The Answer?

I think the important thing is that you tell the Christmas story each year, not that you act it out. But if you still want to act it out here are a few suggestions.
1. Keep it short.
2. Use lots of music to tell the story.
3. Let the children tell as much as possible. (You may get some interesting insights into their thoughts)
4. Use costumes that are reserved for t the nativity.
5. Rotate the parts, so that one person doesn't get the same part each year.
6. Take lots of pictures.
7. Don't force anyone to participate.
8. Have patience and remember why you're doing this.
9 (This should be #1) PRAY

I'm glad this is a tradition that you'd like to continue with your children. It was something I always looked forward to and I'm sure they weren't perfect. If you look back through the pictures you'll notice that we acted it out with Speedy's family when you were too little for us to do it on our own. We always had a special retelling of the nativity when I was growing up. We didn't always act it out, but often did. It's what you do on Christmas Eve. Hope this helps.

some more and a question

I remember one year of caroling - I think Eric and I were in high school, and when we were in the van between stops, we whistled the whole thing of "Sleigh Bells."

This isn't a memory ... one thing I would like to know is how on earth Mom and Dad kept us all corralled and attentive enough to act out the Nativity every year on Christmas Eve, even when we were all tiny, and as we kept adding more kids to the family so there were always little kids as long as I was home. Clarissa was 4 when I went to Ricks, and 7 when I left on my mission - there were ALWAYS little kids at our house as long as I was there. Anyway, I can't get my kids to pay attention for 5 seconds on Christmas Eve to anything at all about the Nativity, no matter how much I've talked it up ahead of time and avoided any mention of the present-fest the next morning. So what was it? Or are we just not remembering any Christmas Eve disasters or fights? We keep trying to do something - ANYTHING - about the Nativity on Christmas Eve, but we haven't had much luck. We got a really nice book of paintings with scriptures from a friend when we lived in DC (her brother was the artist - look up Joseph Brickey), and we go through that on Christmas Eve instead of trying to act everything out.

Oh, and speaking of the Nativity - there's one that makes me smile ... the year Eric and Laurel got married, I think they spent Christmas with us. (Or was it the next year, also with Jared and Michelle?) Anyway, it was Laurel's first Christmas with us, and she was the angel for the Nativity pageant. She wore a dress that fit Mindy as a 10-year-old and it was a little small but she could totally get into it. Crazy. She put gold garland in her hair and stood on a chair for her lines. Good initiation into that Palmer tradition for her, I thought.

More Christmas Memories

Other than all of the things that Mindy mentioned, my favorite Christmas memories are as follows:

1. Caroling to George.  Last year Emily, Clarissa, and I still went caroling even though it was just the three of us.  And we went to George, the Belnaps, and the Hubers.  I think the Albertsons were out of town.  My other favorite caroling memory is when we would sing silly songs in the van between stops... or sing them in silly ways.  "Oh Tidings of Comfort And Joy", "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas"  and "Chipmunks Roasting on an open pyre"  good memories. 

2. Acting out the Nativity.  Remember the year that Eric and I were the shepherds and watched over our flocks at night?  Or what about when we made the movie as kids.  Watching that movie still cracks me up and I can remember making it.

3.  I loved the Christmases when we slept by the tree and giggled and talked until late at night when we finally fell asleep... after the stockings had been stuffed.

4.  Mindy may love the pumpkin pie, but I love the apple pie.... even when it boils over.  Thinking of that makes me miss the double oven.

5.  I remember the year that the boys got the Nerf swords and we had a tournament.  I think that was one of the years that Mom decided to number the gifts and Jared still knew which present was the Nerf swords.  I even wrote about that one in my journal.

Such good memories.  I'm grateful that we have such an awesome family that I continue to make memories with. 

