Skiing at the Park

The other day we went to the park to ski (becuase we got out of the house too late for 'free after 3' at Alta). The boys had fun skiing down the hill with the sledders and riding up on their own personal rope tow. Dad and I had fun working up a sweat. This is a video of Jack's first jump of his skiing career!

Gingerbread Massacre

So this year we attempted the ever popular Gingerbread house contruction/decoration. We've done it in years past but each time I forget how to do it for some reason. It's not that hard, but it always seems like the walls cave in or the roof falls off and it becomes a really frustrating experience. So, this year was no exception. Noah got to make one out of graham crackers at school so Jack was overjoyed when he saw that we had one to make at home. We started out with great enthusiasm but I quickly realized that I had messed up when the roof started sliding off under the weight of our decorations. Then as a last resort I decided to read the instructions (seriously, who needs instructions for something as straightforward as this?), only to find that we were supposed to put it togehter and wait for 15 minutes BEFORE decorating. Oops. No going back now. So, I enlisted my engineer husband to rescue our failing structure. When I came back 10 minutes later this is what I found.....

A pack of angry cinnamon bears had invaded and were storming the house with their toothpick guns. Only two were left to defend the pathetic excuse for a house and they were stranded on the roof. A few more were sacrificed on the side of the house with toothpicks through their heads to hold the roof up (too grousome to picture here).
After staring the boys in the face for a week, I finally relented and let them eat it (gross, gross, gross, stale gingerbread and crusty frosting, yuck! But sugar in ANY form is irresistable). It ended up on the floor and so to the garbage it went, much to their dismay (and my secret joy). Another Christmas tradition has been established!

Christmas Events

Well, now that Christmas is over and New Years is here I thought I'd get around to posting some pictures! We had such a great Christmas this year, very relaxing and lazy. We were home for the first time in a while and just had some good friends (Mark and Katie) over for brunch and dinner. Here's a picture of all the boys together on the couch!

The kids were so excited for Christmas morning! We've decided that we probably could've waited until Jack was 5 to start giving him gifts for Christmas...it really was the first year that he was up to speed on why we celebrate Christmas and what it means to give gifts. We had fun reading the Christmas story and talking about the reason Jesus came to earth as a baby. We left cookies out for Santa with egg nog and they were gone in the morning. He was a little unsure about how Santa could fit down our stove pipe and when we mentioned that we'd probably have to turn the fire down he stared at the stove with a look of concern on his face. When he asked me if Santa is real I told him about St. Nicholas and then he told me he thinks that Santa is just an actor. So, I think he's kind of at a point where he believes that there is an actor dressed as Santa that comes down our chimney and brings a few gifts. He did ask if we could have a 'family sneak up' in the middle of the night so we could all spy on Santa and see him in person. I thought that was pretty cute.

Otherwise, we have finally nailed down a few traditions I think. We decided that taco soup is a great Christmas Eve dinner that we want to continue. We also decided that each year we'll buy a new game for the family and open it Christmas Eve so that we can play it together that night. This year we got Jenga. Mark's favorite is the prime rib for Christmas dinner! Although we were shocked at the price of that big hunk of meat. It will have to start becoming a party of our Christmas budget if it's really a tradition, yikes!! But, it was pretty tasty and the leftovers made great fajitas.

Oh, I also attempted some family pictures. It was a pretty ridiculous experience and I'm sure it will continue to be for the next few years. But, at least we have a photo to look back on. Jasper looks like he was crying but he was really singing Christmas carols the whole time while Noah picked his nose and Jack scoffed at my pathetic attempts to make them all smile and look at me. The Christmas spirit was amazing. All in all, it was one of our best Christmas holidays!

Oh, and Jasper was thrilled to wear his Christmas outfit from Grandma Mary (Mary Bowman), so cute!!

Jasper

He's already a month old! It's so hard to believe. Here are some of my favorite pictures...

Baaaaaaad Day

I finally got a real taste of life with three at home this week. Mark had all day meetings and the weather has been soooo cold (not to mention the air quality is horrible) so we've been inside most of the time. I did well until Friday came. I think it must be a combination of exhaustion, hormones (yes I admit it, I'm hormonal!) and extremely energetic kids that just drove me over the edge!! Anyway, it was one of those days when the baby screamed all morning long and the other two just chased each other around the house bickering and yelling while I went from nice mom to monster mom at the drop of a hat. This dynamic seems to be a cycle. We start out peaceful and pleasant and then the baby starts to cry, my nerves ramp up and then Jack and Noah somehow sense my looniness and start to go crazy themselves. I wish I could keep my sense of humor or at least remember how momentary this time is, but no, my patience gets sucked into the vortex of chaos. This ugly cycle leaves me feeling so guilty at the end of the day. I wonder if my kids believe that I love them and I wonder if they'll grow up as scarred individuals or have a crazy view of women becuase of my dr. jeckle and mr. hyde behavior (all lies by the way, but very believable ones on a day like that). I'm so thankful to know the Lord, especially during times like these! He shows up immediately when I ask Him to, just by soothing my frayed nerves somehow. He is so gracious to answer when I ask! If only I would remember to wake up asking every day, things would go a lot more smoothly.
Then today at church the sermon really hit me. He was talking about being a person who is known for loving others the way Christ loved us. And how Christ loved us enough to take on human form and hang on the cross. I was struck by the fact that Christ endured soooooo much on our behalf and His only response was LOVE! How humbling to think that I can't make it through a day with my three kids without feeling the tug of selfishness and even letting it get the best of me! Good greif. All I'm 'putting up with' is another diaper change, a needy scream or two, another snack request and a few toy disputes. Yet, at the same time, Christ extends His amazing grace and even puts up with me claiming it as mine (how dillusional can a person get? to think that I'm actually a kind and loving person apart from Christ...). All the while He has paid the ultimate price so that I can go through an ugly day and at the end confess to Him and ask for forgiveness for my selfishness and bad responses. I guess this really hit me between the eyes this morning. I know I'll never have enough patience and love to fulfill my kids' needs each day. I just pray that I'll remember that and continue to ask BEFORE I feel the need!!