Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, we cooked up some Papa Murphy's Pizza and then read the Christmas Story from the Bible, found in Luke. The kids had really enjoyed playing a white elephant game last year and wanted to do so again. So, it looks like that has become a part of our Christmas Eve tradition. We placed some gifts in the center of the children and had each of them draw a number to determined who chose a gift first.

The kids all had a fun time opening gifts. When it was Cameron's turn to open a gift, or take one that had been opened by someone else, he took Kristi's (a board game). She was then able to open another.

It was a fun game and everyone ended up with something to smile about, whether a harmonica, card game, candy, sugary cereal or such.

Then, we watched a movie together before heading off to bed for the night. The kids all slept downstairs together in anticipation of Christmas morning.

Christmas morning ended up being a traumatic one. At 6am Mike awoke with a sudden, intense headache. It grew to such an intensity, in a matter of seconds, that he thought his head was going to burst. At the same time, I could hear the kids getting into their stockings and some squeals of excitement coming from the basement. Worried that Mike had suffered an aneurysm or brain hemorrhage, I explained to the kids our situation and took him to the emergency room. Needless to say we were all worried about him. He was worried about upsetting the kids' Christmas, but they cared more for his life than whatever was waiting under the tree for them. We are so thankful for the prayers that were said in his behalf.

At the hospital he was given a CT Scan and told that he had paranasal sinus disease. He was given some pain medication and told to follow up with his primary care physician. We were thankful for the diagnosis, though I still worried about him. He is confident in the diagnosis though, and has tried to put all my worries to rest!

After arriving home (and eating a quick breakfast), the kids came upstairs to open their presents. They had been very patient all morning and also had time to reflect on those things that matter most in life.

After opening gifts, and putting them together and playing, we ate a nice meal. Our rooster "Chunk" was actually quite yummy (making me all the more eager to have some of our other chickens butchered). We watched another movie together and just enjoyed each other the rest of the day.

It is so easy to take for granted the gifts we have been given. My family is such a blessing in my life and this Christmas I was able to remember that once again. Mike especially is a wonderful part of my life. I am so thankful for the blessing of family and the opportunity that Jesus Christ has given us to be an eternal family.
I am thankful for a wonderful extended family who care for us and watch over us as well. Love to all and Merry Christmas!

Week in Review

While at the city's Christmas Tree festival, I was approached about accompaning a singing group on my flute. "Grace Notes" were scheduled to do a performance at the Tabernacle and wanted my help with their opening number. I was happy to help and enjoyed being able to play for them (It has been a few years since I've played my flute; usually I give Cari every opportunity to do so, and on this night she was unavailable.). Thankfully, the music was not hard to learn. I was excited about playing in the St. George Tabernacle and wouldn't mind doing it again sometime! The video is a little hard to hear and I think it sounds more like I'm playing a trumpet than a flute, but still included it below. The song was "What Star is This." You can hear what the song sounds like "here."



On Wednesday evening, Cameron earned his Bobcat award at pack meeting. I pinned a pin onto his shirt (while he was held upsidedown). When turned right-side-up, Cameron's pin was upsidedown. After doing a good deed, he was able to turn it right-side-up.





Now, I'll sew this patch onto his uniform and Cameron will continue to work on requirements to earn his wolf badge. He loves being in Cub Scouts!



Mike and I finished some last minute "fun" shopping for Christmas and then, he laid "Chunk," one of our roosters, to rest. Trevon helped him with the particulars. Our plan is to have ham and "Chunk" with our Christmas dinner. That doesn't sound really appetizing, but we have a good dinner planned.





They cleaned up the bird nicely....he sure looked bigger with his feathers on! We're sure to have a more "silent night" tonight with this rooster gone. That may be a gift to some of our neighbors tomorrow morning (I wonder if they'll notice)!
We've been enjoying our time together as a family. I love being able to spend the whole day together in celebration of our Savior's birth. Just being together makes it a special time and I know these years will pass all too soon!

Merry Christmas!

The Saturday Before Christmas...

The Saturday before Christmas
we woke up to rain,
but excitement for the holiday
was felt just the same.

I awoke early
and went for a run;
then mixed up some JELLO
for our evening fun.

I drove to the tabernacle
and practiced my flute -
as accompaniment for
a great singing group.

(Tuesday night
will be the performance;
at seven I'll play,
then, join the audience).

At home the children
scrubbed and cleaned;
our usual weekend
household scene.

Then, while the kids
watched a movie and played,
I got on the computer
and began typing away -

I finished my notes
for Sunday's (choir) program,
and caught up the blog
just as right now I am.

I delivered some fliers
with Trevon and Kristi,
to remind friends and neighbors
of our evening [ward] party.

The little ones grew restless,
needing something to do -
so we made sugar cookies;
dough they rolled, squished and chewed (eeeewww)!




