Merry Christmas!!

Christmas in our own home- for the first time ever! What a wonderful thing. We enjoyed good food, family togetherness and fun, thinking about the birth of our Savior, and Santa Fun. It was so fun to start some new, and continue some old Christmas family traditions! On Christmas eve, my parents and my brother Brian trudged through the snow (well, with their van) in Spokane and came to stay and celebrate the holiday. We ejoyed a Christmas Eve feast of artichoke spinach dip, Ham, Potatoes (a special apple and potato side dish), asparagus, salad, christmas jello (my brothers favorite), pumpkin pie and my new recipe for a no-bake christmas stocking cake (which was AWESOME- I will post the recipe at the bottom of this post). We had the kids do a nativity flannel board story and read from the scriptures about the nativity. We also sang Christmas carols and started our new tradition of giving everyone a new ornament for the tree. We had the kids set out their stockings, some cookies and a celery stick for santa and the reindeer.

And, Chrismtas morning- Santa came!!






Some of the kid's favorite gifts were Cynthia's littlest pet shop carrying case and go fish game, marbleworks, the Spongebob box Jon made for Marcus with his woodburning tools, and biggest of all, the game cube - with Spongebob and other games Marcus asked Santa for (which Santa bought off of our neighbor last year). It was so fun to see their excitement! Jon enjoyed the games I bought him, and I LOVE my new purse and calendar Jon got me. What a great Christmas! I feel like I have eaten a ton!! The rest of Christmas day we played games, ate leftovers and just enjoyed being together!
The best uncle ever!! My brother Brian and the kids:


My parents brought sleds for us to borrow- we have had a lot of snow (though not as much as Spokane!!):


On Friday we all to the movies and dinner at Applebees- so much fun! We saw the movie "Bedtime Stories"- it was a GREAT movie! What is better than a CLEAN, cuss word free, Disney, Adam Sandler movie? It was funny and clever- a movie I would love to own someday.


Saturday we went sledding before Grandma and Grandpa headed back to Spokane.


Merry Christmas to all!



No-bake Christmas stocking cake

Description:
Actually, this cake can be made into any shape, not just a stocking. We had this on Christmas Eve and it was a HUGE hit! It is so easy to make too, just a filling and Graham Crackers- the crackers soften and form the layers of the cake. It is suprisingly delicious- and tastes even better each day that goes by as leftovers. This is made a day ahead of time- so is great for those events where you want to get things done beforehand- like Christmas eve.

Ingredients:
1 pkg (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cup cold milk
1 pkg (3.4 ounces) white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling
1 large container (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided
20 whole cinnamon graham crackers (about 5x2 inch rectangles)- - even the off brand is great- but MAKE SURE THEY ARE CINNAMON
1/2 cup decorating icing and candy decorations (optional).

Directions:
Note: make sure to start making this at least 7 hours in advance, or even a day in advance. Also make sure your fzn whipped topping is thawed IN THE REFRIGERATOR overnight before you even start to make this - do not set out on the counter or it is too runny. It is also a good idea to set out the cream cheese so it is softened, though in a pinch you can microwave the cream cheese for a minute or so on high until it is really soft.

1. Beat cream cheese on high speed of electric hand mixer until smooth. Slowly add milk and continue beating until smooth (no lumps), scraping down sides of bowl. Add pudding mix and beat an additional 2 minutes or until thickened. Fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping carefully with a scraper.

2. Spread one side of five of the crackers with a small amount of the filling. Arrange crackers, filling side down on a large serving surface (platter, or I used a cutting board) so they don't slide, in a boot shape (or shape of your choice). Boot shape- 4 crackers side by side horizontally, and one just to the side vertically to make the toe of the boot.

4. Top with one third of the filling and spread to the edges, then top with another layer of 5 graham crackers. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with the crackers.

5. Frost the top and sides of the "cake" with the rest of the whipped topping (can also reserve some of the whipped topping in the easy accent decorator or other cake decorating bag to decorate cuff, toa and heel with star tip). Decorate as desired with decorator icing.

6. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Before serving decorate with candies if desired (don't do it earlier, because sometimes the colors bleed onto the whipped topping).

7. Serve chilled.

Number Of Servings:12

Preparation Time:25 minutes, and at least 6 hours in the refrigerator

The most wonderful time of year . . .

Merry Christmas!!!

This year has been an especially exciting year for us- our first Christmas in our very own home. Our Christmas tree looks great with our vaulted ceiling- for the first time the living room doesn't look too crowded when we get out the tree. I love our little house! AND for the first time EVER- we have a house to put Christmas lights up on!



