December 25th Chrsitmas Day!!!

Sam with her Santa gift! A "chou chou" doll ---which is pronounced "shoe shoe" it is the brand name and now also the actual name of her dolly, and we tease her that her doll must be Chinese. This doll cries and her cheeks turn red and then she grows teeth! Yes, my friends teeth. What will they think of next?
Whit with her Santa gift! A baby doll that cries, giggles, says Mommy and Daddy--when you push her tummy! Whit loves this baby and has been the best Mommy to her!
Kenz with her Santa gift! A littlest pet shop house! She has had a great time playing with all her little pets, in the big house!

All three girls after the madness, posing in front of the Christmas Tree with their Santa treasures!

Merry Christmas Girls!

Christmas morning had finally arrived! I could hardly sleep that night, I was so excited to see their faces on Christmas Day! I was the first one awake although I did not get up. I was waiting for the girls to come get us. They showed up in our bed at about 6:15 A.M. I was totally ready to run out there with them, but Scott made them wait until about 6:45. . . then we went out into the front room to see what Santa had brought them! They were delighted with their gifts and all of us got a new DVD in our stockings--that has been a fun tradition for us. We then got to open our gifts under the tree! We all took turns and watched each other open presents. The girls were so cute to each other when it came to their "sister" gift exchange gifts, they were saying thank you's and giving hugs. Then we got showered and dressed and went over to my Mom's house for a big Christmas breakfast! So yummy! My Grandpa and Grandma Robison came over and Becca and Nick were their too! Then we opened the gifts that they had for all of us! After that we came home and tried to get organized and give Whitney a nap. Then we got to go over the Scott's Mom and Dad's house for Christmas dinner (we are well fed on Christmas) we brought over the gifts we had for them and we also got gifts from them! Our favorite gift being "12 hours of FREE babysitting" from Karissa! Thanks Karissa! Then we spent the evening talking and playing games together. It truly was a very Merry Christmas. We are so very grateful to have our parents so close to us. Scott and I both feel so blessed that we get along with each other's families so well. We have a great time no matter who's house we are at.

Christmas Eve

Scott in head-to-toe Boise State gear! His Christmas Eve "P.J.'s" were new Boise State warm-up pants! The other stuff he already had: beanie, long sleeve T, and slippers all Boise State!
Go Scotty! Go!

Whitney, McKenzie, and Samantha in their new Christmas Eve night gowns! Very soft and fleecy! So cute! It is getting harder and harder to find them "matching" clothes because they range from the "Big girls" department all the way to toddler. So we were so excited to find these carter night gowns for all 3 girls!!

Our little Ladies!

Christina in tiger print silk P.J.'s! Very lovely!!

We had the best Christmas Eve!! That evening we went sledding on our hill and had a blast! It had dumped so much snow that week that the snow plows had pushed up a huge mountain of snow on the side of our driveway, this was perfect because the new mountain of snow connected with our existing hill and made one heck of a sled ride! After sledding for about an hour we came in and thawed out. Then we had sloppy joes for dinner! The kids picked what they wanted and that was great for me super easy cook and clean-up! Just right! Low stress. Then we opened our Christmas Eve gifts of the ever traditional night before Christmas Pajamas! The girls were nearly bursting with excitement to open a gift, so it was a good thing that we let them do that first thing after dinner. Then we read about Jesus being born from Luke 2 in the Bible and watched a movie version of it as well. Then (as tradition dictated) we drank hot apple cider and ate popcorn while watching a "Christmas Movie" this years selection was the ever hilarious "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"---complete with Jim Carey antics and all! It's a favorite! We had the best time just being together as a family and enjoying each other's company and personalities. Then we put the girls to bed. This is the one and only night out of the year on which Samantha (our resident night owl) goes directly to sleep. (so funny.) After the girls were in bed Scott and I had some items of business to take care of the in kitchen. We were assigned to bring the creamy potatoes and a pie to Christmas dinner (with his family) the next day. So Scott set out to make the pumpkin pie (seriously from scratch, with pumpkin we had gleaned ourselves from an actual pumpkin) it turned out famously! I made the potatoes and we were set! Then we needed to wait. To make sure that "visions of sugar plums" were well on their way . . . before playing Santa. While we were waiting . . . Scott was being very secretive . . . he made me stay up stairs while he "worked" on something for me. I was completely at a loss! I had no idea what he had planned! Well it turned out that "Santa" brought me an ipod shuffle in my stocking and "Santa" had already loaded it with some of my favorite songs. When I put the ear pieces in and started listening I got teary eyed because my favorite song was playing. It was a wonderful and sweet surprise! Way to go "Santa"! We had a fun and memorable Christmas Eve, there was a peaceful feeling in our home that night. It is rewarding to watch our children interacting together and the older they get the more fun we have together forming our own traditions.

