3 years old is the best age for Christmas

My oldest sister, with 7 boys, once told me that 3 years old is the perfect age for Christmas. At that age they really want one particular thing, like a train, and they are thrilled when they get it. After this Christmas with my 3 year old I think I may agree with her.

My kids really wanted to go and buy gifts for each other for Christmas. So for FHE we said let's get in the car and head to Walmart and you can each choose out something for the other child. "NO! NO! we want to go to the dollar store where all the toys are." (Raise a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it). So I relented and we headed to ALL A DOLLAR.
Hyrum found a fishing rod with 3 magnetic toys at the dollar store that he was sure either Kaitlyn or Caleb would love, just so long as they shared. But I wouldn't let him get it because he had already picked out his gifts and I was trying to teach him that he was buying for others not him. (Yes, he screamed the entire way out of the store when I made him put it back). But, that is alllllll he wanted for Christmas. That is what he told Santa on his knee, and that is what he told everyone he saw. And, hurray, Santa brought it for him. He was sooo thrilled with every gift he opened. I wrapped one gift in a milk box from Costco. When he opened it he loudly declared, "yeah, I love milk. I drink it all of the time." Anyway, 3 years old is a fun age.

Kait was at that, "Is Santa you Mom?" stage. She would say stuff like. If Santa wraps our gifts in this wrapping paper then I am going to know it is from you Mom. It too was fun.

And Caleb was blissfully ignorant. And Hyrum mostly opened the few gifts he did get. Sooo....maybe 1 is a great age too. Here are a few pictures.









Yes, that is only rented and not purchased.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

James Christmas party 2010

Sorry that the pictures are sooo small. Mom, if you double click on them it will make it bigger. ;) We all had a blast, even the snow storm was fun. Thank-you Darren and Carolyn for the hotel and planning. Congratulations Michael and Haley, (by the way if anyone has stuff they want to donate for there apartment, since they lost everything in the accident, let me know, ;) We missed all who couldn't come.

Thanks Giving on the James Side

Well, they asked me to try to stay away from the cooking as much as possible and focus my attention on pictures and the family blog.

We started with crafts for the girls. (Thanks Erin). They made these cute hair ribbons that you see Kait and Jeremiah sporting.




We finally broke down and used a church this year. The boys had their turkey bowl in the gym and then shot hoops.


Appetizers

Everyone pitched in with the cooking and food. There is something about everyone bringing their part of the meal and their strengths and personalities that make a meal and a family great.



Hyrum was starving and when we finally sat down to the beautifully decorated tables, thanks Tracey, he started in on the center pieces. He told me this IS the best meal of the year.


We allow all family members to come despite.....well back to that personality thing.

Back to David and Erin's house for pies.

Lots of Pies


Lets do this again!!!!!

I am soo thankful for my family. We missed you Laura, Carolyn, and families.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Rob just sent me this talk. It is sooo good. It gets my heart and will more determined to try to teach my children.


Link

Kait's 7th Birthday

Kaitlyn was due October 4th 2003 but she surprised us by coming a little early on my birthday. It had never crossed my mind that she could be born on my birthday but in the hospital right after her birth it felt like she chose to come on the 27th, Mom's birthday, because we would be such good friends. I love her sooo much. She is smart, funny, obedient, (well most of the time), and beautiful. Some of the things that I love about her: when she watches movies she laughs so hard that all in the room have to laugh too, she is very conscientious of doing well and being good, she is social and always wants to be playing with someone but can curl up and read a book too, she loves to learn and grasps concepts quickly, and she is sensitive to my moods, (that can be really good and really bad but I love her for it), she is a wonderful daughter and a great big sister.

Here are a few pictures from her party. We have tried to start a tradition of making a birthday cake with the birthday child. It has been fun!

Pinatas are another tradition.







HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAIT

Family picture attempts

Clearly nobody wanted to take pictures, but Mom is determined to have a decent family picture.


Not happening. And Dad can't squat in this position any longer.



Ok, now the photographer is just snapping pictures hoping for a miracle.


Yeah, this is Mom's favorite picture so far but Dad and the photographer are done.


So Mom decides to take a few without parents. The pictures are much cuter without us anyway.



Mom begs everyone to try one more time. Dad takes action!


Presto! A some what decent picture.


(Thank you MaryAnn for jumping around acting silly and Ben for taking the pictures.)

I love KSL

We got this play set off of KSL for $300.00! I love it when a bunch of kids are over and playing.

Introducing

THE JAMES FAMILY REUNION 2010!!!!!


Food was plentiful

Children were welcome

Dogs were sent home

Traditions were kept


Blurry pictures were taken


New family members were accepted

Games were played

Boys were made men

Unwanted pictures were taken
Guts were sucked in


Cousins were united

Feats were accomplished

Courage was had

Hearts were warmed


Smiles were shared

A widow was visited

Testimonies were born
Thanks all who could come. Hope to see you all next year.