Cornish Christmas 2012

It's Christmas time yet again.  This will be our third one together... kinda crazy how time flies.  We've noticed that as the kids get older it is harder to have so many family traditions.  We do what we can and enjoy the time together.  I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures this year.  Darn.  I'll do better next year.  

We had our Gingerbread House making activity early in the month to make sure we were able to do it.  I'm always impressed with the little details the kids come up with.  It is fun to hear their chatter as they work around the kitchen table.  

Emily created the "Snowflake Inn, complete with some sun-bathers (one forgot to put on some sunblock) and little palm trees.  She is so creative!!

Tyler's inspiration hit hard and fast.  He was done in about 7 minutes.  He made a little lean-to with a satellite dish so the resident could relax and watch a little "Psych."  He's such a funny kid!

Amy created a cozy little cabin with a cobble stone path leading to the front door, decorated with a wreath.  She had a fence up to keep the gum-drop dog in the yard.  The gummy kids were in the front yard enjoying a bonfire. 

Matt didn't participate this year because he was working on neighbor gifts.  We decided to make cheese balls (well... cheese logs, really, but log isn't an especially attractive word for food).  While I was making the frosting for the gingerbread houses we strapped our Little Lady to the back of her Daddy.  It wasn't long before she was fast asleep, still holding onto her "Happiness" binky.  It was a fun evening.

There is a family that lives down the hill from us in Lindon who does Christmas train ride every year.  I'd heard about it and seen the little train and pictures up for it but never gone before.  It's quite a local attraction that requires getting advanced tickets and usually requires a long wait.  So when the Gilmores said they had some extra tickets we were excited to try it out.  I loved it!  

You start out waiting in a large garage where they have "The Polar Express" playing while you wait (that's where the first picture below is taken).  When you're turn comes you load onto the train and begin going through some great light and inflatable Christmas displays. There are several yards that the track runs through (extended family member's yards) Then you stop to see Santa.  Everyone that would like to gets to sit on his knee and tell him what they would like for Christmas.  We put Kate there for some pictures.  Brother Gilmore took a few shots of her.  She was kind of somber until Matt started talking to her.  Then she grinned right at him.  After that Santa stood and explained that has wonderful as Christmas gifts are, the greatest gift of Christmas is Christ.  He then asked us to sing "Silent Night" as we returned to the train.  The rest of the ride had pictures and scenes from the life of the Savior while Christmas hymns played.  It really was a sweet evening.

Another activity we did this years was go to "A Christmas Carol" at the Hale Center Theater.  Cheryl and Dan Wynkop got us a gift certificate there to go as a family.  We had such a good time!!  I know we took a picture while we were there, but I'm pretty sure it's on Matt's phone, so...

 I also don't have pictures of the family gift exchange from this year (lame).  But I'll tell what everyone gave anyway.  Amy had Tyler this year.  Let me give a little background to his gift.  When the kids are here for the weekend Tyler frequently pulls the couch cushions off the couch in his room and makes a little bed for himself in the girls room.  So this year Amy made him his own pillow topper for his cushions.  Here is Tyler demonstrating his pillow top along with Kate showing off the pillow Emily made for her. (Emily made each of us a Christmas pillow).

Tyler had Matt.  He gave him some strap on ice cleats.  You hook them onto your shoe so you can hike in the snow more safely. Awesome.

Matt had me.  He made me a sewing kit stocked with scissors, measuring tape, seam ripper, fabric pen, pins, etc. It was a stretch to say it was "made" but it was sure sweet.

I had Emily.  She's fun because there are so many things she's interested in and likes.  I found a do-it-yourself jewelry display thing that I thought would be fun to make for her.  It is basically a wooden frame that you can paint or cover with paper.  There is a metal mesh thing that you glue into the opening to hang earrings on and then I got some knobs for the bottom to hang necklaces on.  I tried to find paper to cover it with that would match their nautical room.  It turned out cute.

Emily had Amy.  She got pegboard and covered it with fabric to put on Amy's wall.  It worked great on the wall by Amy's bed, which was bare.  She also got some tacks for her.  Amy likes to collect little notes and pictures.  It worked great.

Something else we started last year that worked beautifully was to give each of the kids a certain amount of money and they buy stuff for everyone else's stockings.  I usually buy treats for everyone but they can work together or do their own thing.  The stockings usually end up chuck full.  This was a stroke of genius, if you ask me.