What a busy time of year though- the last two weeks have been filled with decorating, last minute shopping (Wal Mart- shudder - - is soooo crowded any time of every day!), Lillain getting into things, LOTS of baking for gifts, Lillian taking all the ornaments off the tree, helping at the school, sending Christmas cards, Lillian wanting to be held, taking the kids to Gymnastics, Lillian watching the Polar Express for the 100th time (at least I like that movie), planning and carrying out cub scouts, Cynthia asking to help with the baking, Playgroup, a really fun book club evening, Elementary school holiday parties (which I did baking for also . . . ) and performances, Marcus and Cynthia's excitement about Santa coming soon and their hope for a "spongebog game cube game, with the game cube" (which Santa magically got from our neighbor last apring), Ward/ hospital/ and resident Christmas dinners, Me singing "you better not shout, you better not cry, you better not pout . . ." trying to keep the peace in our boisterous house, Lillian whining for "nandy" and me caving in more often than not, lots of christmas music, spending time with Jon (this was a good rotation month), trying to teach the kids the "true" meaning of Christmas and about our Savior's birth, our pipes freezing and luckily thawing before bursting, AND some snow!

Some other highlights- last weekend we went to the Yakima Stake (the other stake) Christmas production- which is amazing as usual, and then to the arboretum's luminarium. Saturday we took the kids to see "Bolt" in 3-D - - it was a blast! And yesterday I visited Sunnyside to see my friends before Christmas - - I just had to get my fix!

Even though it sounds CRAZY- I am having a ball!! I love Christmas time- and the excitement. It is even more magical with kids . . . I am sooo excited to see their faces when they see what Santa is brining them! Their granparents have virtually paid for most of our Christmas with their generous contributions . . . AND best of all, my parents are coming to OUR house for Christmas!! I am so excited-it is going to be great! Last year we decided that this year we would stay home- it is time for us to do our own traditions in our own home. The only thing that made me sad about this is not seeing family - - so now I get to have my family and be at my own home!

California December 5-7th

OK- I know this post is super late in coming, but it has been CRAZY busy here! Jon has been home a lot more this month due to an easier rotation. I am treasuring our time with him, so I don't take much time to blog as much! Anyway- I am going to get caught up today since he is working!

My trip to California was amazing. Yes- it was for a funeral for my Grandfather- Keyne P. Monson, but it was spritually uplifting and I had the opportunity to see many family members and cousins. (and get a break from my kids . . . Poor Jon had to deal with HIS grandma's funeral, AND have the kids in Spokane . . . luckily he got a babysitter for the actual service, so he could enjoy it). I had a fun time flying from Spokane with my parents. It was kind of like being a kid again - - I didn't really have to be in charge or worry about getting where we needed to be - - I just got to enjoy a relaxing flight with good conversation! We arrived in Oakland on Friday afternoon (the 5th of December) and met up with the rest of my siblings. They ALL were there minus spouses and kids, except Laura brought her really cute baby Rachel. We all went out to dinner at Mimi's Cafe (yum, yum!). The next day on Saturday was the funeral and after the families met at my Grandma's house. It was an amazing day! First of all, it was wonderful to see ALL of my cousins. I really do have an amazing family. Not all are members of the church - - but it is amazing how something like this brings us all together. All the grandchildren (we are all grown now) sang Granpa's favorite hymn "How Great Thou Art" for the funeral- what an amazing legacy he as left. Each one of my Granpa's children (my dad, 3 uncles and aunt) spoke, each saying a bit about grandpa. I learned so much about the amazing life he led, as a physician, husband, and a father. He was the first ENT in the Hayward area, built a hospital there, and was a huge part of the community, among much more. The viewing was an interesting experience for me. The room was filled with many loved ones greeting each other and enjoying each other's company. It was interesting to me becuase it didn't seem like a sad occasion at all. Certainly everyone will miss my Grandpa, and there were some tears from his immediate family, but we all knew it was his time, and that he had led an amazing life. Even though the volume level was extremely high due to the greetings during the viewing, it didn't feel irreverent or disrespectful. It felt like everyone was celebrating his life. I am so glad for the knowlege the gospel brings. I have no doubt I will see my Grandpa again- and it won't be the frail old man who didn't know my name, it will be the amazing man everyone talked about.

