December highlights... the very abbreviated version.

How was your December? Ours was insane. In a good way.

We saw Natalie Cole perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir... Fabulous!

We finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family on Christmas Eve. The kids were really excited about this special Christmas gift to the Savior. It only took us about 2 years to do...

Family Ties

I have a lot to write about in my journal today. I have felt so full of sadness, joy, and love, love, love. Today was the funeral of my Grandma, Margaret Manning McCracken. There is too much to write here, and it is too personal, really. But for my siblings (who I love sooooo much), I wanted to post a couple of things that happened and were said that I want to remember.

First, let me say that I am so lucky to be part of this family. As Margie said at the funeral today, I feel like I won the jackpot in having been chosen to come to this family.

Last night, after leaving the viewing, I was listening in on a conversation being had by the kids in the back seat. Bennett said something so beautiful, it is worth sharing here. He said,

"Seeing a dead person is weird, huh, guys? It's like they are just sleeping there. And really, they are. Grandma Stick is like Sleeping Beauty, and she isn't going to wake up until Jesus kisses her."

Kids are amazing; they know more about most things than we could hope to.

Also, a special experience I had today came as I made a total mess of the piano piece I was invited to play at the funeral. WHILE I was playing, Jake came up and stood by me to tell me he had to go to the bathroom and the door was too heavy and he couldn't find Jason. So I was a leetle distracted, and missed some notes. Several, actually. But here's what happened: I didn't care! Usually after I have performed and I don't do well, I beat myself up and swear off performing ever again. But this time, the thoughts came very clearly to me that the song was a gift to Grandma, not to the audience. And guess what? Grandma would have loved it. For her, it was good enough. Perfect, even. That's just how she was. And I have felt so powerfully blessed by her love all day long. I will forever. May I be just a teensy bit more like her is my wish and prayer tonight.

News...

I'll try to get around to posting more later, but for now...

It's a GIRL!

(This post is for my blogging friends who don't facebook. Love ya.)

Uncle Jonny and Ginger

We had 2 house guests this week, and we all shed a tear when they left this morning. Jason's little brother, Jonathon, came to work on our basement, and we got some good play time in too. Here he is, with his trusty sidekick, Ginger. Seriously, Ginger is THE best, THE coolest dog on the face of planet earth.

I love that dog.

Jon is the biggest tease. The kids love him. Is there a stronger word than love? They almost worship him, really.

Here he is performing magic tricks for the neighborhood children.

And here he is teaching the boys all the secrets of Mario, Harry Potter, and Lego Star Wars.

The day before he left, he told the boys he would take them bowling if they did something nice for everyone in the family. And then he proceeded to help them do something nice for ME. He had them quiz me on my favorite lunch items, and then went shopping for them, helped them set up the table, and serve me lunch. Seriously, it was the cutest thing ever. They came to get me saying,

"Madame, lunch is served,"

in a big fancy accent.

I love it! Check out the flowers, the 2-liter of Dr. Pepper, served in a goblet... A banana? That must have been Bennett's idea. And the solar system placemat? That must have been Owen. Jon even taught them how to make roses out of napkins. I was all teary eyed.

And yes, he took them bowling.

This is the night before Jon left to go home to Washington. Bennett cried when I woke him up to come say goodbye to Jon before church this morning. We already miss him. Like my neighbor, Natalie, said as we watched him chasing the kids around the yard,

"Every kid needs an Uncle Jonny."

So true.

Giving Thanks.

This Thanksgiving we went to my Mom's as usual. But this year was very different, because we were missing some key family players. Namely Andy, Kate and kids, as well as MOM herself. She was taking care of her own Mom that day in Roy. This left me, Jaime, and Cami in charge of food. I have to say it went very well, considering none of us really knew what we were doing. We had a great time in the kitchen anyway. And truthfully, all our efforts were overshadowed by the amazing horseradish deviled eggs that the neighbor lady brings every year, and everybody chokes down, or pretends to eat so as not to hurt her feelings.

