Merry Christmas

We had a fabulous Christmas on Saturday!  But let me back up...on Thursday we had the Annual Clark Family Christmas party at my parents house (it was the second year of having this party...that makes is annual, right).  My whole family was there plus Robin and My grandpa and his wife Anna.  We were suppose to have a couple more cousins come, but they weren't able to make it last minute.  We ate yummy food and then played the white elephant game.  It was nice to hang out with family and have fun.

On Friday (Christmas Eve) we started our day off by dropping Josh at Grandma Margie's so that the rest of us could go to a movie with my family.  We met my family at the theater to see the next Narnia movie.  Tony got us some yummy popcorn and soda and we enjoyed watching the movie.  Tyler did really good during the movie and enjoyed watching the sword fighting and the dragon.  After the movie we went and picked up Josh to go and eat dinner at my mom's.  It took longer then expected to get everything done, but the food was good.  After eating we did a make-shift nativity scene.  My family was pretty silly during the whole thing, but it was nice to try and bring in the true meaning of Christmas.  Maybe next time they will be a little more reverent about it.  Then we packed up and headed back to Tony's parents house for the Annual Kresser Family Christmas party.  It was super fun.  There was food (we didn't eat much -- still way full) and then the kids did a gift exchange and got some fun toys and then the adults did a big white elephant gift exchange.  Tony's family always has the best white elephant gifts and it is something we look forward to each year.  A good time was had.  Then as tradition has it, Margie gathered around the grand kids and let them open one present -- new jammies.  It is perfect.  She always finds the cutest Disney pajamas and it is so fun to see all the kids in matching pj's.  Then it was off to our home to put the boys to bed.

Christmas morning -- SANTA CAME!!!  I woke up pretty early (6:30) and couldn't get back to sleep.  I just decided to get up and watch the news until the boys woke up.  Josh and Tony woke up about 7:30 and then Tony decided to wake up Tyler about 15 minutes later.  It was really fun to see Tyler come in to see if Santa had come.  He stood by the tree and put his hands high in the air and started jumping "HURRAY, HURRAY."  It was so fun to see.  Then they opened their stockings and then all of the gifts.  Josh really liked opening presents and though he did it slowly, he was pretty good about it.  Tyler opened fast.  When we were all done, Tyler wanted more presents to open.  I don't think he wanted more gifts, just more things to open.  He ended up opening a lot more presents from both sets of grandparents AND from his aunts and uncles.  We were all very spoiled this year -- and are very grateful for our neighbors and families for all they do for us.
After we were all dressed and packed, we headed to Grandma Kim and Papa G's house.  We got some more presents and ate some yummy breakfast.  We got to enjoy Christmas with all of my siblings there.  It makes for a crowded room, but totally worth it.  Then it was off to Grandma Margie and Papa Lloyd's house where we all got spoiled some more.  All of Tony's siblings were there too and it was nice just to hang out and let the kids play with toys.  The weather was warm so we even got to go outside for a little while.  It was nice to just relax and enjoy each others company.
Later that night Tony's brother Nate and his wife Amy came over and we watched a movie.  After the movie they stayed and we talked for a while.  I loved this.  We don't get to spend too much time together because they live in Logan and then they will move to another state in the summer, so we really enjoyed hanging out.  We stayed up until after 12:30 am talking.  We were wild.
On Sunday we were going to go up to the cabin, but then it started snowing pretty hard during church, so we decided not to go.  So we went to Tony's parents for dinner where all his siblings were still in town, so it was good to hang out some more with them.  Tony and I went shopping and got some good stuff on sale.  I love to go after Christmas and pick up stuff for the next year when it is discounted.  All in all it has been a great Christmas.  The spirit was strong...family support was amazing...we truly are blessed!

