Sean and Bridget-
Fabulous gift!!! The kids love them - but I could have used them for kitchen demo 6 months ago. It will be interesting to see how your gifts morph when you start to procreate. And then I will start mailing the popular and fun gifts............Paige
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Not spoiling the Surprise
But THANK YOU to the SF Schickedanzes for the killer Christmas gift. Without a doubt, a hit from age 7 to 17. Will post pictures as soon as we get the go-ahead! I am presuming some similiar gifts will be arriving in B'ham and Selah.
Love- Lexi
Love- Lexi
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
catchupblog
Merry Christmas,
I guess after posting the wedding photos, which took forever (1300 photos to choose from) I had blogphobia and ignored it for a few days. What a treat to read all the goings-on today.
Our Christmas was fairly quiet. Bridget is SO sick. She got what I had and I feel bad for her. On Wednesday we volunteered for 4 hours of "toy sorting" at a local church. It turned out that there were only 12 volunteers, 1500 small bags, 200 BIG bags, and no sorting involved. We carried all the bags to the trucks. Pretty good workout. We filled 4 trucks and were beat afterwards. They had to keep the presents at this church to make sure they wouldn't be stolen at the church in the tenderloin where they were being given out. Thus the trucks.
On Christmas Eve, we spent a pleasant evening in Danville with the Bartletts. They open gifts that night and serve appetizers (which I love), and everyone had fun.
Christmas Day, we lounged and watched the Pistons (Jake I know you were with me on that), then headed down to the soup kitchen to dole out dinner to the needy. Quite an affair, I must admit. I was assigned apple pie (one for you, one for me style) and Bridget got the ice cream. It was a, let's say, diverse crowd but for the most part VERY grateful people dressed a variety of costumes. We felt good for doing it and had fun.
Then we went over to Danville again for a sumptuous feast worthy of Whoville and general banter. My brother-in-law's girlfriend has her birthday on the 25th so it was twice as festive. I was on my best behavior with the small exception/mistake of engaging a 70-year-old committed communist aunt regarding politics. At length. Me and my mouth. No volume theory made an appearance, though. I did miss the family terribly and was a bit lonely, but any time spent with Bridget is time to be savored.
Bridget was even sicker yesterday but had the day off so we went to the theater and gave back some of the volunteer karma by buying two matinee tickets and attending/surfing (count'em) four movies. Our butts were a little sore, but we are now qualified to write reviews on Fun with Dick and Jane (funny), King Kong (not so bad), Wolf Creek (scary) and Chronicles of Narnia (highly entertaining). Slept like champs last night.
Paige, your letter was exceptional as usual, thank you.
We love you all and wish everyone a happy new year.
SF Schickedanzes
I guess after posting the wedding photos, which took forever (1300 photos to choose from) I had blogphobia and ignored it for a few days. What a treat to read all the goings-on today.
Our Christmas was fairly quiet. Bridget is SO sick. She got what I had and I feel bad for her. On Wednesday we volunteered for 4 hours of "toy sorting" at a local church. It turned out that there were only 12 volunteers, 1500 small bags, 200 BIG bags, and no sorting involved. We carried all the bags to the trucks. Pretty good workout. We filled 4 trucks and were beat afterwards. They had to keep the presents at this church to make sure they wouldn't be stolen at the church in the tenderloin where they were being given out. Thus the trucks.
On Christmas Eve, we spent a pleasant evening in Danville with the Bartletts. They open gifts that night and serve appetizers (which I love), and everyone had fun.
Christmas Day, we lounged and watched the Pistons (Jake I know you were with me on that), then headed down to the soup kitchen to dole out dinner to the needy. Quite an affair, I must admit. I was assigned apple pie (one for you, one for me style) and Bridget got the ice cream. It was a, let's say, diverse crowd but for the most part VERY grateful people dressed a variety of costumes. We felt good for doing it and had fun.
