My Christmas Style

Alright I'm going to steal it too. (My sister stole this from her friends blog and I'm stealing it from her)

1- Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I always have different wrapping for santa presents, but I always wrap everything in paper. Sometimes with bows. Mostly without. Just as simple as possible.
2-Real or artificial tree? Through the first couple years of our marriage we always got a real tree, but over the years I convinced Norm to get an artifical tree because real ones just made too much of a mess. We have had an artificial tree now for 5 years
3-When do you put up your tree? We usually always put it up on Thanksgiving day, after our feast
4-When do you take the Christmas tree down? Usually sometime right after the 1st of January when I get around to it.
5-Do you like eggnog? Yes! I love eggnog but nobody else in the family does so I usually don't get any because I can't drink a whole carton on my own.
6-Favorite gift received as a child? We got a secret santa when I was 10. I remember getting a watch and a sweater. I can't remember much else just that my parents were so excited to see us open our presents. They kept telling us to hurry up because they wanted to see what we got. I got a whole trash bag full of presents as well as my brother and sister. I remember Becky got a sit-and-spin. It became her most prized toy she owned.
7- Hardest person to buy for? My brother in laws. Its not so hard now that David is married but Randy is impossible to think of anything fun.
8-Easiest person to buy for? My little girls. I know them so well that they don't even need to tell me what they want anymore, I just know!!
9-Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! I've owned several over the years. They have all been nonbreakable until this year. The kids have just learned now to leave it alone.
10-Mail or Email Christmas cards? I mail them when I ever send them out. I always forget and never get around to it. I've send cards out only 3 out of the 14 years.
11- Worst Christmas gift ever received? I can't remember. Now that I'm a Mom I don't usually get too much for Christmas so I'm always happy with whatever they give me.
12- Favorite Christmas movie? The Christmas story. My kids say they haven't see it so we will have to change that this year.
13-When do you start shopping for Christmas? I always do all my shopping before Thanksgiving. I can't stand all the crowds at Christmas time. This year I mainly did all my shopping online.
14-Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Of course, but I would never tell. Actually my brother in law David has this running joke for years now. He left behind one of his presents, a bowling set a several christmas's past and my mother in law wrapped it again the following year. Every year they re-wrap it and give it too him. We teased him about giving it too him as a wedding present but we never actually did.
15-Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time? It's defiantly the fudge!!!
16-What color light on the tree? White, It's prelit.
17- Favorite Christmas song? My most favorite is Silent Night, but I love all the songs about the savior.
18-Travel at Christmas or stay at home? We ususally travel to my parents, but the last couple years have left us at home. This year it is finances but my parents are coming to us.
19-Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Donnner, and Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Prancer, Vixen, and the most famous reindeer of all Ruldoulph.
20-Angel on the tree top or a star? We actually have a fairy. We have tinkerbell on our tree. The frist couple of years it was Mickey, then an angel and for the past couple of years it has been tinkerbell.
21-Open the present Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? We always let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve. We always pick it for them and it's always P.J.'s Christmas morning they get to open there stockings and then take the rest of the presents over to Norms parents to open them there first thing in the morning. When we are at my parents we just wait to open them either while dinner is cooking or after dinner, depending on the time.
22-Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds. I hate all the hustle and bustle and the streets and in the stores. Especially with all the snow. It just drives me crazy.
23-What theme or color are you using? We use red/ white/ and silver in honor of our tinkerbell topper.
24-Favorite Christmas Dinner? My dad's prime rib. Yummy!!!
25-What do you want for Christmas this year? I want my kids to have a wonderful Christmas and be with all of my family. I'm able to get the family part so I just hope my kids have fun.

When life gives you lemons..

Make Lemonade.

The school decided last night to make it an early out day because of the weather. Well this is usually a good thing, I have been working on a school project with a group of other moms for today. It was a 2 hour long activity that took 2 months worth of work. Naturally the activity was to start at 1:30 and now the kids get out at 1:15. Needless to say there were some unhappy parents. Well with a whole lot of phone calls and a lot of sweat and tears we were able to fix the whole thing and make everyone happy. We will do part of the activity today and the rest on Monday when we get back. This actually worked out ok, because the other 2 stations that we will be doing on Monday did need some more time to carry out so now we will have 30 minutes instead of 20 to do each station. I guess you can make Lemons into lemonade, even at the last minute.