Christmas parties and treats galore

This weekend we got to go to Tony's Grandpa Steenblik's house and enjoy a Christmas party with that part of his family.  It was really nice seeing people that we sometimes only see once a year.  We had some yummy food and even had a little program.  Tony has some talented cousins and then Grandpa Steenblik and his new wife, Joyce, entertained us with a musical number.  She played the piano and Grandpa sang a song.  He is a pretty good singer.  It is so nice to be able to spend time with family this time of year.  I don't have many relatives that live close, so I have always been happy that I married into an extended family that lives near by.
Before the party we went to Tony's parents house and watched the BYU Bowl game.  It was a good game, BYU totally kicked butt.  We did find it a little boring, but I think that is because there was so much other stuff going on too.  Tony's brother, Derek, and his sister with her kids and dog were there and so it was fun to be a house full.
We have given out all our neighbor gifts and Tyler's friends gifts.  It is nice to have everything delivered.  Our sweet neighbors keep bringing over nice treats and gifts.  We are really lucky to have such great neighbors and friends around us.  I definitely think that the longer we stay in this house, the harder it will be to move.  I am reminded of how much we are loved by others...what a blessing that is.

Mo Tab Christmas Program

Last night I got to go and hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing with the orchestra and the Bells at Temple Square.  David Archuleta was the headlining singer.  He did a really good job.  I am not really a huge David fan, but he sounded amazing.  The orchestra was superb and the choir sounded really good too.  The bells only came in on three songs, so I was kind of bummed that they didn't get more songs, but they did good too. 
Tony's brother, Derek, played with the bells so it was fun to see him perform.  We ended up getting really good seats.  Right on the bottom floor second section up right in the middle.  SWEET!  I went with Tony's parents and his niece.  We had a good time.  We went early and found a pretty good spot to park and then walked to the mall to eat.  The food court only had two places open and the lines were very long.  We decided to wait in the McDonald's line and it took like 45 minutes to get our order taken.  It was madness.  Courtnie and I left before we could get our food to make sure that we got our seats.  Tony's parents hid the food in their pockets to give it to us.  Then I would sneak bites from my purse.  It was pretty white trash of me, but what could i do.
Tony and Josh stayed home and Tyler had a sleep over at grandma's with the other grandkids.  He loves having sleepovers, so I am glad that he was able to do it.  Josh and I will go and get him sometime this morning.  It has been kind of weird just the two of us.  I think Josh misses Tyler.

Temple Square

Tyler by the reflection pond 

Last night we decided to go to Temple Square for Family Home Evening.  We first ate at the Olive Garden.  Tony wanted Italian and that was the closest to us.  It was okay.  I am not a huge Olive Garden fan.  I think that it is way too expensive and the food isn't that good.  It took a long time to get our food so the boys were ready to go before we were done eating.  But it was a nice change.

Josh in the stroller checking out the sites

Then we headed down town.  Tyler called the Salt Lake temple "his" temple.  He says that he is going to get married in that temple some day -- super cute.  So we went to see "his" temple and all the lights.  And so did everyone else it seemed.  It was a busy place.  We took the boys to see the statue of Christ but then we left the building pretty quick just because their were so many people.  We walked around and saw the different nativities and the lights.  Tyler wanted to spend all his time walking on the benches and walls.  Tyler and Josh both did really good and we all had a good time.  I am glad that we made it down there and that the weather was mild.  It was a good way to spend a Family Home Evening.

Mom and Josh trying to get a family picture (since I sat down Josh thought it was time for him to get out of the stroller) - it didn't work

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday morning my ward had a breakfast and then Santa came and visited the kids.  Tyler is at a really fun age where he loves to see Santa and tell him what he wants for Christmas.  He did tell him he wanted some binoculars and a telescope (neither of which I got him).  Josh is at the age where he really hates Santa and cries when placed on his lap.  It was a good breakfast and fun to see the kids with Santa.

Later that day we had our annual friend Christmas party.  This year Mindy hosted it at her house it she did a really good job.  Lots of people came and I think everyone had a good time.  Sometimes this is the one time a year that we get to see some of our friends from high school.  We eat yummy food and then do a white elephant gift exchange.  Tony and I got some pretty ghetto stuff that we plan on re-gifting at other parties that we have.  That's the fun part of white elephants.  The kids had tons of fun and Tyler was super sad to leave.  I say it was a very successful party.
On a totally unrelated note: Josh does not like it when you go into a room and shut the door.  He doesn't like to feel excluded.  When Tyler goes to the bathroom he shuts the door so that Josh won't get into the toilet while he is going potty.  So what almost always ends up happening is Josh is screaming at the door and Tyler screaming back "the toilets open."  It is extremely funny to listen too...and very loud.  Funny kids.