Then we went over to Danville again for a sumptuous feast worthy of Whoville and general banter. My brother-in-law's girlfriend has her birthday on the 25th so it was twice as festive. I was on my best behavior with the small exception/mistake of engaging a 70-year-old committed communist aunt regarding politics. At length. Me and my mouth. No volume theory made an appearance, though. I did miss the family terribly and was a bit lonely, but any time spent with Bridget is time to be savored.
Bridget was even sicker yesterday but had the day off so we went to the theater and gave back some of the volunteer karma by buying two matinee tickets and attending/surfing (count'em) four movies. Our butts were a little sore, but we are now qualified to write reviews on Fun with Dick and Jane (funny), King Kong (not so bad), Wolf Creek (scary) and Chronicles of Narnia (highly entertaining). Slept like champs last night.
Paige, your letter was exceptional as usual, thank you.
We love you all and wish everyone a happy new year.
SF Schickedanzes
Lakewood Update
Hello family -
We have been out of touch as our phone has been broken (and DSL line) since Friday night. I personally have been viewing it as a gift - however, I think we have to get it fixed. As a result, I was unable to talk to many of you on Christmas...did not get messages etc. So, BELATED CHRISTMAS GREETINGS to all. We had a great day - and felt like Monday was an extra bonus to have Den home with us all day. The tree hit the curb - it was very dead - and the 50 degree temperatures today made it easy to remove outdoor lighting and the leaves that were left on the yard before the last snow. After a very white December, it was a pretty dreary Christmas as the temp warmed up.
However, everyone was delighted with their gifts and have been busy playing - It is so great to still have another week off. The kids have been home since the 16th which was awesome because it forced me to have all the shopping/wrapping done very early and we just enjoyed the anticipation of Christmas. We hosted our annual party on the 21st and had about 75 people here. One kid punched another kid resulting in a bloody nose, but otherwise successful! Someday I wonder what the stories will be about the DeBaltzo Christmas parties...since I think that the "Kids"(9 and under crowd) party (basically chaos in the basement) is significantly different than the grown-up party upstairs.
Max and Sam are having a "Holiday Shindig" (to quote their invite) on Thursday night - probably will be about 50 teenagers...They can eat up all the leftovers from the parties and Christmas and hopefully not trash the house. Den and I will be here quietly chaperoning in a corner somewhere:-)
Loved your letter Paige - Between you and Mom, I don't think I will ever attempt a letter - Far too much competition. I loved the Christmas disc from the Selah Schickies...we have played it repeatedly.
Tonight we plan to take the little kids out to a movie and Max and Sam are heading over to Tom and Tracey's for some XBox 360 and to spend the night. We have loved having them so close by and have really enjoyed seeing them often. Hayden cries when he leaves here - he loves to run around with the boys. Danica, as you can see in the pictures, is absolutely BEAUTIFUL - and Tracey is a gem to be so willing to share her with our family. The kids simply cannot get enough of that little baby.
We had 17 for dinner on Christmas - a record high - but it was a great day and fun to share the warmth and love of Christmas day with others.
Miss you all and anxiously look forward to the reunion when I know we will all have lots of time together.
Love-
Lexi
We have been out of touch as our phone has been broken (and DSL line) since Friday night. I personally have been viewing it as a gift - however, I think we have to get it fixed. As a result, I was unable to talk to many of you on Christmas...did not get messages etc. So, BELATED CHRISTMAS GREETINGS to all. We had a great day - and felt like Monday was an extra bonus to have Den home with us all day. The tree hit the curb - it was very dead - and the 50 degree temperatures today made it easy to remove outdoor lighting and the leaves that were left on the yard before the last snow. After a very white December, it was a pretty dreary Christmas as the temp warmed up.
