While I was planning on playing catch up with more Christmas and New Year's posts, tonight's family scripture reading and prayer struck me as something I want to remember just as much as the special events in our family so here I documented the following scene with names withheld to protect the not-so-innocent. Someday we might look back and laugh (although this is not unlike most nights):
Me: Time to read scriptures!
(Finds all children without pajamas on even though I asked them to put them on 30 minutes ago). Me: Go put your pj's on!
(One child goes and comes back, other child takes FOREVER).Me: Hurry up!
(Both children return without their scriptures)Me: Go get your scriptures....
(Meanwhile other child has completely adhered to one side of me on the couch and wants to pretty much sit on my lap even though they are taller than me and plenty of other seating is available. Another child sits sullking under a blanket).Me: What's wrong?
Child: You and dad are mean to me.
(Discussion ensues addressing being mean versus being a parent and that asking someone to do something "x" times is not being mean. Child reluctantly crawls out from under blanket and decides to join in).Me: Okay, you start (to another child).
That child starts reading in the best pouty-grumpy-emotional voice I've ever heard. Teenagers start snorting with laughter which sends other child into absolute tears and stomping off.
Me to crying child: Brush your teeth and get into bed.
(Child stomps into bathroom and tries to make as much noise as possible while brushing her teeth by kicking the tub and slamming the faucet when she turns it on and off. Another child goes to peek in on her--while I've tried to start and stop reading about five times by now--and comes back in with more bursts of laughter. This sends other child into bed crying and moaning like her dearest pet just died.)Me: "And it came to pass..."
Another child: Mom, we learned something in seminary today. What was it like when you had your miscarriage?
Me: What does that have to do with what we're reading?
(Several questions commence about what happened when I miscarried. Eventually we get back on task. Meanwhile, crying child gets louder and is probably going to wake up other child alredy put to bed).Other two children take turns reading and have to bump me when its my turn because I am worried about the crying child and I forget where we are, which makes them start a whole new round of snorting and laughter...
Me: Okay! We're done! (somehow we actually got through a whole chapter).
(Dad is noticably absent because he is taking care of something at the school. Had he been here this nonsense would have ended much sooner and probably with a few more crying children)I have often wondered why this is STILL such a difficult task after 17 years of regular attempts of family prayer and scriptures. Will the kids remember this? Are they getting anything out of it? I know the answer but I still shake my head in wonder when we have nights like this. I would love to have an expert come and evaluate us, kind of like a "scripture and prayer whisperer" to tell us what we could do to help our situation, except without putting us on TV :) I love our crazy family and some of the nonsense that comes with the package; I just hope there's a little bit of credit in heaven for trying.
The spread of food was ridiculous but YUMMMY!!!
The kids did several Minute to Win It games and Christopher introduced a game involving flipping whipped cream in the air which was a huge hit. The adults ate, ate and ate and played some Bunco. 
Everyone, including Bradley, made it to midnight and the cousins went outside to bang on pots and pans and do poppers. There were fireworks across the river as well!
What was great about the bowling was that Aunt Colleen and her family were there bowling too so we got to bowl with cousins and it was fun to see them! We didn't know we were crashing a Robinson family tradition!
We were so happy when the Parkers made it in time for our Christmas Eve dinner at Applebees. My parents picked them up in Portland and there was a lot of sceaming and hugging when we all jumped out of our cars in the parking lot at the Restaurant. Brian's parents, Nannee and Papa and Sara and Joe also joined us for dinner. I didn't get a picture unfortunately but we had the group room all to ourselves so it was nice.
After dinner we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas at their house!
We did our reading of The Christmas story earlier in the day so we could stay late at Grandma and Grandpa's. The kiddos slept in until 7:00 a.m. which wasn't too bad...
Trying to contain their excitement!
After Christmas at our house we headed to Nannee and Papa's.
Snuggies!
AND Emily, Kevin and Jordan surprised us and came to town just in time for the festivities!
When we got to the North Pole, Santa came out and did some fun entertaining and then read all the names on the nice list. My kids were relieved when they heard their names--even Amanda!
This is the world's largest living Christmas tree.
We also got to watch Jordan's basketball game and eat at Chili's--our favorite place to go when we visit there. Jared's team played in a facility called The Warehouse right near Gonzaga University. Jared was in heaven when we went to the school store and shopped a little between games. His team did great; they came in 3rd place overall in the tournament. We are looking forward to more tourmaments where I can snap some pictures; the intensity of the games made me forget to take out my camera. We appreciate Kevin and Emily for letting us stay with them and for letting Megan and Bradley hang out and play so we could watch games uninterrupted--it was wonderful!!
We had lots of snow to play in!
We had lots of friends to play with during parent/teacher conference time! 
Sherrie came to visit and we had a '40th celebration' with her! I'm sure you are wondering about the cauliflower cake. You see, when one turns 40 they are so much more disciplined and wise they eat totally healthy, right? Okay, not totally true. She had been going strong on her current diet and was not going to cheat even though she was traveling--now that's dedication! Notice the brownies and ice cream in the background for those of us who are not so dedicated . . . 
We put together a list of 40 things we love about Sherrie!
My kids love having her visit and stay with us. She was so great to work around our busy schedules--thanks for coming Sherrie!!!
Right before the Christmas rush we also put together our Thankful Tree for 2010. I am glad whenever we can take a minute to focus on the things we are grateful for and the things the Lord has blessed us with. It is a great thing for our family to do right before the craziness of the Christmas season. 
A little bit of watching Jared play football. Thanks, Nannee for bringing cupcakes to the game.
Bradley and I decorated his car and Amanda hung a sign up at school outside his classroom. 
Dinner at Chico's Tacos (while he skipped his class that night). 
Presents at home with the family which included tickets to watch his college play football on their new red turf and a family dinner party later that week complete with patty melts and mud pie. 
The game was a few weeks after his birthday and our family ended up having to go several different directions that weekend. Jared had a basketball tournament in Bellevue, I had some church responsibilities here, Amanda had a few social reasons to stay here with me and Nate took Bradley and Megan with him to visit Kevin, Emily and Jordan and watch the Bombers play on Friday night in Spokane and EWU play on Saturday in Cheney. 
I think they had a fun time! We are grateful for Nate and all he does for our family and I want him to keep in mind how very nice I was for his 40th--no nerve-wracking surprises, right honey?
(Meg's 4th grade class, first day of school)
I am thankful for the cheerleaders at the end of the race! I feels so good to have someone to celebrate with after an accomplishment like that. 