It's snowing, it's snowing!!!!

Yes it is snowing and snowing. It just won't stop today. Of course I have to be all over town this whole week and my power steering is giving out on me. This isn't the best week for snow. How about next week when I don't have so many places to go. The good news is, we got a gift certificate to Walmart yesterday so we can buy the kids new snow boots. They ae all in need of new boots and gloves so the timing couldn't be better!!

Happy Happy Birthday....

Haley!!! Our baby is 4. Her birthday was monday, I know I'm late I've just been so busy. She has a birthday party sunday at grandmas and celebrated her birthday yesterday at school. I can't believe she is so grown up. It makes me so sad but she sure is fun to talk to.

Welcome our new addition!

So Norm and the kids have really wanted a dog. I am not to excited about it, but I've been out voted. There is a lady that breeds Toy Australian Shepherds and she wanted to trade one of her pups for an ad. She had one that was on the small side and her ears stand up, which apparently for a Toy Aussie is not a good thing. When they have this defect they cannot be used for breeding dogs just pets. We don't want a breeder so Norm traded for her yesterday and they spayed her and got all her shots current. She works with the vet that already trades with us so we got everything we needed for her for free. Right now that is all we could do since there is NO money coming in. She does seem to be helping Norm with all the office and money stress. She has already stolen the heart of Norm and the girls. I'm still warming up to her. Last night she howled when we went to bed so we brought her upstairs in our room and she slept through the night. She is very well behaved just doesn't want to be left alone. Norm has already got her using a box of papers. She peed right away in it, but was having trouble pooping in the box. This morning she figured it out and is doing really well. She is just starting to show some excitement especially around the girls. She is still quite timid. She is also very small and will only double her size when she's full grown. She will be the size of Sparkles (our cat) at full height. Here's a picture of our new baby. Her name is Bella:

Halloween

We dressed the kids this year in whatever was available since we don't have any money right now. Katie was a japanse girl, Lindy was a witch, Emily was a bride and Haley was Supergirl. Everything we owned didn't suit Haley because she really wanted to be superman. Norm and I went to DI Wed. before halloween and found superman pajamas and red pants that we cut to make shorts. Cheryl had some scrap red fabric and made her a cape. The whole outfit was $2. We did alright this year. I don't have pictures yet of the older 3 but I do have cute ones of Supergirl. She was jumping off the bundles and Cheryl got really cute pictures of her "flying through the air"

Disneyland

I just posted the first 7 pages done of our trip to Disneyland on our family memories site. It's all I had time for. The rest will come shortly. Enjoy!

Disneyland!

We are back. We had a really great time. Wed. and Thurs. the park was not very crowded so we were able to do just about everything. Thurs we were given dream fast passes to use on some of the bigger line rides. Friday Mom, Dad and Tim came with us to Disneyland. We had a good time with them and the girls were very excited to see grandma and grandpa. Sat. we mainly hit the shows and used a couple of our dream fast passes. Thanks to Ben and Robyn for making this trip SOOO much fun. We got lucky and everyone was well enough to travel and no one got sick at Disneyland. I got it on the way home, so the trip home wasn't much fun, but then again when is it ever sick or not.

Disneyland

We leave tomorrow for Disneyland, there is just one hitch in our plan. We all got sick. Emily got the stomach flu on Friday and it passed after 12 hours and then I got a touch of it sat. night. Norm, Haley and Katie now have it. It should be gone before we leave tommorrow but we hope it doesn't catch Lindy or we will all be in trouble.

Only...

2 days left. Times are so tough right now so I'm so glad we are going. When we get back I get to look for a job to hold us over until the paper can support itself again. We can't wait to enjoy are escape before we head back to realty again.

Missed one

We haven't had internet so I missed a day in our countdown. Good thing Ben is staying on top of it. Only 3 days left!!!

Four more

We have four more days!!!!!


hehehe. Ben typed this message.

FIVE

5 days to go!!!

Wow

only 6 days to Disneyland! And this is the last offical full day of school for the girls. Haley had her last day yesterday!!!!!!

Opps!!!!

