Christmas Traditions: The Oakland Temple

If you have never visited the Oakland Temple at Christmas you should drop everything and go NOW!

 

 We love the Oakland Temple-it's where our family was established!-and when the Christmas lights start to light up the neighborhood we know it's time to head back to where it all began for a spectacular light display.

 

 In addition to seeing the beautiful lights and displays, there are fantastic programs running continuously.

 

Like Samuel's beasty chest hair?  Just kidding, it's the faux fur from my hood. 

Or is it?

 

The kids couldn't resist touching the icy water!

 

 Owen all decked out in his froggy beanie.

 

 All smiles...

 

 Bundled up!

 

 Gorgeous poppies thriving in the cold!

 

 So California!

 

 I LOVE this temple!  It's absolutely stunning!

 

 Walking the rooftop gardens and checking out the beautiful city views.

 

 Wow!

 

 Seven is heaven...yup!  Cheesy!

Me and my babies in the warm Visitor Center...Owen wandered away.

How can you see Christs arms open to you and NOT want to come unto him?

 

 

 Temples are amazing places, and there is a spirit there that is unlike any other.  What a blessing it is to have the Sacramento Temple so near, and to be able to take our families at the drop of a hat to walk that sacred and holy ground and to remember...

Families are forever.

Pray for Your Children That I Won't Punt Them Out the Window

Yes, that's what I actually said to my husband.  And soon you'll know why...

Samuel served in the Philippines, Ilagan Mission, and there he learned a phrase in Tagalog that means mischievous.  The term is: Muk-Muk, or translated into English, means: Iris and Owen!

These two are the epitomy of mischevious, and this past week they really went bananas and drove me bonkers!

Bath time always involves removing all soap and soap-like products OUT of the tub during bath play time.  I thought I had removed them all, but apparently I missed one and they squeezed the contents of an entire bottle of shampoo into the tub making for this gray, soapy-soupy mess...

 

Later, while feeding Gabriel, I noticed that they were quiet.  Hmmm.  That always indicates trouble.  I went into the family room to discover they both had their own cleaning product (Owen had Windex; Iris had the $100 Granite Counter top cleaner), and were spraying furiously onto the coffee table and wiping it up with Gabriel's burp clothes!

Oh yeah, ignore Owen's middle finger inn the shot above.  Focus on the sheepish grin...

 

Still later, Iris came running to tell me that Owen was "playing with a knife".  What she realized as she was waving her arms at me, was that her hands were covered in chocolate frosting.  As her mind comprehended that this too required an explanation, she hurriedly added that Owen-not Iris-Owen, had gotten into the frosting!

Still later, after much scribbling on walls, doors, and basically any surface of any kind, I banned all writing utensils and set my watch for two minutes at a time.  That's how long I would let them go from my sight before checking on them.  They did well, climbing into the "tupperware cabinet" and rolling freshly picked lemons on the floor-I'm okay with that!  But then I later discovered that they had ceased rolling and were now "eating", rind and all, the lemons!  Iris wolfed everything down (I don't know know how she stomached it!), while Owen's chewed up lemon landed in a neat little pile at his feet.  Thanks Owen , I guess!

And if that isn't all, later in the day Owen acted as a human meat tenderizer to the roast I was preparing for dinner!  Aarghhh!

Well, they are now both tucked in for a nap, and I can finally, finally relax!

Or can I...?

Sharkfin...Mohawk...Pompadour...Gone!

My little guys hair was the talk of the town.  We couldn't get through a line at the grocery store, or down a hall at church, without someone commenting on that hair!

Because it was starting to get unruly, and would literally flop over after a time, I knew I couldn't wait any longer...

 

It was time for my baby boy's first haircut!

 

And wa-la! 

He's not so little anymore!  It's amazing how much he looks like a little boy now!

 

So handsome!

 

Is it any wonder that he's yet another love of my life?

Christmas is Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Nothing beats hot chocolate on these cold chilly nights, but in December it's just natural to throw in a candy cane for some added holiday cheer! 

The kids love it, ironically Samuel and I hate it, but what to do?

It's Christmas!

The hanging of the wreath-which officially obscures my view out the peephole!

My girls pausing for some refreshment.

 

Mom moving all the ornaments around after the kids attacked the tree...

 

My son Owen and his crazy whipped cream mustache.  The kid loves the stuff and when he hears the can squirting he comes running with his mouth wide open!