However, everyone was delighted with their gifts and have been busy playing - It is so great to still have another week off. The kids have been home since the 16th which was awesome because it forced me to have all the shopping/wrapping done very early and we just enjoyed the anticipation of Christmas. We hosted our annual party on the 21st and had about 75 people here. One kid punched another kid resulting in a bloody nose, but otherwise successful! Someday I wonder what the stories will be about the DeBaltzo Christmas parties...since I think that the "Kids"(9 and under crowd) party (basically chaos in the basement) is significantly different than the grown-up party upstairs.
Max and Sam are having a "Holiday Shindig" (to quote their invite) on Thursday night - probably will be about 50 teenagers...They can eat up all the leftovers from the parties and Christmas and hopefully not trash the house. Den and I will be here quietly chaperoning in a corner somewhere:-)
Loved your letter Paige - Between you and Mom, I don't think I will ever attempt a letter - Far too much competition. I loved the Christmas disc from the Selah Schickies...we have played it repeatedly.
Tonight we plan to take the little kids out to a movie and Max and Sam are heading over to Tom and Tracey's for some XBox 360 and to spend the night. We have loved having them so close by and have really enjoyed seeing them often. Hayden cries when he leaves here - he loves to run around with the boys. Danica, as you can see in the pictures, is absolutely BEAUTIFUL - and Tracey is a gem to be so willing to share her with our family. The kids simply cannot get enough of that little baby.
We had 17 for dinner on Christmas - a record high - but it was a great day and fun to share the warmth and love of Christmas day with others.
Miss you all and anxiously look forward to the reunion when I know we will all have lots of time together.
Love-
Lexi
Monday, December 26, 2005
Dear Friends and Family-
My annual apologies for the late arrival of this season’s greetings. I hope this finds you enjoying time spent with loved ones. It has been a busy month so unlike the other 11 that are so inactive with 4 children. Greg and I ceremoniously repeated the “Passing of the Credit Card” ritual, I threw back the Xanax and hit the stores with the rest of the squirrelly mothers frantically gathering the list of nuts for the family holiday. I think, hope and pray that I have acquired enough entertainment to at least get me through that week of Holiday Home Lock-in until the kids can go back to school. We have been spending an inordinate amount of time in the car together as Greg has been traveling a lot and so can’t help cover all the school drop-offs, hockey and swimming. Of course this includes listening to music and to switch things up a bit I popped a JC selection in the CD player. That’s right, you knew it, it IS the season……Johnny Cash! Surprisingly, the kids took to it immediately and so in the car, instead of harking the heralding angels my kids are singing along to the inspiring Folsom Prison Blues, A Boy Named Sue and the heart-touching Ring of Fire. Trust me, there is nothing quite as moving as a 5-year-old in ponytails, skipping into school, the snow gently falling and her belting out “Love is a burning thing etc….”. Touching. Play date requests from other mothers have fallen off a bit. All right, here is the individual fallout for the Leary family in 2005.
Kate turned 10 this year and continues to be fairly perfect ad nauseum. School is an apparent breeze for her as she participates in as many extra activities as she can and there is no bigger yawner for me than her Parent-Teacher conferences. I am constantly looking for a weak edge in her that I can exploit however I always come up short. She even gratefully accepts my impromptu philosophy on the agony of transitioning from child to teenager which I don’t always buy myself. Kate does argue with her siblings, so without having her tested I know that she is human. She is swimming in summer and winter, took up the flute at school (there’s a great story of me taking on the trombone-pushing band leader) and is cautiously looking forward to entering middle school next year. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I have to admit that when I have to make a key decision in life, the question “What Would Kate Do?” does run through my mind. Kate is also getting taller and more beautiful every day. Don’t worry, not every child’s summary reads like this – and the possibility still exists that the other shoe could drop and Kate goes Goth or something.