Happy Birthday Emily on Oct. 4th. She turned 7 and had a great birthday party at Grandma's house on conference weekend. She celebrated with Cheryl. With all the disneyland news I forgot to post her birthday. Sorry Emily :( Oh, and only 1 week until we leave for Disneyland. 7 days to go!!!! Emily will be celebrating her birthday there as well as my sister Robyn. Yeah!!!!

Only.....

8 days! We are getting Closer!!!

Single Digits!!

Only 9 days left until Disneyland!

guess what?

Only 10 days to disneyland!!!!

Disneyland!

11 days to go!!!!

12 and counting...

12 days to Disneyland!

DISNEYLAND!!!!

13 days to go!!!!

14 days to go!!!!

14 days till Disneyland and counting!

The Countdown Begins!!!

The countdown begins for Disneyland! 15 days to go. We are almost all packed. You wouldn't think we are excited would you. We just can't wait to get out of town and enjoy our favorite escape. This time we have Robyn, Ben and Connor to join us in the fun!!!!

David's Getting Married!!!!!!

Yeh, you heard right. Davie is getting married. We are all very excited. The girls have spent the last couple of days playing with her over at grandma's house and they all LOVE her! No one could be happier!!!!
Here's what Peggy wrote in an e-mail she sent everyone with the news and some pictures :
Hi Everyone, Just passing on the good news. David proposed to Anandi tonight. She even said Yes!! They are very happy. Anandi was born in India and adopted by a single woman from the US. Her Mom is German and her last name is Kleyensteuber. She knows nothing of her biological parents as she was left at the birthing center where she was born. She is a first year high school history and government teacher in Orem. Her students just call her Miss 'K' so I guess Wilkinson will be easier. She seems to fit in well with the family and we are very pleased. Don't know dates or anything yet only they were thinking of perhaps Nov 22nd. We will keep you posted. I had a good cry at the MTC Monday as I had gone with Dave to pick out the ring and I wanted so badly to call and tell my Mama. Guess she already knew anyway! For those of you who don't know my Mom passed away August 17th. I love you all. Thanks for sharing our joy.

More Scrapbook pages...

....are posted on our Family Memories page. I designed this page to act as a family journal. I plan on recording everyday life things so that we can look back on them and remember. I decided to also add all my pages when they are done so that I can share them with my family. If you'd like to view them check out our Family Memories page.

I learned how to Digital Scrapbook!!!

Yeah-I know for most of you this isn't a new thing, but I just discovered how to use a new program I bought. I'm really excited because I can do 5-6 pages in the amount of time it took to do 1 by hand. Although I still love to do them by hand, this is a great way to get my ideas out in a short amount of time. I will try to post a couple of different pages now and then to show off. Here's one of Haley.

Kids are now in school-YEAH!!!

Well we are almost to the end of the first 2 weeks of school. So far so good. I have spent quite a bit of time with Emily's new teacher. I am room parenting her class this year. Both Lindy and Katie's teachers seem really good as well. So far I haven't had the chance to spend too much time with them. Hopefully when things start getting to a normal routine I'll get to spend time with them. They all seem to be fitting in well with the new language program. So far it is just review, but they seem to be doing well with their teachers. Haley started preschool and will begin gymnastics on Tues. It will start an hour before her preschool class, so she'll just go straight to her class afterwards. I'm so excited for her because this is the perfect way for her to vent out all her energy. I'm also excited for me because it means an extra hour by myself. I'm starting to adjust to having all 4 in school. It is quite strange, but I have kept myself very busy with work, school and wow I've actually had time to clean the house. I think I'm liking alone time. So far I haven't been bored at all! I'm hoping this will free up time to scrapbook again. Yeah, only time will tell!

Lindon Days Parade

Today our girls got to participate in the Lindon Days parade.Haley's new Preschool "My Smart World" had a train going through the parade and they invited all of the girls to join. It was really hot, but the girls had a lot of fun. They had clowns that traveled with them with squirt guns so the girls were able to stay COOL!

Our Cute Little Haley waving good-bye at the end of the parade!!!

Glenwood Springs

We took a trip with Norm last weekend to Glenwood Springs. He had to meet with an ad agency so we took advantage of the situation and went with him. We stayed at the hot springs lodge and mostly swam. We went on the water slides at the hot springs.

