Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration that started on Saturday, with the Thomas family Christmas party. My relatives from Nevada and Idaho braved the winter storms and came to celebrate with us! We don't get to see them very often so its always great have some time to catch up! My grandma spoiled all of us....she had a book of her and my grandpa's history made up and gave it to all her children, and all of her grandchildren. It was amazing to read the stories of my Grandma growing up on a farm, having to get water from a stream, and store ice in the shed for summer. She also gave all the older girls new crocheted hotpads and a dishtowel. These are the gifts I appreciate most, because they are something she handmade, and I can cherish forever!

The best pic we got of most everyone at the Thomas party

Our next get together was the Painter family party. I don't have any pictures of this, as I forgot my camera. After dinner we play the "Left Right Game" (Someone reads a story that says left and right over and over and you pass the present everytime.) Its always so fun to try to guess what is in the package you are holding. This year it was especially funny because I was sitting next to Billy's cousin Ryken who is only two and he didn't quite get it and he thought it was funny to throw the presents either at my head, or in the middle of the circle! I ended up getting a little first aid kid that you keep in your purse. It was pretty awesome! Then after that we did our annual chocolate grab. They have been doing this every year for who knows how long! Essentially what it is is Billy's grandma makes hundreds of handmade chocolates and sets them on the dining room table. Then all the married ladies bring their tupperware and after Grandma gives the word we dive in! The only rule is that you can only pick up one at a time. It gets a little fiesty, but we all walk away with a ton of chocolates! After the party we made a trip to Billy's grandpa's house, where we got to watch a crazy story about the worlds fattest man. It was actually pretty gross, it made me rethinking taking all those chocolates home!

I couldn't resist! Toby chilling with his Christmas present!

Next in our Christmas festivities....Christmas Eve at my mom's house. Or should I say Grandma Claus' house! I was so excited for this night because I got to see my brother for the first time in a while (he moved to St. George) He and his girlfriend Jessie came to spend the weekend up here. After dinner, which was amazing prime rib...the kids just couldn't stand it any more and had to open their presents! It was a mad house for awhile, but its just so much fun to see the looks on their face when they see what they got, and to hear them exclaim, "It's what I always wanted!" We pretty much open all of our gifts on Christmas eve, because we like to do it with our family. This year we got a new camera! I love it so much, I'll finally be able to take some decent pictures! I also got a sewing machine, and my mom and I are going to learn how to sew, something I have always wanted to do!

Grandma Claus' HouseMy little bro and his girlfriend, Jessie
Me and Toby trying out the new camera

The tag that Saige made to put on my Christmas present. If you look closely it says my name! Her mom told me that she had it all ready to go and when the present was finally wrapped she was so excited to put it on!

After that we went out to Billy's parent's house. One thing that we do everything year at their house on Christmas eve is write letters to Jesus telling him what our gift to him will be in this season and the year to come. Then we seal it in a box. I think this is a wonderful tradition that I hope to keep going with my own children....when I have them :) It is definitely something that reminds us of what this season is about, and it gives us something to strive for in our lives.

To end our Christmas eve, we went home, and then finally went to sleep at like 2 in the morning!

Christmas started off slow....neither Billy or I wanted to get out of bed, so we sleep in until 11! All I can say is it was GREAT! I haven't done that in so long! The rest of the day consisted of Rockband for about 10 hours....which just so happens to be by new FAVORITE game! Who knew I would like to sing so much! I have a terrible voice, but Rockband makes it fun!To end this incredibly long post, I just want to say that I love this season, because it is so much about family! It has been so nice getting to spend time celebrating and spending time with my family, both those that live close, and those that had to travel to get here. Its so amazing to watch the innocence of children when it comes to Santa, and its incredibly fun being able to be yourself, even if you make a complete fool out of yourself, because you know that your family will love you no matter what! (i.e. playing Rockband :) I am so grateful for both of our wonderful families, and the Christmas traditions that they keep going every year! Is it to early to be looking forward to next year? :)

Enjoying the view...

It has been a really long week and its snowing outside, so this is what I want to do all weekend....veg on the couch watching me some TV, cuddling with the bubbies, and enjoying the Christmas tree!

I came across this story today and it really made me think about myself and the kind of person I am, and want to be...I just wanted to share with everyone else!

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a cup of coffee

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ‘Tell me what you see.’

‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, mother?’

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

‘Which are you?’ she asked her daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Ask Yourself:

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?

So what are you? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Let us all strive to be Coffee Beans!

Daley Family Christmas Party!

This weekend definitely put me into the Christmas spirit! On Friday we had our annual Daley Family Christmas party. That side of my family has gotten so big that we have it at Peteetneet every year. This year, unfortunately, my sister in law was in the hospital, which is another story in and of itself...surgery to remove a benign mass in near her kidneys has turned into a HUGE ordeal for her. I sincerely hope that she is on the mends for good now!

..Anyway, back to the party, because my sister in law was in the hospital I got the lucky job of getting her kids ready for the party! I love playing dress up and even got the girls a new outfit to wear! I pretty much think that my bro has the cutest kids in the world....I may be a little biased though :)

Kanyon in his new cute outfit!

Cierra and Saige in their cute new dresses

Cierra...a girl after my own heart! She LOVES to dance, and her
Aunt Raquel loves that she does!

Me and the Hubby sitting on Santa's lap...that took alot of persuading :)

All the kids with Santa

My mom and Dad

Saige was so funny, she sat on Santa's lap a couple times just to get pictures, but never told him what she wanted...so I took her over there again and told her to tell him and she asked if she could whisper it in his ear, so of course he let her!

Jessica (my cousin), Susan (my aunt), my mom, Me, Donna (my aunt), Micah (Donna's grandaughter), Nicole (my cousin), Santa, and Mary (my aunt)

Music and the Spoken Word

Today I was able to go to up to the Conference Center with my Mom, my grandma Thomas and my grandpa's wife, Norelle, to see the Music and the Spoken Word, and the Mormon Tabernacle Mini-Christmas concert. It was such an amazing and wonderful experience! We did get some pictures, but not on my camera so I don't have them! We got the opportunity to see the choir and the orchestra perform many Christmas classics, and also heard Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward Herrmann (the grandpa from my favorite show, Gilmore Girls) perform songs, and readings. It is such an incredible experience seeing the Conference Center full and being able to hear some touching words from our Prophet. It was also incredible to see that many people performing in sync with each other!

After the show we went to the Little America Hotel for Sunday Bruch....a Daley girl tradition. We met up with my aunts and some cousins. We have been going up there every December since I can remember with all of my aunts. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the crepes they have there, and I probably shouldn't admit this...but I had 5 today! Hey, I have to get my $30 worth! It was so wonderful getting to spend time with my family this weekend, and it definitely got me into the Christmas spirit and I am looking forward to the parties up ahead! I've even got all my Christmas shopping done, and took the week after Christmas off work, so I'm in the clear to have a great STRESS FREE time this holiday season!

Fred Flare

Okay, so I know I'm a bad blogger, but I just don't really have anything interesting going on to blog about lately. However, today I came across this website and it gave me my flashback to old times, and laugh for the day! I'm for sure going to be doing some of my christmas shopping from here!

http://www.fredflare.com/

Here are some of the funny and awesome things I found:

Cups for your next party!

Sixteen Candles Talking Keychain! All your favorite quotes! Including: "ohh sexy girlfriend"Yeah, those are Band-aids! :)