Ornaments

Every year the children look forward to digging out all the treasured ornaments and hanging them on the tree. Because Grandma gives them a new ornament every year they have accumulated many varieties. It brings back memories as the children look for their favorites and hang them in just the right spot on the branches. Dallin carefully reaches the higher branches this year.

It was nice to have Ashton join us. We waited to hang ornaments until she came home from BYU so we could do it all together.

The men (Grandpa and Stephen) are very supportive as they sit and watch. Nice to have the whole family together.

Grandma has fun listening to the children talk about their favorite ornaments.

Easton looks on as Stephen helps place a heavy ornament on a strong branch.

Mom wanted this picture of one of my Nativity sets posted because she really liked this one.

A little too much action for Grandpa!

Twister

Oh what a grand time we had last night playing a crazy game of Twister. Haven't done that since I was a young'en and I don't recommend doing it at the ripe old age of 43. Those moves, those awkward angles, those uncomfortable stretches--oh the pain! It's definitely a game for the younger folk. I'm running the spinner next time!

Remember this couple? Well, they celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. We have been married for 20 years and it's really hard to believe that it has been that long. Time really does fly by! I remember being sealed in the Salt Lake Temple at 4:20 in the afternoon. When we came out for pictures it was just starting to get dark and it was cold and very windy. My veil kept blowing straight up in the air! Our noses were red in the pictures. I kept having to take my coat off for the pictures and then quickly put it back on between each shot. We spent our first night together at Little America and woke in the morning to about three feet of snow on the ground and had to drive up to Park City in the beautiful white scenery for the remainder of our honeymoon at the Homestead. December weddings are cold, but our love kept us warm. (Cheesy)

We celebrated our anniversary by going out to dinner at a classy restaurant called Stoney River. It was a fabulous steak dinner and the waiter even brought us a complimentary anniversary cake to help us celebrate. We then went to an outside mall and walked through the different shops. It was a warm, clear evening--just right for walking and holding hands. We love each other so much more now than when we were first married and we're excited to spend another twenty years together.

Twenty years is a big anniversary and I wanted to surprise Stephen with something he has always wanted--a Bullova watch. He has had his eye on this certain watch for about five years. Everytime we would go shopping together he would always end up looking at watches and trying on the same one. It was really getting almost ridiculously annoying because he did it EVERYTIME we went shopping. So I saved money from teaching piano lessons for about four months. I didn't want him to suspect that I was getting it by taking money from our account--he would see it gone and know I was up to something. When I had the right amount I ordered it off the internet (I got a very good deal!) and had it delivered in October. I had to wait a long time to give it to him--and of course, we kept looking at watches everytime we went to the store. Ahhhhh! Just last weekend he was trying on watches and it was killing me. He kept asking me if I liked the watch he had on and I just had to say NO. The sales ladies must have thought I was a little snot because I just wasn't nice.

Last night I had him open the present before we went out so he could wear it. He was so surprised and shocked. He couldn't believe that I had done that for him. Then he realized how hard it had been for me to watch him trying on watches all the time. Hee hee hee. I had so much fun giving this gift of time to him. I told him it was symbolic of our time we've spent together and the time together that we have to look forward to.

Stephen gave me a beautiful, huge vase full of roses and a card that sounded like he had written it himself. He's a very thoughtful husband--the next twenty years will be awesome!

Great Eight

Easton was the birthday boy today! Eight years old! We are so happy to have Easton in our family making us laugh and giving us loves. He's a fun little guy. His main goal in life is to have fun. He does very well in school, is a good reader and great at math. He likes his Seaweed Beanie baby and his Rocky Raccoon Webkins. His best friend is his brother, Landon. He doesn't like taking showers because it takes him away from playtime. This is a special birthday for our boy because he is now eight--old enough to be baptized. The date is scheduled for December 27. We look forward to a great year watching Easton grow. Cheese pizza was Easton's birthday dinner choice with Sprite to drink. He let us order half of the pizza with ham and pineapple, what a thoughtful little guy.Every family needs a game of Twister. We look forward to playing together and laughing!A razor scooter was a hit when Easton opened this present. He already knows how to ride it because the neighbors have one. He's going to be part of the scooter crowd now!Easton's Mama Carroll (Mama is southern for Grandma) always makes cakes for everyone's birthday. Easton picked the famous chocolate fudge frosted cake. mmmmmm......

Another Holiday Concert

The singing Carroll boys are at it again. Landon had his "Holiday (I'd rather like to say Christmas) Concert" this past week at school. Easton and I had the privilage of sitting on the front row in the Lanier Middle School cafeteria as we watched a crew of eighth graders sing their most festive songs. They did great and we enjoyed the unobstructed view. It would have been a great opportunity to catch the moment on video with no heads blocking me. But alas, the battery was dead 30 seconds into the performance. Oh well. I did catch a moment with my digital camera.

Dallin's group, "The Originals" were invited the sing their song during Landon's concert. It's a recruiting tool for those 8th graders who will soon be moving onto high school. They have to show those boys how cool and fun it is to sing in high school. Their song was great again and so fun to watch. It's easy to see how much this group loves singing and performing.