Christmas memories

I got to chat with Tawnia today.  Me on my laptop at home in Calgary, while Tawnia was on her phone at a grocery store somewhere in Utah.  Emily and Clarissa got to see Aria through Skype.  I was able to share a photo for all my family to see, without having to get it developed, and mailed to everyone individually.  Technology is amazing, and allows me to stay connected to my family spread across thousands of miles.  But even with all that, I miss my family.

It is always around this time of year that I get a bit homesick.  I have a wonderful family here in Canada, especially now with my beautiful baby girl.  But I miss all the special moments of childhood Christmases spent with my parents and brothers and sisters.  I miss the smell of the Christmas trunk that held all the decorations - especially Mom's handmade angel.  There would be Christmas music playing in the background, and someone baking in the kitchen.  Sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, lots of sprinkles, and amazing fudge.  And although Aaron has come close, no one can replace Mom's pumpkin pie.  Everyone loading up in the van to carol to our neighbors and friends - the Albertsons, the Hubers, the Belnaps.  Playing games together, sleeping under the Christmas tree, gathering in Mom and Dad's room before marching out to retrieve our stockings from off the mantel.  And then playing with all our new games and toys for the rest of the day, not bothering to change out of our pajamas.  I miss all of that.

This is the first year that I get to be a parent; that I get to fill a child's stocking and create traditions for a new little person to remember.  I sincerely hope that she will look back someday with a smile on her face and wish to relive all the wonderful moments with her family.

One other thing I miss is the Christmas memory letters that we've written a few times.  Sadly I came up with this idea after my cards had already been mailed, but I'm hoping that maybe we can share some family memories here on this forgotten blog.

family history and Christmas

Whoa, have we really let this blog be silent for so long?!?! I guess because most everyone is on Facebook now ...

I was thinking about this blog during General Conference - what if we started using it for family history stuff? Then it would have a purpose that wouldn't be fulfilled with Facebook. Mom and Dad could post old stories about our ancestors, like they sent out last year leading up to the Nauvoo reunion. They were interesting to read and I'd like to share more of them with my kids. I could also  post a question once a month or so for everyone to answer to build our own family histories now and share stories back and forth. People working on extraction work or other family history work could share experiences, or questions, or "can someone help me look for _____" (like Aaron or Adam or Amanda who may be working on their own lines - others could pitch in and help them). You get the idea ... a family history location.

I also drew names today for the sibling and cousin gift exchanges. I assume everyone is still in for it - let me know if your family chooses to not participate this year (and no, no one will be offended) and I'll rearrange things.

Siblings:
Trina - Eric
Eric - Mindy
Jared - Nathan
Tawnia - Jared
Emily - Clarissa
Nathan - Emily
Mindy - Tawnia
Clarissa - Trina

My suggested theme is some kind of holiday decoration item, and it doesn't have to be Christmas. It can be for any holiday. Any other ideas, or are you good with this one?

Cousin book exchange:

Summer - Emma
Marnie - Amanda Junior
Jenna - Henry
Tenley - Brooke

Stevie - Jenna
Allie - Tenley

Brooke - Aria
Bryan - Marnie
Emma - Summer

Joshua - Allie
Henry - Stevie
Amanda Junior - Bryan

Aria - Joshua

I realize that your families will be getting the same names over again, but I've been keeping track of who has been giving gifts each year since we started this. There have been no individual repeats so far. Like last year, Brooke had Summer and this year Emma does. So even though it didn't change family, it did change cousin. And yes, I did this on a blind draw, only adjusting if someone got their sibling or a cousin they'd already had.

Craft Day at the Palmers

I love that little apron, Tawnia.  Awesome use for old jeans and having the pockets is super helpful.  And I hope I'm having a girl too so you can make me a bunch of those hats!!  But if it is a boy, I'd love a hat with a brim.  (Or any of the cute tie/vest onesies here.)  And the flowers are cute too.

