Stepping into a MOVIE!!

Many of you have probably heard... but I just can't get over it! We found out the other night that my mother-in-law ans sister-in-law had a horrifying experience the other day.

They were in Palm Desert California (my mother-in-law lives there in the winter). They decided to go shopping at toys-r-us. Well, while they were there, two men opened gunfire and ended up killing each other. My family were witnesses. I feel so greatful that they weren't hurt! When Barry first told me about it, I started to tear up a bit. I wouldn't know what to did if either of them would have been shot! It would just kill me. I am so thankful that my sister-in-law left here two little kids at home with Grandpa. That would have made it all the more scary! Here is a video of their eyewitness account.

http://www.kesq.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3186558&at1=News&h1= Feeling' Hangs Over Toys 'R' Us Day After Shooting (11/29)

True to my roots...

Growing up we always put the tree up on the sunday after Thanksgiving. (at least I remember it that way) Well, I have stayed true to those roots, even though in Canada everyone starts decorating after Halloween. I love my childhood memories of Christmas. My mom might not know this... but those times were so magical for us as kids. My mom and dad never had a lot of money, but they must have always saved through the year so they could make our christmas special!! We did lots of things as a family. Any excuse to have a party I guess. But we always did a mexica christmas party with enchiladas, a pinata and games. We also celebrated German Christmas a few times and put our shoes out to be filled with little treasures. I remember the Dec of my 9th grade year... I stayed up to help :) We always went to Temple Square and then had soup in a bowl at the Mall. We went to the Festival of Trees and every year we would spend on evening driving from springville to salt lake, just to find the best decorated homes. We would be all bundled in our warm car with Christmas music on. It was great times! Every year my mom seemed to know how to make the living room look like a Christmas Explosion.... Maybe it was just the way she would lay the gifts out.

Now it's fun for me to come up with some of my own traditions... if anyone has ideas...LET ME KNOW!!! We do PJ's on Christmas eve, Fondu Pot dinner on Christmas eve (with lots of expensive meats), Go to the Nativity Pageant, and make Chocolates. I would like to add more but am semi-new to Calgary and don't know about Christmas things that go on here!

With a young family and a son that is gone every other Christmas... It can be hard to have a huge Celebration. But we try to make it "Special."

I started putting up some of my decorations, but I will wait till monday night to put the decorations on the tree with Tommy and Barry. I love these little country trees, They were my mother-in-laws... but when I told her I liked them, SHE GAVE THEM TO ME!!! She is so sweet that way. But I have to be careful now and not tell her when I like something of hers. Because she will give it all away!

Oh, KYLA GOT HER FIRST TOOTH!!!! I'LL GET PICTURES WHEN SHE LETS ME!!

And he's off...

Today, tommy flies to Texas for Thanksgiving. I am always on edge the day's he flies. So many things for a mom to worry about, even without sending their child on a plane. He is so good about flying. He is so brave and I always think about how I know the lord prepared him for this. Because there aren't many 6 year olds that could handle flying alone. I always have a big list of "don't" for him... Like, don't let anyone take you to the bathroom except a flight attendent, don't let anyone touch or hurt you (if they do you tell the flight attendent that you want to sit somewhere else.), and don't get lost...stay with the flight attendent! and more... He hates when I go over this list and always says (in a very annoyed tone), "I know mom, I wont. You don't need to tell me all this." Well, moms just love to worry! Actually I don't love it, but it's kind of something I can't get over. :) So... Off he goes today and we will miss him. But, I know he is going to have a great time and I know that he will be safe!