After taking their baths
and getting all ready -
with JELLO in hand
we went to the [ward] party.

We ate ham and potatoes
with salad and pie;
the kids presented a program
and sang from on high!



Remembering the Savior
with a nativity scene,
with angels and shepherds
we also did sing!



And then, to every
child's surprise,
a special guest saying,
"Ho, Ho, Ho," arrived.

He listened to each of
the little ones' wishes;
While the grown-ups did
the cleaning and dishes.






Then, off the city's
art center we rode -
to see there a live
nativity showed.

Trevon worked as
a "tech" helper there,
lighting the stage for
the characters there.




The spirit was felt and
my heart filled with joy,
remembering Christ's birth
of so long ago.

The day had been long,
but good tidings did bring -
The Saturday before Christmas,
full of celebrating!

"Bob Humbug, the Christmas Grump!"

Cameron's second grade class put on the play, "Bob Humbug" on Thursday. Cameron's name was drawn to play the main character and he did a terrific job! He had speaking parts and also sang a song. The hardest part for him was to make a frown and look grumpy (playing "Bob") while his mom was looking at him with a big smile!





In summary, the play was about an elf who was in charge of the toy dump, where broken toys ended up. This job made him grumpy. When production comes to a halt at Santa's toy factory, Bob has an idea to repair the broken toys and works through the night doing so. When the elves find him at the factory sleeping, they see he has a smile on his face. No longer grumpy, but with purpose, Bob is happy ever after!





Cameron brought home ideas for his costume and when I gave him some tights to wear, he really protested! He did NOT want to wear them, and when the play was over, he was happy to be rid of them!



On Friday night, I sang with the Hurricane Valley Choir at a Christmas concert. I currently lead my ward choir and I wanted the opportunity to do some singing (instead of leading). It added to my celebrating of the season and it was nice to switch places with my kids for a change, having them in the audience!

Let Music Ring!

On Friday, December 10, 2010 Sadie was in a school play. It was titled "Heart of a Stranger," and she had one of the lead roles.



The theatre students performed a total of three plays, and Sadie played her violin between shows, while the set was changed.



December 13,2010 was a busy day! Our family sang at the Festival of Trees (city fund raiser at Christmastime),



then, Sadie played her violin with her school orchestra who were performing at the festival.



After that, she had a holiday concert with Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra. We ran from one thing to the next for our family night. At the ZYSO concert they played Winter Wonderland; Variations on a Theme; Nutcracker Suite No. 1; and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, selections.

As always, we enjoyed a great concert. Wednesday night proved challenging as well. Kristi had her school orchestra concert; Cari had a band and choir concert; Trevon also played in the band concert; and Sadie had an orchestra concert for her school as well. I ended up going to the orchestra concerts and had a WONDERFUL time listening to Christmas music.





Sadie played a duet with Connor Lee and was also in an ensemble that performed during the concert.

She announced the pieces before playing them.



Sadie with her friend Emily, after the concert:

Papa's Birthday & a Piano Recital

After the baptism, Papa and Grandma Beutler stayed with us for a couple of days. It was great being able to spend time with them. On Sunday, we celebrated Papa's birthday with an applesauce cake and ice cream.







On Monday night, Sadie and Kristi had a piano recital. We were happy to support them as they shared their talent on the piano.

Sadie played Theme from Second Movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5



Kristi played Deck the Halls





After the recital, some "cute" reindeer cupcakes were served for refreshment.

Cameron's Baptism

On Saturday, December 4, 2010, at 9:30 in the morning, Cameron was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a special day for Cameron. He was following the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized. We were pleased to be a part of this special day and for his decision to make this sacred and important covenant. He was happy to have his Papa and Grandma Beutler, Grandpa Matheson, and Grandma and Grandpa Ferrin at his baptism too. Cameron decided on the program and everyone who participated did a wonderful job.



This is what Cameron had to say about his baptism day:
Yesterday I was baptized. I felt good when I was baptized. In the morning when I woke up, I immediately got dressed. I did not eat, because I was full from the dinner last night. When I got to the church, I saw another person that was my friend that was getting baptized. We got dressed in white clothes (me and dad). Everyone got to the church. My grandmas and grandpas and family were there to see me get baptized. My grandma Ferrin gave a talk. Then it was time for me to get baptized. The water felt normal. Then my dad said a prayer and dunked me. When I came out of the water, I felt better than ever. I felt good. I felt happy. Me and my dad got dressed and then we went in the other room and my brother said a talk. Then, they gave me the Holy Ghost. Then, it was time to go home. We had a big dinner just for me. It was great.

It was nice having Sadie use her talents for the baptismal service. Cameron's primary (Sunday School) teacher as well as other members of his ward and family are below after his baptism. It was a special day!