The car started making funny noises while Norm went to his meeting so he got it checked out. We needed a new air compressor on top of many other things adding up to $1400. This turned out to be quite an expensive trip, but we made the most of it. While we waited for the car to be fixed we went up to Glenwood Caverns
It was quite a sight. They take you up the mountain on an enclosed ski-lift and there is a cute little western town at the top. We went on an Alpine Roller Coaster and sifted for gemstones. The tour of the cavern was beautiful and quite cool. It was so hot up there that it was nice to be in a cold cave for a while. As you can see it was very scenic. We had a really great time!!

Our really difficult Summer

We seem to be getting bad news one right after another this summer. It has been quite difficult to stay focused on anything good lately. When you think nothing could possibly be worse than something bad happens again. Well some of which has been going on is this:

Just your everyday things seem to be going wrong lately. Little things that don't seem much until you pile them on to each other.

We just got news that our director Mr. Brooks is leaving our school. We have all been very fond of him. He was offered a job to run a school in Switzerland. It sounds like a really fun opportunity for him and his family, but sad that we will be losing him. We are a little afraid of the change but are open to see what comes. Sometimes change is the best thing.

Last Tues. we found out that our new house has been sold. The new owners will be moving in next week some time. This is devisating and heart breaking. Last Feburary we were very much directed by the spirit to build this new home and everything just went perfectly. About August things weren't feeling the same and we couldn't seem to sell our current home. In October when the house was done our loan fell apart. All around the country the loan market crashed and we suddenly found ourselves without any loan programs that existed for us. We've held on this far to hopefully get our dream home, but realizing that this was in the Lord's hands and not our own. Although we are very sad and not quite sure why we were told to build this home to begin with (We may never know, but we are more dependent on the Lord now for all of our decisions), we are relieved to be able to move on and not hold on to something we just don't know the outcome on. I went to the temple to hopefully get some direction and guidence on this so that I can focus on the good things. As I sat and waited for 45 minutes to get into the next session, I picked up the scriptures, opened them randomly, and read on. I kept being taken to a certain scripture that I know the Lord keep trying to direct me to. It is D&C 5:32: Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee. Even though this was told to Joseph Smith concerning the lost pages, We know now that the Lord wants us to stay put for a season (however long that may be). We both have strong faith and trust that the Lord has a great plan for us and we have to be patient (which I'm constinaly told I must be) and let him prepare the way for us as we prepare ourselves. It seems so dificult to see Gods plan the mist of all our earthly desires. It doesn't seem to far fetched to me to want a bigger home where my children can have room to grow and we can actually find room for things we want, have and need. But maybe our family needs to grow closer in these tight spaces that we currently have before we are allowed to expand our wings and have something bigger and more comfortable. Perhaps the place that the Lord needs us most isn't ready for us now, or are we ready for it. For now we will be content to stay in our small and cozy home.

We have decided to do some remodeling. Norm has torn up the downstairs bathroom. We are down to a bare concrete floor for now. He will soon be digging it up for plumbing. This is a good opportunity for us to learn new things and of course demolition does really help with the frustration. I know I really poured my heart out, this was very theriputic. For our family and friends, we want you to know that even though it does feel like life falls apart quite often, the Lord is aware of our every move and he is there to help us and direct us. We are never ALONE!!!

Girls off to Colorado

All 4 girls took a trip to Colorado to see Norm's grandparents on June 10-17. They went with Norm's 2 sisters Cheryl and Tina. They had a great time. They took one day and went to an alligator farm. Haley held a snake and petted a turanchala. They all got to hold an alligator. They also went to the sand dunes, which is a national park a little ways from Grandma Culler's house. They ran into Norm's old friend and surrogate brother Brad, his wife Kim and their 2 kids Matt and Hailey. Matt is now driving and Hailey although 4 months older than Katie is twice as big as her. Norm and I were quite jealous because we haven't seen them since Lindy was 4 months old. Norm and I had a great time alone for 8 days. It was really weird, but did make us realize that we are going to have a lot of fun when the kids are grown and gone. We spent the weekend up in Park City at the Hotel Park City. We had our own hot tub on the balcony that overlooked the golf course and had dinner at Ruth's Chris. YUMMY FOOD!!!

School Is Finally Out!!!!!!