Peter at 9 and being my only son, is also perfect…in his way. School is not his favorite thing, which I like to tell him is unfortunate since he has about 15 more years of it coming down the tube. (Note to maybe limit his Johnny Cash listening, which may prompt alternative, non-academic careers) He actually does have aspects of school that he enjoys and excels in but tends to be interested in them when HE wants to be interested in them. This I fully appreciate feeling much the same way about parenting and life in general but know from experience that this doesn’t always prove to be hugely successful in terms of pleasing an employer or providing an income. Peter does have the incredible ability to genuinely relate to people of every type and really treasures all of the friends that he has. I envy his uninhibited, natural way about himself. He is still putting in unbelievable hours on the ice playing goalie for his hockey team, swam on the summer swim team and took on a little soccer which he really loved. He is beginning to be a physical force with which to be reckoned as he is also growing and growing…I can barely think(or type) about Kate and Pete when they were little together without tears welling in my eyes. Someone was right. It goes quick.
Ashleigh recently turned 7 and keeps life humming always. In the house, at school and anywhere else she is. She is wonderfully unaffected by the opinions or perceptions of anyone and expresses what her heart and imagination dictates. This can also be incredibly irritating at times. She has a new, well-earned nickname at school of Pokey. Nothing will hurry this child to do anything outside of her own terms. She could be an excellent negotiator at a high level some day as she can drive any sane person to absolute and total compromise. Have been a frequent victim myself. A huge interest in cooking has emerged this year and Ashleigh loves nothing more than a dinner served at the table with the family where we “serve it at the table out of lots of dishes”. She loves to tell me she is starving many times a day but if you take a look at the picture on this card again you will see that she is cute. But starving? No. She swims year round with Kate and will start up with tennis again next month. I need to drive somewhere else…sweet. School is fortunately on her “Will do” list however not so fortunate, homework is on her “Make me” list. So our evening routine includes a 20 minute harrowing and dramatic tirade preceding the 5 minute it takes us to actually do the homework. Can’t wait for the teenage years….different kind of tear welling in my eyes.
Caroline is closing in on turning 6 in a few months and we are having our last year of half-days together in the afternoons. My last kindergartner. She brings up the rear with a resounding giggle at almost everything her siblings come up with. She actually has the sharpest sense of humor in the family and a shade of my dark side which helps her manage life at the bottom of the food chain around here. She played soccer this fall and will start gymnastics next month so she is starting to pick up her own activities instead of simply being dragged from pool to ice arena and getting most of her meals out of vending machines or snack bars. Also a tremendous negotiator, she has acquired an arsenal of Barbies not to be challenged by any other. She has perfected the art of striking a deal with me when she is required to go run the millionth errand of the day. That and my pathetic weakness to battle, do the right thing and inform her about the unfair nature of life. So far, life is very fair for her. I will miss her in the afternoons next year but we will gain a little income that is currently being delivered on a regular basis to Target.
Greg and I continue down the path of financial ruin as we raise our family with a smile on my face and panic on his. The cost of 4 children boggles the mind as they each take on at least one sport year round and continually make steady and consistent demands on us such as being clothed and fed. Greg is currently working for a small French software company, Kaidara. He is filling many roles and working long hours to keep our heads above water and me at home with the kids. I am sure he questions determining moments in his life as he boards planes to exotic destinations for work such as Minnesota in December. As for myself, I try to maintain a semblance of stable mental health as I referee such monumental issues such as whose turn for shotgun, what television show is appropriate, who isn’t flushing, why homework was left at school and try to keep up with laundry and groceries. The thing about parenting I have found most difficult to stomach though isn’t the daily duties as much as watching my children turn into older children and seeing what I have contributed to those personalities. I realize that each person is their own but here and there something will be said or done in a way that I KNOW I influenced and sometimes it’s great and sometimes not so much but I have to take it and move forward a little more aware. I am starting to truly understand that bittersweet of parenting. Too bad about Johnny Cash passing away…I could’ve written him one heck of a song.
So, there it is. For this holiday season we wish for all of you the best. Thank you for all the love and kindness that you have each shown us in a variety of ways throughout the past year and hope that our gratitude is always as clearly understood as it is felt.