A Visitor for Christmas Break

Samantha's first grade class has a pet turtle named, Tiny Tim. We voluntered to have him over Christmas Break! I thought that all the kids would want to keep him, but it turns out that we were the only ones who even offered. Go figure? We have loved having him at our house! He eats worms. So gross! He eats 7 of them every other day and then we give him fresh water everyday. Really simple.

Merry Christmas. -Journaling-

So here we are a little less than a week before Christmas and I find myself just now settling into the "Christmas Spirit" of the season. The past 3 weeks have been so full of parties and performances that it has been difficult to focus on much else. We do still have 2 big family parties to attend this weekend, the Robison party on Saturday and the Thompson (White) party on Sunday night. I am looking forward to those 2 parties since it is just family. The girls are so excited about Christmas and Sam has been counting down! Every morning she informs me of how many days we have left until Christmas. We had the girls buy gifts for each other and they loved picking something out for their sisters. Scott and I bought one gift for them to share and that is it (under the tree) they will get a Santa gift and stockings--but all in all--a simple and relatively small Christmas. I know that they will get gifts from Nana and Grandma Diann and they are getting gifts from a cousin gift exchange, but this year is feeling better to me--as far as not going over board on the "stuff"--Yeah!! It helps me feel more calm inside. The other fun thing that we did with the girls was that we got names off an Angel Tree! They loved picking out gifts for someone that they didn't even know, but for someone that actually NEEDED a gift for Christmas. Very good experience for us all.

Scott continues to be-Chiropractor, JV coach, husband, father, 1st councilor in the Elder's quorum . . . and I know that he is getting a bit worn out. He is looking forward to a week long break here at Christmas. Coaching has been a big time commitment for us all. I miss him. I am trying to be supportive and encouraging (this is one of his big dreams) but I still miss him. He is my best friend. The girls and I have gone to all his home games, we don't stay for V or go to away games . . .but we are doing our best to go to as many as we can. I do want to go to some away games, but I will try to leave my "3 ring circus" at home when I do.

I am glad that December is almost over and that life can get back to a more normal pace--I was barely keeping up with that--- Y.W.'s is going great. We went caroling last Tuesday and they seemed to enjoy that, very Christmas Cheer and all. We do have Baptisms coming up on the 23rd, I hope we have enough girls still in town to make it worth the trip.

Samantha just had her Christmas singalong and they sang a song about a big, red sled. It was cute. Her whole class wore scarves. She is not the tallest in class any more. I think that she is slowing a bit and may possibly average out---much to her dismay, her life's ambition is to be taller than me--- She looked darling up there with her new Christmas dress on and her hair in pigtails with big red bows. (I love having 3 heads of hair to do--one of the many perks of having girls, I LOVE to do their hair). The past 3 mornings Sam has gotten up with me to do Yoga! (I get up almost every morning at 6 a.m. to do Yoga). She was also my little exercise buddy in the summer--getting up early to walk 2 miles with my Mom and me every morning. She is so insistent on getting up. I actually love having her up with me.

