Christmastime Part II "At Home"

This year Bill and I decided to start Christmas traditions with our kids in our own home. Monday before Christmas we joined efforts with another family from church and became Santa's secret elves for a family with a little less to go around this year. It was really fun to be able to go shopping with my kids and watch them get excited about buying the presents for the other kids. Then when the door bell ditch went south (no one was home) the excitement really picked up when Bill was caught knocking on the door! (They pulled into the drive as he was about to run.) With all said and done it was a great experience and we are very blessed to have been able to do it. Wednesday night Bill chauffeured the kids and I around the community so that we could deliver baked goodies. And then it was on to Christmas eve.

We wanted to start a traditional dinner and I think we hit the nail on the head with our first effort. Bill originally suggested crab/lobster, I don't really care for it so we compromised with clam chowder. Bill's mom gave us a killer recipe that everyone wanted 2nd's of. (Souper easy with a great secret ingredient.) That, along with fantastic bread, a flavorful salad, and a toast with sparkling cider amidst candlelight.... what a great way to start the celebration.

Being home, I didn't want to give up on doing the nativity like we always do with my family so we decided to do our own. Livi was Mary, Aaron a shepherd, I the angel, and Dad was the narrator/ "kings"(although watching the video I think an AR slung around his shoulder would look more fitting than a gift for the baby Jesus. (He looks like the Arabian bad guys right out of the movies.) I'm sad I didn't get a picture of us all in costume, my mom would've been proud, but I am thrilled I got it on video. I laughed so hard I cried. Bill couldn't stop laughing either. The subsequent ones, in years to come, will be just as priceless I'm sure. (Bill threatened me to never post it anywhere... I think it would make a great U-Tube video!)
The kids got the plates of goodies ready for Santa and his reindeer and then sprinkled reindeer dust in the front landscape. We sat together in front of the Christmas tree and read "The Night Before Christmas" and sent the kids off to bed. Bill got to wrapping and I got to making... CINNAMON ROLLS! YUMMMM!

Christmas morning we woke to an incredible surprise. Annie had thrown up 2 of Aaron's socks! While Bill put her outside to clean up the mess (luckily it was contained to where she sleeps in the laundry room) she hacked up 4 more! She seemed to be doing fine but we called the vet a little later just be sure. When I told him that our 5 month old retriever had thrown up 3 pairs of socks that morning, in shock he said, "3 SOCKS?!" "No," I said, "3 pair, 6 socks." He was dumbfounded. He said he had heard of a lot of things but that was a first. They had been swallowed whole and we don't know how she did it, but... like I said in the Christmas letter, she's got a thing for Aaron's socks. And yes, all 6 of them were Aaron's. Needless to say, piles of laundry are no longer left on the floor while waiting for the washing machine.

The kids were thrilled to see their plump stockings waiting for them on the banister with their new Christmas tree ornaments, but more excited to see that Santa had left an engraved dog tag

for Annie. (Boy do they love her. And boy did Annie LOVE her bone.) We opened our stockings first and then watched each other as presents from Santa were revealed. Livi got a Razor Scooter and a Polly Pocket doll. Aaron got the Batman Cave. To say he was excited would be a huge understatement.

I was more than thrilled at what Santa brought for me: bike tools, a set of whicker hampers (we've been using Bill's that he had in highschool, I'm kinda sad to see it go), and a bag all to myself of Lindor Chocolates. (To me, that is happiness!!!) Along with a beautiful dress coat and Jewelry tree from Bill I was set. Santa brought Bill a game system storage ottoman that conveniently fits all the pieces to the new Rock Band game that was also delivered by the Jolly ole' Elf. Too bad I forgot the batteries to the remote control helicopter I got him, he had to settle for playing rock band. We all had a blast. Even the Batcave was fun for all.

Livi's favorite saying as of late is, "Yea baby!" (I don't know?!?!?)

It was so fun to watch the kids open their gifts. Aaron was so excited about his Batman Cave but one would think that every present he opened was "the one" that he'd been waiting for. The joy on his face was tremendous to behold. He LOVED the present that Olivia got for him, Connect 4. He also got new headphones, a handball, some books, slippers and a new coat.

Olivia's Christmas was a bit nerve wracking for mom and dad this year. We had decided to get her a violin and to start her in lessons. She had expressed some interest but we were nervous of how she would really feel about it. We got it spot on! I caught her several times throughout the day looking at her new instrument and asked her what she was doing. "I'm just dusting it, Mom." She couldn't wait for me to show her a rhythm that she could play on it. That along with the aforementioned items, some books, slippers, and a jewelry box from Aaron; we had a happy little girl.

