Gift giving

 That's what it seemed to be about this year.  The kids were so thrilled to give the gifts they picked out for each other and Jason and I, that they could have cared less about getting something for themselves.

 Jason and I have a rule.  We don't steer the kids towards any specific thing when they shop for mom or dad.  We let them choose a gift truly from them.  Sometimes this can get really interesting (like the year Ansen got Jason a Turkey fryer and a rubber snake) and sometimes it can get a little redundant (I think Kahau got Jason a board game 5 years in a row) but they are always heartfelt.

This year the kids really thought about what everyone would like and knocked the ball out of the park.

 

 

 This is my gift to Jase.  A tool box.  I know you are jealous of how romantic this gift is but I totally give you permission to use this idea for Valentine's Day.

 

 I got a new phone (hallelujah!) a new camera (double hallelujah) and new workout clothes (woot woot).  Man these kids know me so well!

 

 The kids asked for Rosetta Stone for Christmas this year.  After considering the cost Jason and I had to tell the kids it was too expensive.  As much as they wanted to learn French it was too much.  They understood and decided to start saving for it.  Then Santa surprised them with it anyway.  I think they were a little excited but I don't really know because they don't show excitement very well on their faces.

 Get ready France. The Widing's are learning french and then we are taking over.

Merry Christmas everyone.  We hope you day was merry & bright.

Christmas Morning

 Santa got a little confused this year!  He must have come down our chimney and saw out front room tree and assumed that is where he was to leave presents.  He was in such a rush that 1) he forgot to close up the glass to the chimney when he left which made it sooooooo cold in the morning.

 2) He made a complete mess in our fireplace. Can you believe he didn't wipe his feet?

3) He missed Braley's note asking him to leave any gifts in the family room.

 But really, do we care?  Not at all. It was cool to have gifts under both trees and we simply moved it all into the family room and got cozy in there.

 Oh my gosh! Santa left him a bike.  He about died.

  How cute are their new jammies?

 This lower picture is one of my very favorite of the kids ever!

Christmas Eve

 Christmas came in a rush this year.  It just seemed to *pop* up on us before we really had enough time to enjoy the Spirit of it.  Usually during December we kick back and relax and just take things as they come.  This year there was school, and work, and callings, and concerts, and swim, and basketball, and Jason was ping-ponging all over this country.  Life honestly didn't slow down until Christmas Eve Day.

 To make the day a little most special I arranged to have our family and some of our friends go and carol at a local nursing home. It was really a wonderful time.  There were 4 families and lots of kids and a little crazy but it was special for me.

 I loved being there and singing with my family and friends. I loved that those listening to us sang along and I loved that no one got up and walked out on us.

Just look at this heavenly host singing!

 After we sang we had to make some cookies for the man in the red suit and of course my helpers had to taste test.

 Our evening was spent having dinner with friends, getting Christmas jammies, reading Luke 2 and many other Christmas stories.

 Bring on Santa and Christmas morning.

Christmas Treats

Friends, family, coaches, neighbors, bosses.......everyone needs Christmas goodies!  This year we did licorice and chocolate for some of our favorites and for the kids teachers we made cinnamon and sugar pretzels. Yum!

Willamette Misson Mill

We asked around for some ideas for a place to go and see some Christmas lights.  A friend suggested we try Willamette Mission Mill lights in Salem.  It was a great suggestion.  My pictures won't do the lights or our experience any justice because remember my camera is broken and so I'm working off my iphone camera but the lights were pretty.

The Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill is a stroll through the history of the Willamette Valley. The five-acre campus is home to fourteen historic structures that present the stories and richness of Oregon's past. Pioneer buildings at the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill take visitors back to the early settlement of western Oregon. It's a lot like being back at Sturbridge Village at home except it's for the Western frontier so it's a hundred years latter.

There was a dance happening:

There were caroler's in period and clothing:

There were cute kids:

There were lights everywhere:

There was a place to make reindeer food to leave for Santa's helpers:

And there was a sing-a-long.

  Actually it wasn't meant to be a sing-a-long.  It was a jazz group playing smooth Christmas music in the Mission church.  It was pretty and jazzy and soooooo not what the kids were into.  All of the sudden requests were flying. "Do you know Frosty?" "Can you play Jingle Bells?" "Play Rudolph!"  With panicked looks the little band looked up kids Christmas songs on their iPads and the party started.  Not to toot our horns BUT as soon as people heard singing coming from the church the pews filled.  People, musical or not, love to sing Christmas songs.  It's a fact.

It was a fun night and even better it was a dry night.

Merry Christmas!