Our Sledding Failure

So . . . we made an attempt to go find some REAL snow (the kind that falls from the sky, not from a machine) to sled on. We heard that there was snow in a town called Julien, about an hour away. We stopped in Ramona on the way to find sleds and tire chains, but were unsuccessful, so we decided to go on up to Julien anyway. We weren't the only ones with the idea, because traffic was backed up for MILES! When we finally got there, we discovered the snow was nearly all melted, with only little patches here and there, but not enough to sled on. We decided to buy a pie, so our 3 hour trip wasn't completely wasted. The kids did kick around some snow that remained and throw large snow chunks down into a ravene to crash and break apart on tree limbs. That was the best we could make of a wholesome recreational activity--gone wrong!

Wish I could say this was a picture of us having fun, but it's not. Sigh.

Wild Animal Park "Festival of Lights"

This is our final year to visit the Wild Animal Park Festival of Lights celebration. This is the last year they will have it here and we will likely be moving in the summer, so we wouldn't be able to attend, anyway.

The kids love the lights, the snow hill, and the crafts. They even had a fun Black Light Puppet Show as well as a Light and Magic Show.

I think the snow hill is a family favorite. There's not much snow in San Diego . . . except here at the Wild Animal Park.

IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Traditionally we have the kids line up behind the sheet (hanging to block the view) in order of either youngest to oldest, or vice versa.

The kids open up all their stocking stuff and Santa gifts first. The boys are blowing up Whoopie Cushions from their stockings and trying them out.

Amara had some fun surprises from Santa . . . lots of tiny presents to open. Doll clothes!

Amara received a doll closet with a complete wardrobe for her doll and her Webkinz.

Joseph received Nintendo DS games, which he greatly desired since he only had one game of his own, before.

Aleya received a baby buggy and a baby that coos, sucks a bottle and pacifer, and moves its arms.

Orrin received a RipStick from Santa. I'm not certain if he liked it. What do you think?

Santa gave mom a new set of pots and pans.

Santa gave dad the Joseph Smith Papers, vol. 1, book.

We took a break and asked if they wanted to eat breakfast, or keep going. We shouldn't have given them a choice. Breakfast was around Noon that day.

Aleya was spoiled the most, naturally. She received a new dress
and a doll to match (Barbie Diamond Castle).

Aleya received a cute new dance backpack to hold her dance shoes.
Yes, it's a ballerina bear backpack.

All Joseph wanted for Christmas was . . . you guessed it . . . a cell phone.
(What are we thinking?)

Orrin's dream came true! He has his very own electric guitar!

Amara received a lot of nice things, including scrapbook and art supplies and a jewelry box
to hold all her costume jewelry (not pictured).

Mom especially loved the gift card from JcPenney from all the kids. It had the kids' voices recorded on it, wishing me a Merry Christmas.

Christian finally has a set of golf clubs . . . including a small set for the boys to use.

The End. Whew!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house . . .

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Sugarplums danced in their heads. Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winters' nap.

When out on the lawn their arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter . . . And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

So up to the housetop the courses they flew with a sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas, too . . . I drew in my head and was turning around, when down the chimney he came with a bound . . . A bag full of toys he had flung on his back and he looked like a little old peddler just opening his pack.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. He filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying a finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, er he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Christmas Eve Pageant

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem . . . to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:4-5

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:8-9

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:10-14

. . . The shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:15-17

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . . behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2

. . . and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11

I can't say our pageant went all that smoothly this year. We got a late start and all the kids were tired. Aleya cried most of the time. But, I feel it is still important to continue this Christmas tradition and for the children to always remember the true meaning of Christmas.

After our Family Home Evening lesson and pageant, we let the kids open a few gifts.

Every Christmas Eve the kids get new pajamas and pose by the tree.

The kids wanted to start a new family tradition to allow each child to open one gift from each other on Christmas Eve. Joseph gave Orrin new Tech Decks. Joseph gave Amara a purse to hold her Webkinz. Orrin gave Aleya a robot Panda. Joseph received a new zip-up binder from Mom and Dad. Then it was OFF TO BED! It took them a lot longer this year to fall asleep . . . especially Orrin. This meant mom was up until the wee hours of the morning wrapping and getting everything set.

Moody Family Christmas Party in Orange County

This year the Moody Family Christmas Party--Orange County, was at my uncle Stan and aunt Cheri's home in Laguna Beach. It felt great to finally get together with some family for the holidays. We had soup and salad as well as Christmas goodies. The Moody's are a talented group and we are always treated to some great guitar music and Christmas serenades. Of course, we all sing Christmas carols together at the end. They must have had 4 guitars, at least. It really made it fun. Our kids also played a few of the Christmas songs they have been learning on the piano.

This year, our family (the Capeners) added a little more to musical feast and sang "The World Was Waiting" for the extended family. It was fun to do that as a family.

We all played a few fun games like "match the present" (you get to keep the gifts if you match two presents) and the unwrapping dice game (the present is wrapped 10 X and you get to unwrap a layer with gloves on if you roll doubles).

Christmas Card 2008

Christmas Show--California Center fot the Arts--Escondido

This year our family participated in our Escondido South Stake Christmas Show at the California Center for the Arts--Escondido on December 3, 2008. I (Andrea) was in the choir and a group singing number. Joseph, Orrin, and Amara were in the children's choir and sang The World was Waiting together with the adult choir.

The adult choir also sang Christmas Bells and Oh Holy Night.

For the group number we sang Twas the Night Before Christmas. You can listen to the track that I have in the music panel of my blog page (black box on the right side, part way down). Click on it and it should play for you. We are not singing on that song track, but you can get the idea of how we sounded . . . like old time radio.


Amara also danced ballet with her friend, Chloe, to The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker. As soon as they took to the stage, the whole audience said, "Ahhhhhh."

The girls were adorable. They were definitely a highlight of the show.

The whole show included a huge smorgasborg of talent. Violinists, concert pianists, singers, lip- syncers, jazz band, brass band, guitarists, and dancers.

One lip-sync act stole the show. They fake-harmonized and really danced to Last Christmas. They were HILARIOUS! My favorite part is part in the song when it says, "Merry Christmas." At that moment the guy in the middle sprang up and threw glitter in the air. A nice touch, indeed.

When we finally get the video for the show, I will see if I can post some videos on the blog.