McKenzie just had her pre-school sing along this week too! She was darling up there in her silver skirt and red sweater ( a combo of last year's Christmas outfit and this years)--she was not pleased that I was mixing the 2 outfits, but the out come was darling!! She kept telling me that they didn't match, " They don't go together!" she protested! (she's been watching too much "What not to wear!" on TLC) This last year in pre-school has been just what she needed to finish getting ready for kindergarten! I am very glad that we did not send her this year! Kenzie sometimes struggles to feel good about herself, and uses phrases like, "I can't do anything good!" and "I don't fit in this family!" sometimes I know it is just the DRAMA coming out in her, but sometimes I worry that she really does feel that she is not good enough. She really is the most like me of all the girls. I feel where she is coming from. I try to pay special attention to her and try to boost her up.

Whitney is talking very clearly now. She says and does the funniest things! She just cracks me up! Like this morning she had pulled her night shirt down around her waist and was running around the house. I asked her, "Where's your shirt?" and she said, " I naked!!" I later found her trying to give herself some medicine, through her belly button with a baby medicine syringe! I don't know? Go figure! Also when I cut up apples for them I make them eat the peel. Whit always rebels and won't eat it. Well, I bought some green apple this time and the peel is so tough, I don't even like to eat it. So I was cutting off the peel for everyone. Whitney could not get over it! She kept say, "Mommy cut a peee-ll off fooor mee!" over and over again! Also once when I was doing her hair I got a little hairspray in her eye. Since then when ever I do her hair and I don't get hairspray in her eye she tells me, "Mommy, you din-nit get har-spway in ma eyee!" over and over! So cute!

I feel so very blessed. I have so much. I am very grateful for my life and my family. My heart is full of joy and happiness. I am grateful for Scott and all that he does to take care of all of us girls! He is a wonderful man. Love you Scotty!

TaVaCi Concert-- "Snow Biz"--

Kenzie(girl on the right)wearing her "Jazzy sunglasses" singing Santa Claus is coming to Town"
Sammy sporting hers as well!
Kenzie---Love this picture!

Karissa, in her specialty number singing "NO-L, NO-L"

Cameron, telling jokes! So Funny!

Diann, Karissa, Me, Sam, Kenz, and Whit---the women of TaVaCi . . .

Festive-in Red and Green --the High Heels were a terrible idea, they are only 1/2 hour shoes, after that I seriously start questioning why I am still walking?

Me, Sam and Kenz before the Concert!

Sisters!--Big Hair, Big Make-up--Did I grow-up in the 80's or what?

Love Ya Sis!

For those of you who don't know. . . TaVaCi is a children's performing arts group. We do singing and choreography along with a little drama and speaking parts. I teach the little kids classes ages 3-7 and Diann teaches the older kids up to age 13. For those of you who know me, I know you are thinking, Christina teaching singing? But yes, I can carry a tune (if the bucket is big enough) but what I lack in serious music ability I make up for in enthusiasm, dancing ability, and of course DRAMA. Plus small children love you no matter how well you can (or can't) sing. I enjoy TaVaCi as a fun creative outlet. I honestly love to sing. This is a great way for me to do so and give all the credit and stage time to the darling children who deserve it! This year our concert was at the Madison High School Auditorium (can we say it seriously needs a face lift, when did it get so trashed? I guess, it has been 10 years since I was in there, but still . . . .) We really liked having it there. All the parents could see better and we didn't have to do many decorations, so that was nice! This was our best concert (my personal opinion). I felt that my kids were especially well prepared and that they sang with lots of personality and spunk! I heard lots of parents laughing when we were being funny, and lots of "Oh's and Ah's" and vigorous clapping! I was really proud of the kids! They did a fantastic job! I had fun seeing them up on stage! All in all a very rewarding experience.

Winter Sunrise

Sunrise out our kitchen window, that glowing building is the Rexburg Temple!
Same morning--of the Teton Mountains

We have had some really beautiful mornings lately and Scott is into taking pictures of them. The pictures don't really look as good as the real thing, but you get the idea. There have also been some really great sunsets too! We really love living here!

Toasted Whitney!

