Christmas

Christmas started off at about 6 am. The kids gathered at the top of the stairs ready to tear down the wrapping paper that prevented them from getting a sneak peak. The kids each opened a gift and played with it while Erin, Mario, and I made donuts for breakfast (Eric's pick). Then after cleaning up, we opened another gift each and played with that. We stretched out the gift opening until about 11:30. Then it was time for our yummy Christmas dinner: ham, twice baked potatoes, and yummy Erin rolls.

This was our first year without Santa. Instead, we gave the kids money to buy more expensive gifts for each other. It was a success and the kids want to repeat it next year. They were very excited to give each other their gifts.

Opening up first gifts

Erin's new scarf made by Grandma

Erin's gift to Eric-Prince Caspian and Wii Super Mario Bros

Zach's gift to Erin...gift certificate to riding stable

Eric's gift to Nathan...Agent's Command Center

Nathan's gift to Zach...Didj game system

Zach riding new bike at 6:30 am...cold and dark

Nathan's new bike

Erin has turned into Eric...always reading!

Final gift...Wii Sports Resort

Adopt-A-Bairman

Last week, Mario went to a deployment briefing. I was supposed to go but wasn't feeling up to it. They briefed him on some of the special programs that they have for families of the deployed member. Some of these benefits include free oil changes, free dinners, and special events. One of these special events was called Adopt-A-Bairman. Our whole family was invited to go to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum yesterday so the kids could build a special bear. Each bear came with a chip in it so the deploying member of the family can record a special message to each of his kids that they can listen to while he is gone.

We got to the event a little late because we had the piano recital first. But the timing was great because our family was the only one left to build our bears. So the base Public Affairs office took tons of pictures of our family and asked to interview Mario for the base news. I got a little teary eyed when Mario had to record his messages to the kids. He asked each of the kids what they wanted him to say. Most said simply "I love you." But Eric wanted Mario to say a phrase that Mario frequently says..."Stand by."

I know we are one of the lucky families. We will get to communicate with Mario almost daily. My heart goes out to those families whose husband/father is deployed to remote parts of Afghanistan or Iraq and have very little contact.

Piano Recital

The big kids had their piano recital this morning. We enjoy these recitals because we see that we are getting our money's worth out of all these lessons. Erin has been asking for a baby grand piano just like her teacher's. I keep telling her to get a full ride scholarship to college and then we can talk about it. It doesn't make much sense for us to get one while Mario's in the military since we move so often. In fact, I have counted 6 piano teachers in 5 years. Wow! It is amazing to see all their different teaching styles. I think the kids' favorite is still Mr. Garcia from Monterey. But for the price he charged, he better be good. Their teacher now, Julie Izatt is very good too (and much cheaper even though she thinks she is expensive, almost half of Mr. Garcia.)

Sick of Being Sick

I have had this horrible cold for a week and a half now. Just when I think I am getting better, I get worse. Our ward Christmas party was last night and just before it started, I had to go lay down. Eric was very sweet and offered to stay home with me and make me dinner. He made some yummy burgers and fries. He even agreed to watch Super Nanny and Dateline with me. I know Eric doesn't like me to blog about him, but I had his permission on this one (I noticed he didn't complain about the Kirby blog either.)

Kirby

Eric loves all Kirby Heyborne's silly LDS movies. So when Kirby came to the LDS bookstore in Tucson, Eric insisted on being taken out of school early to go get his autograph. I felt a little guilty about pulling him out of school. The office staff, I think, just assumed I was taking him out to lunch and bringing him right back like always. But I wrote down on the sign out sheet lunch and personal under reasons for signing him out. I didn't really want to explain in case they gave me a hard time. We had a quick lunch at Subway, shopped at Toys R Us for a few minutes and then headed to the bookstore to wait in line. Over an hour later, Kirby still hadn't showed up and I had to leave to get the younger kids from school. Fortunately he pulled up as we were leaving and a woman standing in line ran out to bring Eric a pen. She convinced Eric to go over to the car and ask for his autograph. It made Eric's day. It made my day having a few hours to spend with Eric alone. He is such a great kid.

Overcoming My Fears

Mario and I were supposed to go to the range yesterday, but I wasn't feeling well. I asked if we could go today instead but he couldn't because he had training all day at work. I decided that I would go anyway. If you remember the first/last time I went to the range, I locked myself in the truck and didn't want to get out, I was so scared of all the gunfire I could hear in the distance.

I decided that I needed to overcome my fears (like I always tell my kids) and just do it. I called the range to make sure they would assist me if I needed any help loading my gun and setting up my target. All the employees are so nice and helpful. I guess they want to see me succeed and be a responsible gun owner. I felt confident that I made a good choice in picking out my gun when the first guy (a customer) made a comment about what I nice revolver I had. One employee helped me get all set up and made sure I knew what I was doing. I have to say, that extra money spent on a laser was really worth it. I put all the bullets except for 1 through the man on the target's chest (I hit him once in the face. Oops.)

The whole time I was shooting, I was thinking..."These people are crazy letting an inexperienced person like me shoot." They put a lot of trust in me that I was not going to make any fatal errors. It kind of reminds me of how when you have your first baby and they let you take him/her home from the hospital and you have no idea what you are doing. How could they trust me with this new baby? Today I was thinking, how could they trust me with this weapon? Not only do you have to trust yourself to be careful, but everyone else around you too.

Stake Conference

Today is Stake Conference. Apparently we weren't clear about which conference it was when we told the kids about it yesterday. The three younger kids each walked into our room this morning excited about not having to get dressed today. They thought we would be lounging around in pajamas all day to watch General Conference on our television. Imagine their disappointment when we told them it was Stake Conference and yes they would all need showers. I think Erin took it the hardest.