Zoo LIghts, Family Nights, City Lights... and lots of other fun stuff!

Somehow this year felt even busier than last year and I really thought the Mormon Tabernacle Choir stuff Kenzi got to perform with would put us over the edge...

But despite the feeling of running way faster than I had strength, somehow we managed to have a great time as well.

Zoo Lights, Great Family neighborhood open house, Bevan family party (with Santa Doug... Cam thought he was so funny figuring out who it was... the "flood" pants and shoes gave it away), fun friend family night, trax and city lights, Kenzi concerts, Christmas movies, yummy treats, watching Lauren learning how fun service can be, Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert, anonymous Christmas countdowns (the kids love the delivering part), Carol of the Bells played on the piano by Kenzi and Lauren at least 100x each, watching my favorite Mormon Channel Christmas messages each night, sleeping by the tree with the kids (well me and Kenzi bailing on Cameron cause he moaned and groaned for an hour) Cameron deciding and re-deciding 100x what he wanted for Christmas and finally settling on "Santa, please bring me a wii game, whichever one you feel is best." A few days of resting and playing at the cabin... and we are now ready for New Year's.

It really is the most wonderful time of the Year!

How I Know Lauren is a Teen... Christmas morning didn't start at 4:00 am

The Hess kids didn't get up until 8:30 am this morning... yes 8:30 am. Lauren is the queen of getting up at 4:00 am and trying to start Christmas morning.

The kids usually all sleep together and last year at 4:00 am Lauren dragged everyone upstairs trying to get us to open presents. After sending them back to bed several times, finally about 6:30am we let them stay up.

This year Kenzi refused to sleep in her room -- she likes her sleep -- and we had to negotiate to set a 7:00am start time.

At 7:45 am I looked at the clock... no Hess kids. At 8:30 am Lauren and Cam came upstairs... Lauren so mad that she had slept in. Apparently she woke up at 6:15 am and was laying there waiting for it to be 7:00 am so she could wake everyone up and the next thing she knew it was 8:30 am! I know she was disappointed, but the rest of us feel much better this year!!!

Christmas Eve Countdown is over....

I love the advent calendars... my kids -- especially Cameron has so faithfully eaten the chocolate each day. Well the big night is finally here...

We'll do some last minute wrapping, spend a few hours at the Children's Museum, go to the cemetary and then have a wild evening at Grandpa's!!

Cam can't tell...

Lauren and Kenzi -- I'm so sorry I didn't have a blog when you were younger so I could document all of the funny things you said. One day I'm going to sit down and try to remember some funny things and put them in the blog/journal. But for now... another funny 6 year old story. I love this kid...

We were at tithing settlement today and at the end Dave was telling the kids how great the Bishop is, how much he does for us, etc.

Dave: Can you guys tell the Bishop how much we love and appreciate him?
Cam: I can't...
Me: Thinking -- wow, either so rude or so shy.
Cam: I can't... it is too much love!!

Oh how I wish we could keep the honesty and sweetness of a child forever...

Truly Amazing!!!

Along with thousands of others, we had the chance to see the Sunday morning broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert this morning.

Words can't describe the beauty and the spirit that is felt in the Conference Center, seeing President Monson, listening to David Archuleta (ok... wasn't a big fan until today) and listening to Michael York (who I just found out was in my favorite bad 70s movie Lost Horizon).

I was pretty much in tears the entire time.

For some reason this has been an extra busy Christmas season for me and although it has been filled with wonderful activities -- I don't feel like I've really felt the spirit of the season until today!

Wish I could spend an hour each day in that beautiful building watching and listening!!!
I love, love, love Christmas!!!

Decide to Decide... The Hess Family Decisions

President Murdock gave a great talk in Stake Conference today. He told a story about when he was 15 and went to a fireside. The astronaut that spoke that evening said they should each "decide to decide" today what they will do and what they want to be -- just make the decision one time -- and do it before you are in the moment when emotions can take over. He then told some great stories about this.

So... at Sunday dinner tonight -- with Grandpa's, Dad and Moms input -- the Hess kids "Decided to Decide" some things they will never do. And now they will never have to make that decision again!!! (Ok... so may not be quite that easy, but let's hope it starts them on the right track.) Here is the list the kids came up with.

1. I will never take any kind of drugs.
2. I will never drink alcohol ... or even taste it.
3. I will never drive in a car with someone who has been drinking alcohol.
4. I will never smoke cigarettes.
5. I will never shoplift or steal.
6. I will never watch bad movies or look at pornography of any kind.
7. I will not date until I am 16.
8. I will stay morally clean and not do anything that would keep me from being morally clean.
9. I will always dress modestly. (No bikinis, spaghetti straps, short short dresses/skirts/shorts, low cut/super tight blouses/dresses... and Cameron extra promises never to wear the bikini or spaghetti straps.)

Tis Better to Give... Service

Let me start by saying it is December 10th and I have purchased 1 Christmas present. Yes, I'm starting to get a little stressed.

Let me also say I'm really struggling not to be depressed right now watching the economy, politics and the world in general.

But... as part of Lauren's 7th Grade Honors Service hours (and a Good Works Personal Progress project) Lauren is volunteering in areas that can help reduce poverty and hunger.

Last weekend she spent 3 hours serving breakfast with Santa for a food pantry fundraiser and then she and I worked at the food pantry for a couple of hours. (And may I say what a hard worker she is. The manager at the White House offered her a job when she turns 14 next year to work at wedding receptions and dinners.)

This afternoon we volunteered at the Candy Cane Corner, where Women from the YWCA shelter and families from the Road Home Shelter can come and shop for their families for Christmas. Everything is donated and I was totally overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. There were 100s and 100s and 100s and 100s of games, toys, coats, books, etc. Again Lauren was a fabulous worker and asked if we could go back again. We have donated Christmas items there before, but I had absolutely no idea how big it was and how many people support their efforts.

If you want to feel the spirit of giving, go and spend some time with your cute teenage daughter and see how many kind, giving and generous people there are in this world. And watch a beautiful single mom shop with her case worker and get so excited as she picks out items for her kids!

1st Few Festive Weeks of Christmas!

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Breakfast with Santa (super fun... recommend it for a fun little morning with Santa -- Lauren volunteering and working so hard she gets her 1st job offer for when she turns 13), Festival of Trees... amazing, 7th Grade Band concert... how in the world does he get the kids that good in so little time, and KUTV early morning news singing.

Fox 'n Geese -- FHE Fun

The Cottles plan a great old-fashioned FHE complete with hot chocolate and fox 'n geese in Grandpa's backyard. Didn't know I could sweat so much in 20 degree weather!

Birthday Bash

A few photos from Lauren's birthday breakfast and family dinner... the whip cream about made me throw up!

Also, not sure if it is turning 13, the first Christmas dance at school, or Lauren's friend Alicia... but Lauren has started actually wearing her hair down and curly to school every once in a while. Her friend walked right up to her and was looking for her... I guess she does look a little different than the pony tail days!