Erin Curran Dean had mentioned that she would lay Tara under the tree, so I thought we'd give it a try with Kate.  She was quite mesmerized.  She would reach out for the branches and lights, pull on the ribbon, and flail at the ornaments.  I loved watching her. 

What a wonderful time of year to have a little one to remind us of THE Little One whose birth we celebrate.  Merry Christmas.

Turkey Time!!

I've always loved Thanksgiving.  I love the name of the holiday, the purpose of it, and how it is celebrated.  I suppose the purpose of the holiday could get lost in some way, but I feel like it has always done what it was intended to do.  Bring family together to recognize all that we have to be thankful for.  

My earliest memories of Thanksgiving are getting together with Dad's side of the family at the old Red Cross building in Orem or Provo because we couldn't fit in anyone's house.  There was always one really long table for everyone, and then a little card table set up for Jessica, Whitney, Caroline, and I.  We loved having our own little spot.  I also remember the Thanksgiving salad that Aunt Jesse Del would scoop on to a piece of lettuce a hour or two before the actual meal.  I don't know if I ever tasted that salad.  I also remember when we finally decided to break into individual families because we were just getting too big.  It seemed so small at first to have just our family around the table.  But over the years spouses and nieces and nephews and friends have filled our homes.  

This year was the second year that Matt and I hosted the gathering.  About a week before we were talking about the logistics when a new family tradition was born.  Matt wanted to put the Christmas Tree up as part of the decorations. I was opposed,  not wanting to skip over Thanksgiving.  So he suggested that we have a Thanksgiving Tree.  Emily and I both immediately agreed that could be a lot of fun! It wasn't long after that Emily was dragging our tree in.  She was the primary decorator, using fall leaves, stuffed crows, tying rafia bows on the branches, little stuffed pumpkins, and a wooden 'Thanks' down the center.  We got everyone's family pictures and put those on the tree.  It turned out darling.  I'm looking forward to this tradition in years to come.  

I wanted to have something for the kids to do while when everyone got here and we were preparing the food.  So I made a bingo game.  They had to get people to sign different squares by doing whatever the activity that was listed.  For example, they had to find someone who, "will give their dad a hug and say 'I love you." or "has exactly three sisters." or "will sing 'You Are My Sunshine' to Grandma or Grandpa."  It turned out really fun.  

When it was time to eat we gathered around.  The little cousins were all around the dining room table.  After an opening prayer the moms and dads all got busy helping kids scoop up the yummies that they wanted.  I just love, really love, seeing all these cousins together.  How I hope our kids will feel a bond and a closeness to their cousins.

 The middle-sized cousins had their own table.  I know there were a few that were especially excited to be included at this table (Jonathan Taylor Benson).  I'm not sure what caused the distress, but I think Spencer D. also liked being one of the big kids despite the expression on his face in this photo.

 

 At the adult table we enjoyed the food, but much more than that we enjoyed chatting.  Another tradition we started a few years ago was to type up questions and cut them into strips.  We rolled the strips of paper into the rolls.  So as we ate and would find a question we answered the questions.  It's like fortune cookies... except not.  

The chatting continued for a while after dinner ended and while desserts were being set up. 

Robyn went above and beyond the call of duty in regards to the pies.  There are eight pies, my friends, EIGHT!!  And every one was a delight.  There was actually left overs, much to everyone's joy, so they could take some home.  There was cause for concern that there wasn't any leftovers from dinner.  I'm not sure how that happened, but we'll be sure not to let it happen again.

Some families had to leave to go share the day with others.  Some stayed for a while longer to chat and play and chat some more.  It was a wonderful day.  There are few joys in life that are greater than being with family. 

Family Pictures

Matt and I had our 2nd anniversary a few weeks ago (October 10th. Hooray for us!!!).  We went out for Thai food, which is our tradition because on our first date he cooked Thai food for me.  A few weeks later he had a conference in Las Vegas so we used that as an anniversary getaway, with Aubriella along with us so I had someone to hang out with while Matt was at all his meethings.  But as for a gift I really wanted to get our family pictures taken.  Mindy Dahmer's (our next door neighbor) sister, Cassie, does photography on the side. She's taken the Dahmer's and the Gilmore's family pictures which turned out darling.  And her price was fantastic! The earliest time that would work for us all was November 10.

