New Year, new goals!

This past year we as a family made a goal for each of us to bear our testimonies in sacrament meeting at least one time throughout the year. So we had the WHOLE year to do this. I am SO happy to say we ALL accomplished our family goal...I am so proud of my family!

I am excited to start our new goals that we have set for our family this year. I know we can do them, it will be a lot of work...but VERY necessary! This year we have decided as a family to keep that same goal (to bear our testimonies at last once in sacrament meeting) but to add another goal as well...

A couple of Sundays ago our bishop told us the challenge in the ward is to put the focus back on family. And the importance of "the family" teaching there children NOT just relying on the church to teach the kids the gospel, values and morals. Back to the basics so to speak...make sure families are doing Family Home Evening, going to church activities, doing the goals that are set in place for the YM and YW. These things are all there for a purpose and a reason and it is time we actually DO THEM!! Not only that but be teaching our kids in our homes...not just expecting them to be taught what they need to know at church on Sundays. 

We are guilty of that...I will admit. When the bishop was speaking and saying what the new goal was for our ward (putting the focus back on families) it lite a fire in me. I KNEW what he was saying was SO important and NEEDED to be listened to and actually acted upon. I think too often the leaders of our church are speaking about things we need to do...we listen, but the follow through doesn't necessarily happen. 


I have given A LOT of thought to what our bishop said that Sunday. I know our family was needing to hear that and DO IT!! Cole is turning 13 years old in January and we need to make sure we are doing ALL we can be doing to teach him and rear him in the right direction in life...as well as our other 2 kids. 


I have talked to Melanie and Niki about my idea I have come up with...I figured since we all get together every Sunday for dinner why no in cooperate Family Home Evening then as well. Whoever does the dinner is not in charge of F.H.E. one of the other families will be in charge of that. That way we are all doing what we are needing to be doing to teach our children and us. Melanie and Niki agreed that it was a good idea and so we are going to do it.
 

I AM SO EXCITED to do this!!! 

So, dinner this Sunday is at Melanie's as it is there daughter Kori's 4th Birthday. Just before dinner we are planning to have Family Home Evening...my family will be doing it. It won't be something Kent and I will just be doing...but we will involve the kids as well in the teaching and what not as well. 


I know this is a lot to accomplish, but everything in me tells me we can and we will and we NEED too! Of course there is always all the other things we will continue to work on daily like our family prayers and personal prayers...scripture reading to. As long as we are trying...that is what is important!

What are your goals for the New Year?

Christmas Day

Every Christmas Eve the boys sleep upstairs in our front room next to the tree. This way Santa can put presents under the tree downstairs without the boys being down there and sneaking a peek. 

The boys know they have to come wake us up and wait for us before they are allowed to go down stairs. They woke us up around 7:07 a.m. which I thought wasn't bad...not too early! We had to wake up Brynley and let's just say she was NOT happy about that. When we all went down stairs she tried to go back upstairs to bed a couple of times ha ha...she was MAD!!

Once we got her to open her eyes and see her stocking and gifts she calmed down and went to check things out. 

Bryn checking out her stocking.

Tyson and Cole checking out all their stocking stuff.

Kent and Brynley playing with one of her new toys.

Kick boxing shorts

If the boys are wanting to be in a tournament they have to have the proper clothing on...so now they have the shorts. They were both SO excited and surprised to get these.

Tyson and Cole trying on their new kick boxing shorts. They are quite the colors eh LOL!

We surprised Tyson with getting some of his art work he did at school put onto a mug and a key chain. 

Tyson is a major hot chocolate drinker so he thinks it is pretty awesome to have his own personalized mug.


Cole is a rubik's cube wonder. So I found this rubik's cube that is 4 small ones connected and thought this would be pretty cool for him to try to figure out.

It was fun to watch his reaction to this as he looked at it and then his face got all screwed up and he was like, "how the heck do ya do this?" I smiled and said, "that is for you to figure out...have fun!"

All in all it was a good Christmas. Santa brought the kids the new Xbox Kinnect and so we all had fun playing that together. It is actually quite entertaining to watch people play...it is a GREAT work out as well. Now when the boys want to go play there video games they say, "can we go work out Mom"   ha ha!

Once presents were done being opened we went over to Jeff and Melanie's for breakfast. After wards we came home and we were lazy for the rest of the day. Deb came over in the early afternoon and hung out with us until we went back over to Jeff's for Christmas dinner.

We didn't have the usual food for Christmas dinner as we were all sick of turkey and ham. So we decided to have a roast, funeral potatoes, salad and some veggies. It was YUMMY!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!
 

Just like that...

