Christmas with the Sollis'

Christmas Day was spent with the Sollis side of the family. We started out with Debbie's world-famous breakfast. We always look forward to going to her house every other year. It was great to spend time with the Muirs. I especially enjoyed hearing about every one's work Christmas parties. Ahhhh, the humor of drunken professionals...it's just so entertaining.

We went back to the Sollis' house later that afternoon to open gifts with all Jeff's siblings. My favorite gift, by far, was the beautiful chicken wall hanging that was passed down to me. I can't believe that Larry and Marlene would entrust me with this:

This will definitely have a prominent place in our home. (Ask me sometime about the story surrounding this work of art, it's pretty comical.)

After gifts we headed to Grandpa J's to meet back up with the Muirs and have dinner. I always love being at Jeff's grandparents. It was a particularly tender night as it was the first holiday without Jeff's grandma. We all miss her dearly. I think just below the happy Christmas atmosphere most of us were a little bit melancholy thinking of Grandma. This was apparent as Jenny read the dedication Nicole wrote for the family cookbook everyone received.

"For each of us the phrase 'family dinner' brings a different memory to mind, probably more than one. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, noodles, stew, fajitas, board games, ball games, mind games, conversations, debates, arguments. While we all enjoy the food, the time around the table is less about eating, and more about fellowship. A means of reconnecting with those we care about the most. Over a simple dinner important stuff happens. Relationships are realigned, the news of the week is exchanged, and outings, vacations,weddings, and funerals are planned. More importantly, memories are made. The family dinner exemplifies who we are, and where we came from.

This collection of family recipes is dedicated to Melba Jones Wright, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, may your tradition of 'Sunday Dinners' continue for generations to come"

Thank you, Nicole, for writing that introduction and putting the cookbook together. It is a treasure to us.

Anna had such a fun time with her cousins. She especially loves Tanner. He's all we hear about when he's not around. I also loved seeing Riser (15 months), Anna (21 months), and Tanner (27 months) all lined up by each other. Amazingly there is only about an inch of difference one way or another between the three of them. So funny!

Ethan, Riser, Tanner, and Anna testing out the Christmas goods.

Grandpa J holding the Wright family calendar.

Christmas Eve with the Blacks'

We had to forego our usual tradition of going to the Hogle Zoo because it was freezing! The temperature was in the teens and a huge storm hit the valley mid-day. Instead we opted for the Hollywood Connection in West Valley. I think that Dad was secretly grateful as I'm pretty sure he inwardly dreads the inevitably cold afternoon that accompanies the zoo trips. Almost the whole family was there we missed Ben and Sarah and Dan and Michelle. It was all a bit too much for Anna. There were lots of new people and the place itself is a bit overstimulating. We had fun anyway. I especially enjoyed watching Nate and Kelly's boys. They were so excited to do everything. I love their enthusiasm for life and all things fun and "cool." Other highlights from the night were:

• watching Ian (2 1/2) roller-skate for the first time



• doing bumper cars with about 12 or 13 other members of the family



• playing Dance Dance Revolution with Liz



• seeing Amanda in her roller element (I'm so jealous of her skills!)



• watching Ian hacking at a golf ball with his golf club



• watching Jeff skate with rollerblades and catching a bit of the "old school Jeff."



• seeing Dad passing out tokens to everyone. It reminded me of Christmas' past at Showbiz

After the craziness at Hollywood Connection we said goodbye to Matt & Amanda, Liz & Matt, and Nate and family and met up with Dan and family at Godfather's Pizza. It was nice to be able to sit down and enjoy everyone's company in a little quieter setting. The best part for me was playing with Taylor (5 1/2 months). He has to be the happiest baby I have ever seen! I felt like that aunt who just wants to keep pinching cheeks, much to the chargrin of the child. SO ADORABLE! Anna had a much better time at the pizza joint. She especially loved running around and playing with Grandpa. He was so sweet with her.