Visit to Daddy's work

Today the boys and I made the drive up to the Ogden Cannery to visit Tony and see his new work.  The drive wasn't too bad, but I can already tell that we won't be visiting Daddy at work as much as we used to.  It was nice to put faces with the people that Tony has been talking about.  It seemed pretty busy with volunteers and missionaries canning the meat, but a good busy.  Tyler and Josh seemed to like seeing the process and all the machines that were running.  It definitely seems like they don't get small children in there very often.  Tony is the only worker there with small kids, the next oldest has kids in Jr. High and High School.  Kind of a funny change from the younger guys at the Dairy.  We stayed about 40 minutes.  It was a fun change in our schedule.  I was invited to go up to join Tony for their Christmas lunch in a couple of weeks, so I will be there again soon.  The boys will play at Grandma Margie's while I make the trip up.  I am making it seem like it is hours away, really it was about 45 minutes.  Not too bad at all.

Family Pictures

We got family pictures taken yesterday.  The boys did pretty good.  Josh was the hard one this time and Tyler did really great.  It was fun and I am glad that they are over.  Here are some of the pictures:

Playing in the Snow

Tony and Josh driving Tyler around

Yesterday we went over to my parents house and played with their four-wheeler and sled.  The boys (all three of my boys) had such a great time and so did I.  Tyler just laughed with delight as he was pulled him on the sled from the four-wheeler.

Tyler in all his glory - happy as can be

Josh spent most of the time riding with Tony on the four-wheeler, but we did get him on a sled with Tony and I a couple of times.  He really liked riding on both the four-wheeler and the sled.  I was surprised how well he did.  My dad even got a couple new sleds and one is for older riders and I thought that one was super fun.  Tony drove me around for a while on it and I think that I fell off like 5 or 6 times, but it was totally fun.  I cant wait for it to snow some more so that we can go back.

Tony and Josh riding on the sled

My niece and her friend came over and Tony was so nice to pull them all around for about an hour.  Tyler ended up outside playing for about two hours.  I can't wait to see him up at the cabin with all that snow.  Tyler loves the snow so much, and so do I.  He tells me, "I am so happy it snowed," and I always say "Me too."

Tony and Josh pulling me on the new super fun sled

Later that night we had our ward Adult Christmas Dinner.  It was nice to chat with ward friends and enjoy a meal without noisy children.  Teagan came over and watched the boys and they had a good time.  I really should ask her to babysit more often.  She'll be a senior next year and then off to college.  Wow, that is crazy to think.  Her birthday is on Tuesday and she'll be 17.  My baby sister...time goes by too fast.

Store bought milk

Tonight we had to buy store bought milk.  Since Tony worked at the Dairy we rarely had to buy milk from the store because he always brought it home from work.  Today we ran out of the last of Deseret Dairy milk and had to buy some milk from Costco.  It was a little sad.  We will miss that yummy milk and chocolate milk...and butter...and cheese...but hey now Tony can bring home canned meat...I am a lucky lady.  Okay, they do more then just can meat.  They also do frozen fruit, and beef stew, and canned green beans...so really not too bad at all.
We have had a pretty good week.  Monday was super hard because Tyler, Tony, and I ended up getting the stomach flu that day and it wasn't pretty.  Lucky for us Tyler didn't get it too bad and Tony and I had most of our issues later in the day.  The next day we all felt better.
Tony is still really enjoying his job.  I am really happy about that move for him.  The drive is still long, but he is doing okay with it.  We are thinking about taking the boys to visit his new work next week, so I will have to see what I think about the drive.  We are excited to meet his new work family and see the machines at the Cannery.
The Christmas season is in full swing and it is exciting and fun.  We have our first Christmas party tomorrow at our ward.  They have an annual Adult Christmas dinner.  I am excited to get out without the boys for a couple hours.  Teagan is going to come and babysit.  I hope that Josh is good for her.  He can be kind of a pill these days...okay he can be a big pill these days.  But I still love him...cute as can be!