It has always amazed me how quickly Christmas is done once Christmas Day arrives. It seems to be over with a snap of a finger...all that anticipation and excitement and SNAP it is over, just like that! *sigh* I wish it could last a little longer...maybe that is why I leave my Christmas decorations up until New Year's ha ha. I try to hold onto it as long as I can.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas weekend started by us heading up to Kent's Mom's  house (Innisfail) Christmas Eve morning. All of Kent's siblings and their families were there except for Mike and his family. Gary had to work that day so he wasn't able to be there until the evening, but we were glad they came when they could.

There was LOT'S of food and Deb had made ham, scallop potatoes and veggies for all of us to have in the afternoon. It was so good! Let's just say there was some MAJOR weight gain this weekend LOL!


I had bought these Christmas tree foil cake pans that came with lids from the dollar store. 

 I thought it would be fun for us to make Rice Krispies in them and then have each family decorate them with icing and candies. They all had a good time and there were some very creative Christmas trees =)

Here is a few of the finished products.

Brynley and Avery were hanging out in Deb's room watching T.V. while we were doing the Rice Krispie trees and we figured we would let them be since they were happy there. They were both spaced right out watching the show LOL!

The Nativity

Deb has asked me to organize the nativity scene that we have all the kids act out. I had emailed everyone ahead of time to bring what they wanted to use in the nativity (costumes and what not). 

 Getting everyone ready to come down for the Nativity was a little bit crazy. Kent read the nativity from the scriptures and the kids came down the stairs as there part was read. It didn't go as well as planned ha ha, but it was a good try. Lot's of pictures taken and memories made.

 Tyson (Joseph) Brooklynn- 2 1/2 weeks old (Baby Jesus)

The Nativity once it was done.


 Thijs (sheep), Avery (unicorn horse), Brynley (star), Roel (Inn Keeper), Kori (Mary), Tyson (Joseph), Brooklynn (Baby Jesus), Lucas, Cole and Taylor (3 Wise men), Joshua, Logan (Shepard's) Jade (Angel)


Now, for those of you who have noticed there was a unicorn listed in the play...yes, we are very well aware that there was actually NO unicorn in the real nativity. But, we were trying to be creative and improvise and have fun with what we all had. We needed an animal for the nativity and Melanie had the unicorn costume and Ta-Da...it was fun! Actually Brynley was supposed to be the Unicorn, but she was flipping out when she saw what Avery was going to be (star). So they switched. Thanks for doing that Melanie =)

 After the nativity was done we started to sing Christmas songs that the kids would know. I thought that was fun and everyone even sang. 

most of our audience

Games
When the Stanford's get together there are ALWAYS games, games and more games played. One of our favorites is the unwrapping game. 

Treats that have been wrapped over and over and taped very well.

Kent teaching everyone the rules and how to play the game.

Kori, Nanny (Deb) and Roel watching everyone play the unwrapping game. They are sitting up on the stairs so they are out of the way as they can get a little crazy when playing this fun game.

You have 2 sets of dice going around in bowls (so you can roll them in it) and when your roll let's say a 7 or an 11 you pass the dice and then you go take everything from the person in the middle trying to open the present. You have to hurry to get everything put on (hat, gloves, jacket etc) so you can start opening the present before someone rolls the numbers and comes and takes it away from you. You are trying to be the one who opens the gift so you can win what is inside. Really fun game!


We played lot's of different board games and card games through out the day together.
 

Pajamas 
 I had been working on making our family matching Christmas pajamas for a while. I kept procrastinating and not doing them...why? I am not sure as it wasn't hard to do, just LOT'S to do!

It is tradition in our family to open one gift on Christmas Eve. That gift is always new jammies.

 The boys all had matching colors and us girls had matching colors. All of our pajama bottom material was the same just different colors.

Our matching jammies! 

I bought each of us a shirt to go with our jammies and then cut out a Maple Leaf from the material that matched our bottoms and appliqued them onto the shirts. This was my first time doing applique and it was all good until I did the stitching around the maple leaf. That was A LOT harder than I had anticipated! Oh well, it is what it is and they are done. I am happy with how they all turned out.

I had to laugh as one of my nephews said to my son, 
 "you can tell your Mom made those."

And Cole said, "well, good, because she did make them."

And then he said, "no, you can tell the shirts are home made because of the sewing around the maple leaf, you can see it and it doesn't look very nice, it looks home made."

Cole said, "you are supposed to be able to see the stitching, that is the style." 

He said, "oh." 

Cole said, "can you tell she made the pajama bottoms?" 

 he said, "no she didn't." 

Cole laughed and said "yes she made those too." 

I don't think he believed Cole LOL!

Thanks to Debbie for having us all at your home and making such a yummy dinner for us all...love you!!

Their gift to Jesus on His Birthday.

 

Baking

Literally ALL day today (Wednesday) I was baking yummy treats. My sister in law Niki came over to help me as she was bored. I made 5 different treats and they are all delicious and tasty. 

Nut Goody Bars

 A friend was talking on facebook about making these and they looked so good that I just had to try making them myself.