Love,
Paige
My annual apologies for the late arrival of this season’s greetings. I hope this finds you enjoying time spent with loved ones. It has been a busy month so unlike the other 11 that are so inactive with 4 children. Greg and I ceremoniously repeated the “Passing of the Credit Card” ritual, I threw back the Xanax and hit the stores with the rest of the squirrelly mothers frantically gathering the list of nuts for the family holiday. I think, hope and pray that I have acquired enough entertainment to at least get me through that week of Holiday Home Lock-in until the kids can go back to school. We have been spending an inordinate amount of time in the car together as Greg has been traveling a lot and so can’t help cover all the school drop-offs, hockey and swimming. Of course this includes listening to music and to switch things up a bit I popped a JC selection in the CD player. That’s right, you knew it, it IS the season……Johnny Cash! Surprisingly, the kids took to it immediately and so in the car, instead of harking the heralding angels my kids are singing along to the inspiring Folsom Prison Blues, A Boy Named Sue and the heart-touching Ring of Fire. Trust me, there is nothing quite as moving as a 5-year-old in ponytails, skipping into school, the snow gently falling and her belting out “Love is a burning thing etc….”. Touching. Play date requests from other mothers have fallen off a bit. All right, here is the individual fallout for the Leary family in 2005.
Kate turned 10 this year and continues to be fairly perfect ad nauseum. School is an apparent breeze for her as she participates in as many extra activities as she can and there is no bigger yawner for me than her Parent-Teacher conferences. I am constantly looking for a weak edge in her that I can exploit however I always come up short. She even gratefully accepts my impromptu philosophy on the agony of transitioning from child to teenager which I don’t always buy myself. Kate does argue with her siblings, so without having her tested I know that she is human. She is swimming in summer and winter, took up the flute at school (there’s a great story of me taking on the trombone-pushing band leader) and is cautiously looking forward to entering middle school next year. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I have to admit that when I have to make a key decision in life, the question “What Would Kate Do?” does run through my mind. Kate is also getting taller and more beautiful every day. Don’t worry, not every child’s summary reads like this – and the possibility still exists that the other shoe could drop and Kate goes Goth or something.
Peter at 9 and being my only son, is also perfect…in his way. School is not his favorite thing, which I like to tell him is unfortunate since he has about 15 more years of it coming down the tube. (Note to maybe limit his Johnny Cash listening, which may prompt alternative, non-academic careers) He actually does have aspects of school that he enjoys and excels in but tends to be interested in them when HE wants to be interested in them. This I fully appreciate feeling much the same way about parenting and life in general but know from experience that this doesn’t always prove to be hugely successful in terms of pleasing an employer or providing an income. Peter does have the incredible ability to genuinely relate to people of every type and really treasures all of the friends that he has. I envy his uninhibited, natural way about himself. He is still putting in unbelievable hours on the ice playing goalie for his hockey team, swam on the summer swim team and took on a little soccer which he really loved. He is beginning to be a physical force with which to be reckoned as he is also growing and growing…I can barely think(or type) about Kate and Pete when they were little together without tears welling in my eyes. Someone was right. It goes quick.
Ashleigh recently turned 7 and keeps life humming always. In the house, at school and anywhere else she is. She is wonderfully unaffected by the opinions or perceptions of anyone and expresses what her heart and imagination dictates. This can also be incredibly irritating at times. She has a new, well-earned nickname at school of Pokey. Nothing will hurry this child to do anything outside of her own terms. She could be an excellent negotiator at a high level some day as she can drive any sane person to absolute and total compromise. Have been a frequent victim myself. A huge interest in cooking has emerged this year and Ashleigh loves nothing more than a dinner served at the table with the family where we “serve it at the table out of lots of dishes”. She loves to tell me she is starving many times a day but if you take a look at the picture on this card again you will see that she is cute. But starving? No. She swims year round with Kate and will start up with tennis again next month. I need to drive somewhere else…sweet. School is fortunately on her “Will do” list however not so fortunate, homework is on her “Make me” list. So our evening routine includes a 20 minute harrowing and dramatic tirade preceding the 5 minute it takes us to actually do the homework. Can’t wait for the teenage years….different kind of tear welling in my eyes.