And in case we all weren't happy enough as it was, we had homemade hot chocolate with my ooey gooey cinnamon rolls and oranges and orange juice for breakfast. YUM!(In my mind we had oranges... where are the oranges?!?)

The rest of the day was fantastic. We all stayed in our jammies all day and hung out. We cleaned up, and started to get ready for our trip to CA the next morning, but mainly we played games. Olivia completely dominated in an honest game of Monopoly. I say honest because no one told her when to do what or what to do and she kicked our booties. At the end she had "hired" Dad, who was the first to go under, and then who had lost Aaron's fortune, to be her consultant while she put me in the poor house. The trick, the same old one we all know... Park Place and the Boardwalk. She had hotels!!! Pleased as punch and rightfully so.

Christmas Correspondence 2009

As 2009 is quickly becoming a memory I am blown away at how long ago 2008 seems. After all, it was just last year we moved to Las Vegas. Just last year our family was tested beyond our wildest imagination. Just last year we were a family of 4! Now, in 2009 we have seen much, done lots and grown by 1.

We were lucky to enjoy much company of loved ones this year and we ourselves were able to get out and travel some as well. In March we were fortunate to have Olivia’s “Wish” come true and we were sent on a vacation to Walt Disney World. It was so great to be there as a family and spend that time focusing on one another. We all had such a blast. (I thought it particularly nice to be on a trip with Bill where he didn’t have to be working. I know he enjoyed it too but was sad to not be able to calculate all the per diem!) In June Bill and I found ourselves without kids for a whole WEEK! We took some alone time at his Aunt Katherine’s condo in Jackson Hole, WY. What a fabulous place. We definitely will be returning… often! The kids enjoyed the break from us just as much, I’m sure. My two sisters and Dad made that end of it happen for us, and for that we are greatly appreciative. In July we packed the kids and the car, and drove up to the Oregon border to do our annual coastal redwoods camping. Bill stopped short in Redding as he couldn’t get the time off but the kids and I went and LOVED being with all of our family (and visiting with loved ones along the way). We are excited for next year and the prospect that Daddy will be joining us. Lastly, before our Christmas trip to Redding of course, October 3^rd found us in San Diego for Bill’s cousin’s wedding. “Uncle Wyatt” married Brigid Shaw and threw a spectacular party. It was a great weekend trip and we were fortunate to be able to be a part of it.

Summer found a brave little three year old boy who was not in any way shape or form afraid of the water and who had to be saved from drowning several times. Who after each, very scary time said, “I did it!”. “Did what?” was my question. These same pool experiences found a determined little 5 year old girl proudly swimming without floaties, above water! The kids also discovered new modes of transportation. While Livi and Dad took on the challenge of two wheels on a bike, Aaron tried four wheels on a board. Both did very well and Livi even got to ride her bike to school a couple of times in the fall. Aaron amazes us with his ability to not get hurt, or at least complain about his injuries. His balance is decent but he’s not scared of anything. (He seems to do better with the scary things. ie. jumping off big “cliffs” into pools, or skateboarding down the driveway. The poor kid was absolutely traumatized when he couldn’t ride Splash Mountain.)

Olivia is still in remission and continues her chemotherapy but we finally hit a mark where we feel like we can start counting down. Seven more months!!! She’ll finish in July. She is doing so great. Since her surgery to clean up a cyst and remove her gallbladder in February there haven’t been any hiccups. Now she is simply able to enjoy the “fun” part of having been diagnosed with cancer. She has been able to attend several Candlelighter and Make a Wish functions. One of which she “modeled” for and had her picture used as advertisement in a local magazine. She is loving kindergarten and thanks to a fantastic teacher has begun her lifelong pursuit of good literature. Her real passion is in creating. She will have no less than 2 or 3 craft projects going at any one time. She’s full of spunk and drama and keeps us on track with all things spiritual. My favorite quote of hers, recently was, “Mom, I just feel like I always need to learn more about Jesus.” We just look at her in amazement and think, “Where does she get this stuff?” … she is keenly aware that she is a daughter of God and what that means.