Monkey Munch

 I got this recipe off of the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 a couple of years ago. But you can find it on lot's of places online. I haven't made it for a long time and my kids have been begging for me to make it again. Super easy and quick!

 O'Henry's

I got this recipe off of a blog called Becky Higgins. It has lot's of neat stuff...so you will have to go check it out.

Stuff

This recipe I got from my sister in law Melanie's Mom. So if you want it you will have to ask me for it as there is no link to it. It is a mixture of 3 different kinds of cereals, baked almonds, coconut and a yummy gooey topping. It is the kind of stuff you just can't stop eating...YUMMMMM!!

Rich Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

Ok, so my sister Tessa brought me a bunch of yummy treats and this was one of them...except hers had chocolate chips in it...and that is what the recipe calls for. I had ran out of chocolate chips because of all the previous things I had made in the day so I just used white chocolate chips. It still tastes wonderful...but I will admit I like it better with chocolate chips.


If you are wanting the recipes to any of those just click on there titles and it will take you to the websites I got them from.

I had to laugh at myself, as most of these desserts I made today have a common theme...chocolate, peanut butter, nuts and gooey goodness!!! ALL my favorites =)

I made a plate for both of my neighbors (on either side of us) and then took a plate to Cole's Scout leader who is just the neatest man and SO good to Cole. Plus I used to Visit Teach his wife and she is just as wonderful and I miss our visits. I then took my Visiting Teaching ladies each a plate of goodies as well. 

This is a plate full of all the deliciousness I made today that I gave to my neighbors and Visiting Teaching ladies and Cole's Scout Leader.

Tyson took the plates over to our neighbors and had fun being able to do that. He said they were all very happy to get the treats and that they said, "Merry Christmas!"   It is always such a good feeling to give and see the smiles it brings to peoples faces.

Cole delivered the plate to his Scout Leader. They were pleasantly surprised to get it. This couple is such a great couple. I really look up to them. They are so humble and so simple. They can light up a room with there smiles. They are so genuine and down to earth. He has really taken Cole under his wing and been such a guide and example to Cole. So I made sure they knew how we felt in the card we gave them. I think it is always a good thing to let people know how they affect your life and touch you. That way they know to keep doing what they are doing...cause it matters!

Christmas Lights

 After those were all delivered we drove around Crossfield to look at all the Christmas lights. I have to say there weren't many. But there were some pretty neat ones as well. One house in town has its own radio station and has music playing and the lights all dance to the music...SO COOL! It was fun to park and listen to the music and watch the lights dance. The kids thought it was great and so did we. 

Above the garage they had a lighted sign that said Tune into 100.1 (that is the radio station that played the music that coordinated with the dancing lights). It was neat to watch...can't even imagine all the work that went into putting all that together!

P.J. Friday and other happenings!

 This past Friday was the boys last day of school. Tyson's school had a Pajama Day. He wore his P.J.'s and took his pillow to school with him as they were going to be watching movies and playing games all day. 

 His pillow case is a Christmas one that my Mom made him a few years ago. She made all the grand kids Christmas pillow cases...so fun! He was SO excited to go to school Friday morning. 

I gave him a treat/gift to take with him to give to his teacher and school secretary as well. I had made this yummy stuff called "Stuff!" Cole took the same thing to his teacher and school secretary as well. It is all gone and I didn't take a picture of it...but it is 3 different types of cereal, some baked slivered almonds, coconut and a gooey goodness poured over top it all....SO GOOD!!

Friday, December 17

My sister Cynthia arrived from Virginia around 3 p.m. on Friday. She had a job interview in Canmore (she is hoping to move back to Alberta when possible) and then came to our place to visit for a couple of days before heading down to southern Alberta.

Colin (17), Cynthia and Linda (21)

Last time we saw Cynthia was 2 years ago around Christmas time. This time the kids didn't come with her as they were with their Dads. It was good to see Cynthia and be able to visit with her.

 
Another one of my sisters Tessa from Edmonton wanted to come visit with Cynthia while she was up so she came down to stay with us as well. Tessa arrived around 4p.m. on Friday.

Tessa
  
Tessa brought with her some YUMMY baking she had done. Lot's of different types of cookies and brownies...they didn't last long =)


Once Kent was home from work the 3 of us decided to go to the Balzac Mall and walk around and then go to supper afterwords. It was nice to be able to get out and just be with them. We ate at Boston Pizza that just opened up at the mall. We had a good long visit while we were there.

Kent had invited Jeff over as his wife and kids were gone down to Cardston for a few days. The kids and them hung out, ordered pizza and watched movies and played games. 




Saturday, December 18 
Saturday Tessa had to get back to Edmonton so she left around 3 p.m. It was a quick, but fun visit. 

Aunt Tessa and Brynley saying goodbye. Brynley looks like a rag-a-muffin with her hair all over the place.