It is winter time and it is cold outside, so our house if often kind-of cold in the mornings and Whitney's favorite spot to lay is on the brick-bench in front of our fireplace. She will lay with her arms down to her sides (like a hotdog) and her cheek flat to the tiles. It looks so uncomfortable, but she loves it!

The Nutcracker

This was my first time using our camera as a video camera, and I wasn't sure what I was doing and I couldn't find the zoom, so it is very hard to actually see Samantha, but she is the little one in maroon, on the back row, on the right side. She is in the 2nd group to do their cartwheels and she lags behind the others (she hurt her tailbone right before she went on stage and it hurt to do her cartwheel). I was there by myself to watch her, tickets were 15 dollars and I didn't want to spend tons of money for everyone to go, Sam was only on stage like 30 sec. Scott couldn't go because he had parent's night with the basketball team and it is his first year coaching and he needed to be there to meet all the parents. So we had to split up to cover all our bases! Normally, the wives of the coaches and their families all go to parent's night too, so they can meet everyone . . . but as you can see we had to split up!

Our Russian

Samantha performed in the Nutcracker with her Ballet Company this past week! She did an amazing job! She had a big smile on her face the whole time. She looks very joyful while she is dancing! She loves ballet!

Big Sister Sammy

I am so grateful for Samantha. She is a wonderful big sister to her little sisters. While I was trying to make dinner one night, she rounded up her little sisters and sat on the couch to read to them. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and how her simple act of reading to them helped me immensely. They made such a happy and darling trio that I just had to get a picture. I like to remember the tender moments when they are being really sweet to each other.

Thanksgiving

So we had a great Thanksgiving. My Mom had us all over to her house this year-including my Grandpa Butler (from Denver) and my Grandpa and Grandma Robison, also this year Becca brought home her soon-to-be fiance' Nic (of SLC). We loved having Becca and Nic here for Thanksgiving! We are still getting to know Nic, and we really like him a lot! And we really like Becca with him--she is so happy and so nice---Nic brings out some very good qualities in Becca. Nic was very sweet to all of our little girls (who, I think, all have a bit of a crush on him--they were acting very giddy, silly, shy, and giggly around him). Whitney, is the most crazy about him! Always climbing in his lap and demanding to be held---to which Nic was very accommodating . . . I am so excited for Becca to have Nic in her life. They make a great couple.

Thanksgiving . . . a time to slow down and be grateful for all that we have. And no, I haven't taken the tiniest bit of time to do that this year. I am grateful for so much in my life--my crazy, busy life--- nonetheless, I do have plenty to be grateful for. And I really don't take enough time to think about it all . . . so now is as good a time as any.

1. Scott, of course, he is the first on my list. :) Words do little to describe my feelings about Scott. He truly is my best friend. A team player. Wonderful provider. He makes me laugh. Hugs me when I cry. Still holds my hand when we're walking somewhere. Tells me I am beautiful, even when I can't see it. Loves me. I can see it in his eyes when he is looking at me. This journey through life and raising kids is better with him by my side.

2. Samantha, McKenzie, and Whitney---my little women. Teaching me how to be a Mother. Little reflections of me--some good, some bad-- They are innocent, tender, forgiving, teachable, full of love, full of joy, full of excitement. My greatest life's work. I am grateful everyday for the gift of them in my life.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ. Shaping me, helping me, guiding me, keeping me safe, bringing me peace and direction in my life.

4. A home of my own. I love having a house that is just our family's. A place to learn and love and grow together.

5. Living in here in this great community. So close to family --I love having my parents just next door, and Scott's parents are just down the road.

Gratitude keeps us happy. I actually feel calmer and more peaceful having taken the time to think about the great and wonderful things in my life. Hope you all had a "Happy Thanksgiving."

