State Christmas Tree Lighting

Two days after we set up our own tree, we headed to the Capitol building for the Idaho Capitol Christmas tree lighting.  We started with hot chocolate and cookies.  I think Christmas trees require people to drink hot chocolate.  Maybe it's a plot to make all Americans so fat they can no longer hike into the woods and cut down their brothers in arms. I don't even think I'm making that up.

Yes, I took a picture of the tree from inside.  Michael and the three younger kids braved the cold, but Ethan escaped inside to warm up, mostly because he thinks he can make all through the winter wearing just his hoodie.  My stomach was hurting so I joined him; watching the tree lighting from inside wasn't half bad.

Derpy the Derpy Christmas Tree

For the last several years we have lovingly set up our Christmas tree, El Fako.  This year we decided to branch out a bit.  We drove to Idaho City, bought a permit, drove a little further up the mountain and started searching for the perfect tree. 

We hiked around, lost the dog, Grace fell into hysterics, found the dog, peace resumed, legs began to ache, and then we found it:  the derpiest tree in the forest.  We cut it down and tied it to the car.  We then saw people driving down the road with beautiful trees and realized we hadn't gone far enough up into the mountains.  But we had hot cocoa, which made everything better for the kids.

I feel almost bad for cutting this guy down.

My kids always have a difficult time waiting for their dad to put the lights on the tree.  They find ways to entertain themselves. 

 Let the decorating commence.

It was Libby's turn to put the angel on the tree.  She is still not quite tall enough.  Poor, short little thing.

Dad helped her.  All was right. 

This year I am thankful for...

...a fearless girl

who hasn't required stitches or a cast; yet.

...the sweet rewards of summer reading, even months later.

...a husband who fixed the toilet and installed kitchen storage because I bought the supplies.

...silly games at mutual that stuff as many teenagers as possible into a box.

...books.

 ...and more books;

and Harry Potter books.

...cousins to read books with.

 

...other cousins to read books with

 even if they occasionally lick the page when the story gets really exciting.

...Sam's art.

...my kids who still love a thrift store art easel we found years ago.

...Grace's art.

...Grace's unique spelling.

 ...little girls who want spending money so badly they will mate socks for ten cents a pair.

 ...the work three dollars saved me.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Halloween!  I bet you were thinking Christmas.  You were wrong.  Christmas does not start until after Thanksgiving.  Heathens.

Halloween is perfect.  The weather is gorgeous, no one has huge expectations that fall flat, there is not a big dinner to prepare then clean up from, and hardly anyone gets hurt feelings over Halloween arrangements.  Throw in free candy and costumes, and you get the perfect holiday.  And I'm not biased because it just happens to be my birthday, too.

Libby was rocking her costume (I love a bad pun) of a rock star.

Grace was a sweet innocent Little Red Riding Hood while her dad was an excessively hairy Granny/Big Bad Wolf.  I made him cover his real chest fur with a fake ruff.  You are all welcome.

At the church party Sam was Batman (the same as the previous year) but on Halloween night we could not find the mask.  He did not want to be Batman without a mask, so he settled on a fireman.  Thank goodness for lots of hand-me-down costumes.

Ethan got the most comments on his costume.  With some glow strings, an umbrella, and some battery operated Christmas lights he was a glorious jelly fish.  He was also a hit at his school dance.  He wasn't able to dance much with his costume but it was pouring rain when all the students exited.  Several girls took shelter under his umbrella and he didn't look too heart broken about it.

Just Moments

We went on a family walk to pick up Michael's rental car for work.  The kids decided to ride their scooters as the trip was just over a mile and a half.  Three-fourths of the way there Sam was getting pretty tired.  He got to an intersection and just about gave up.  Instead of letting him get hit by a car, I picked up his scooter to cross the street.  Once across I looked back to see him removing his helmet and thanking me for carrying his scooter.  I responded, "Oh, no, Sam.  I was just helping you across the street.  I would hate to deprive you of the joy and satisfaction of finishing a hard job."  I managed to use only a little sarcasm.

We made it the rest of the way to the car rental place and Sam scootered up to the car Michael was picking up.  He looks up at me and earnestly says, "I do feel joy, Mom!"

***

Michael and Sam got out of the car on a dark, rainy night.

Sam looked up at the sky and said, "The rain is blessings from Jesus! I'm so happy!"

After thirty seconds of standing in the rain, Sam announced, "I have enough blessings" and ran inside the house.

***

Libby made Grace's bed for her.  I went to tuck Grace into bed.  She refused.  She didn't want the bed messed up.  I decided not to argue.  I figured she would eventually crawl under the covers.

I underestimated her desire to keep her bed looking pretty.