The BIG day

I tried really hard this year to not get too stressed about Christmas day. Having a large family I get real stressed before the BIG day making sure everything is equal between kids and something especially fun for each child. This year I felt a little more prepared and organized and didn't have to do any last minute hair pulling out.

We didn't let the kids get up until 7 am to do their stockings. The boys were all like wild boars at the bottom of the stairs being let loose for their first meal in months when we finally hollered out that it was 7 am. Santa didn't let anyone down this year. Chloe is absolutely IN LOVE with her pink princess umbrella that she so desperately wanted this year from Santa. She shows everyone who comes through our front door.

After stockings and Santa presents we got ready for church and enjoyed a really wonderful hour being reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Then we came home and opened presents.

The kids opening a family gift from Uncle Matt and Aunti Jessica. They have had so much fun with this stomp rocket.

Chloe was the delight of the day -- she just LOVED every present!

Tyler was SUPER DUPER excited for the flip video recorder that he received (love WOOT.com). Alex and Tyler have had so much fun this past year creating their own movies with friends.

The afternoon was spent having fun with new gifts, eating our traditional lunch of homemade pancakes, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and sausages. We also loaded the car for Spokane and took down the Christmas tree. About 5 pm our house filled up again with several families that joined us for a delicious Christmas dinner.

By 7:30 pm we were on the road headed to Spokane while the kids nibbled on treats from their stockings and watched new movies. We had vowed to not travel on Christmas day this year but in the end we all decided that we didn't want to miss any of the Spokane fun since our time their was limited. We pulled in about 10:30 pm and everyone had renewed energy after seeing their cousins. It was a really memorable and wonderful day!

T.R.A.D.I.T.I.O.N.S. Christmas Eve with the Dittos

Finally Christmas Eve arrived at the Dittos' house. Once again our night was full of fun traditions, TONS of food, and laughter. The Seiler Family, a teenager friend, the Sister Missionaries, and my sister Emily and her family joined us for the night.

This isn't a really awesome picture but it does represent all the delicious food we inhaled all night. Our tradition is that each person picks a favorite food for our smoragasboard. Our guests brought their favorites too so we had TONS of food. Let's see we had little smokies, mac n' cheese, potstickers, crab legs, shrimp (popcorn and fresh), Italian Sodas, homemade pizza, meatballs, peach torte, salsa, chips, mandarin oranges, jello, popcorn chicken, salad, candy, cookies, and cake.

Meanwhile while we were stuffing our faces the kiddos were busy decorating the gingerbread houses.

Next comes the loooong but FUN talent show. We had everything from dance numbers to singing to musical instrument playing to cheers.

Tyler and Nate have been perfecting their human pretzel number. It's amazing!

Alex treated us to his rendition of "Carol of the Bells" on the piano.

Ryan's gonna kill me...but his talent was my FAVORITE of the night so I just have to include it (and reap the repercussions later). He lead us all in an old cheerleading cheer. It was unforgettable!

Tyler tooted a couple of Christmas carols on his trumpet.

Chloe did a little dance number.

Alysee and Mom nervously performed "Jar of Hearts."

Birch blessed us with Christmas carol on his guitar.

Emi, Ryan, Mila, and Sage did the cutest number singing the "Fish Song."

We had several other numbers by our visiting guests so it was a fun night where none of us hid our light under a bushel!

Next up was our reenacting the Nativity. Keeping with tradition we wrote down all the characters in the nativity and then each child picked out their part. No trades allowed! Somehow Joseph didn't get picked so Birch ended up role playing that character.

Somehow Joseph didn't get picked so Birch ended up role playing that character.

Alex was a great donkey for the tired and weary pregnant Mary (Alysee).

The whole 2011 cast

Feeling sad that you missed out on our fun? Dying to see Ryan in action? No fear you can watch clips of the night right from your very own home.

If you are having trouble viewing the video you can go to: http://youtu.be/IHbG-2xww4U

Merry Christmas from the Dittos

A few tidbits about our litter...