It was fun to go shopping with the kids and find a few things they liked that would work for the pictures.  Turns out Tyler likes flannel shirts.  Emily found a darling blue sweater dress an a skinny orange belt - very much her style.  Amy didn't find anything she loved so I shopped around and found a few things and let her pick what she liked.  Matt and I both had things that worked already.

So, remember how our wedding colors were fall colors?  And how I'd hoped to get some lovely fall family pictures?  Well, the day before our session, winter decided to blow through.  There were 5-6 inches of snow on the ground.  I talked to Cassie, the photographer, and she said if it is clear the next morning then the snow can actually be a great backdrop and provide wonderful lighting.  So we went ahead with our plans.

We had arranged to get our pictures in Caroline's neighbor's yard.  They bought the lot next to their house and have it landscaped really cute.  It was perfect to be able to run in and out of Care's as we needed to.

Along with some of my favorites, I thought I'd write about each person.  Here goes...

Emily Rebecca.  She'll be 16 in just a few months and is super excited.  I'm excited for her.  I think she'll love the opportunities that come with this milestone.  She's been practicing driving for a few months already.  She still has things to learn, but is doing great.  She's got a lot of friends and they really seem like good kids.  They've gotten together several times to do photo shoots.  Emily has a natural talent to capture details in a unique way.  I love getting the camera after she's gone for a walk just to see all her pictures.  I look forward more and more to see what Emily will do and be. The teenage years can really be rough.  There were some challenges getting settled as a family (we're still settling... maybe a better word to describe it is growing, and that never stops).  She is so talented and has so much to give.  I also love that she is willing to try so many different things.  I can get so caught up in knowing what and how and when to do something  that sometimes I don't actually get to the doing.  Emily jumps into things she wants to learn and makes things work.  She will do great things.  I'm sure of it.  I'm grateful I get to be a little part of her life.

Tyler Jared.  I can hardly believe how much this kid has changed in the last year.  He came walking in one weekend and I literally did a double take because he was a different kid.  He must have grown six inches in a week and simply looked more like a young man than a little kid.  And to compare these pictures to those of our wedding, or even just the Christmas before (not even a year before) it is crazy to see how much he is growing up.  Tyler is quiet in general.  But not always.  He's got a funny sense of humor and usually jumps in to play board games or come up with some random activity using something he finds around the house, like milk jug lids.  I've always loved how he treated his sisters.  One of my most favorite things is when he comes and sits at the counter and just chats while I'm making dinner.  He continues to work hard in baseball and really is fun to watch.  I have to keep reminding him to tell people that I taught him everything he knows about baseball.  More and more I picture him as a missionary.  There will be challenges, but I have so much confidence in him.

Amy Elizabeth.  When Matt and I first got married, every once in a while Amy would hold my hand as we walked into a store or she would slip and call me "Mom."  It would take me off guard a little just because I was surprised she was comfortable enough with me, but it made me feel so at ease with her. She has that influence in our home, bringing a sweetness that puts others at ease.  She has been excited since we got married about the idea of being a big sister.  And what a wonderful big sister she is!  It is a joy to see her with Kate.  She's always looking for ways to help, getting Kate dressed or watching while she is in her swing.  I'm sure they'll have a special bond, these two sisters.  Amy has been in gymnastics for a few months now and loving it.  It's been so fun to see how much she improves.  There are constant handstands and back walkovers and cartwheels going on in the living room.  I love watching Amy and Matt.  She's still his little girl.  It is going to be so fun to watch her grow.  What a joy she is to have in our family.

Kathryn Elaine.  She's only been here for 3 months, and yet I feel like she's been in my heart forever.  In the weeks before she was born I panicked a little that life would never be the same.  I would always need to plan for Kate, what she would eat, when she would sleep, was she safe, who would be watching her?  It all seemed a little overwhelming, like she would be taking over our lives.  And now she's here and it has been some of the sweetest, most happy times in my life.  She is changing, right before our eyes, and getting more and more of a personality.  She's started giggling a few weeks ago.  Truly, there is nothing cuter than the sight of her little face grinning and the sound of her giggle.  Matt has a few songs that he sings to her that she recognizes now.  She smiles as soon as he starts singing, "Horsey, Horsey" or "This is the Way a Lady Rides."  Sometimes it still seems unreal to watch my Matt holding our Kate.  I do think about what she'll be like when she's a toddler, and a little girl, and a tweener.  But mostly I'm happy just watching her now.

