Christmas Wouldn't Be Christmas Without...

Gingerbread Houses
One of my sweet friends brought me this beautiful gingerbread house.  What a work of art!  We were so amazed at the detail and effort that went into creating this masterpiece.  I am so blessed to have such talented and amazing friends who share with me.  Thanks, Keani!

The Gifford's Amazing Gingerbread Art.

What you can't see in this picture is the beautiful rock work on the chimney side of the house, the fish in the pond, the flowers in the window box, the slate sidewalk up to the door, the presents under the trees, the logs stacked nicely at the back door and the beautiful garland lining the fence - AMAZING!!

After seeing that, we thought we would try our hand at it.  Carson and McKenna had a great time working on this together:

McKenna holding the roof together while Carson applies the frosting.

The Details

The Family

The Finished Product

Christmas Concerts
Tanner and Austin's award winning choirs put on a beautiful winter concert at Union High School and Carson participated in his first Christmas orchestra concert.  Carson had a lot of fun learning Christmas music on his violin.  One of our favorite holiday past-times this year was opening the hymn book and me accompanying him on the Christmas hymns.

Austin Seo, Chad Richards and Carson Sork playing Sleigh Ride
with the Pacific Middle School Orchestra

Mrs. Brosius, the best Orchestra teacher in the world!

Of course we put together our family Christmas program for Grandma Hirons and the other residents at her retirement home.  Tanner sang "Believe" with Tasha from Polar Express.  Austin played the Christmas Cannon from the Trans Siberian Orchestra composed by Pachabel on the piano.  Carson played a few carols on his violin and was also the MC for the night.  McKenna sang "Where are you Christmas," from the Grinch.  We also had Alex Reid, the McKague family and Tasha's girls perform with us.  The highlight for me was when a resident came up after and wanted us to keep singing.  I invited her to sit on the piano bench with me and all the performers came and sang Christmas carols with her. She said she has always wanted to sing with a choir, but could never find one that would take her.  I assured her we would.  And we sang and sang and sang.  I am sure it made her night, as it did mine.

The Sork Family, December 2010

Christmas Eve Parties
Christmas Eve is almost as great as Christmas itself!  All year we look forward to our aebelskiver brunch with the Tippetts family.  Toasty bacon, sizzling sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs,  roasted potatoes and of course the aebelskivers with various toppings like warm maple syrup, cherry and apple pie filling, homemade raspberry jam and vanilla ice cream haunt our dreams for weeks before.  YUM!  After we have filled our plates and our stomaches, we hang around play games and visit with everyone then go back to the kitchen for more.  We had a special visit from Santa this year too.

Carson and McKenna displaying the joy in giving and receiving.

In the later afternoon we head over to Lani's to spend Christmas eve with her and the Gordon/Sork clan.  The kids get their Christmas jammies (and underwear), help with the Christmas puzzle and eat their favorite foods until their heart's content.  Of course Grandma G makes sure everyone has exactly what they want to eat.  Grandma Hirons, Cathy and Steve are always fun to have around.  We also get to spend time with Uncle Scott who we so rarely get to see.  We make it home just in time to be tucked into bed before Santa arrives.

Uncle Scott Gordon, Steve and Cathy Gehlhausen and Leah

Grandma Hirons

Lani, fondly known as Grandma G

"I am SOO excited!"
Tanner

"I think I will have to grow into these."
Carson

Christmas Morning

Before the sun comes up Christmas morning, everyone piles on my bed to hear the Christmas story.  This year Eric chose to focus on the wise men.  They sought the Savior, and when they found him they spread the good news so others could find him too.  Dad encouraged us to be like the wise men and always seek the Savior in our lives and share His message with others.

Following our Christmas devotional Dad goes down to check if Santa has come.  He always ooo’s and aaaah’s and assures us that Santa has definitely been here.  We wait anxiously at the top of the stairs.  When we hear Christmas music playing from Eric's Christmas Morning playlist, we know he is ready for us to come and see what has been left under the tree—FINALLY!