We headed back to Mom's house after to act out the nativity and open some gifts. Anna was the angel. She was so adorable in her costume. She, of course, could care less about the whole charade and was annoyed that I kept fussing over her. Jeff and I played shepards, Josh, Julie, and Caleb were wise men and Dan, Michelle, and Jacob were Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus. By the time we actually started the main event, Caleb and Anna were done so there was a little improvising as the acting progress. We sang the traditional hymns (my favorite part) and all in all it was very nice. It was then to bed with Anna and Caleb and we all opened a few gifts.

My parents were very generous and we had a wonderful time with everyone.

A Change in Temperature

We made it to Utah and the climate difference has never been more aparent. We left the sixties and arrived in the twenties. We took Anna out to experience the deep snow. We stayed out for about five minutes and she was ready to head back in. However, after coming in, stripping off boots, coat, hat, pants, and other various layers, Anna looked up at us and requested, "More snow." Needless to say, we denied the request.

A Virginia Christmas

Jeff and I decided that this year we didn't want to drag all Anna's gifts and stockings and such out to Utah for the holidays. So, we decided to have our family Christmas celebration before we left. Jeff had the 19th off, so that became our psuedo-twenty fifth.

Our "Christmas Eve" celebration started after Jeff finished work on the 18th. We picked up some dinner and headed back to our apartment. After dinner we got in our pj's and I prepared some traditional Christmas Eve food: little smokies, carrots & dip, sparkling grage juice, chocolate.

Then we talked about the nativity, and acted it our with our nativity set. Anna was so cute with the Baby Jesus.

Then we opened a family gift, The Night Before Christmas, aka Santa Book. Anna, in true Anna fashion, had to read the whole book herself before anyone else could look at it. Then we were able to read it together.

Finally, Anna opened one present. It was Jeff's gift to Anna and she was over the moon. It was a DVD of Mickey shorts. So, we all pulled up a chair, ate some goodies, and enjoyed some Disney classics.

"Christmas" morning we got up and tried to clue Anna in to what was going on. We told her we were going to go downstairs to have a party. She somehow understands that concept on a really basic level. She at least knows that they are fun. We headed downstairs and started with Anna's stocking. She was so methodical and deliebrate as she pulled things out. (She's definitely her father's daughter.) Each item she pulled out got a full inspection before moving on to the next. She lined up each item as she went. So funny! I was hoping for some big excitement, but that's Anna for you! It took us pretty much all day to open Anna's gifts because she only wanted to open one present at a time and then play for a while.

While Anna and Jeff were playing, I made a Mountain Man breakfast (Jeff's request). It was tasty! We hung out most of the day and took it easy. It was WONDERFUL to have Jeff home after a busy month of interviews, homework, finals, and work.

We finished off our day with pizza at Mary Angela's Pizza in Carytown. It was delicious! I think we've found a new restaurant to frequent. It's kind of a dive, but the pizza is awesome. We browsed a little in the shops after dinner and ended up buying a Christmas ornament to remember our Virginia Christmas. It is a jingle bell with a cardinal (the state bird) on top and it says "Christmas in Virginia."

Silly Girls

I love watching Anna and Amelia play together. Anna loves her cousin! Whenever we visit Anna comes home with some new phrases or new ways to play that she picks up from Amelia. This time around it was, "Ta-Da!" (although she can't get the cadence and inflection quite right.) She also picked up "Itsa..." As in "Itsa a car" or "Itsa a daiper." I love that she looks up to her older and wiser friend.

Washington D.C. Temple

Jeff took a much needed break from studying and we headed up to Ben and Sarah's house in Alexandria. It was a short visit, but we did go to see the Christmas lights at the Washington D.C. temple. We left a little late to the temple, so I put Anna's PJ's on before we left. Her shoes didn't fit over the feet of her jammies, so we opted to borrow Amelia's rain boots. Along with the poofy purple coat and beanie, it made for quite a fashion statement. I love it! The lights were beautiful and we always love spending time with the Black family. We will miss them so much when we move!

