Oh Christmas Tree

So we set up the tree about.....2 weeks ago! I just love Christmas and I love my tree. It was the biggest item we shipped over when we moved. I just couldn't leave it behind!

As you see we just made it, I think there is about 1/2 inch clearance if that!

Someone couldn't resist once the camera came out!
Most people are shocked that we have the tree up so early, but I love decorating the tree, having it turned on a night. My mom always has the prettiest trees ever year. She has an amazing eye for detail, where to place what decoration etc. I think last year she decorated all us girls' trees! She came to Utah because William was born, so she did Megan's and mine. Then back home to do Becky's before she even did her own! Her trees are lovely, Dad will huff and puff about all the trinkets and "things" Mother puts out for Christmas, but I do believe he is the first one to plug in the tree in the morning! It always reminds me of the time when Mom and Dad got a new electric blanket for their bed. Having a King Size bed they had the "duel" controls for their blanket. Which of course was the whole point. Patience cease to be the "key word" when it was time for set up, no time for directions, just slap that blanket on and plug it in. (Dad was doing the setup) Anyway come to find out many days later, they had the wires crossed. Dad controlled Mom's side of the bed while Mom controlled Dad's, and you are asking yourself how long did it take before they undid the wires and sort it out.....they never did! They would just reach over each other to either turn up or down the controls! I know there is a reason for this story.....Oh yeah, Dad would moan and groan about the blanket, telling anyone who would listen that is was just not necessary. However when we would climb up the stairs at night to go to bed, it was like a lighthouse on a hill this little red light coming from Mom and Dad's bedroom. Who would be all tucked up in bed with the blanket on you ask? Dad (I am pretty sure Mom was still downstairs folding laundry).
So Dad may moan and groan, huff and puff a bit and His favorite saying is that the border control has Tai Pan on speed dial and as soon as Mom crosses over the call is place! We all know though that he loves the house looking like it came out of a magazine for Christmas. When you walk into the house with a frost bitten nose and the house is smelling like Christmas cookies, music playing and that beautiful tree sparkling is there a better place to be? I dare someone to try to find it!

Numbero Uno

I've finally uploaded some of the photos off the camera. Simple things seem to take eons for me to do now a days. So here are William's first birthday photos!

He loved playing with his piece of cake!

Will got a new winter hat, and he is just so dang cute in it we had to snap a few photos!

Bonnie's List

I just love this photo, Kenneth thinks I haven't changed that much! Still on the chubby side! :) I have about 2 minutes to write my little thankful list before I need to check on bread and try to put a baby down for a nap, change the laundry and vaccum!
Trying to put into a list all that I am thankful for will take forever, so I'm just going to put all the things that pop into my head in the next 2 mins: Kenneth, the children, my parents, my sisters, my brothers, Vonage phone system, internet, emails, online shopping, my scriptures, recipes books, old disney movies, amazing ancestory, missionaries, prayer, answers to prayer, warm home (even though it is tiny, tiny, tiny), a washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher, a fridge, books to read, cameras, cross stitching (when I have the time which right now is NEVER), my calling (I don't know how thankful Kenneth will be for that when enrichments get rolling!), warm coats for all my children, food to feed my children each day, my little Tristan and Bella (Aunt Bonnie misses you so much), Avery, Brady, Cody, Emma, Oakley, Olivia, Esther and Mister Briggs! Sisterly phone calls (I think today I'm going to finally figure out how to conference call), laughter, good oldy goldy movies, my ipod, the Ensign, New Era, Friend, cousin for the kids in Norway, for my time in Provo can't wait to see you again, Airplanes, cheap airfare, kleenex, toothpaste, and CHOCOLATE. (Dr. Pepper would of course be on this list as well, but unfortunately the one they make here isn't the same). I love Thanksgiving even if you read Spencer's Thanksgiving from the 4th grade where he informs his class and teacher that we didn't have turkey we went to I-hop instead for breakfast (I was working tons and didn't want to do a full blown turkey dinner as I knew 3 weeks later I would be doing it for Christmas so we just played games and relax on Thanksgiving day--however that story is now published in his book "All about me" so the story will live forever!). How vitally important it is to reflect on the things we have and not worry so much about what we don't have. I need to have that plasted on my fridge right now. Life here is good, just hard. I think the children have all found their little "place" right now it is just Mom who is struggling. Chin up, Shoulders back, socks pulled up and off we go. Time for our adventure here with smiles and A LOT of chocolate along the way!

Sabrina's List

Sabrina is thankful for: Jesus, make-up, clothes, bikes, roller-blades, birthdays (her's is coming up), family, church, scriptures, summer, tanning, airplanes, food, trees, Christmas, cousins, TV, books, cars, malls, shoes, arts and crafts, Mom and Dad, computers, clocks, FHE!

Spencer's List

Here is Spencer's list of all the things he can think of that he is grateful for:

Family, a body, friends, paino, internet, clothes, video games, A/C, fireplace, a home, books, car, airplanes to take us home, TV, school, NFL, NBA, Heavenly Father & Jesus, scriptures, food, drinks, toothpaste, sports, NCAA, BYU Football...... too much else to say!

Thankful list

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

This is such a great video that I thought I'd do some similar interviews among my children and Kenneth and myself and see what we're thankful for. Since my little Mia is the only home and not taking a nap here is her list:

Mom and Pappa, puppy (her stuffed puppy dog), William, Bella and Tristan, Blake, Megan, Grandma and Grandpa, Hot Chocolate, all the missionaries (they are our neighbors and come over often!), Espen, Dee Dee (Sabrina) and Spencer, the house we live in, her bear, her bed, Max & Ruby, the TV, poka dot (stuffed dog), popcorn, Uncle Al and Aunt Angie, Esther's Mom and Dad and family, Emma's family (this would be Mark and Deanna and crew), Norway cousins, that Pappa is her primary teacher, singing.......there is more I'm sure but William woke up and I have a Relief Society Meeting. Yeb I got a calling, 2nd counselor in the Relief Society, can't believe it either. Should be an interesting few years.

More interviews to follow in the upcoming days. So stay tuned!

William is 1 Today!

Can't believe our little guy is one today. Mind you, it feels like it has been about 3 years since he was born. So much as happened, so much stress, tears, excitement, and all out craziness has been our life since little Will came to us last November. Let's all hope that this next year will be slightly calmer and more naps for Mom and Dad.

Since it was his birthday we decided a late nap was OK!

Little did I realize who would follow in his footsteps!

This is a rare photo and needs to be documented, William asleep in a crib! He has slept with us since we came to Norway as there is no crib, or room for one in our little place right now. We have borrowed a "pack and play" from Kenneth's sister which we set up at night time in our little living room. However, Will feels it just isn't a good enough place to sleep. Except this once! Mia kindly donated her little bunny for the nap!

He was hiding under the table when I found him like this, so we pulled out the chair so we could have a better look.

Loving the toast with Nugatti!