Les Miserables for Ryan Jane

Ryan's Christmas 'gift of love' was two tickets to Les Miserables, one for her and one for her dad.  Ever since Don and I saw Les Mis in Chicago last year I have been playing the music and watching the 25th Anniversary DVD and Ryan has been the one who has asked the most questions and been the most interested in it.  She listened to the music constantly.  She was thrilled to find out she would actually get to go!  

She loved it so much and I think this will be a very special memory for Ryan that she will always cherish.  

Christmas 2011...Still catching up OK?!

I think I look forward to Christmas all year long.  I love Christmas!  I love everything about it....the traditions, the decorations, the music, the gift giving, the goodies, the parties, the anticipation of Christmas morning, everything!  But, most of all, I love how the Spirit of Christ comes into our lives with an added measure and everyone around just seems a little happier, a little kinder, and little more focused on our Savior.  It is a special time.  

Growing up my mom ALWAYS made "Christmas cookies".  That's what we called them (and we have the most delicious recipe, too).  My mom made the dough and would roll it out on the counter.  I can still hear her ring clinking and sliding along her metal rolling pin.  All eleven children would gather around to help her cut out the shapes and beg for samples of the dough.  Then we would all help frost them.  Sweet, sweet memories.   I have tried to keep that tradition going with my own children and I think they definitely look forward to it every year.  

One of our many traditions include taking goodies to our friends and neighbors for Family Night.  That usually means Christmas cookies, rice crispy crunchies, and homemade toffee.  I have to give it away or I will eat it all!

Don is used to getting a big, beautiful tree for cheap because in Washington you can basically go in your backyard and chop one down.  We have been sorely disappointed with the selection out here so Don drives an hour (!) to a farm where he can chop down his own tree and get one at a great price. The kids love decorating it.  

Christmas morning!  Santa Claus came through once again.  Ethan was so excited about his green machine!  (And Davis was, too, because Ethan is such a great sharer) 

Davis is one of our non-stop readers so he was thrilled with his love sack.  I'm pretty sure it will still work for him as a young adult!  

Ryan has been into taking pictures and making videos so she asked for a digital camera.  Happy day for her!  

Yes, my girls FINALLY got their long awaited ipod touches.  They insisted that they were the last ones on earth to get them.  They were beyond excited.  Too bad I didn't really realize that you can text and call on them.  So much for not getting them cell phones.  

My boys in their BYU sweatshirts...

Every year Grandma and Grandpa Spangler give money to each family a few months before Christmas so we can decide what to do with it.  This year we bought a shuffleboard table to add to our game room.  We love it!   

Christmas morning aftermath.  Best mess ever.  

Our children get 3 gifts for Christmas.  A gift of Love, gift of Learning, and gift of Joy.  Ryan's "gift of Love" was 2 tickets to see Les Miserables with her daddy for the following day.   She was ecstatic.  

Don gave me a beautiful gift this year.   (Although he always gives me the sweetest, most thoughtful, meaningful, heartfelt gifts for every occasion)  I am a lucky woman.  Anyway, he found this necklace and ordered it all on his own, complete with every name in our little family, and an added charm with my sister's initials, Ginger Dee Clinton.  She passed away 3 1/2 years ago.  I burst into tears when I saw it.  I love it so much.  And I love my Donny, too.  

Christmas Day fell on Sunday this year.  It was wonderful to have a nice Christmas morning as a family and then go to church together and worship our Savior.  

Too bad I didn't realize that Ethan accidentally put on one of Davis' white shirts.  

It looks ridiculous!  haha

Merry Christmas!!

The Birthday Boy

My baby boy turned SEVEN!  December is so busy and crazy, especially one week before Christmas.  So, I told Ethan we would have a party with his friends in January and he was just fine with that....probably because he still had a pretty good party at home with his family.  We love our Ethan boy! 

Do you think I have some drama queens in the family?

I love how my children really get into making cards and giving presents that they know will make the birthday person feel special.  And that's just what they did for Ethan.   

Each child took their turn giving their card and gift, anxiously awaiting for the thrill of watching Ethan open it.  

And always ending with the birthday hug.  Love it.  

Happy Birthday, Ethan!  We love you so much!

Party time!

Christmas break was right around the corner so it was definitely time to celebrate!  I love visiting the kids during their parties.  I usually volunteer to help at the party, but this time I just decided to bring food and have the freedom to visit Davis and Ryan at their parties, as well.  

Ethan and his little buddy, Jaxon.  

Cute little hands hard at work decorating.. before devouring.  

It doesn't get any better than this.  

Love this little man. 

It's funny going from Ethan's class to Ryan's because the first grade rooms are packed full with parents, while 4th graders might have one or two Moms just to help with the party.  I dropped in on Davis' party for a quick second, but he wouldn't let me take any pictures.  He did give me a big hug when he saw me though. :)  It sure is hard letting these kids grow up!

Don's Birthday!

You know you married a good man when he wants to celebrate his birthday by taking all five kids out for bowling.   We actually hadn't taken the kids out for bowling in quite a while so they were super excited!  We went to Splitsville where you can bowl and eat dinner at the same time.  

We have some professional bowlers in our family.  Seriously.  I mean, look at that technique.  

We ordered sliders and nachos and pizza and we all pigged out!  It was actually really good food and since it was a Tuesday night it was all half price.  Total bonus for us!  

Don turned 39.  One more year and he is officially an old man. :) 

We sure are blessed to have him as the Patriarch of our home.  He keeps things playful and happy and fun, but at the same time creates this calm, loving atmosphere that I really appreciate.  He works so hard for us and is admired and loved by his co-workers, but his favorite place to be is at home with his family.  

We love him so much!!

Christmas Recital

  

Davis and Gillian are the only ones taking piano lessons nowadays.  

Ginger has moved on, playing hymns at church each Sunday and for Mutual or Seminary when needed.  Her hard work has finally paid off and it is wonderful to see as a parent!  

Sadly, Ryan only lasted about 6 months.   After fighting me about practicing every day, I finally let her quit.  Davis and Gillian love their piano teacher and are doing well.  The recital was really fun!

Davis played "Frosty the Snowman".

Gillian played "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

And they got to perform a duet, "O, Little Town of Bethlehem".

They did a great job!  I love my little pianists.   

Family Christmas Picture 2011

After a week in Florida and 3 months of working non-stop on the Nativity Exhibit I hadn't even thought about our Christmas picture and it was almost Christmas!  I almost just skipped it this year, but finally decided we would give it one shot and see if we could get one picture that I would be happy with.  

Early one Saturday morning I got everyone up and told them to get ready for pictures.  We grabbed Ginger's best friend, Mallory,  to be our photographer, and headed to this HUGE Christmas tree nearby.  My friend also let me borrow her really nice camera so I snapped a few pictures in the kitchen to make sure I knew how it worked.  Thanks Davis and Gilli for posing for me. :)

I love this one of the kids, but I am always sad when we get a Christmas card in the mail and it doesn't have the parents in the picture!  So we gathered as a family....  

and it actually turned out!  Yay for a last minute family picture.  Merry Christmas!!