The hardest thing about the event was my Grandmother. She seemed to be having a much harder time. No matter how long a couple gets to be together in this life, it is always hard for someone to loose their beloved spouse. They had been married for 65 years! I am guessing she is feeling a bit lost without him. I will just pray that she will feel the comfort she needs.

So- a few pictures (I wasn't very good at getting my camera out, shame on me, so there are only a few pictures!):

My most loved sisters Laura and Shauna. I love spending time with them- they will always be my most truest of friends.


Being at my grandma's house always brings back so many childhood memories. One of my cousins said it was "stuck in time"- and it is so true! Being there at Christmas time and seeing her Christmas tree especially brought back memories of being a small child. We used to be there every Christmas until we moved to Spokane when I was almost 9. The hardest was seeing my Grandpa's empty chair. Everything about California brings me back to being a kid. I was old enough to remember clearly living there, but young enough that the memories are more in smells and little details. As a kid you spend a lot of time looking at the ground and the interesting things there. I went on a walk with my sister and marveled at how familiar the ground looked- the acorns, the eucalyptus tree leaves (and especially the smell of the trees) . . . At my grandma's house the smells, the furniture, the classical music, the manicured japanese garden brought me back to being a small child.
Here is me in my grandma's backyard- in which I can remember exploring and playing on the winding little paths and pond with my sisters for hours:


Another memory I have is of the lemon tree. The smell of it took me back!! My brother Brian was brave enough to actually eat one straight of the tree! He said it tasted like sour candy because it was so ripe. He still had to make the sour face though!




Here is a picture of our family group with Grandma. From left to right: Brian, Laura and her baby Rachel, Steve, Grandma (Gerry), Dad (Doug), Mom (Marilyn), Shauna and Me (Becky).

Cut off . . .

I hate the feeling of being cut off from the world! The last few days my internet and phone have not been working- they were completely out. I am guessing it was due to the bad weather . . . Anyway- I haven't completely fallen off the end of the earth and I will post something soon. I feel so behind on blogging- I haven't had time to check anyone else's either for a while . . . so sorry . . .

Thanksgiving in Utah!

What an amazinlgy wonderful time we had in Utah for Thanksgiving! I am so glad Jon was able to have a nice break- - it is like having my husband back from a war or something. It was WONDERFUL. Luckily, he has an easier rotation for this holiday season- - so already I can feel the difference in his stress level - - he is so much more able to truly be with us physically and emotionally. It's not the long hours that made it so bad, it was how hard it was on him. I am gearing up for the next big "battle" - he has a run of four months of "harder" rotations from January to April . . . so it is nice to get a small reprieve!

Anyway- for our trip to Utah, we met up with ALL of my immediate family- including my sister Laura her husband Chris and their two kids Ben and Rachel from Arizona, my parents, and my three siblings living in Utah- Shauna and her husband Pat and their two kids Hannah and Adam, Steve and his wife Natalie, and Brian who is a freshman at BYU. We had a blast together eating a lot of great food, playing games, watching shows and going on outings. My parents rented a house for the week- that is where we gathered.


Thanksgiving Day - - what fun! My dad cooked the BIGGEST turkey I have EVER seen- it was so big that it wouldn't fit in the roasting pan, and some of the drippings came out the side of the Turkey bag. The excitement for the day was when the drippings in the oven caught on fire! I was screaming "fire, fire, fire!!" as everyone else scrambled around trying to figure out what to do and how to put it out. Luckily it died down quickly on it's own - - what a relief. That got our hearts pumping. Well- the turkey tasted great- along with all the other amazing food we ate! We enjoyed sharing what we are Thankful for - - I am so thankful for my family and the fact that we all get along and love each other. I am thankful for modern transportation, that allows us to be together. Most of all, I am grateful for my life- for my wonderful husband and children, and for the Gospel.

Cynthia and her cousin Hannah:

My brother Steve helping Natalie with a quilt:


Friday, instead of trying for the crazy shopping, we took the kids to "Kangaroo Zoo", a really fun play place for kids with inflatables:
Marcus in action:

My nephew Ben- he had a great time!


That evening we enjoyed a little Christmas celebration- since we are all together. We exchanged our christmas gifts and made gingerbread houses out of graham crackers- so much fun!

We rotate who buys for who in our family- - I had my sister Shauna- and of course, I got her something Pampered Chef! The apple peeler, corer, slicer is a classic!

Little baby Rachel liked the little snowman we gave her!

Making the gingerbread houses wasn't just for kids! Jon (helping Marcus), my Dad (helping Cynthia), and Brian- doing his own!

Natalie . . .

Grandpa and Cynthia . . .