Favorite Song: Rap, Coldplay, "What Are Words" by Chris Medina
Favorite things to do: Outdoor sports, ski, baseball
Favorite food: Chinese food Favorite movie: Sorcerers Apprentice
Favorite subject: Algebra or Science
I think I am going to go on my mission to...England
When I grow up I want to be...a physical therapist
8th grade
13.5 years old

Favorite Song: Price Tag
Favorite things to do: Basketball, Outdoor sports
Favorite food: Stromboli and Crockpot Lasagna
Favorite movie: Sorcerers Apprentice
Favorite subject: Science
I think I am going to go on my mission to...California or Montana
When I grow up I want to be...a chiropractor or dentist
5th Grade
11 years old

Favorite Song: Love Story and Fireflies
Favorite things to do: swim, sing, dance, and read
Favorite food: corn, oranges, and apples
Favorite movie: Tangled
Favorite subject: Language Arts
I think I am going to go on my mission to...wherever they don't speak a different language
When I grow up I want to be...veterinarian
4th Grade
9.5 years old

Favorite Song: Dynamite
Favorite things to do: soccer and all sports
Favorite food: spaghetti and meatballs and shrimp
Favorite movie: Kung Fu Panda
Favorite subject: PE I think
I am going to go on my mission to...Japan
When I grow up I want to be...physical therapist
2nd Grade
7.5 years old

Favorite Song: Dynamite
Favorite things to do: sledding, play basketball, pretend to snowboard, legos
Favorite food: Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite movie: Cars 2 and Ratatouille
Favorite subject: Recess
I think I am going to go on my mission to...China
When I grow up I want to be...police man
Kindergarten (half day)
5.5 years old

Favorite Song: Break My Heart and Dora songs
Favorite things to do: go to daddy's work, play with friends, and go to preschool
Favorite food: Candy
Favorite movie: Dora Movies on Netflix
Favorite subject: Jesus' birthday
I think I am going to go on my mission to..."I don't want to go on a mission. I'm too scared."
When I grow up I want to be...a girl that wears Alysee's dresses
Co-op Mom's Preschool
3.5 years old
How lucky are we to be parents to these GREAT kids!!!

December Happenings

One of these days I am going to write down all of our family traditions. Gotta kick of December with decorating our Christmas tree. The kids all opened their new ornament for 2011.

Lots of Christmas programs for school

Alysee was asked to be the game show host for the kinder/First grade program. She is AWESOME!

Coop was a star too!

Tyler was finally (he earned it in October) awarded the "I did everything award" for Webeloes. He also had his first band concert and did awesome at playing his trumpet.

We also celebrated Mark Cox's birthday party this past week. It was a memorable night with a bounce house, pizza, watching the movie of his life, and the finale of letting off these beautiful wish lanterns.

It was freezing outside but honestly my heart warmed me up that I wasn't even phased by the cold.

Letting go...but loving strong!

Click on this link if you can't see the movie above. http://youtu.be/qj7BVtX2X10

What a wonderful time of year!

Tender Mercy

Seth and son Tommy in Zambia, African September 2011

Last month I experienced tender mercy from the Lord. I don't want to forget the Lord's hand in my life so I thought I would write this experience down. My brother and his family moved to Zambia, Africa this past summer for three years for an excellent job opportunity. It has been incredible to read their experiences and trials that they have been experiencing while living there.

Several weeks ago they asked if I would do the research and book their plane tickets to come back to the states for Christmas. Their internet and power is real spotty so it makes it hard to do this type of thing. Gladly I accepted the challenge -- and was it a challenge. In just a few days they will start their 33 hour travel time with two kids under the age four (Caroline will have to do this by herself with the kids coming here to the US -- pray for her).

Anyway, I had spent many hours on the phone and researching online to get the best flights possible. As I was doing the actual booking part of the flight I started realizing that I needed more info (like birth years for everyone, credit card address, etc...). I was so frustrated because the ticket had already gone up about $1,000 overnight and because of our time difference it would be another day until I would hear back from an email if I sent it to Seth.

I started emailing and calling all my family members and Caroline's mom to try and find out the information I was lacking. I tried skyping with my parent's on their mission in Fiji to see if they had the information I needed. No one even had a phone number that I could even try to call Seth. I also kept attempting to google chat with my brother to see if maybe I could wake him up. N.o.t.h.i.n.g.

I said a little prayer and not one minute later the phone rang.

It was Seth.

He said that he just felt like he should call before he went to bed.

Oh my, talk about the Lord's hand in my life. This was a tender mercy...this was a miracle. Seth had no idea that I NEEDED to talk to him but he followed his prompting to call me. We ended up spending the next hour on the phone and emailing in order to get all their ticket stuff straightened out.

I am thankful for the Lord's hand in my life. Here is a little video clip from a modern day apostle of our church that shares more about what a tender mercy is:


Click here to link to movie: http://youtu.be/y7XA5X5CxJc

To The Moon and Back

We fit together like a glove...
Eternally Yours!!

Happy Fifteenth Anniversary!!