On our way

December 22 & 23, 2009

On December 22 we started our travels down to AZ for Christmas. It was a terrible day to leave, but after looking at the weather for the 23rd we decided to go anyway. We rented a car from Enterprise, a Kia something, ( I can't remember), but it was a really nice 010 model with only 400 miles on it. (It had about 2000 more than that by the time we got home.) The car drove great, too bad it took us 10 hrs to get to St George, normally only a 5 hr drive. It was SNOWING! I hate driving in snow storms! We did stop by Daniel and Crystal's house to pick up an extra DVD player for the kids though. It was nice to see Stephen and his little family while we were there. Thank you so much Zank family the DVD player came in handy thanks to the LONG drive. So a drive that normally takes 14 hrs took 22 hrs. We stopped in St George for the night and the got back on the road the next morning. The kids did great. We had to let them out about every 2 hrs, Conner really, so he wouldn't go crazy on us. Other than that they were great. Conner watched Kung Fu Panda all the way down there and all the way home. Kaily watched a variety of movies. I don't know how any one ever drove those distances before portable DVD players were invented. Needless to say we were VERY happy to arrive at Grandma and Papa Willis' house the next night. My little homebody, Conner, was ready to get back in the car after being there for an hr though. He wanted to go home. The next morning when he saw all the dirt, animals and cousins he was happy to stay. (=

Preschool Christmas Caroling

December 17, 2009

Kaily's teacher is such an awesome lady. This year she had the kids go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood where her house is. She taught them all about Christmas and why we celebrate it. Seriously all December I was told "Mom, Christmas is Jesus' birthday, that's why we give presents to each other." It was nice to have a constant reminder. =) Just before going out they put fruit in bags to give away. When they got back to the house she fed them cake, b/c it's a "birthday" party.

Conner 22 months

* my favorite toys are cars and balls * I like to think I can drive the car * I have LOTS of attitude * I want to have my own way ALL THE TIME * My favorite TV show is Backyardagins, which I call "UGG" * I like to have the keys to the car * I like to color, but only when Kaily is * I got my first hair cut * I run and dance as fast as I can * I like to be in the water * I don't like people to help me do things * I love chocolate * I love to go for walks * I love to be outside * I love to be read to, my favorite book is "Go Dog Go" * I LOVE to cook * I love to tease Kaily * My favorite color is Blue * I'm starting to say my prayers, with Kaily's help * I like to play on any computer * I love to laugh * I love to cuddle * I love to be tickeled by my family * I love to smile * I love to play with my sister * My favorite animal is a Tiger or Lion * I love playing * I LOVE music * I wear size 5 diapers * I wear 18 month and some 18-24 mon. clothes

2 MUCH 2 DO and NO TIME 2 DO IT!

I would LOVE to write a long post, but things around here have been a bit crazy. Clint is out of school until Jan and we are frantically trying to get ready for Christmas and our trip to AZ. When I have more time I will write more, but probably not until after we get back. So until then...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you all next year!

Moments of learning

What a great day it has been. We tried to put up the Christmas tree today, but when Conner saw the ornaments his face lit up with excitement, "BALLS, MINE!" He then took off with one shiny glass ball in each hand and threw them against the wall in hopes they bounce back to him. Imagine his disappointment when they indeed did NOT bounce back, but crashed and shattered all over the floor. You may be wondering where Clint and I were during this...well, we yelled at him to stop, ran after him, and then it happened, he was faster then we were. Needless to say, our morning didn't turn out very Christ like. Later I was helping Kaily in the shower, wash her hair and getting her ready for church when she told me she was sorry for making bad choices. She had gotten into trouble b/c she was the one who got the glass ornaments out after we told her not to, thus leading to the aforementioned experience. I told her that Mommy and Daddy have rules to protect her and Conner and that we WANT her to make good choices and it makes us sad when she chooses NOT to listen. Then the spirit started teaching ME. The words that I spoke to Kaily replayed in my mind and I felt the spirit of truth behind them. Our Father in Heaven wants us to make good choices and it makes him sad when we disregard his counsels.

Tonight we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was exceptional, and while everything that was said was really good and enlightening, what I enjoyed the most was that we watched it as a family. My two little tornadoes actually sat down and listened to the whole thing. Conner LOVED the music and Kaily enjoyed listening to Pres Monson's story.

So, even though my day didn't start out the best, it ended up being a really great day! I'm thankful for the moments when I can learn something from my Father in Heaven.