Shauna and Hannah . . .

Marcus and Jon . . .


Saturday all the adults went to see Twilight! What fun- I really enjoyed seeing the movie a second time, and my family liked it too. My brother-in-law who has also read the books actually liked the movie better than the books! Gasp! Anyway- it was fun to get out as adults.

That evening, a few of us went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. It was beatiful, but INSANELY crowded!!!


Jon, Hannah, Marcus, Cynthia, Lillian and Me:

Hannah on Grandpa's shoulders and Cynthia on Jon's shoulders had fun holding hands!It's fun to have cousins . . .


Sunday was our drive home - - the weekend went by way too fast!

Grandma Mary

It seems like everything is happening at the same time. The day after Thanksgiving, Jon's Grandma Mary Doty (his mother Betty's mother) passed away. Her funeral is on the same day as my Grandfather's funeral! So, we will all be going to Spokane, and I will get on a plane with my parents to California, while Jon stays in Spokane with the kids. I hope everything goes smoothly . . . Anyway, it is sad news in essence, but at the same time we feel that it was her time - - and though we will miss her, we will look forward to seeing her again.

Grandpa Monson

On a more solemn note, my Grandpa Monson (my Dad's dad) passed away on Thursday night. For the last several weeks, we knew it was going to be soon, so I had a chance to emotionally prepare myself for it. Even though he hasn't really known who I am for a while, and was 92, it still has hit me harder than I thought it would. I am sad at the loss, but also happy because he has moved on. I feel the most sad for my Grandma, who is a widow now, and for my Dad. I know this is hard for them. No matter how old a loved one is, it is still hard to say goodbye. I remember well the last time I saw him- it was for his 90th birthday in 2006- and ALL of the family was there except my brother who was on a mission. We were living in Iowa and at first I thought I wouldn't be able to go to the reunion in California- but I felt prompted to go. I knew at that time, it was going to be the last time I ever saw him. I have memories of sitting on his lap as a small child, and him always having peanuts in his pockets. I remember visiting later, after Jon and I were married, and he told all kinds of stories from when he was in Medical School and dong his training. He led an amazing life as a physician (he was an ENT), but mostly I remember him as my grandpa. I will miss you Grandpa- but I know I will see you again. I love you!

Twilight and a busy weekend!

TWILIGHT ........

What an amazing night. Thursday night, I was involved with a HUGE Twilight party put on by a couple of my friends in Sunndyside. There were about 140 people at Bon Vino's (a nice restaurant in Sunnyside) for this event, of all different ages. As I said in an earlier post, I got to go to this party without paying for a ticket because I was "working" - and truly I did! It was a blast! I helped check people in, do the raffle drawings and trivia, and more. Natalie and Erin did such a good job planning this event, and the crowd had a ball.


Me with "Edward and Bella"!

So- part of it was going to the midnight showing of the movie- it was so fun to be in such a charged atmosphere- with so many Twilight fans (though the giggling 8th graders behind us were interesting . . . ). The best was being there with friends.

Natalie and Reagran (above), and Me and Tiffanie (below). . .





So- my thoughts on the movie . . .
I have mixed feelings. It was a great movie and followed the book really well- and there was good chemistry between Edward and Bella. In that was it was great- and of course, it is fun to see the story visualized. I found the movie to be quite scary and creepy- including Edward!! At first that bothered me- but then I remembered that is how the first book is. You aren't sure if Edward is going to kill Bella or not, and he seems to be always angry. It is exactly this way in the book and the movie. Sooo- I had a hard time liking Edward - - and honestly, he wasn't good looking enough and was more grunge than old fashioned. By the end of the movie he grew on me, though. Most all the other characters were perfect- Bella, Jacob, Charlie, Alice, Jasper, James and Victoria . . . I think the other thing that was hard for me is that the Cullens as a whole looked more creepy than beautiful, with their pale faces. Truly, though, I don't know how it could have been done differently! The special effects were also a bit cheesy, and a few details were off. Having just gone to Forks, and being familiar with the demographics and scenery- it was obvious to me it was filmed in the Portland, OR area instead of in Forks (which I understand why). Shots of the Columbia gorge are frequent. There was also way too much diversity in Forks High school (even among the main characters- Eric and Angela are Asian, and Tyler Crowley who almost hits her with the van is a black kid with an earring)- in reality it is mostly white or Native American kids. In the movie- there was a lot of everything- so to me it looks like an inner city Portland school. But- they were minor details . . . and truly the feel of the movie mirrors the book exactly. I am excited to see it a second time - - usually movies that are made of my favorite books are better the second time around. This is how I felt about all of the Harry Potter movies - - once I got used to how the movie makers represent the book - - I liked it a whole lot more.

