a great candid moment this past Monday morning before school started and posted this picture on Ryan's facebook page.

I just love it . . . love how it captures a piece of the day I never get to see, love how Ryan's expression tells a story, and I especially love the cute smile on the girl he is talking with - sweet!

Liza's Christmas wish

Anyone know where we can find one of these?

Yep, a talking dog, this is the ONE and only gift Liza would like for Christmas.  No matter how much we try and explain that Doug is pretend, and that collars that make dogs talk don't exist, she is still certain that Santa will make it happen, and a little puppy with a very special collar that translates its thoughts into words will be waiting for her under the tree on Christmas morning.

Sigh.