Logan Holiday Visist

Christmas break came and we headed to Logan for some pre Christmas family time! We made it Wednesday evening and the kids were happy to see my parents and Katherine and happy there was snow to play in. Thursday Kendal and Peter went out and built a snow cave / fort. They had fun while I ran errands and finished a couple of Christmas shopping needs with my mom.

My parents gave the kids their presents on Thursday evening. They did such a great job getting wonderful gifts for the kids and for us. Kendal gushed over everything she got. Peter loves his Start Wars figures, and little Legos, they both love their special pillow cases which they insisted go back on their pillows after laundry day today. Alice got a cute doll house and a very special and amazing pillow that my mom made. Also; I don't think I've mentioned here that each year my mom let's each of us pick out a special ornament that she then buys for each of us. This is a tradition that goes back to as long as I can remember. I have a tree full of memories and special ornaments that have meaning to me and my little family. Thank you Mom and Dad! 💗

The sibling gift for my parents was a new kitchen floor. (It was time to say goodbye to the 35 yr old floor.) The kitchen got taken apart on Friday. We spent that day and a bit into Saturday finishing it. Casey and David did the bulk of the work and the floor looks great! 

Without a working kitchen we ate out for lunch and dinner Friday. We hit up Fredricos that night. It's a pizza place that our family has frequented for many many years. 

 

 Saturday morning the kids went out and shoveled snow. Peter got to know the neighbor during the week and helped him shovel a bit. Kendal and my Dad made a snowman in the front yard. After lunch my Dad and Casey took the older kids sledding around the shop. They rode a garbage can lid behind a four wheeler and had a blast! We then took the kids bowling. Kendal jumped and spun around, Peter slid into most of his bowling, Elliot enjoyed pushing the ball down the ramp, Alice helped me with a few gutter balls, Casey and David spun their way to losing. Mom, Katherine, and I did our best. And Anica is a few weeks away from sweet baby boy coming so she supported from the sidelines. The kids got to do some arcade games after as well. The girls and I picked up Nana and we had our big family dinner Saturday night. I've wanted to inherit some books from my Nana and Papa and my biggest wish was to get a few 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' books from my Nanas collection for the kids and myself. I have many cherished Christmas memories with my grandparents and I remember reading a Christmas story each year at family parties. So I hope to continue the tradition with my kids and love that they have a book from my grandparents.

On Christmas Eve we got to go to a special sacrament meeting with my parents. I love the music and the spirit that it brings. We said our goodbyes after lunch and made our way home before the snow started to fly.

That evening we headed over to Brett and Vanessa's house to enjoy some tamales and family time. The kids played hard and we ate or fill! Before bed we listened to the nativity story and each looked at our special Twas the night books from Nana as I read the story.

Mid December

The annual Webb party was December 9th. That morning we got to go clean the church. The kids love having the opportunity to clean the church and Peter asks regularly if it's our turn. After we cleaned the church the kids and I headed to Raft River. Casey had basketball games that day so he stayed behind. It was a wonderful party and it was good to see some extended family. The kids had so much fun playing around with cousins / second cousins. We had a yummy lunch, sang some songs, did our traditional cereal pass along story, and played a relay race. The relay race involved unwrapping and eating random foods. I got pickles, Peter downed a fruit by the foot, Kendal had Oreos and a small wheel of cheese. The foods varied from prunes to V8 and anything in between. It was fun to watch and mingle with family; I love that the family party continues to be a tradition every year! After the party we spent the rest of the day at Grandma and Grandpa D's. We played and celebrated Grandpa's birthday!
Casey turned 34 a couple of weeks ago! He had early morning basketball practice so he could spend the afternoon with us! We took him out to Black Bear Diner for dinner. In December the teachers at Casey's school do a "12 pounds of Christmas" leading up the the holiday break. So they bring in goodies and food for a couple of weeks. He got spoiled with goodies from that as well as a load of student gifts / treats this past week that'll take him forever to get through. Casey also got to go see the new Star Wars on the 15th! Rhett and Aria had some tickets and Casey was able to go see the movie with them!
The kids and I made it to a few games this month. They did their usual snacking and playing around. Alice mostly stays near or with me. I've had to reign her in a few times because she wants to follow big brother and sister. I also have to keep an eye on random stuff that's been left on the bleachers. So far Casey's team has won a lot of games and lost a few games in the mix. He has a tournament this week and will be back to regular games next week.
We try and fit in a few traditions in December. Christmas jammies, picking out and giving toys to Toys for Tots, donating to local charities, trying to do a few light the world service opportunities, holiday classic movies, Christmas books every night, and making treats / cookies. This year the kids and I made gingerbread cookies. I was crazy and did cookies and Pizza on a night when Casey was at games. (He's away a lot in basketball season, however I learned my lesson and will fit it in next year when he's home.) The kids had so much fun making their cookies and pizza. Kendal made the nativity and Peter made a wookie family of us! Alice tolerated the mess and my lack of attention, and has benefited from all of the holiday chaos by getting treats here and there.

