Christmas Festivities

The the last couple of days have been a whirlwind of fun, and for my kids, unbelievable anticipation. Phoebe was practically counting down the seconds.

We celebrated Christmas Eve just the way we have since I was a baby, eating El Charo in front of a movie at my parents house. There's no need to mess with perfection. I have to admit, though, the absence of my mom was evident in every moment of the night. Luckily, I guess, the kids seemed unfazed by it. Memories fade quickly when you're young. However, my amazing dad did his best to make it as fun and comforting as every other year and the cousins loved all of their presents.

Christmas morning found Casey and I being awakened by Cade (our late-sleeper) at 5:30AM. That just wasn't happening so I escorted him and his trailing posse down to the toy room with strict 7AM instructions. (They negotiated down to 6:45.)

Santa brought Cade an electric scooter and Phoebe and Sofia got what Phoebe had been begging for, a car to drive, (good thing I've got two babies that will be able to use it because I think she's almost exceeding the age limit). And last, but not least, Lila was brought a walker toy. She's almost ready for her first steps. All their other toys were well received, too.

A note to my husband, I love the pot, pans, knives and camera, baby. Sorry moms are so boring to shop for.

Christmas afternoon, we headed up the mountain to Randy and Miriam's where the kids opened more presents and played with all of their other cousins. For Randy and Miriam, all of us contributed family pictures to the mound of old Skidmore photos, and Brittny and Aimee did the legwork to compile a Skidmore Family Album and DVD. They are awesome. And, the gift drew tears, that's always a good sign.

Here's to another great Christmas!

The Deterioration of Lila's Patience

This was kind of funny. Today was finally here! The day that my kids could wear their nice Christmas outfits to church. Cade and Phoebe were set to sing with the Primary 15 minutes before Sacrament meeting, so I got them ready 20 minutes early so that I could have just 5 minutes to take some pictures. It was so well thought out. Here's how it went...

Lila started out ok,

she looks a little troubled,

uh, oh,
and she's gone.

But, it was so well thought out!
We'll get it next year:)

December is so busy!

I know that it seems I have fallen off the planet, but, believe me, I am here and so stinkin busy with Christmas stuff! (Really when I say 'stinkin', I mean 'wonderful'.)
The last couple of weeks have provided the Skidmore house with many fun and often stressful activities, all of which have left me painted red and green or covered in glitter. A couple of Sundays ago, the kids and I made some neighbor treats, we called them Sugarplum treats, and spent the next two nights braving the hurricane to deliver them, bad timing on our part, but, we loved giving them out to the amazing and sweet families that have become our friends over here in Las Sendas.

Last Thursday, we had our Relief Society Progressive Dinner which was really fun. The food theme was Mexican and anytime that there are chips and salsa around, it's a good time. A friend of mine was asked to put on a little one woman play about what it would be like to really be the recipient of all of the 12 Days of Christmas gifts. Hilarious! You should have your own show Jen Watkins.
On Saturday, we were able to go watch Phoebe's Christmas recital. Only the really young girls perform in the Christmas recital and I have decided that it is only fun to watch toddlers dance if they are your own, or if they do something really funny. But, the two youngest company groups were fun to watch. Awesome as always, Phoebe.


Finally, Monday night, I hosted a Skidmore Christmas FHE. As always, I stressed way too much about the details, but I love this new tradition we have of rotating a monthly FHE. The most important thing was to keep the kids all busy, so, I had them make these Christmas tree treats out of ice cream cones, cookies, frosting and candy. They had a blast and it was so fun to watch them, especially the 4 two-year olds. They ate much more than actually ended up on their trees. Then, we had a lesson in which we tried to teach the kids about true gifts of Christmas such as service and faith. The night was perfect for me because I had my entire family there including my own dad and sister with her kids.



I think about my mom every single day and she's the only thing missing this Christmas. I wish she was here to share all of these special moments with me. She loved buying Christmas presents for the kids and decorating her house. I'll continue to remind my kids often of how much their Grandma loved them and how special she was. This year I'm more grateful than ever for the gift of the Savior on that first Christmas day ,because it was He who made it possible for me to be with my mom again one day. Merry Christmas, friends.

Phoebe' First Competition!

Today was Phoebe's very first dance competition. They have been working so hard at it and I have to say, I was a little nervous. Kind of silly, I know. However, they did awesome. There's one part in the middle of the dance when Phoebe does a leg extension with two other girls and it was beautiful and right on count! Way to go, Phoebe. They recieved a Top First Place and won a special award for Diva attitude as well as coming in 10th in the age 8 and under division, (they were the youngest of 18
groups in that category). Today, she definately caught the competition bug!

My Turkey Success!

This week I have come to realize that there are stages in a mom's life. I have officially crossed into the Moms who can cook an entire Thanksgiving Dinner stage. Being that my mom has always cooked the Thanksgiving meal and my aunts have had so much faith in me that they have always assigned me the soda, before, I was more than a little nervous at the thought of hosting and cooking the bulk of the meal. So I studied up and thank you turkeyrecipes.com and Martha Stewart, it was a success. I made a 14 lb. turkey, homemade stuffing, gravy from the drippings, and sauteed green beans and red onion, with time to spare.
Seriously though, I'm so glad that I cooked for 4 hours for a meal that was gone in 30 minutes. At least I'm sure my mom is proud.

For you Bachelor fans...

I almost forgot, When Casey was at the Suns' game he sat right where Jenni (one of Chad's final two ladies) was dancing. (For those of you who dan't follow The Bachelor, one of the final two women dances with the Suns dancers.)He asked her if she was the one but all she could do was smile and say, "I can't tell you," We'll just have to wait and see, but she did smile.