Advent

An Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of advent in anticipation of Christmas. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content. I think every home with children should have one. Easton never forgets to check our advent calendar every morning as he comes down the stairs for breakfast. I made this calendar as a RS project many years ago. I like it because it reinforces the nativity and the true meaning of Christmas. We have another one in the kitchen that has little ornaments in each days' pocket that are placed on a miniature Christmas tree. We've had the Lego advent in the past--that's a fun one.

Growing up we had a fabulous red, felt advent calendar. I loved it and I loved taking my turn to pick out of the pocket. A treasured little ornament was gently pulled out of the numbered pocket and then pinned to the large green Christmas tree at the top of the calendar. We took turns picking out every day--with four children (sorry Janelle, you weren't born yet) it always seemed like you didn't get enough turns. When Janelle came on the scene I was old enough to not need a turn. Craig and Janelle always got to pick on their birthdays--14th and 15th.

Okay, I have a confession. My favorite ornaments to pick were the adorable little sparkly gold and silver angels. They were my absolute favorite and I always wanted to be the one to choose them. Strategically I would figure out which pockets my turns would land on and then I would shuffle the little treasures to ensure that I would always get the angels. Oh, the care I went to and the sneakiness. The fear I would feel as a child while I was frantically digging through the pockets in search of my beautiful angels was almost unbearable. I didn't want to get caught. But....the anxious feeling in my stomach was so worth the success I felt when casually and with my biggest surprised face, I would pick the angel when it was my turn. I relished in my success and deceit. Wow! I've been waiting for years to let that little secret out. Sorry to those of you who wanted the angel too. Although thinking back, I don't think my brothers cared much for the feminine, girly little angels. They were probably happy that they had the cool red truck or jolly St. Nick in their on advent turn.

Christmas makes me reflect on my childhood memories of the season. It's that magical time of the year when everything is special and the light of Christ can be found everywhere. My mother did a wonderful job of creating that special feeling in our home and made us recognize that this was an amazing time of year, the celebration of the birth of Christ. I hope the children in your lives are savoring the festivities of the season.

Santa

My little girl Ashton was sitting on Santa's lap when she was 7 1/2. When asked what she wanted for Christmas by the bearded man she replied, "I pretty much have everything I need." That was all she said. No wants, no list a mile long of things that she didn't need. That phrase rings in my head to this day when Christmas rolls around. As we go about during the hustle and bustle of this wonderful Christmas season let us remember the real meaning of Christmas.

P.S. Ashton has since figured out how to make a Christmas wish list and does quite well at it!

The Originals

Dallin's school choir groups put on a great concert last week for the Christmas season. I love the various groups and listening to their great sounds. Dallin participated in a small guy group called The Originals. This is a group that has been meeting after school to practice and is totally student-led. They pick out their songs and practice all on their own. The group this year was fabulous. They blended so well and were so animated. When their song was done they received a standing ovation--the only one of the night. A very entertaining bunch of guys. This video isn't that great, but you should enjoy it anyway.

V8

Easton was drinking a V8. Dad said to Easton that he was surprised that he liked V8. Easton responded very nonchalantly, "I don't really like it. I just drink it for my colon."

Evening in the Cold

Our family enjoyed a chilly evening out to watch Landon sing with his middle school choir at the Celebration of the Lights. It was a fundraising event at Northside hospital for families of people with cancer. They had booths, games, hot chocolate and little activities for children. The choir sang outside while we waited for the big Christmas tree to be lit on top of the hospital. It had to have been our coldest night yet this season. I was dressed warmly (I thought) with my coat, gloves, and scarf. After waiting outside in the cold for a while, I was cold, right down to my toes. I can't remember the last time I felt that kind of cold. The site of the fireworks display after the tree-lighting kind of warmed us up for. Fireworks in December is a rare treat, you know.

Dinner was a necessity when we left the event so off to our favorite Mexican restaraunt, Monterrey. We haven't been there for a while and the kids always enjoy eating there. My boys are definitely getting bigger because it was the highest bill we have ever had at our little Mexican eatery. mmmm....I guess my kids have graduated from the kiddie menu and are eating the expensive stuff now.

Landon eyes his beautiful chip dipped in warm cheese dip.

Easton is still goofing off with his glowstick that he got at the Celebration of the Lights. Check out Dallin's "almost smile". We're working on that!

Fasting

We decided to fast as a family today for the sale/rent of our home. I was explaining to Easton early this morning that because he was young he could just fast for one meal if he chose to participate and breakfast would be a good meal to skip. Without any hesitation he said, "I'm skipping lunch." Again I said that breakfast would probably be the better meal to skip. He again replied, "No, I want to skip lunch." When asked why, he said, "Well, I'm really hungry right now. I want to eat breakfast and then I will skip lunch." Makes sense to me.

Cookies

I really don't understand the whole sugar cookie thing. A torn out recipe from a magazine for sugar cookies has been gnawing at me for a couple of weeks now to be made. Many recipes in the past have been tried and I just don't feel like I have found the perfect sugar cookie. Seriously, I don't see what all the fuss is with the whole sugar cookie.