Our Christmas tree after Santa's visit.

Christmas morning always has fun surprises for everyone!

Carson opening his gifts on
Christmas Morning 2010

Austin opening his new swimsuit to use on our Disney cruise in April

McKenna (and everyone else) loves the mini boxes of cereal Santa leaves for them.
This look of craziness explains why Mom doesn't serve sugared cereal all the time.

The Festival of Nativities

The first weekend of December brings the Festival of Nativities.  As my kids get older, they complain a little more about going.  I determined their complaining is because I make them dress up in the children's area and pose for a picture in the manger.  This year I decided to use the camera a different way and see if it made a difference in their attitudes:  

One of the nativities on display.

As we piled into the van to go, I split the family into three teams.  I gave each team a digital camera and a list of ten items they needed to find at the festival and take a picture of (such as a nativity from Germany, the most colorful nativity, the biggest nativity, etc.).  It was fun trying to find the specific items on the list and not letting the other teams see you taking pictures (thus alerting them to an item they needed to photograph too).  At the end of the evening we met in Joseph’s Workshop to share our pictures and experience with one another.  

 "Nativity with the most pieces"
Team Austin and Dad

 "Joseph with the baby, Jesus"
Team:  Tanner and Carson

There were so many different pictures taken for the same item on the list.  We really got to see and experience all the festival had to offer.  I don’t think the kids will complain next year about attending this wonderful Christmas event with me.  Tanner even said he might want to bring a date along!

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt

McKenna peeking out of her snow shelter.

For the last three or four years we have taken the Saturday following Thanksgiving to go into the mountains with several of our friends to find our Christmas tree.  This year we were especially excited because of the wet weather we have had.  We knew there would be lots of snow to play in.  

McKenna preparing for the ensuing snowball fight.

Someone warn Carson, "In-coming from Austin! Don't worry, Tanner will get him for you!"

Carson taking it out on McKenna - are you all seeing the pecking order?!

We were not disappointed.  With all the snow, finding the tree was the easy part; finding our way back to the vehicles and our friends was a little harder.  Next time I think we will be a little better about marking a trail as we head into the woods. 

Yeah, the real man that cut it down is not in this picture...

Austin was being very particular this year about the kind of tree he wanted.  I am not sure if he got exactly what he had in mind, but he did approve it before we cut it down.   

McKenna, Mom, Carson and Dad warming up with a hot lunch.

After all that work a nice warm bowl of chili topped with cheese, hot dogs and chips, and hot chocolate with marshmallows was a much needed treat. 

Our tree on Christmas morning.  It looks like Santa has been here!

 Monday night for Family Home Evening we decorated the tree.  Each member of the family has their own set of ornaments that mark special memories and/or events in their lives.  It is fun to reflect on where we have been and where we are going over the years.  The tree looked beautiful in our living room all month long. 

November News of Note

GIRLS GETAWAY:  I look forward every year to getting together with the girls in my family for our Girl's Weekend.  My sisters and cousins on the Bowen side take a weekend in November and gather as friends.  It is a great time for us to reunite, talk, cry, laugh and be silly.  We share our experiences from the past year, talk about our families and solve all the problems in the world in one weekend.  I sure love these gals!

The Bowen Girls Weekend Getaway
Heywood Hideaway, November 2010

TANNER's 1st SHAVE:  I will let the pictures tell the story...

Thanksgiving – My Favorite Time of Year

I love Thanksgiving!  I love the excuse to reflect upon my many blessings.   This opportunity puts my heart and mind in the right place to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.  Each year the stores crowd out this important holiday more and more.  Christmas is becoming more and more commercialized and Thanksgiving is skipped right over.  No wonder many in our world have lost sight of what is truly important.

The kids always tease me because I will not listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving (the one exception being the wonderful music of Handel’s Messiah).  Even the music of the season is becoming more about self than the Savior. 