I'm back!

OK, I know that it's been a long time since my last post. This always happens. I'll hear a talk in relief society, or somewhere else, about how important it is to keep a journal, so I'll start writing. About three days into it I lose my excitement and within two weeks, I've completely abandoned the attempt. It's happened again. I haven't abandoned my page yet, but I'm teetering. Help!
This week was actually really fun and eventful. Tuesday, Casey went to the Sun's game. I hate the nights that he goes to the games. I'm such a brat, but, I like him to be home at night. However, he loves the games and I always fear that he'll come home with a blackeye, because his main goal is to scream at Kobe or Yao enough to screw up their game. Good luck, honey!
Wednesday, Casey and I joined Sara and her new beau, Ted, for the Jewel concert. If you've never loved Jewel, you would've still loved her concert. It was just her and an acoustic guitar on stage. Beautiful! We loved it.
Thursday night was our YaYa Christmas Dinner. A little background; after high school I worked at Bloomingfields Flower Shop and after the owners, Patti Barna and Angela Burm, sold it, we all stayed tight and vowed to do dinners every few months. Beside Emily Burton and I, most of the women are old enough to have been our moms, but they're crazy (hide the booze!). We had lots of fun at Cheesecake Factory, exchanging gifts and catching up.
Yesterday, Phoebe had her first dance convention. The instructor for her group (petites) was Miley Cyrus' coreographer. You know Hanah Montana. Imagine how exciting that was for 5-8 year old girls. She did really well and I was proud of how brave and outgoing she is getting. Dance and gymnastics are doing an amazing job at helping her lose her shyness (I knew there was a reason that I was breaking the bank for these dang things,).
PS- It's your blogs that keep me posting. Keep them coming!

Pachelbel Bedtime

My sister sent me this video and it's very cute for parents. If you haven't seen it already, enjoy.

Today is My Mom's Birthday.

Today my mom would have turned 58 years old. I wish I could see my mom at 58. I'm sure this would've been such a beautiful year for her. As the years had passed, Sara, Mom and I had just gotten closer and closer and I had really begun to appreciate the relationship that we had. That was something that I couldn't do as an adolescent. I regret the time it took to recognize my mom's extraordinary presence.
So, today my gift to her is to look for the good, in everybody and in everything. That's what she did. That's what I have not done enough of. That's what I always should have done when I was with my mom. She could have taught me so much more if I had only opened my eyes to what she had to offer.
My memories of her are radiant. Happy birthday, Mom.

I HAVE PROOF!

In case some of you need proof of the 'zoo' that my house has become, I caught the little buggers this morning, eating our new winter grass. Apparently, my house has now become this pack of javalina's new favorite dining spot. (Last night we came home from trick or treating to find them helping themselves to our candy dish.)
Actually, I'm finding that I'm becoming a little fond, and somewhat attached, to them. The babies are really cute!

Happy Halloween

Family 'Home' Evening

Fia talked Cannon into dressing up with her.
Sage, Alexa and Brylin being silly.

Tonight, we took the kids over to Grandma and Grandpa Skidmore's house for "family home evening", aka, the Broncos were playing the Packers. It is always lots of fun over there and, I don't know about your kids, but mine are in heaven when they're running around with their cousins. We now have 13 kids on the Skidmore side of our family. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa built such a big house!

Funny Baby Shirts!

I found a new website this week that has really cute baby shirts and onesies. There is a black one that has a big green frog and says 'Oh, snap'. And another that says 'Old School' next to a big diaper pin. Super Cute! The web address is trendytadpole.com. Check it out.

It's Almost Zoo Weather.

Lila loves Oreos!

Today, my sister, Sara, and I took Sofia, Lila, Cal, and Elle to the zoo. We were anticipating it being pleasant, but, if you've stepped outside today you know that it's already 90 degrees and full sunshine. That's not bad weather normally, to me, but, it always seems so much hotter at the zoo.

But, enough complaining from me. The kids had lots of fun. Sofia especially liked the baby orangutan. He's very cute. The first time my nephew, Cal, saw the baby orang, he said, "that monkey looks like me,". He's right. It does look a lot like him.

We Got Boo-d!

Sunday night, we got Boo-d. I love getting Boo-d because it provides me with an opportunity to "create" treats. And notice, I said me. I let the kids think that they're making the treats, but I maintain full control. I'm not one of those moms who can just allow my kids to be creative. That means the project will turn out messy and I have issues with that.

So when it's time to make something like these Halloween treats, my kids say, "Can I help?" And I say, "Sure" then I stall until they ask again.

But, in my defense, I am getting better. The kids did the gummies, and candies all by themselves. They did a good job, huh?

PUMPKIN THIEVES!

I hate carving pumpkins anyway, but for two years now, our pumpkins have been stolen. What's up with that? It's really our fault because of where we built our house. I love being up against state land, but out here there is a reality of wild animals. We have seen coyotes, javalina families, raccoons, hawks, mice, rats, rattlesnakes, and even a bobcat all in our neighborhood.

Last year I tried to be Martha Stewart and stack a bunch of big, cool pumpkins by my front door. Within a week, they were devoured, huge mess of pumpkin guts all over my walkway. But this year, the culprits were much cleaner. The pumpkin was just gone, no longer where it had been next to my tin ghost. So I wandered into the yard a little and saw paw prints. Then, I looked down into our wash and saw the remains of a coyote that had apparently lost in the battle over the stupid pumpkin.

I swear, this is the last year I put out a pumpkin.