Thanks for coming Tessa and thanks for the delicious treats you brought =)

  

Saturday evening  

Kent, Cole, Tyson and I went to the Flames game. Kent's buddy Josh gave him his 2 seats as they weren't going to be around for the game. They are AWESOME seats as they are about 6 rows up behind the Flames bench. Cole and Tyson thought they were in heaven ha ha!

Cynthia offered to watch Brynley for us and they had a WONDERFUL time together. Brynley loved to cuddle with Cynthia. Cynthia said they watched Toy Story, played and read books together. How fun is that!! I am so glad they got to spend time together...Brynley thinks Cynthia is pretty awesome to have around =)

 We arrived almost an hour early to the Saddledome. The Flames were going to be coming out onto the house anytime, so we were waiting to see them come out. 

 Cole and Tyson sitting in their AWESOME seats!

The boys seats were right there...so different than what we are used to seeing. The Flames team are really big guys LOL! Where is says Mr Lube in yellow that is where the Flames team sat...right next to there...so close!

As the time passed people started filtering in. The people who were seated next to Tyson arrived...he got to sit by a girl =)

Waiting for the Flames to get on the ice.

Cole and Tyson...look at how good of seats they have!!

This is the view of the game from our seats...BIG difference from where Cole and Ty are watching the game. Don't get me wrong...our seats are good...there are just amazing!

Kent and I killing time before the game so we started taking pictures with my camera phone. 

It was fun going with all 4 of us. We didn't sit with the boys as our seats were not even close to where they were sitting. But they had a phone and we had a phone and they were to call if they needed us. The Flames lost and it wasn't the greatest game...but still SO fun to be there!

Sunday, December 19
We were leaving for church around 10:30 a.m. and Cynthia was going to be gone by the time we got back. So we took a couple of pictures before we had to leave.

Brynley, Cynthia and I 

Brynley really latched onto Cynthia while she was here. Brynley can't say Cynthia but she did try to and it came out more like, "la la la la" it was so funny as she would just flick her tongue as she would say it when asking where "la la la la" was. When it was time to say goodbye Brynley got sad and laid on her head on my shoulder...she didn't want Cynthia to leave...it was the sweetest thing!

 Cynthia is about 10 years older than me so I don't really know her all that well as I didn't really grow up having her in the house. When our parents got married I was 5 turning 6 and Cynthia was 15 years old. I remember just loving her as she was so kind and good to us little kids. Now as adults she is still so kind and fun to be around and talk to. It has been so nice to get to know her better.

Blended families are a tough thing...that is a whole other post. I will have to give you the family tree and who belongs to who ha ha!

Cynthia we loved having you and we look forward to seeing you again. THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking care of Brynley...she adores you!

  
Sunday evening...
we invited Kent's cousin Dean and his family over for dinner. They live about 8 minutes north of us in Carstairs. They have 2 cute kids Cooper (2 1/2) and Ella (4 months old). I didn't get any pictures of them while they were here (as it totally slipped my mind) but Dean did manage to take one of his daughter Ella while they were at our house.

 

Ella

 She is a little dolly! Her eyes are beautiful and her eye lashes are so LONG! She is just a tiny little thing and ohhhh sooo cute!! 

Shiobhan (Dean's wife) made some delicious treats and brought them over. Man, they were good and we ate most it already too LOL! We ate dinner and played some games and had a good visit with them. Jeff came over as well.




So, so cute!

 I just had to take a picture of Bryn in her brown leather jacket that I had bought down in the states this past summer. How cute is that hey!! And then her little brown UGG style boots...LOVE IT!!

When we went out to do some shopping a few people stopped and asked me where I got her jacket from...they were disappointed when I told them the states.

Only 4 more days left until Christmas...are you ready?

I spent literally ALL day yesterday (Monday, December 20) sewing 5 pairs of Pajama pants for our family. My back is sore, but it is D.O.N.E.!! My sister in law Niki came over and helped me. And Cole babysat Bryn and Lucas over at Niki's so we could get it all done. It is such a huge relief to have it all done finally...nothing like leaving it for the last minute eh!?

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Niki and Cole for all there help...love you guys and I SO appreciate it!

Tyson's Christmas concert

 Tyson had his school Christmas concert on Thursday, December16. It was Grades 3-5 in this concert. He is in Grade 4 so he didn't have a main part in the concert. But, he got to wear an elf hat and he had a good time singing and dancing to the music. 

All the kids either wore Elf hats or Santa hats and had on these Christmas vests.

 

Here is all of them

Tyson is on the back row 2nd in from the right. Tyson loves to sing and dance. It was fun watching them all as they were pretty entertaining...and we would bust out giggling every now and then as there was always a kid being silly or doing funny things.

Debbie came with Kent and I to watch the concert and he was so happy to have her there.

Good job Tyson!!