I do have to say one more thing about the movie AND the books. There is a part of me that is bugged about the sensuality in the story, and worries about youth reading these books. From a romantic view point - - it is a WONDERFUL story and "nothing" really happens - - but they sure do get close to it. Details like Edward coming into Bella's room, kissing on her bed and some things that happen in the later books make me a bit uneasy. I wish that detail had been kept in line with the book - that Edward first kisses Bella just after they leave the clearing in the woods- to me that would have been so much better than him kissing her for the first time in her room. In reality- there is NO such guys as Edward, no matter how noble or self disciplined they think they are. They key to staying "good" is to not put yourself in those situations - - the situations that Bella and Edward constantly are in throughout the the books. If I had a teenager reading these books, or seeing the movie - - I would want to have a long conversation with them about how unrealistic it is, and that is why we are taught not only to wait to be intimate until marriage, but also to not be in situations where it could easily happen. Anyway- that little note put aside, I love the romance and fantasy of it - - and their first kiss was amazing and romantic! I also appreciate how clean it is compared to other movies.

On to the rest of the weekend - - I was, of course, pretty tired on Friday after being up most of the night. I did have a wonderful time staying the night with the kids at Reagran's- even though the kids got up in the middle of the night when we got back from the movie. We survived, though- and it was so worth it. Thanks, Reagran for letting me unload on you- physically and emotionally! It was so needed.

Friday afternoon and all day Saturday I was involved with a Christmas Bazaar- I set up a little Pampered Chef "booth" along with other vendors (people who sold Discovery toys, Sensaria, Sentsy, etc) at someone's house. It ended up being great- I got some sales and shows booked! Yay! I will actually get to do some more Pampered Chef! It did make for a long weekend for Jon, though - - since he had the kids. He survived, and I am truly grateful to him.

I needed a fun weekend

A good weekend was precisly what I needed to get out of the slump I was in! Even though Jon has moved on to an "easier" rotation, things are still really stressful for him. He has severl papers to write (I though he was DONE with school!) and did the clinic call all last week. Basically he carried a cell phone around to take all of the after hours calls- so he could never be far from his computer and an internet connection so he can fill prescriptions or look up charts. Granted, it was NICE to have him home a bit more, even if he was still distracted with all he needed to catch up on! I have been feeling the strain of it all, including our REALLY tight finances, sick kids, my grandfather is most likely going to pass away soon, I am having trouble getting pregnant, and just the nature of being home with little ones. I guess this is all supposed to make me stronger, right??? Then I feel guilty for having a hard time becuase so many have to go through SO much harder things. Anyway- I am feeling a lot better - - because of our good weekend, and seeing the real Jon more, and some really fun things to look forward to!

Friday night I had a blast taking Marcus to a birthday party for one of his friends in Sunnyside. Happy 6th birthday Ethan!! He had a really fun BYU Football themed birthday party.





Of course- this was also great for me- because I got to see some of my friends too . . . I miss seeing them on almost a daily basis like I used to. AND- come to find out- they want me to be involved in the big TWILIGHT party they are putting on this week for the opening of the movie. I originally wasn't going to be able to afford to go, and childcare was an issue- so naturally I was super bummed about it. Now I am super excited because they truly do want me there, and helped me get it worked out so I can go. Yipee! That alone has helped my mood a ton! Thanks Natalie, Reagran and Erin!

Saturday my in-laws from Spokane came for a visit- and we had a wonderful time. I am truly blessed to be a part of the Wilson family- I love them so much. It was so wonderful to see them and show them our home! We had fun walking at the aboretum and going out to dinner at Applebees, and just visiting.



Thanks for coming mom and dad! The kids loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa Wilson! AND of course Snickers and Wrinkles . . .

Our little builder . . .

I found Lillian the other day very carefully taking my canned food out of the cupboard and stacking them. I thought it was quite amazing- some of the stacks were 5 cans tall! When I came up with the camera- she looked at me and said "cheese!". Although she is exhausting to take care of- I love my two year old.

Happy Veterans day, a bit late! We had a fun day with my good friend Tiffanie who came up from Sunnyside to visit of Tuesday- Veteran's day. I love days like that!! We had such a good time, the day flew by even though the kids were all home from school. Thanks Tiffanie for coming, and thanks for being such a great friend!