Caroline is closing in on turning 6 in a few months and we are having our last year of half-days together in the afternoons. My last kindergartner. She brings up the rear with a resounding giggle at almost everything her siblings come up with. She actually has the sharpest sense of humor in the family and a shade of my dark side which helps her manage life at the bottom of the food chain around here. She played soccer this fall and will start gymnastics next month so she is starting to pick up her own activities instead of simply being dragged from pool to ice arena and getting most of her meals out of vending machines or snack bars. Also a tremendous negotiator, she has acquired an arsenal of Barbies not to be challenged by any other. She has perfected the art of striking a deal with me when she is required to go run the millionth errand of the day. That and my pathetic weakness to battle, do the right thing and inform her about the unfair nature of life. So far, life is very fair for her. I will miss her in the afternoons next year but we will gain a little income that is currently being delivered on a regular basis to Target.
Greg and I continue down the path of financial ruin as we raise our family with a smile on my face and panic on his. The cost of 4 children boggles the mind as they each take on at least one sport year round and continually make steady and consistent demands on us such as being clothed and fed. Greg is currently working for a small French software company, Kaidara. He is filling many roles and working long hours to keep our heads above water and me at home with the kids. I am sure he questions determining moments in his life as he boards planes to exotic destinations for work such as Minnesota in December. As for myself, I try to maintain a semblance of stable mental health as I referee such monumental issues such as whose turn for shotgun, what television show is appropriate, who isn’t flushing, why homework was left at school and try to keep up with laundry and groceries. The thing about parenting I have found most difficult to stomach though isn’t the daily duties as much as watching my children turn into older children and seeing what I have contributed to those personalities. I realize that each person is their own but here and there something will be said or done in a way that I KNOW I influenced and sometimes it’s great and sometimes not so much but I have to take it and move forward a little more aware. I am starting to truly understand that bittersweet of parenting. Too bad about Johnny Cash passing away…I could’ve written him one heck of a song.
So, there it is. For this holiday season we wish for all of you the best. Thank you for all the love and kindness that you have each shown us in a variety of ways throughout the past year and hope that our gratitude is always as clearly understood as it is felt.
Love,
Paige
Birmingham
Merry Christmas to my family. We had a very beautiful Christmas evening and morning here in Birmingham - just the 6 of us and we ate, listened to music, played games, exchanged gifts and felt blessed. Thank you for the phone calls and gifts - they were all wonderful. The kids are all now encumbered with new toys and electronics. Kate with a stereo, Pete got a desk - love when irl Santa gives major furniture, Ashleigh was given a trip to the American Girl Store with mom next week and Caroline got a dollhouse. I love the feeling of this day and spend a large part of the day also remembering Christmas past and they are great and full memories. Strange that it never occurred to me as a child that I would not be spending every Christmas with my 7 siblings struggling to go to sleep, choking down eggnog, lining up on the stairwell with the giggling excitement of what waited "down there". But now as I watch my own children repeat the same rituals minus the punishment of eggnog I am reduced to emotional deer-in-headlights status with the realization that there is an expiration date on this magic. So, I try to remind myself to take it all in as it transpires and hope, as mothers and fathers before me have, that I am planting the same aura of memories to warm their adult Christmas's which without the memories it might just seem like expensive work! My parents definately did this for me and, par for the course, it only took me 36 years to understand. Thank you and I love you.
I am also going to post my Christmas letter as even though I intend to send it, you never really know the ultimate outcome with me. I hope that you enjoy it - Happy New Year!