Tuesday the 19th! The kids got to wear their pajama's to school! Kendal loved it; Peter kept saying what if nobody else wears theirs. I got to go help out at Peter's class holiday party. I did a relay race with the kids. We did a penguin waddle (balloon between their legs), shovel of snow, (running with a cotton ball on a spoon) snowflake shuffle, (balancing a snowflake as they walked) Rudolph's nose (they had a dab of Vaseline and were supposed to dip their nose in pom poms) and mitten madness (where they had to don mittens and unwrap a Hershey kiss). The kids didn't really get the gist of a relay race and cheated at various parts, however they had fun and it was entertaining to say the least. Alice happily wandered around the party with Mrs. Philips (Oakley's mom - Oakley is Peter's class crush ; ).
We got to have Santa come to our house and visit that night. Kendal and Peter were thrilled he came. They were able to give him their list and received a candy cane. To put it mildly Alice was less than thrilled. When Santa came through the door she started fussing, but when I tried to put her on his lap she started shaking and screaming. She was there long enough for a picture and then we had to take her away and clam her down. Better luck next year.

Kendal's baptism!

Kendal has been anticipating her baptism for a long time, and her special day finally came this past weekend! 

We started out the day having a family breakfast. (Brett and Vanessa kindly hosted us all at their house.) The Darrington grandkids were all over enjoying time together and we had our fill of food and enjoyed a bit of time together. 

Afterwards we all headed over to the Church for the baptisms. There were nine kids being baptized so the chapel was overflowing with loved ones. The program was simple, flowed quickly, yet was special and thoughtful. 

Because Casey and Kendal had basketball games in the early afternoon I called and asked the Stake primary president if Kendal can go first. So our ward (Kendal and Caleb Oaklberry) got to go back to be baptized first! Kendal was a little bit nervous, but afterwards she said she felt so happy and good! After she got dressed we went to another room to do confirmations. We got to introduce family a bit and Mom D gave a wonderful testimony. Kendal was confirmed by Casey and surrounded by wonderful men that love her so much! I felt the spirit and so much love for this beautiful little lady. She truly is a special and wonderful little girl. My heart is full of gratitude that our wonderful family came and supported us, full of joy that my little girl chose to be baptized a member of the Church, full of love for a wonderful gospel that gives light to my life and makes theses amazing people mine for eternity!

Casey had to shuffle off quickly after pictures so he could make it to his basketball game. My family came back to our house for a quick lunch before I had to wisk Kendal away for her game.
It was kendal's last game and she did a wonderful job. She was focused. She got to play center for a bit and did well and had some assists and a rebound. She also defended like a boss and did a great job overall! It was quite the game between some great playing by the girls, some intense coaches, and it ending in a tie in overtime. It was a great way to end the season! Kendal had a lot of family support and love coming at her during the game as well.

After Kendal's game the kids got in some cousin time with my family back at the house. We went out to dinner at Johnny Carrinos. After we are we went back to Kimberly so the kids could see nativities, visit Santa, and see some fireworks. ( I didn't get a picture of Alice with Santa because she had just woken up and I didn't think she'd be nice for him. )

It was a very full and busy day; but so full of great happenings and wonderful memories. 

Traditions

We're fully into basketball season. Our first couple of years here there were very few games that the kids and I missed. Last year my pregnant body didn't love sitting through games and this year busy days, and a wiggly baby are keeping us from attending as much as we used to. However I'm still determined to go, support, cheer, and let the children, enjoy, and see Dad in one of his many great elements. We made it to a couple of games this past week. I love that Kendal is more aware and knowledgeable about the game, I love that Peter is old enough to go off and find the bathroom and get a drink on his own (even though he stays away to long, thankfully his teacher is the one at the door stamping hands so I know he's got friendly eyes looking out for him) and I love that Alice likes to sit on my lap and absorb the busy game. (She lasts for almost the whole time, having snacks never hurts either ; )

We've typically done Jammies for the kids on Christmas eve. It's one of those traditions I dreamed about doing with my kids and have loved doing for years. However this year I felt that it's kind of a waste to wait to enjoy holiday jammies. So I decided to wrap them up and let the kids open them to start this month out!
Peter and Kendal were thrilled to get to open them early. It was Alice's first ever present. She didn't care much, and wanted the phone more than her gift when I started taking videos. But it's all good; and my goodness they're pretty cute and Awesome kids!

While I'm all about traditions, I'm learning its ok to tweak and change them from time to time. Sometimes it's an adjustment, other times it's still just as wonderful. (I also made my traditional caramels early to have for Kendal's baptism instead of at Christmas.)