 

Gabriel Dodge, getting ready to experience his very first Christmas, and liking it very much!

 

I love Christmas!  I am so grateful for my Savior, and for this opportunity to celebrate his birth.  It truly is an opportunity for families to draw close together to reflect on his life, his ministry, and his sacrifice in our behalf.

Merry Christmas!

Think About the Candy!

Yes, I resorted to shamelessly bribing my Iris and Owen to stay still during our amateur family photo session.  I went from one candy up to three candies.  They certainly know how to hold out...

Nice gangsta pose, Owen!

 

It's a trick getting everyone to look up at the camera, much less smile!  As you can see, Gabriel wouldn't have any of it.  At least it's a great hair shot for the boy!

 

I love my family!

Cart-less Black Friday...

...Means quick maneuvering around the store

but awkward getting out the door!

Ouch!  Bad rhyme, but true story.  In the end, we actually made it out without this bad boy tower-of-stuff falling down.  Now that's a miracle!

Oops!  Just realized I can't let the kids read this post...

Nix the Chicken! It's Donut & Turkey Time!

I despise breakfast, but I love holidays, and it just doesn't seem right to let a holiday get off on the wrong foot by not having something great for breakfast!  So last year, we instituted:

"The First Annual Thanksgiving Chicken & Waffles Breakfast!"

Last year was also the:

"LAST Annual Thanksgiving Chicken & Waffles Breakfast!" 

Don't get me wrong, we LOVED the breakfast, it's just not the kind of meal you take in on this particular holiday with so much delicious fare waiting to be consumed throughout the rest of the day!

So what did we opt for instead?

 

How about donuts from Raleys?

It's simple, convenient, FUN, and also gave us an excuse to pick up a paper with those coveted Black Friday ads!

 

After our donut-run we made it back in time to tune in to another of our traditions:

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

 

While we watched, Gabriel experienced the wonderful world of rice cereal for the very first time!  What's the verdict?  Quite a lot of spit-up.  I think he's holding out for some mashed potatoes and gravy...

 

This little guy sure is a comfort to his momma.  I can't tell you how many times he's cuddled close only to make my heart warm and swell with gratitude.  All of my children are great blessings from the Lord.  Every single one of them brings joy beyond measure.

 

After a morning of cooking and baking we headed off to our various destinations.  We ate dinner at my mom's and she had an incredible spread!

 

My girls...I love them so!

 

The kiddie table!

 

Owen taking in his first course.

 

Iris sampling the buffet.

Way to practice good sanitation practices, honey!

 

My mom and I.

More and more I'm realizing how much we have in common.  She is one strong woman, and I admire so much her tenacity, her inner strength, and her ever-cheerful spirit.  She is a great example to me and it is a privilege to be her daughter.

 

Later in the day we visited my in-laws for dessert.  I regret only getting one picture of the evening, but it captures the spirit of another tradition:  Street Football!

The man you see here is so dear to my heart.  I love him so much, and am truly grateful to be his wife.

What am I most grateful for this Thanksgiving?

FAMILY

One of my favorite songs shares this:

"The Family is of God"

(Words and music by Matthew Neeley)

Our Father has a family.  It's me!

It's you, all others too; we are His children.

He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,

To live and learn here in families.

A father's place is to preside, provide,

To love and teach the gospel to his children.

A father leads in family prayer to share

Their love for Father in Heaven.

A mother's purpose is to care, prepare,

To nurture and to strengthen all her children.

She teaches children to obey, to pray,

To love, and serve in the family.

I'll love and serve my family and be

A good example to each family member.

And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,

I'll help my family remember.

Chorus

God gave us families to help us become what

He wants us to be-

This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

God did give us families.  And they do help us become what he wants us to be.  I know families are how he shares his love for us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Left Foot Green...

With Samuel in school several nights a week, the kids and I view our time together as an opportunity to get silly.  On this night, we broke out Twister...

 

...and it was a treat to see my little ones all tangled up!

 

The fun stopped there when it was my turn.  Apparently I'm too big to play with others so they gave me the mat to use all by myself!  Ava was in charge of the spinner and she was sooo slow calling out-I thought I would die!-but it was great exercise!

Gabriel watched the fun from the sidelines, but was pretty intent on his own class of fun!

I'm grateful for this time with my children.  We miss Dad of course, but it's awfully comforting to spend time with people-little people-who you absolutely love!