Christmas Day 2011

We had a great Christmas this year. The kids really enjoyed their gifts. Kate got matching pajama's with her American girl doll. And also an American girl doll bed (I swear that doll is like her sister, it has clothes, a bed and even it's own pets). Kate also got a fijit friend. It's a robot that dances, and talks. Santa had a hard time laying down a lot of money for something that makes that much noise (it's voice can be a little annoying). But it's what she asked for and she has really enjoyed it. Kirk got a new bike, and some Lego's, and also a double shot basketball system. Normally Santa wouldn't be able to bring so much, but he had some connections for the double shot, he got a pretty good deal on it. Of course Benjamin got toy story toys. He got a new woody doll, and a bulls eye, and also some toy guns. He also got a tee pee and a stick horse that he can ride on and play cowboys and Indians with. Because of woody, he is really into cowboys right now. Jence got a bumbo chair. He already likes it quite a bit. I think if we give him a few more weeks or so, he will really be able to sit up in it for longer lengths of time. He is getting so big and strong, and growing so fast. It has been very special having a baby during this wonderful season of the year. After the kids got all of their gifts opened, we had breakfast with my parents. They always make the rounds Christmas morning to see what the kids got from Santa. Then we went to our Church meetings. After church we played with the kids and their toys, and then took a much needed nap. Then we went to see my parents for Christmas dinner. It was a truly perfect day! Merry Christmas to all, and may we ever be thankful for the greatest gift which God has given to men, his only begotten son even Jesus Christ. May our hearts be a little softer, our words be a little kinder, may our actions be more loving, and may the light of Christ shine a little brighter in your life during this most wonderful time of the year.

Here comes Santa 2011!

Yes, it looks like the kids have been good this year, because Santa made it to the Mower home. It was a wonderful day, the kids enjoyed opening their presents. We started Christmas eve morning off with making a visit to see Santa Claus. We saw Santa in the nick of time at a nearby Walmart (yes it wasn't as fancy as the mall, just a black sheet for the backdrop, but there was no line, and we didn't have to pay fifty bucks for a picture). All of the kids were excited to meet him, all but Benjamin. As you can see in his picture that he was scared to death (oh, the torture we inflict on our kids). Kate is getting quite curious about whether Santa Claus truly exists. She very carefully whispered in my ear so, that the other kids couldn't hear and said "Santa looks different this year, I don't think he is the real Santa". I'm glad that she still believes that Santa is real. I wonder how many more years she will believe. It seems like these precious childhood years are really beginning to fly now. I'm trying to make the magic last as long as possible. After we saw Santa my parents took the three older kids to see the Muppet Movie. It was perfect because Dan had to assemble a few toys, I had to do some cooking, and get one last minute gift. When the kids got back from the movie we read the Nativity out of the bible. We tried to make it spiritual and focus on the real meaning of Christmas. It is so easy to get caught up with all of the celebrating, that often we miss the whole point for the holiday. Then it was time for the Mower family Christmas eve party. We enjoyed delicious food, and the grandchildren performed the nativity. Kate was Mary and Kirk was a wise man, Benjamin had fallen asleep by then, so he missed it this year. Then the kids were able to open the traditional matching P.J's from Grandma Mower. I don't know how she still does it every year. She finds 27 matching pajama's in all of the grand kids sizes! The kids are always so excited to see what kind they get each year. It was a wonderful night. Christmas eve is always the easiest night of the year to get the kids to bed. Kate and Kirk both made a mad dash up the stairs and were in bed faster than you could say Rodolph. They didn't want to risk being up and having Santa pass by their house. I had to actually tell them to come back downstairs to set out the cookies for Santa. Then Kate very excitedly announced that she just saw Santa's sleigh, and Rudolph's nose on top of Grandma Mower's roof. "He must be waiting for them to go to bed" she said excitedly. Then I told them that he would be probably coming here next so they'd better get to bed fast!

Grandma Black Visit

This isn't my latest baking concoction, I haven't baked a single thing from scratch since Jence was born. This is the creation of my Grandma Black who is no less than ninety nine years old. She is turning one hundred in March. I couldn't believe that she made ginger bread cookies, she also made me a loaf of Christmas bread. She is absolutely AMAZING! She's not only very independent, but she is also as sharp as ever. She keeps up on all of the current events, sports, and reads all of the time. I love my grandma, I have so many good memories of her. Once when I was eight years old I stayed with her for a week while my parents were traveling. We played Uno and Chinese checkers for hours. She also introduced me to genealogy, and got me started on keeping my book of remembrance. I look up to her so much, my Grandparents are tremendous examples of faith, hard work, determination, and toughness. My Grandma is tough, she's been through a lot, but through it all she remains optimistic, and up beat.
Here is Jence with my Grandma Black. He is named after my Grandma's father, and also her grandfather. Her grandfather Jens Nielson joined the LDS church in Denmark, and came across the plains with the Willey and Martin handcart company, and also led the hole in the rock expedition.

We love you Grandma, you are an amazing person.

Adorable baby!

Had to post this last photo of Rachel. Look at those huge eyes! I think it's my favoite shot by far!

Niece Rachel

Here are a few photo's I did of my darling neice Rachel. She is just a few weeks younger than Jence. She was so good for the photo's by the end of the hour though, she was exhausted!

Jence's Baby blessing

Jence received his name and a blessing on Sunday December 4th 2011. He was named Jence Stevens Mower, and Dan gave him a beautiful blessing. I love baby blessings, and I do a lot of planning and anticipation leading up to it. I have to shop around to find a baby blessing outfit (I found Jence's online). And then there's the after church dinner to be planned. And this year I spent a lot of time cleaning, setting up Christmas decorations, and making sure the kids had coordinated Sunday clothes for pictures. Because of the crazy wind storm all of my preparations seemed less important, but the blessing it's self went just fine, and that's what really matters. Dan came home from his early church meetings about thirty minutes before sacrament meeting was about to start and told me that the church block had been canceled, and everyone was to work on getting the neighborhood cleaned up, and prepare themselves for the next big wind storm that was coming in that night. They were planning on holding a shortened sacrament meeting, so we decided to still bless the baby. But what about the dinner afterwards, the pictures, the families, and the 20 lbs turkey that was already roasting in the oven! We decided to still do the dinner, It felt a little strange to be having a party while all of the ward members including Dan, and a lot of his brothers were cleaning up our fallen trees, and debris. We didn't get many pictures, and I don't think Dan even came in for a plate of food. He was busy trying to secure a pine tree that looked like it might fall on our deck. But in spite of it all Jence still got lots of attention, and we were able to still enjoy the day. Sometimes things don't end up living up to our expectations. I guess this is a lesson for me, I need to learn to relax, and not worry about how things are "suppose" to be, and learn to just "roll with the punches". We love you Jence, you have already brought so much joy, and happiness to our family. We are so thrilled that you are a member of our little family. It's fun to see our family grow.

We got a family photo with dan the following night. I asked Dan's Mom if she'd come and take our families picture, and I got Jence back into his blessing outfit, and the kids back into their christmas church clothes. I was really happy that we finally have an up-to date family picture.

One more photo

One more photo, I know, I know, I'm obsessed. I just love snapping photos of this little guy. They are all so cute, I can't just pick one to post.