Aaron is such a kick. He is so FUN! He does and says the funniest most random things and to him the world is better because of it. My world is definitely better because of him. He reminds me how to love and be tender. When he is caught sneaking into our bed he’ll say to me, in his small cute innocent voice, “But mom, I love you very much.” And when asked what his favorite part of “Home Alone” was he says, “When the grandpa sits with the little boy at the church.” Yes, this is my tender hearted Aaron. He is so aggressive, has one volume (loud), and can throw a tantrum at just about anything; but his feelings and how he lets them show are so sincere and often times bring tears to my eyes. He’s been attending pre-school for his speech and while the bus has been a challenge for him he loves his teacher and is always very excited to tell me how his day was. If we don’t ask him right away he’ll say, “Ask me how my day was.” This is after, of course Livi and him exchange bone crushing hugs, and he asks how her day was. He loves to meet new people and quickly makes them smile. While he keeps us on our toes, he is the heart of our family.

Annie came to be part of our family in early October. And while we never thought we’d be “those” people, we are in fact including our dog in our Christmas correspondence. She is an English Crème Golden Retriever and currently 4 ½ months old. She fills a very different place in each of our hearts. I never thought I could attach to a dog but after 4 short weeks I was in tears at having to leave her at the vets’ for a reaction she had to her shots. (Not many could relate, so I called my dad. He laughed.) The kids are happy to be around her and while she plays tenderly with Olivia, she grabs on to Aaron’s tushie and holds on tight while he runs through the house. Bill is her biggest challenge in wrestling and for me she is just right. The hair around the house takes constant care, and she can’t keep Aaron’s socks out of her mouth but for us she is great.

Bill is truly enjoying his job and the different assignments he is tasked with. It’s fun to see the excitement he feels as he talks about a case or the latest trip he’s been on.

As for me, it’s been a great year. I’ve really enjoyed cycling on the road with friends and getting to meet a lot of new people. I’m starting to learn what “has” to be done and what “needs” to be done and loving the outcome. With great friends and a fun church ward, Vegas living has been good to us this year.

For all of you who get the urge to visit, please do. And for those of you who have, come again soon! And still, for those of you who can’t stand the thought of the desert and its surrounding mountains, keep in touch on our blog: www.the4ellisons.blogspot.com, maybe the pictures will urge you to change your mind.

Wishing you all the best in 2010!

Love, the Ellisons

Sweet Release

Bill, what a great guy. In late October he told me of some flier miles he had with Jet Blue and told me to pick a place that I'd like to go for a trip by myself, without the kids. My first thought was to Chicago to visit Cathy. But then she decided to come out here. So, to be fiscally responsible I decided to use them on a trip I would've taken with or without the points and attend my sister, Angie's, Nursing School graduation.

Bill still had to work the week I was gone, which was Tuesday, 12/15 - Saturday, 12/19, and actually ended up having a pretty hairy schedule. But between his determined mind to let me go and with the great help of loving friends all worked out nicely with the kids.

I was counting down the days from a month prior to my solo trip. If nothing else I was ecstatic to be flying without kids to entertain and the thought of being able to do whatever I wanted at whatever hour in the night because I didn't have kids to wake up to was simply euphoric. The trip definitely lived up to every expectation I had set for it.

Things I got to do:

I met Angie's boyfriend, Matt. They are great together.

I got to hold my new baby niece, Abby Lynn Claycamp, and my other niece, Abby's big sister, Emily. (Congrats to Garrett and Kristi, they are both beautiful.

I attended Angie's graduation ceremony with the family and went out to dinner after at a little Italian restaurant, Girronda's.

After dinner we bowled for 3 games... did I mention no kids?!

It was a very special day aside from Angie's graduation as well as very emotional. On purpose I am not paying attention to the dates of this blog because I choose not to remember the "date" but, Angie's graduation date marked 2 years of my mom's passing. Her best friend Jan Preston and Jan's husband Don, whom introduced my parents to each other, came up for the graduation from Fairfield. Even though it made Mom's absence that much more real it was fun to be with them. They even went bowling with us and Don P. really started to pick it up quite well.

Thursday I spent the day with Adam and Angie Christmas shopping and chatting. It was so fun to be on their "level" again. (To be able to sit and talk with them and not have to worry about my mommy responsibilities.) Thursday night I spent as the seamstress. Hemmed 3 pair of pants, a dress and a slip all for Friday (temple clothes).

Friday Angie went through the temple for the first time. Gretchen and I were fortunate enough to be her "escorts" and so got to help

help her and just, be with her. And then, to have all of my immediate family with me in the Celestial room. Cool. The really neat thing was that we ALL, even Mom, had been in that Celestial room together before the Sacramento temple was dedicated. It was so great to all be there together especially at that time of year.