Finals Week

Need I say more?

Another Jenny Moment

Alright Jenny and Cheryl, I also have an annoying literary habit. (Not that yours are annoying.) Case in point. Parenthesis. I use them constantly. I don't know why, they just seem so handy when you need to stick in a random thought. Anyway, I thought I would join the club and admit my writing tick. (That is the first step to recovery, right?) Crap! Did it again.

Feel Good Inc

I was running a couple errands last night, enjoying a few minutes of being by myself when "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz came on the radio. Love this song! I turned it WAY up and enjoyed a couple minutes of musical escape. Here are a couple of other diversions from reality that, if I were driving, I would turn up really loud and drive around the block an extra time so the song could finish before I had to get out of the car.

"Roses" Outkast


"My Moon, My Man" Feist

The Girl Smiles!

Those of you who frequent this blog know that Anna seems to be a very somber child. (She's actually not at all.) I can't get the girl to smile for photos! Well, I finally achieved the seemingly impossible.

Behold...

Ahhhhhhh...so cute.

Inspiration

I've recently been inspired by a website that a friend showed me. The writer of the blog is from Austrailia and an amazing photographer. Her pictures are really inspiring. Mostly they are just of her own children, but my gosh, GORGEOUS! In addition, her writing is beautiful. The tone is often melancholy, mostly because she lost one of her children this last year in a tragic accident.



I admit, I feel a little guilty about reading what seems to be a very personal story, but it's made me examine the real treasures in my life, my family, friends, and especially Anna. Life is precious and fragile, isn't it.


http://sheyerosemeyer.blogspot.com/

My Own Christmas Miracle

Alright, story time. Last night was Erichment Meeting for our ward. I am the Enrichment Leader of our ward, so I was pretty much in charge of the deal. (Not to say that I did all the work, because I have an amazing committee.) I was really excited about this one because I was able to get free food donated from Bertucci's Italian Restaurant. How? I might need to back this story up a bit.


As we were planning this activity we thought it might be fun to do an Italian Christmas dinner. We were planning on making pasta, salad, and rolls. The whole nine yards. That was the plan until this conversation at our last committee meeting:


One sister: Hey, you know what would be awesome? If we could use our budget to get this meal from an Italian Restaurant.


Another sister: Good idea! Actually, they could probably use it as a tax write-off, they might even donate it to us.


Rachel: It wouldn't hurt to try.


Imagine about ten minutes of women talk: stories about asking for free things, our favorite Italian food, who's been to what restaurants, and finally...


Rachel: So who would like to be in charge of this assignment.


SILENCE


Rachel: Okay, I guess that'd be me.


A couple days later, with tax exempt form in hand, I set off to conquer the restaurantuering world. I started at Maggiano's which is very upscale. Not surprisingly, the manager wasn't available. So, on to the next spot, Bertucci's Italian Restaurant. I went in, asked for the manager, and had a seat. She came out and this is about how it went.


Rachel: (nervously) Hi, I was wondering if you'd be able to help me. I'm in charge of planning a dinner for the women of my church, which is of course a non-profit organization, and I was wondering if you would be willing or able to donate some pasta.


Manager: Sure, let me go get my business card.


Rachel: (thinking to herself) Are you serious? It's that easy?


Yes, it was. I couldn't believe my luck. The manager laid out what they would donate, 3 bulk pasta bowls, a bulk salad, and 5o rolls. Enough to feed 5o people. PERFECT! Thrilled is an understatement. What a weight off my shoulders. Not only would I have pasta to offer, but salad and rolls. My committee wouldn't have to cook a thing!


I touched bases with Bertucci's a couple times before the meeting just to ease my worries. I was sure I was going to end up paying a huge bill based on a misunderstanding.

Needless to say, everything went smoothly until they handed me the food. I don't know what their idea of feeding 50 people is, but it wasn't the same as mine! There was simply not enough food. Panic started to set in as I realized that there was NO WAY that there would be enough food for the sisters.