Journaling--The cute things . . . and "Ba-Hum-Bug"

So in the interest of keeping (somewhat) of a journal, I decided to write about Whitney and some of the cute things that she is saying. Concerning nursery at church, she has been really good up until she turned 2. Then she decided that she will scream, kick, cry, wail, and otherwise frighten the other children (not to mention the poor nursery leaders) until, I agree to stay and play with her. I am NOT letting her tantrum her way out of nursery, so I stay for awhile and then leave for my church calling and then keep checking back and usually go in to help calm her down. When I check on her she is usually separated from the other children screaming in a corner---saying over and over, "I need Mommy, I need Mommy . . . " you get the lovely picture . . . So I have been trying to change my strategy, I thought well I will "Pep-Talk" her before she goes to nursery--Going something like this: "Oh Whitney, it is time for nursery!" she quickly says, "NO Nurs--ee!" I say, " You can see Sister Shirley (whom she used to love)." She says, " NO Sisa Sher--yee!" I say, " Oh come on she is so fun." Whitney says, "NO fun!" I say, "Sister Shirley is so nice and happy." Whit says, " No ni-ice, No Hap--y!"----Pep-talk not working so well. But I had to laugh (inside) at how cute and confident Whitney was with her answers, all with a very serious scowl on her face. This past week we decided to try and talk more about nursery during the week, we even started praying for nursery and for Sister Shirley, I thought it might help when we then got to nursery and of course when we got to church, Sister Shirley wasn't in nursery that week . . . Her son got home from a mission and they were having a family party. Just my luck.

Scott has officially started coaching Basketball this week! He is the new assistant JV Boys Basketball coach at Madison High school! He is loving it! Four hours of B-Ball practice a day--who wouldn't be in heaven? I am trying to be a good sport about the whole thing. I think that I am doing pretty good so far, a whole week---way to go Chris!--- Scott is such a happy guy, all smiles when he is going off to Ball, and in a great mood when he comes home. I like to see him so lit-up about something---the spark the excitement! I am happy when he is happy!

I am trying to keep-up with the Holiday Season---and I am trying not to be a "Ba-Hum-Bug"! I used to love the "Holidays", but now, I kind-of dread them. I know, it's all the in attitude . . .blah. blah. blah . . . I am not ready to have a good attitude about it yet. So, I am being honest. I just feel like Christmas becomes all about "the stuff" and I look around our house, so full of "stuff" and I just get all wound-up thinking about all the more"stuff" that we are going to get . . . I know that we give gifts in honor of the gift of our Savior. And I honestly enjoy giving a gift to someone, when I know that it is really something that they will love and I get excited to surprise them with it, but I hate feeling like I have to get something for someone, just to get them something. more stuff. I know, "Ba-Hum-Bug" Sorry. Scott and I did do some Christmas Shopping this past Saturday, we were able to find some great things that I am really excited about giving to people, plus we got our Christmas cards all ready to send out! ALL of that is helping me feel better about the up coming Holidays!! I like to be on top of things!

It's a Star Wars Halloween!

Samantha as Darth Vader---Completely her idea!
McKenzie as Princess Leah --a beautiful princess!
Whitney as Yoda-I fought a mighty battle to get her in that costume, she is so mad at me in these pictures, and as soon as I finished taking her picture she began ripping it off!!

May the force be with you!

This was the night of the Hibbard Elm. School Halloween Carnival! Scott had a Football game that night, so I took all the girls myself (I must not like myself very much). But it actually was not that bad, the girls were well behaved. I did get a few cracks about being "Hans Solo"--because I was there "solo" without Scott (Ha Ha Ha--people are so dang funny)! Anyway we went and ate dinner at the school and then went around to the different classrooms and played games and won prizes. Whitney refused to wear her costume. So she was not dressed-up at the carnival. I won the battle, but I did not win the war. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Art under the bunk-bed . . .

So during Spud Harvest, Sam and Kenz were supposed to be cleaning up their room! They had lots of books and clothes and hangers all over their floor. When I came in to check on their progress . . . I found an elaborate, artful hanging of books and hangers! Honestly, I was quiet impressed with their "work". They played for a long time under their bed making different arrangements of their books and such. Creative kids. Gotta love them.