Now, to clear up some questions that may have arisen in your mind... no, Angie is not engaged

to Matt. But it's not so much a matter of "IF" more a matter of "WHEN". Until there's a ring on the finger, no talk is being done. We're all waiting anxiously on pins and needles and are all pretty convinced that Angie and Matt finding each other had much to do with an angel on the "inside" of the "other side". (Great job Mom.)

After the temple we all ate at BJ's in Folsom, got out of there at 11pm, and Angie and I crashed at Matt's just around the corner so that they could take me to the airport the next morning.

True story: As I'm flying out of Long Beach (connector flight from Sac to Vegas) I was chatting with a gentleman who sat next to me. It was a pretty empty flight, but apparently when the flight attendants do their little speech, they REALLY want you to listen. The guy stopped mid-speech, came up to us and told us to be quiet or we could exit the plane! WOW! We were both flabbergasted and didn't know to laugh, be embarrassed or be ticked. I think a trifecta was the result.

This was the same airport on my flight to Sac that I asked the gate attendant where the airport was to which she replied, "Right here." I thought she misunderstood so I asked, "No, like the baggage claim, security checks, vendors..." She reiterated, "Right Here." No joke, if you haven't seen it picture... 2 oversized portables. That's it. To get to and from the planes you walk across the path of other planes!!! Quite the experience. And yes, I loved my first flights on Jet Blue.

Bill was great and brought the kids into the airport to pick me up. It's so fun to have your children run up to you yelling "MOMMY" in public places. It makes you feel 10 feet tall. I smiled at Livi's hair, all disheveled and ratty with a headband stuck awkwardly into place. R:"Is this how you did her hair all week?" B: "YEP!" R: "Awesome!"

The nativity outside of the Sacramento Temple, for the Christmas season.

Thanks babe for being so FANTASTIC and encouraging me to take this trip.

I told Bill that now I'm going to need a trip every year. He said that that's fine as long as I don't schedule it for when Obama's coming to town. Yea, I'll make sure to check with his secretary next time!

Christmastime Part I

How did Bill get the lights on the second story? By hoisting a ladder onto the roof, by himself of course! What a man won't do for his Christmas lights. (A neighbor also was able to help with his ginormous ladder for the far right.)

Of course this is a busy season for all and not that mine was any busier for any particular reason... Early in the season we had the opportunity to listen to a prophet's voice, President Monson's voice to be precise, and I really took his message to heart. Sure I wanted to do it all, the decorations the baking the parties the cards and the list goes on. For the most part I did accomplish everything I wanted to, just on a very different time schedule. (ie. I have yet to seal my Christmas card envelopes... they may be Valentine cards, but they are coming!!!) All that being said, it was a FANTASTIC season!

First things first, we put up our tree. Our loving neighbors let us borrow their artificial tree

this year. We figured it probably to be a good idea because we were leaving for California the day after Christmas. While it didn't quite hold the "natural" beauty of the season, it was a beautiful tree.

On several different occasions we decorated sugar cookies with friends. I have become very fond of freezers, make one big batch and the love keeps on goin'! This time was at Ashlyn and Ellie Wood's house where we watched the First Presidency's Christmas message.

I was able to make another quilt for my brother, Garrett and his wife Kristi who was having their 4th, their 2nd girl.

For our ward church Christmas party we did a "Providence version of The Polar Express". (Providence is our current ward's name.) We all went in our Christmas p.j.'s and brought our homemade with handpicked material by the kids, Christmas pillows and blankets and laid out in the cultural hall to watch an abbreviated version of the movie with some great add ins. For instance, when the main song is played it cut to a previously recorded tape of some of the kids from the ward singing that song. (Livi was able to volunteer for this. It was fun to see her face seeing herself up on the big screen.) We ate all sorts of "movie" food, like hot dogs, popcorn, candy, etc. but the best is when the passengers were served sweets on the train they paused the movie and brought out carts of hot cocoa for everyone. In addition, when the train pulls into the North Pole and Santa arrives... yep! St. Nick walked right through the doors and gave all the kids a candy cane and a bell from his sleigh! It was great. Bill was unable to attend but easily understood by the kids; he was providing protection for the Big Guy himself at St. Jude's Childrens' Ranch just outside of the city.