Paige
I am also going to post my Christmas letter as even though I intend to send it, you never really know the ultimate outcome with me. I hope that you enjoy it - Happy New Year!
Paige
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas Blog
Merry, Merry Christmas one and all…
I had the chance to talk to some of you and left messages for others. If I didn’t make contact I would like to blog you a Merry Christmas.
We celebrated in Beaverton which meant a Christmas Eve celebration at Paige’s sister Becky’s house and Christmas morning here at the Haslams.
The kids woke up @ 7am and we did the Santa thing. The boys got sleds and remote control dinosaurs. The girls got dolls and accessories. Other big hits included… stereo (Sid) Yu Gi Oh cards (Jake) Batman and Robin dress ups (Jordan) and toy vacuum (Audrey). Paige treated me real nice with a cordless drill, Electric shaver and the new Billy Joel CS and DVD compilation. Paige got a gift certificate to her favorite store, J.Jill.
The big gift was a new dog, Ruby. (Ruby is the gem stone of Paige and I’s anniversary, July) Who came from a litter of Paige’s brother Jeff. She is 8 weeks old, a black lab (pure) and the kids are pretty excited. We have been setting the kids up for a while that there would be no dog. So we will see how Ruby takes to Selah and how we Schickedanzes take to Ruby. I am told that in no time I will be in love with the dog. We’ll see. Especially given my domesticated animal track record.
Then we got ready for church where Sidney was invited to play the prelude music (the same songs on the CD). She did a great job and was congratulated by many afterwards. Came home and relaxed until other family arrived. With their arrival came the dog and so has gone the afternoon. Sidney says she feels like tomorrow she will have awakened from a dream. Dinner was great (prime rib) and I even got to watch some football. Great day.
I am thinking of all of you. I am thinking of the gift that Christ brought to us by coming to earth and the realization of our eternal possibilities as a family. I am also thinking of Christmases past. Great memories of December 25th mornings in the basement of Northlawn and the living room on Puritan. Kay-Kay and Wa-Wa making the morning rounds. Everyone getting a turn to sing carols in the car as we drove as a family. I am thinking of Christmas present and how nice it is to know there is love in your homes with sounds of joy, giving, and excitement. Whether in Rhode Island, Ohio, Utah, California, Michigan, or Oregon we are a family that loves and appreciates each other and I am loving, missing and thinking of each of you today.
Brian
I had the chance to talk to some of you and left messages for others. If I didn’t make contact I would like to blog you a Merry Christmas.
We celebrated in Beaverton which meant a Christmas Eve celebration at Paige’s sister Becky’s house and Christmas morning here at the Haslams.
The kids woke up @ 7am and we did the Santa thing. The boys got sleds and remote control dinosaurs. The girls got dolls and accessories. Other big hits included… stereo (Sid) Yu Gi Oh cards (Jake) Batman and Robin dress ups (Jordan) and toy vacuum (Audrey). Paige treated me real nice with a cordless drill, Electric shaver and the new Billy Joel CS and DVD compilation. Paige got a gift certificate to her favorite store, J.Jill.
The big gift was a new dog, Ruby. (Ruby is the gem stone of Paige and I’s anniversary, July) Who came from a litter of Paige’s brother Jeff. She is 8 weeks old, a black lab (pure) and the kids are pretty excited. We have been setting the kids up for a while that there would be no dog. So we will see how Ruby takes to Selah and how we Schickedanzes take to Ruby. I am told that in no time I will be in love with the dog. We’ll see. Especially given my domesticated animal track record.
Then we got ready for church where Sidney was invited to play the prelude music (the same songs on the CD). She did a great job and was congratulated by many afterwards. Came home and relaxed until other family arrived. With their arrival came the dog and so has gone the afternoon. Sidney says she feels like tomorrow she will have awakened from a dream. Dinner was great (prime rib) and I even got to watch some football. Great day.
