"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

I am so sorry to see Christmas Day end! We have had a wonderful time being together. I must admit that I was not quite in the Spirit of things, but it all came together so wonderfully starting last night.

We started out Christmas Eve Evening with a wonderful ham dinner. We set our table with our fine china, crystal and silverware. The kids always enjoy this, it isn't very often that we do this.

We prepared our Christmas baskets for the hospitals, and the Military Guards and set out to deliver them. We first went to Sharp Mary Birch Hospital where we have been going for the past 10 years. We let Elijah go in for the first time. It is there that 11 years ago he was in the intensive care unit. We appreciate so much all those nurses and doctors who have to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas! We bring them baskets of goodies to say thank you each year. P.S. Elijah came home on Christmas Day.....so Christmas is always extra special to us.

We went to Children's Hospital to drop off small presents to all the kids who have to go to the Emergency Room on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Ethan has spent many days at the Hospital and it's nice to say thank you to them as well.

We went by the Military base to drop off baskets at the Guard Gates. This is probably our families very favorite Christmas activity. Those cold guards are always so excited to get these baskets and we appreciate all our Military service.
After all our deliveries it was back to our house to prepare the cookies for Santa and to hit the sack!

Christmas morning was great! The children got the toys that they so desperately needed. We spent the day playing as a family with all their presents. Most of the day was spent at the "Ranch" with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

We are grateful to celebrate our Savior's birth. How humble we feel when we think of him, and his life of service. It is wonderful to remember that the ultimate gift that we receive is the gift of his life. May we all live to fully appreciate and strive to live by his example!

It's sad to see it all end.....but there is always next year to look to!

FHE

We had a great Family Home Evening tonight. We first went to Costco to get James some new glasses....he is getting so old! We then went to deliver small presents to some neighbors and friends.
We came home and watched a movie together. It was a Christmas present from our friends the Larsen's in our ward. The movie is called The Ultimate Gift and we couldn't have watched it at a more perfect time. It's great to be reminded of the things that are truly important especially at Christmas time. We have been blessed beyond measure and we are grateful to our Father in Heaven for all of his blessings!

What do Wendy's and World of Warcraft have in common?

Yesterday we went to the Temple to see the lights! The kids had only one comment....Why aren't there colored lights? I gave up and started to drive home.


On the way back the kids were starving and wanted to stop at Wendy's. I was getting a little frustrated because the kids were taking their time telling me what they wanted. Last but not least it was Ethan's turn to order and what does he say......."I would like a Hoard Hamburger, hold the Dwarf pickle, I would like some fried Gnomes, and a small Blood Elf Root beer". Needless to say I think that this kid is playing way too much World of Warcraft....but he still cracks me up! So the answer to my question, what do Wendy's and World of Warcraft have in common....Absolutely nothing!

News Flash....Elijah turns 11!!!

Yesterday was Elijah's big 11 year old birthday. The day started out just perfect for him. His Dad brought him and his class the best treat.....Krispy Kreme Donuts! After school we picked up Elijah for his next present, one that I have to say for the record, I was totally against! Elijah got his first cell phone. I know, I know......what a mistake, but James says he is responsible enough. We will see.

When we came home he got his next present, and not his favorite either. He got his new Boy Scout Uniform....Yeah!

We also took Elijah out to dinner to his favorite restaurant....Pat & Oscars. He had his favorite Caesar Salad, Bread Sticks, Ribs, and Chicken. What could be better?

We then went to Elijah's last Cub Scout Pack Meeting, where he received many awards. He earned 14 pins, a belt loop, his Webelos Badge, two Compass Points, and most importantly his Arrow of Light (the Eagle Scout Award for Cub Scouts). We were very proud of him and us for accomplishing such a task!

We finished the evening at our home with many of the Larson cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandmama, and Poppy. It is also Aunt Marykay's Birthday so we got to sing "Happy Birthday" twice! Elijah wanted to have a Strawberry Pie for his Birthday, but since those won't be around until February, he settled for Root Beer Floats.

We love you Elijah and are so happy to have you be in our family. We hope you have the best year ever!

Christmas Choir Concert

Tonight we went to Elijah's Holiday Choir Concert and it was great. They sang songs that represented all of the major holidays from Veteran's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanuka, and Christmas. Elijah did a great job.

Annual Larson Family Recital

We were well entertained tonight as our Countdown till Christmas continues! Every year the Larson's have a family talent show. The talents range from playing instruments, to singing solos, to dancing, to cooking, to making things, etc... It was great to see all the little grandchildren participate. Ethan and Olivia both graced us with a special dance each. Ethan also sang a solo, Olivia shared a special treat she made, Elijah played the piano and his recorder. It's always fun to have the whole family together!

FHE/Family Game Night

Day 8....Family Game Night. The kids were so excited when they saw that it was game night (much to my dismay). For anyone who knows me, they know that I am not particularly fond of board games. So it was with great joy that as I was digging through our game closet I came across a game that James and I got before we were married. It is called Scrutineyes. I love this game and the kids loved it too....we will definitely play it again.

But before the games began we were lucky enough to first go over to Grandmama and Poppy's house to wish Uncle Richard a very happy birthday. Then we were able to go back home where we had a very special visitor come to our home. Sister Kristy Fisler came over to tell us all about her mission, the Manchester England mission. The kids loved to hear the stories of her feeling the spirit and being chased by dogs. It really was great and I was blessed to feel the spirit multiple times. She told us that every morning she would wake up and decide if she was going to be a fearful missionary or a faithful missionary. We loved that story

Christmas Card Lane, Day 7

Tonight we drove up and down Christmas Card Lane....a favorite family tradition. I love to see the Christmas Light!

Not All Christmas Dreams are Perfect, Day 6

Our Christmas Countdown continues......Day 6 we were going to decorate a Gingerbread house. My lofty expectations of having a perfect family evening decorating a little house ended in an economics lesson. Elijah, Ethan, Olivia, and my nephew Gavin went hard at work decorating our house, and as it collapsed we discussed the recent economic downturn in the economy. We decided that our Gingerbread house had fallen in disrepair and is now bank owned. Not all Christmas Dreams come true!!! BTW we had a blast making and watching the collapse!

Christmas Countdown Quilt

I have had this Christmas Countdown Quilt for years. Each year I have done something different in each of the pockets. The kids have gotten little toys or candy or something little each day. This year we are doing something different. In each pocket we will have an activity to do for the day. It could be something very simple, like reading a book, or baking cookies, but I hope the kids will enjoy it.

I am kind of behind on things and started only today on day 3, oops. Day 3 was to read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Tommey. It is a cute little story!

Gavin Gets Baptized

The most important reason why we went to New Mexico for Thanksgiving was to go to my nephew Gavin's baptism. Gavin was baptized at the same church building that I was baptized O'so long ago.

Our little family in front of my Grandma's house. She lives across the street from the chapel that I went to as a little girl. We would walk to Grandma's house, and then walk to church from her house every Sunday, twice a day (does anyone remember those days?).This is the church building that I went to when I was little!This is Uncle Shane with the kids....Always causing problems!

Elijah is actually named after my brother.....Elijah Shane Parkinson! I have a great brother!

I love these pictures, but the one I really wanted is the one of Gavin with his three, yes that's right, three Aunt Melissa's. There is me, aka Aunt Mimi, Aunt Melissa (my brother's wife), and Aunt Melissa (Michelle's sister)!