I did find something that I wanted to make.  Obviously my brain is in baby-prep mod, so I'd love to make a baby carrier - especially when it's just one long piece of fabric.  All we have to do is pick out fabric, cut it in half (lengthwise) and hem.  Tada!  You can find more information here. Hooray for Mom having a sewing machine!

Another idea

So another idea I have is to make a lunch bag that is washable. So I found this pattern. More sewing.... should be interesting.

And Mom, you asked how much time we'll have to complete these projects. Here's my thought on that. We'll get started and see how much we can get done in a day. Anything that doesn't get done.... well, once I'm done with grad school this summer I'm going to be looking for some things to keep me busy! So we'll have some projects lined out for the summer, yay!

the first day of Valentine's

I don't remember what the conversation was, or exactly how she said it ... the other day at dinner, Summer announced that Grandpa is her best friend.

Just thought you'd like to know!

Craft Day

Okay, so I am going to start making suggestions for crafts that I want to do while I'm home. There are several. I'm going to put the links for them on here and then if anyone else wants to do them as well we can look into getting supplies.

First of all, I want to make myself a menu planning thing like Mom has. I couldn't find one exactly like hers on the internet, but I found this one which I thought looked pretty simple and fun. (And I just figured out how to do the "link" thing) I hope it works! I also want to make myself a magnetic message board.

And I want to make myself an apron. So here is an idea for how to that. Though I really want one of those cute reversible ones that I've seen several friends make... so I need to get the pattern.... this is me, actually being willing to SEW. Yikes, Trina must be rubbing off on me! And I want to make some placemats like this one.

And then there is the crocheting.... Having flowers in your hair is all the rage right now... so why not make some. There are lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of flower options... and then there are the headbands as well. And if you don't like flowers, how about a heart. Also in the crocheting realm, I'm sort of hoping that Mindy ends up having a girl so I have someone to make cute hats for.

Is this inspiring anyone else with great crafting ideas for the day of craftiness during spring break?

I was also thinking about plastic canvas. Mom, do you still have any? Do you still have patterns for stuff? I don't have many magnets for my fridge and thought it might be fun to make some of those also.

Now, I've posted my ideas... what other ideas are out there?

One of those Spring Break Days

Hey all you Oregon Palmers and the people who will be in Oregon for Spring Break (And everyone else too),

Mindy and I have been talking about what we want to do while we are there for the week and I suggested that we have a day of craftiness and also a recipe exchange. (I think the fact that I haven't made it to any week day Relief Society meetings in awhile is getting to me.)

So, here is what I need from each of you (and this doesn't have to be just the girls) -

1. Write a post telling us about a craft project that you have been wanting to do, or learn, or that you looked up and thought it looked like fun.

2. Comment on the other people's posts about craft activities about how cool they look and that you want to do that too.

3. We'll have to purchase supplies for these crafty things.... I think that buying things in bulk will probably save on the cost and since I don't want the cost to stop people from participating, well... we'll figure something out.

4. We'll get together on the appointed day (whenever we decide that should be) and have fun being crafty together.... while also .... eating healthy snacks!

5. In order for the healthy snacks portion to happen you all need to find a healthy snack recipe that is also delicious (because, seriously if it doesn't taste good why should we eat it) and make some to share with everyone and then have it there on the day of craftiness along with copies of the recipe for everyone to take.

P.S. I think it would be fun to invite the Dicksons (especially Deb, Amber, Melanie, Annika, and Sarah.)

P.P.S. Those that aren't able to be there could still participate by purchasing their own supplies for the crafts, making suggestions for crafts, making suggestions for healthy snacks, and then having their own day of craftiness and healthy snacks.

Any thoughts on this?

Life

So I made it a goal to post on all the blogs today.

On this blog I will mention the fact that I'm most likely staying in Roosevelt for another year (ie the 2012-2013 school year). Yay.

And less than nine weeks until I head to Oregon for spring break! YAY!

New calling!

Not for me - for Brooke. She is now the 2nd counselor in the Beehive Presidency.