Look! Owen and Finn like our cooking!

We were lucky to have Jason's brother, Jon, with us. He and Jason were the gravy team. They made 2 kinds of killer gravy. Mmmmm.

I love you, family!

After dinner, the boys went to see Fantastic Mr. Fox with Jason and Jon, while I went out to visit my Grandma. Then we all came home, including Mom, and we all scoped out the Black Friday sales and made out plans for our attack the next morning.

We really found a ton of great deals...

But we all slept in instead.

Cache Stake Film Festival

Last summer I was given a new calling in the stake. I am the stake cultural arts director. (Should that be capitalized? I just don't know.) If you are wondering what that job is, it can be basically whatever I want it to be. I was of course overwhelmed by the task, so I immediately requested a co-chair, Sharon Brazell, to help me. She and I are a great team, (She's really organized, and I'm not. She's always motivated when I'm not. Hey wait, this team seems a little unbalanced...) and I love working with her.

I was also immediately struck with the idea that we should do a film festival with the youth in our stake. A couple of weeks ago, we showed films from each ward in our stake at a fancy screening/ awards ceremony, Oscars-style. It was a huge success. We had penny candy and a popcorn machine. People wore formals, awards were accepted, and there was even an unplanned visit from Kanye. It was excellent, and I would be totally flattered if you want to copy us and do this in your own stake or ward. I can give you more details. Just lemme know. I just wish I would have taken more photos, but I was a little crazy that night.

Here are some of the participants, eagerly awaited the screening...

And our gorgeous hosts, Mike and Emily Doxey. They had written up the greatest script to present all the awards. (The statues were actually trophies from D.I. Sweet.)

Here I am with Sharon after cleaning the gala event. It went so well, but we were definitely glad when it was all over. Phew. Also, my hair was seriously huge. And I had borrowed a LOT of jewels from my stylish friend, Tiffany. Thanks for the bedazzlement, Tiff!

Hi-YA!

I felt the baby kicking last night, finally. It made me sooooo happy. I keep thinking of all the many, many things I have to be grateful for in life, particularly this year. Like my new little karate kid throwing punches in there. I love you already, baby!

FYI: Ultrasound is coming up on December 9th...

Halloween 2009

Make sure you click on all the collages to see a larger image!

This year our traditional donut fry became an enormous party. Neighbors Julie and Natalie helped plan it and turn it into a serious event. It was so much fun, but unfortunately things got busy and crazy and I forgot to notify a few key families about the gala. SO, I have been guilt-ridden ever since. From now on, please know that you are invited every year. All of you.

Downtown

This year we went trick-or-treating downtown with the boys' friends from school. While we had a good time with friends, and being outside on a beautiful day, the actual trick-or-treating there was highly over-rated in my opinion. I don't think we'll do it again. Most shops didn't really want you there, it seemed, and they were giving out lame treats like tootsie rolls too.

BUT we went to see a short play at the Unicorn Theater afterwards, which was so cute. It featured short excerpts from Shakespeare's scariest scenes. My boys can be heard chanting, "Boil, bubble, toil and trouble," now and again. They liked it.

Ward Party

The ward party was fun, and people were so creative with their costumes. The boys were so excited to see Darth Maul enter the room... If only this year had been the year of the Star Wars costumes!!! Jason's costume was a huge hit. People didn't recognize him at all. When he dropped off his chili for the chili cook-off, Brother Smart had to ask him his name. He jumped when Jason said, "I'm Bishop Lambert!" Hilarious!

So Unfair.

Oh, the joy of playing in the leaves!

You rake and rake and rake, and then you JUMP!

And you are so happy, feeling the crunch and the coushiony bounce as you roll and tumble with your friends...

You just can't help but smile!

And then, suddenly, the fun sucker comes driving slowly down your street, towards your house, towards your leaves, and you start to panic!

You watch in absolute horror as it sucks all the fun from your day. All that hard work for what?

For the man to come and take it all away from you.

And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing.

*Except wait about 24 hours when the trees dump more leaves for you to play in.