We were able to attend a Make-a-Wish Christmas party at the "Magical Forrest" downtown on

Wednesday the 9th. They had face painters and balloon artists and a gingerbread house town and Santa and Cinderella and rides and food and ... Terry Fatone! Dad was able to join us after work and despite the bitter cold, I think we hit a high of 35 that day (I know you're laughing at me Cathy), we had a great time. The kids even walked to the top of and slid down the "giant banana slide" (that's what I call it, the one that freaked me out as a little girl was yellow!) all by themselves. I was a bit worried for Olivia, she looked like she might loose her dinner at one point but she came off with a huge grin. Aaron... well of course he wanted to go again.

When I RSVP'd they asked for the ages of the children attending. For Aaron I obviously put age

3. The gifts were wrapped and given according to age, great plan I thought. Until I discovered they lumped the ages from 18 mos - 3 yrs! So Aaron got a See 'n' Say. I just laughed, I should've said 4. Much to my surprise, he LOVED IT! Who knew? I sure didn't. Livi, while standing in line to see the jolly elf, had told me that from Santa she wanted a Barbie. Well, I guess someone heard.

Aaron was more excited to see Cinderella than Olivia. Who can blame him? She was really cute.

Terry Fatone won a season of a hit tv show, "America's Got Talent" and thus landed his own show on the strip. He didn't do a lot on stage but met each guest individually. Very talented ventriloquist.

It was so very fun to see the kids having fun with Dad. We are so happy that he loves his job, but we love it when he can share in our day.

On Saturday, the 12th we went to a Candlelighter's Christmas party. This is the party where Aaron won the scooter...(see the previous post for more details.) What I didn't mention is that we were able to "convince"/remind Aaron that he really wanted a Batman cave and that he could ask for that from Santa. He marched right over to the Santa on the premises and told him of his new wish. Whew, crisis averted!

Cathy, you know how to make kids smile!!!

On Sunday the 13th our dear friend Cathy from Chicago (I feel as if that is her real name "Cathy from Chicago") spent the entire day with us. She had come to Vegas to meet up with some friends for the weekend but carved Sunday out just for US! It was so great to see her again and to give her the chance to actually meet Aaron and Bill. I picked her up at the Paris and then she went to church with us and had dinner with us. It was great to have Cathy join us for church. We both thought the "women's meeting" about friendship was very... perfect/timely. For dinner we had additional company as well. My brother, Adam and his girl friend, Mauni, were in town. It was a fun and yummy evening, and so great to be able to spend that time with Cathy. (For a refresher as to how we met Cathy, read my post from last year, November/December, and our trip to Chicago. It still makes the two of us tear up, and laugh, when we talk about it.

You are so great! Come anytime.

(As not to confuse myself/posterity: I am writing this in the first weeks of January 2010 but wanted to keep the chronology accurate.)

Black Friday

In keeping with tradition, that Bill and I haven't been able to keep for the past 2 years due to job restrictions, the two of us headed out at 'O dark 30 on the day after Thanksgiving. We weren't hugely impressed with the deals out there but we were able to score on some pretty good deals, one of my favorites was the 99 cent poinsettias from Home Depot. (We got six. Although I wanted more, I couldn't convince Bill of where I would put them.) We were able to find a "preowned" Nintendo DS for Livi for 70 bucks, thanks Grandma. We heard that Santa was able to take advantage of the sales for some Razor scooters and the much anticipated Batman Cave that was topping Aaron's list. (It only started to top Aaron's list after he won the aforementioned scooter at a Candlelighter's Christmas party... go figure. Go figure, Olivia gets the cancer, Aaron gets the huge basket of toys! I suppose it all equals out in the end. She handled it without any ruffled feathers.)

The two of us had a good time together, even if my line cutting experience was suppressed by the presence of Metro cops on duty! Thank goodness Bill has that sense of human decency to wait in line like everyone else... I do vaguely remember him saying to me, "Go do that line thing that you're so good at."

All of our shopping bliss was made possible by my cousin, Sarah who had come in to town with her daughter, Samantha and Sam's friend Ally. The two girls had a weekend soccer tournament that enveloped most their time but it was nice to have family visiting! (That was for all you who secretly read our blog and haven't yet got the guts to come see life here first hand. If you come you can sign a waiver for me to leave your picture off of the blog... yea, probably not.)

One last splurge of the day: as we pulled into our community there were window washers at the model homes. I talked them down from $80. to 30 or $40, I don't remember. But it was fantastic. (There's no way we could do what they did especially as quickly as they did it.)