I am thinking of all of you. I am thinking of the gift that Christ brought to us by coming to earth and the realization of our eternal possibilities as a family. I am also thinking of Christmases past. Great memories of December 25th mornings in the basement of Northlawn and the living room on Puritan. Kay-Kay and Wa-Wa making the morning rounds. Everyone getting a turn to sing carols in the car as we drove as a family. I am thinking of Christmas present and how nice it is to know there is love in your homes with sounds of joy, giving, and excitement. Whether in Rhode Island, Ohio, Utah, California, Michigan, or Oregon we are a family that loves and appreciates each other and I am loving, missing and thinking of each of you today.
Brian
merrychristmasblog
To all Schickedanzes and Stinchfields---
Merry Christmas!!!!
Althought it is not actively snowing, it is white outside and this morning dawned with a pink sky that turned to blue.
In Eden we number 6 plus a dog -- Brooke and Luke, Abby and Jake, and of course the old folks and the dog (Brooke's). We spent a leisurely morning unwrapping each present -- and it was just the right amount of loot , not too much but what was there was lovingly chosen and gifted.
We all went to Sacrament Meeting, which was especially nice for this Christmas day -- a full program of vocal and instrumental music. Very enjoyable.
We've played Scrabble, Chess and Checkers -- and listened to the Country Western collection that Ashleigh and Andy gave Dad.
It is too bad that Christmas can only be one day a year. It is such a nice day it ought to happen more often....
Maybe 2006 will bring more babies? (IhopeIhopeIhope) For sure it will bring the Reunion where we can all be together.
I love you all very much -- Schickedanzes AND Stinchfields. You are the Best!!
Mom/Martha
Merry Christmas!!!!
Althought it is not actively snowing, it is white outside and this morning dawned with a pink sky that turned to blue.
In Eden we number 6 plus a dog -- Brooke and Luke, Abby and Jake, and of course the old folks and the dog (Brooke's). We spent a leisurely morning unwrapping each present -- and it was just the right amount of loot , not too much but what was there was lovingly chosen and gifted.
We all went to Sacrament Meeting, which was especially nice for this Christmas day -- a full program of vocal and instrumental music. Very enjoyable.
We've played Scrabble, Chess and Checkers -- and listened to the Country Western collection that Ashleigh and Andy gave Dad.
It is too bad that Christmas can only be one day a year. It is such a nice day it ought to happen more often....
Maybe 2006 will bring more babies? (IhopeIhopeIhope) For sure it will bring the Reunion where we can all be together.
I love you all very much -- Schickedanzes AND Stinchfields. You are the Best!!
Mom/Martha
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
birthdayblog
Well, it's December 23.
Happy Anniversary to KK and Wa-Wa - 67 years
Happy Birthday to Morgan Stinchfield -- 4 years old
Happy Birthday to Hayden Stinchfield -- 3 years old
Happy Birthday to Joseph Smith -- 200 years old
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! -- 61 years old
This is the BEST day of the year to have a birthday. And it has never failed, for 61 years, to be the happiest day of the year for me. I am thinking about you all, and how blessed I am to have a loving husband and 8 beautiful, talented, smart, personality-charged children. I love you all so much.
Mom
Happy Anniversary to KK and Wa-Wa - 67 years
Happy Birthday to Morgan Stinchfield -- 4 years old
Happy Birthday to Hayden Stinchfield -- 3 years old
Happy Birthday to Joseph Smith -- 200 years old
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! -- 61 years old
This is the BEST day of the year to have a birthday. And it has never failed, for 61 years, to be the happiest day of the year for me. I am thinking about you all, and how blessed I am to have a loving husband and 8 beautiful, talented, smart, personality-charged children. I love you all so much.
Mom
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
weddingphotoblog
There you have it. Not sure how all this works but I think I republished some of Brian's photos. Sorry. I think the guy did a pretty good job, though.
Over and out.
Sean
Over and out.
Sean
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