Summer is Here at last!! I never thought I would be so excited that school was over and I get a summer home with the girls. With all the extras I've been doing at the school, I'm glad to have a break too. Friday was the last day. Emily received a kindergarten diploma and was the only one of the girls with straight A's. Yeah Emily!!!



Lindy recieved some awards as well and actually graduated from the 3rd grade. Watch out upper grade here comes Lindy.

Katie spent the day playing games with her teacher. Wow she's now in the 6th grade. Sad moment for mommy. She's getting so big so fast. This is her on the last day with her 5th grade teacher Mrs. Gulledge:

Update

Sorry I haven't been the best at keeping up our posts. Life has been really crazy lately. I'm looking forward to school being over in 2 weeks. Here's the latest on what we've been up to. Hope you enjoy.

Disneyland

We just got back from our trip to Disneyland. We were there for Rachel's 35th Birthday. We had a fantastic time. Click below on the picture to view our first 2 days there. We haven't yet downloaded the last 2 days. The green shirts were day 1 and the yellow shirts are day 2.

Disney run with Jenna

Here are a few vidoes of our trip as well.

This is Haley, Rachel and Emily on Gadget's Go Coaster. A small Roller Coaster one that Rachel can handle.



This is our sweet Haley on Casey Jr's Train (She was being sweet this day)


As you can see it was a really good trip. It was really hot and we made several trips to the swimming pool. Thurs. (Rachel's birthday) we left the park early and went to the Beach. We got there just as it was getting dark. There were several people with campfires on the beach and it was beautiful! Could'nt have asked for a better birthday. If you noticed we picked up a 5th girl on our trip. This is Katie's best friend Jenna. She had never been to Disneyland before and just loved it. We really enjoyed having her with us. It made for a new adventure to Disneyland. On the last day, Saturday we went to the Priate's Dinner Theatre.

It cost quit a bit but very worth it. When pictures are downloaded we will post them of the dinner. The girls, Katie, Jenna and Lindy got to be part of the show. We went back to disneyland right after and watched Fantasmic.

It was a perfect ending to a perfect trip. We will be returning soon in October with Ben, Robyn and Connor. Hopefully we will also be joined by Mom and Dad. Can't wait!!

Katie's 11th Birthday

Katie unfortunatly did not have the week off for her birthday so we spent the evening at the Lehi City pool. This is the first time we had ever been there and the girls had a blast. The pictures below are of the pool and not the girls. We didn't think to bring a camera that night but this pool was too good to not show it off.

Katie shared her family birthday party with Lindy the weekend before. She got her own icecream cake and lots of presents too. She got an MP3 player as well and an American Girl doll. She also got far too many things to list. I think that she had a great birthday as did her sister!!

Lindy's 9th Birthday

Lindy spend her birthday on Spring break and Norm was in Denver, so Tina, Cheryl and Rachel took the 4 girls to Hoogle Zoo for her birthday. She had a GREAT time. We went to Chili's for dinner afterwards. She had a family party on Sunday when Norm was back home. She got a camera, an MP3 player and many more gifts. Cheryl made her a funny cake that literaly broke her hands. (she sliced her finger and burned her hand). She had a great time! Cheryl and Lindy both took lots of pictures, Sorry we don't have them downloaded yet, but they will come soon.

13th Anniversary

For our 13th Anniversary we went to Anniversary Inn in Logan.

We ate at the Hamelton's Steak House. VERY Yummy Food!!! Then spend the night in the Sea Cave room. We had a great time!!

Sad News

The night before we left for our aniversary trip we got disturbing news. Our cat Hobbs who has been with us since the beggining was hit by a car. She was 13. She is very missed by all of us and her playmate Sparkles (who is just barely coming around to the idea of being an only pet).

Princess on ice

We took the girls to the Princess on Ice show in Salt Lake March 14th. Haley couldn't wait until they brought Cinderella out. Of course she was the last one. All the girls really enjoyed seeing their favorite princesses.

Church News

We Are Famous!!
Norm, Rachel and Emily are in the Church News!!
See us in March 8th issue. We are on page 6 in the article about the MTC. Emily spends alot of volunteer hours at the MTC and they took our picuture one Monday we dropped her off to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa Wilkinson. CHECK IT OUT!!!