We have a "Count Your Blessings" jar that we set out all month long.  Anyone who comes in our home can write down what they are thankful for and drop it in the jar.  By the end of the month the jar is overflowing. We read all the slips for Family Home Evening at the end of the month.  By the time we are done reading them all, our minds are filled with even more we could have included.  We are so blessed.

A Wild and Crazy Bunch - Thanksgiving, November 2010

Dan and Sandy Tippetts carving the turkey and preparing the gravy.

I love having the family gather together; they are always at the top of my blessings list.  This year everyone was invited to our home to enjoy good company, good food and fun.

Yes, crockpots made it to the top of my Thanksgiving list this year too.  It made for a relaxing Thanksgiving day.  Everyone came with their food assignment all ready to go.  We were able to put them in crock pots to finish heating while we enjoyed each other's company and the turkey finished cooking.  The house smelled divine!  I didn't get a picture of all the pies on the deep freeze in the garage or the celery sticks with cheese whiz both in honor of Grandma Bowen.

Austin and His Thanksgiving Feast

We enjoyed being together.  We had the best stuffing in the entire world (thanks, Shalyce).  The mashed potoates were to die for (even though Eric had his doubts when I was making them).  Tasha never lets us down with her homemade rolls!  Lani brought a great cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes for her favorite son. Sandy’s turkey was very moist and perfectly seasoned and no one makes gravy better. Grandma Hirons sat back and enjoyed watching us do the work she has done for years. 

Eric, Mira and Reese taking a break for a short story.

Following dinner we gathered around for some rousing games.  A few favorites were Guesstures  (Sandy never can seem to grab the card before it falls and it is so funny seeing her get so worked up over it) and the Sign Game (We won’t tell you what Coby’s sign was, but I am sure anyone involved in the game will never forget it). Of course we had to play a little Guitar Hero too.

The Sign Game

Tanner and Carson Rock the House!
Groupies:  Sage and McKenna

I always hate to put my Thanksgiving decorations away.  I hope my family will keep the feelings of gratitude in their hearts all year long.  I know I enter the Christmas season ready to enjoy the gifts the Savior brought to the world with his birth because I have taken the time to reflect on all He has given me.  Throughout the year when things get a little tough all I have to do is count my blessings and everything falls back into the proper perspective.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tanner Goes to State!

This was a great cross country (XC) season for Tanner.  He ran like the wind and toppled several personal records (PRs).  After last season, where he was nursing several injuries, this was a refreshing change.

The Starting Line

Coming into the finish line strong.

The Union High School Men’s Varsity Cross Country Team placed 4^th at the Nike Pre-Nationals meet and 2^nd at the Gresham XC Classic.  They were also undefeated League and District Champions.  Qualified to compete as a team in the regional meet and missed going to state by 2 points.  To top it off they received the WIAA Distinguished Scholastic Award. 

 Greater Saint Helen's League District Meet 

Union HS Varsity Men's Team

Union HS Varsity Men's XC Leaders
L to R:  Tanner, Roman, Zach, & Kyle

Tanner’s teammate, Roman Kirkov, was named the Greater St. Helen’s League 4A Runner of the Year.  We are glad Tanner has a good running mate to push him and make him stretch.

Nike Pre-Nationals -  5k time of 16:53 - 12th place out of 167 runners

Besides these amazing team accomplishments Tanner also received the following recognitions:

• ·         Voted team captain for Varsity Men’s XC
• ·         Earned his 3^rd varsity letter in XC (leading the varsity team as second runner for the third year in a row)
• ·         Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award (for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher)
• ·         Made the Varsity All League Team (the dream team of the league put together by all the league XC coaches) Ranked #5 runner in the league.
• ·         Qualified for and ran at Regional’s placing 36 out of 127 runners
• ·         Qualified for and ran at State placing 105 out of 150 runners
• ·         Personal Record 5,000 meters at 16 minutes 38.4 seconds
• ·         Personal Record for the mile at 4 minutes and 51 seconds

The taste of victory!

Way to go, Tanner!