Matthew Jared and Victoria Jane.  It's crazy to think we've been married for two years.  Truthfully, it feels like we've been together a lot longer than that.  Matt stays busy with work and his Elders Quorum responsibilities and plenty of jobs around the house.  He used to come home from work and it would startle me when he'd walk into the room I was in.  So, now, every day when he finishes work he sends me a text that says, "On my way."  I have come to love those words.  He is such a good dad, always giving extra effort to support the kids and help out at home.  He is a wonderful husband, supportive and kind and happy. I sure love that he's mine forever!

So it actually wasn't terribly cold while we were getting the pictures taken, but after a little while out in the snow, with wet feet, we were sure glad that Matt had thought to bring the propane heater.  Kate did really well... until she was done.  We warmed her up in front of the heater a few times, but after about 45 minutes Amy took her inside while we did the individual shots.

The boys.  I love these pictures of Matt and Tyler.  In the first one Tyler looks like a teenager (and Matt looks like he's a dad trying to look cool with his teenage son).  In the second, Tyler looks like a boy with his dad.  I sure like these two.

The girls.  I love this picture. 

The kids.  Good lookin' group, if you ask me!

These next two are my favorite of them all.  

Since we were coming up on Thanksgiving we wanted to take a picture for out Thanksgiving Tree.  I think it turned out cute :)

We took some jumping pictures at out wedding that turned out so fun.  We thought it would be fun to do one each year.  Here's this one:

 There we are, the Cornishes.

Boo!

For Kate's 3-month birthday we had everyone dress up in costumes and go from house to house asking for candy.  It turned out awesome!!  I really think it's going to catch on :o)

For Halloween every year there are usually a few of us siblings that get together at one of our houses so cousins can go trick-or-treating together.  The older kids were with their mom, so Matt, Kate, and I joined Spencer's and Robyn's family at Caroline's house on this perfectly beautiful October evening.  Grandpa Tay was outside on the step ready for little ghosts and goblins.  

Kate was totally ready for her first Halloween... after a little nap. She was Tinkerbell this year, thanks to Robyn's deluxe costume closet.  I'm looking forward to making costumes for her in the future, but that simply didn't happen this year.  She is the cutest Tinkerbell I've ever seen!

There was a lot of excitement as the older cousins were finishing getting ready and heading out.  Some were long gone, not wanting to waist a minute of sun light.  I didn't get pictures of them but it was so fun to watch them heading out, running from house to house.  I love thinking about the memories that they are making and the ones Kate will be making as she grows up.  She was a little somber when she woke up...

But her daddy cheered her up when we were trying to get some pictures of her cutitude.  I just love watching Matt with all the kids.  He is positive and involved and goes out of his way to support them in their activities.  What a luck lady I am and oh, how I am looking forward to watching this little lady grow up with her daddy.

Alexa is one of Baby Kate's biggest fans.  She is often glued to her little cousin.  In both the picture above and the one below you can see that she was close at hand to help Kate and do what ever it took to try and get her to smile.  I love cousins!!

I love that face.  I love that I get to look at it all the day long and kiss those cheeks.

She doesn't love it quite as much when I don't stop squishing those cheeks with kisses.   Oh well, she'll get used to it.

Daddy got her fed so we could hit the streets and score some sugar!!

We didn't really have any intention of going door to door with Kate, but we had to at least pretend in respect for the holiday.  And thank heavens we did so we could capture this completely candid moment with Uncle Spencer delivering the goods.  Kate did catch on to holding onto the bucket.

She wasn't very interested in sharing.

 

All the excitement tuckered Tinkerbell right out.  We changed her into her pajamas and Grandpa Tay offered his "waterbed" as a place for her to snuggle down.  And snuggle she did.  Love him.

Meanwhile, the great candy sort was underway with the older cousins who were beginning to make their way back to the house.  It's always fun to see how they sort and trade. 

The pink and purple princesses were all smiles with their buckets full.  They were sticky and sweet and couldn't be cuter.

 

 My favorite quote from the evening came from Alexa Ann.  Several of us were standing in the entry way when Alexa came strolling in from outside in her absolutely darling clown costume.  Uncle Matt said, "Excuse me, but it isn't polite just to walk into stranger's homes."  Alexa promptly took off her clown hat and said, "Uncle Matt, it's me, Alexa!" 


Happy Halloween!!