Can I Have Some Grandpa's Juice?

Let me tell you a little bit about my dad. He is a character. You know the fruit drink mix from the cannery? Well, he mixes a gallon of that stuff up almost every day when we are visiting. The funny thing about it is that he adds way more water than he is supposed to and it results in a very weak, watered-down version that nobody likes but him. This drink has been dubbed "Grandpa's Juice" and the kids love to have it when we're here. The last few times we've been here, they didn't have any so it was somewhat disappointing for Maddie & Cole. In anticipation of our latest visit though, Dad made sure he had some on hand and informed the kids that they could have Grandpa's Juice when they got here. I think they were more excited about the Grandpa's Juice than anything else...they even talked about it on the drive. Sure enough, within ten minutes of us getting here on Friday, Madlyn & Cole were in the kitchen with Grandpa, mixing up a gallon of his special brew. Mmmm, good stuff.

Last week we went to Jeff's work party, where the kids got to visit with Santa Claus and he even gave them an early present! It was a lot of fun and our Santa experiences just keep getting better every year...Madlyn is so excited about it, Cole was hesitant but did OK, and Cade, well...the picture speaks for itself.





I'm busily trying to finish up the last of our Christmas preparations (while playing nursemaid to sick children - Maddie & Cole both have fevers) and we're looking forward to a fun couple of weeks! This Sunday we're doing our LeCheminant Christmas Eve dinner & program early since Jeff's parents are leaving on Monday; Monday - Thursday will be spent here - we're trying to start some fun family traditions of our own; and then we're heading up to Clay Springs on Friday for my Grandma's Annual Christmas party, the weekend, and New Year's Eve celebrations. We hope you all have a fantastic Christmas holiday!!

Favorite Christmas Tradition

My great-grandmother Melissa Davis passed away right after Christmas when I was 18. My favorite Christmas tradition began lots of years before that (I'm not sure when it started) and still continues today. Grandma Davis was bedridden for as long as I can remember. I think I remember seeing her not in bed one time in my entire life, although I believe she became bedridden when I was a young girl. She lived with my great-aunt Alice, who so unselfishly took care of her for those many years. Almost every Sunday, our family would make the 1/2 mile walk down to Grandma Davis' to sing for her and visit. I can still remember her soft, tender voice and her sweet smile. One vivid memory for me is one Tuesday night, my parents were leaving to go to a meeting and they told my sister and me that it would be great if we could go visit Grandma & Alice. I think I was about 12 or 13 and my sister 2 years younger than me, so we were a little nervous about going by ourselves. But the thing that really bothered us was that it was dark, cold, and really windy. In the small town where I grew up, there weren't very many street lights and not very many houses even to light our way. Well, it was a challenge for us but we decided to head out on our own...it definitely put meaning to the term 'dark and stormy night'. We walked as fast as we could to get there, pulling our jackets tight around our shoulders, and bracing our bodies against the wind. I will never forget the feelings I had as Aunt Alice opened the door and the light streamed out into the night, and as we walked into that tiny, warm house. I don't remember what we talked about or even if they were happy to see us (although I'm sure they appreciated the visit) but I will always remember that it didn't seem so cold and dark as we trudged back up the hill to our house that night.

Anyways, I digress. At some point, my family started making a huge Christmas breakfast and taking it to Grandma & Aunt Alice on Christmas morning. It seems like I was almost always involved in taking the plates loaded with food and getting the opportunity to visit with them for a few minutes. Then we'd go home and enjoy our meal as a family, and in later years, my grandparents started joining us every year for breakfast. I got to go with my dad right before Grandma passed away and I don't think she ate anything that year. She wasn't doing well and we knew it wouldn't be long. Well, Grandma did pass away shortly after that, early in the year of 2000. But my parents continue to take breakfast to Aunt Alice and we still have my grandparents over too. It has become probably my favorite tradition, one that I am going to miss this year since we are staying here at our own home for Christmas (a first in our marriage). I guess I'll have to make a big breakfast anyway...does anyone want to come?

Prayer

So Cole has just recently learned how to say prayers all by himself, without any help. It is really fun to listen to what he says and it is always amazing to hear what he is thinking about, as well as Madlyn when she prays. And as you can suppose though, sometimes the prayers get a little repetitious. Sometimes Cole's prayers consist of opening, being thankful for the food, and then closing. Most often the kids say the blessings on our meals and we as parents say the morning & evening family prayers but sometimes they will get a turn at this. Well, Cole was saying our family prayer this morning and hear is an excerpt: "Thankful for the food...(pause)...not the food." I love how he caught this so quickly and it made me realize that he really does think about what he is saying.

Christmas Recital

On Wednesday night, my two music classes performed their first ever recital at my house. It was a first for me, as well as most of the kids. I thought it turned out quite well and was pleased at how well these children did. Here's the group all together when we finished; aren't they cute?


Here's a shot of my two singing elves: Maddie & Cole had a lot of fun (at least I hope) and did such a great job!

Hopefully next time I'll be a little more seasoned as a music teacher and it will be even better!!

New Bundle of Joy

Just wanted to say a quick congrats to my brother Colbran & his wife Stefanie, who gave birth to their 3rd child on Monday. Easton Cole joined Allison and Brooklyne and we are so excited for them!! Easton has had a rough life so far but is doing better every day. He was born 2 weeks early (8 lbs. - can you imagine if he went to 40 weeks?) and his lungs weren't quite ready yet so he was on a respirator until late Monday night. Stef says he looks good and is slowly getting weaned off of the oxygen. I wish I had a picture to post but since they live in Hurricane, UT and the hospital is in Las Vegas, NV they haven't been able to email any yet. He is a cutie though - I saw a picture on my sister-in-law's phone (I know, I'm a generation behind and don't even have a cell phone). Easton, you're in our thoughts & prayers and we can't wait to meet you!!! Love you guys!