So this afternoon I attempted yet another sugar cookie recipe in hopes that I had hit the mother lode. NOT! First of all, it really is quite the process to create those crunchy little bites of sweetness. Once the dough is made it must be chilled for like hours before it can be handled. Then when it is just the right chilliness you plop it onto a floured surface, pick out the appropriate holiday cookie cutters and begin the rolling process. Because it has chilled for at least two hours it's too hard to roll out. Of course, the rolling pin sticks to the dough after it has warmed a bit and becomes a real unsightly mess. After the sticky dough is finally flattened to the recommended 1/8 inch thickness you may begin cutting the desired shapes. Very strategically placed shapes are cut into the dough because it requires careful planning and skill to be able to cut as many little shapes out of one dough rolling as possible. If you have to roll it twice it will get very tough and floury tasting. Yuck. Now the tricky part---peeling the cut shape off the counter and placing it gently on the cookie sheet without tearing, ripping, shredding or deforming the valuable creation. Phew, now the shining silver cookie sheet full of festive shapes find their way to a 400 degree oven. Watch these little treats carefully because they have a tendency to get a lovely brown edge quickly. Don't answer your phone or take the dog out to do it's duty--one must watch with vigilance and unwavering dedication. Aaaaah! The cookies in the back right hand corner of the oven are brown while the ones in the front left hand corner are still white. Quickly they are removed to save the precious cookies from certain burnt death! Okay--now the trickiest part of all, removing the cookies from the cookie sheet and placing them on the cooling rack. Such care must be taken so as not to snap a snowman's head off or break a gingerman's leg. It's an intense moment. Success. All cookies are cooling peacefully. But, with the sugar cookie one is not done until frosting is applied and festive sprinkles added in order to enhance the otherwise bland flavor. Incredible skill is required to neatly apply the properly tinted frosting all the while working in a kitchen dusted everywhere with powdered sugar. It seems like much to do about nothing. So, I will be putting this recipe to rest with all the other sugar cookie recipes of the past. I much prefer the ease of making a chocolate chip cookie and enjoy the taste of the perfectly round shaped treat full of miniature chocolate morsels melting in my mouth. So long sugar cookie.

Gone

She's outta here! Ashton has come and gone. We enjoyed a short little visit with our college daughter and look forward to having her home again on December 22. Just a reminder to Ashton----Remember to study, study, study. We love you!

December 1

Tradition......it's what happens every December 1. The Christmas traditions begin. We eat a very special dinner to kick off the glorious season. The candle lit table is set with a brilliant red table clothe, festive holiday china, crystal goblets and a beautiful nativity centerpiece. We are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Dinner is always awesome--this year was Turkey (I know, we just had that but I didn't get any leftovers so I had to make my own.), mashed potatoes, squash casserole, rolls, and cranberry sauce. I know you're laughing at my meal choice and my kids kind of thought it was weird too. But, the turkey was amazing and I didn't hear anyone complaining while they were eating it.

Hey look! I was at this event.

After dinner the children get to open their new ornaments they receive from Grandma and Grandpa. They get a new one every year and the anticipation to find out what it will look like is just killing them. The wrapping is ripped off and the glistening ornaments are revealed. They always love them because Grandma carefully picks the perfect one for each of her grandchildren. Ashton mentioned that Grandma had talked to her about not receiving an ornament this year because she was 18 and in college. She was not happy about that. Thanks goodness Grandma carefully thought it over and decided that she would wait until a grandchild was married before cutting them off forever from the tradition!

Ashton shows off her special ornament. She may never want to get married!

Landon got a really cool one.

Such excitement! Seriously, Dallin did like his ornament because it was made out of an unusual clay.

Another December 1 tradition for us is the opening of our new Christmas book. We have been collecting festive Christmas books since Ashton was just a baby. I pick a beautiful hardcover book every year to add to our collection. This year was a book I ordered from Deseret Book, The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes (I think that's what it was called.) We read it together and then placed it in the ginormous basket by the fireplace. The kids definitely have their favorite books over the years. Be looking for some posts in December that will highlight some of our most loved books.

Can't you just feel the excitement coming from these two older children while the book is being read?

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving feast was enjoyed at Michael and Jeni's home (Stephen's Brother). We ate until we couldn't eat another bite and then we ate some more. The traditional dishes were served. I always enjoy the squash casserole, cranberry sauce, turkey, gravy, rolls and dessert.

Ashton is chillin' with her cousin, Zach. (Brian's son)

The Carroll family tries for a family picture. I still think I married the best looking Carroll!

Easton enjoys a little after dinner snack!

Stephen and Easton look over the desserts. Which one or two or three should we have?

Mmmmmmm...look at that overflowing plate. Good luck with all that food, Stephen!

Landon getting ready for a big bite. Colin is next to him, Michael's son.

Ashton and Dallin are so cute together. What fun to have Ashton with us!

Make sure you notice the great picture of ME! Oh yeah, there isn't one. But, I really was at Thanksgiving and I really did eat some yummy food and had a great time. Maybe I'll take a picture of myself next year.