While hyperventalating on the way to the church I decided we would have to suppliment. I sent a sister to pick up four large pizzas to fill in the gaps. We had an amazingly good turn out (about 55) so it was definitely necessary.

As we served I just kept praying that we'd make it. Here's where the miracle happens: we had enough for exactly how many sisters showed up. I mean exactly. No seconds here. When we finished serving there were four rolls left, and about four servings of pasta, enough for the four of us who had not had a chance to eat yet. It felt like the parable of the fish and bread in the bible! All kidding aside, I was very grateful that somehow, we pulled off the dinner. I am happy to say that the rest of the evening went off without a hitch and I have recieved a lot of good feedback about the evening.

I was definitely humbled. Thank goodness for the committee who stepped it up and pulled the evening together. I could not have done it otherwise.

Babies

Every Thursday, some women in our ward offer a "Mommy & Me" singing class for infants to Pre-K. I try to get Anna there as often as I can. She really is beginning to love it. She doesn't sing much, but she does love to do the actions to the songs. In fact the only song she attempts to sing is the ABC song. When she does, she BELTS it out. I'm hoping that she'll extend her excitement for singing to other songs soon.

Anyway! Back to the point. Last week we started to sing some Christmas songs. One song that the kids are singing is "Away in a Manger" The teachers bring baby dolls for props. All the kids get to rock a baby while we sing. I was so touched this week as all these beautiful, wild, funny children settled right into a sweet song. They were ALL so gentle with the baby dolls (even the boys!). I teared up a little because the symbolizim of the whole thing hit me very strongly. Here are Heavenly Father's beloved, innocent children honoring the birth of Jesus Christ and intuitively they seemed to know that.

Since then, Anna keeps asking to sing the "baby" song. She gets her baby and we position her just right in Anna's arms and then she rocks the baby as I sing. Wow, what we learn from little ones!

An Hour of Naughtiness

Yesterday Anna managed to accomplish quite a lot in a matter of about an hour. First, Anna has recently learned how to open and close doors. But, yesterday she had a first. She locked herself in her room. We didn't even realize there was a lock on the door! So, Jeff broke out the tools and started to work on rescuing Anna from the clutches of her room. Anna was hillarious while we were trying to free her. She would go back and forth between playing a babbling loudly and hanging on the door knob (making it impossible for Jeff to unscrew it from the door) and crying because she wanted to get out of her room. Finally Jeff succeeded in getting the door open.

About two minutes after freeing Anna, I went to get something from our bathroom and found the toilet full of stuff. If you're wondering what is in the pot, I'll tell you. There is some pieces of quesadilla from dinner, a tag from the garbage, hair bows I had just bought from the store, and about 35 hair rubber bands. Ahhhh! I do remember telling Anna to throw the dinner pieces in the garbage and to put the hair bows on the counter. Maybe it was like one of those times where you aren't thinking and you put your keys in the refrigerator, or the milk in the pantry. Somehow, given Anna's past with toliet incidents, I think this one was somewhat more delibrate.

Finally to top off the hour, I turned around to find Anna's princess wand, broken and placed ever-so-carefully on the

toliet paper dispenser. Sorry, Mom. Anna really did play with it a

lot.

Sometimes, things are are too funny to be mad about. Jeff and I ended up laughing for a long time.

Anna thought we were crazy.

First Snowfall

We had our first snow of the season yesterday. I really had to convince Anna that it wasn't rain. I'd say, "Anna look at the snow," and she'd say "Rain." She was very difinitive about it. I finally decided we'd better go out so that she could

experience it.

Anna liked the snow for about, mmmmm, 60 seconds.

The snow fell, melted, and stopped all in about a half-an-hour, but we still felt a little more Christmasy.

The best part about going out into the cold snow is coming back in to a warm, cozy house. Anna and I came back in, took off our coats, hats, gloves, etc and cozied up in some blankets and turned on Anna's current favorite show, Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.