Here comes Santa Clause

Tis the season that I can listen to my favorite story "A Christmas Carol" on CD and not get weired looks from Casey. One part struck me deep this year. May I share it with you?

While Scrooge is haunted by his ghost of Christmas past, he visits his apprenticeship. As he watches his old master, Fezziwig, and the Christmas party he threw, Scrooge learns a deep lesson I never noticed before. The following passage is from Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

During the whole of this time, Scrooge had acted like a man out of his wits. His heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self... ..."A small matter," said the Ghost, "to make these silly folks so full of gratitude." "Small!" Echoed Scrooge. The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig: and when he had done so, said, "Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: Three or four, perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?"
(Pay attention this was the part that struck me.) "It isn't that," said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. "It isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune."

Wow! I want my children to be happy. And that power lies in my "words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up." I saw how a little thing just made Boo's week. We had our ward Christmas Party Saturday. Dinner was fantastic, we socialized, and a special guest came. Yup, Santa made an appearance. When Boo saw him walk through the door she screamed, "Look! There he is! THERE IS SANTA!" She could hardly contain her joy!

Bug has become incredibly mobile. She crawls all over the place, and pulls herself up on the furniture. The problem now is she can't get down on her own, and screams until mom comes to help...or Boo "helps" which usually results in more screaming. I can also put her hair in a "ponytail".

Well, sort of.

In conclusion, if I was to be visited from my ghost of Chritmas past, I think I would have a very pleasent time due to the Fezziwigs in my life, mainly my parents, family, husband and now my two girls.

Merry Christmas!

From the Kirkhams.

Casey asked Boo what she asked Santa to bring her for Christmas. She said, "I want Santa to bring me a present." Santa gave her a candy cane. Every day she tells me how Santa gave her a candy cane! What a cheep, inexpensive thing, yet priceless. She was a little shy on Santa's lap. She wouldn't look him in the face, but talked with him. I think she was a little star struck. Over all, I think she has been a very good girl this year. She did tell me yesterday, "Mom I don't want coal!" It was just out of the blue! I had not told her she would be getting any. Hmmm...we have no clue who told her that.

Thanksgiving Fun

We had a small, quiet, and fun Thanksgiving. The day before it was warm, so we took the girls on a walk. I don't think they walked much...but Casey and I did. That night, Casey made the rolls, and I made the brine for the turkey. Thanksgiving day Casey played with the girls while I made a feast. It tasted good. I'm going to brag here, my first turkey was near perfect. Okay done bragging. Boo knew something was going on, but couldn't quite figure it out. She asked me, "Mama, get my costume? Go trick-0-tweat?" I said, "No it is Thanksgiving, we don't wear costumes on Thanksgiving. We eat turkey!" Boo, "Oh, okay. Lets go Thanksgiving trick-o-tweat!" She still had fun. Casey set our table up in the front room , and put all the leaves in. He wanted enough room to spread all the food out. We ate our feast and Bug had strained squash. yum. After dinner we went to our friends for pie. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Just thought you should know.

Omaha feels more and more like home. I only got lost once this week! How was I supposed to know that UNO is right in the middle of the road from the doctors office to the grocery store. Our ward has really helped us feel at home. But, there is no place like THE PLACE where many memories are tied with the people you love. Yup, due to the fast proposal, and even faster engagement of my "Little" brother, we have been summoned home for a wedding. And said wedding is close enough to Christmas, that we are coming home for the holidays. This is a whole year sooner than we planned. We are planning to spend time in both northern and southern Utah! We are excited to see everyone. I would be the last sibling to discourage anyone from taking my parents advice on anything. But since he didn't wait until Thanksgiving to propose we will be home for Christmas. Thanks Drew for not listening to Mom and Dad. And thanks Sabrina for saying yes. Can't wait to meet you!

Sweet Bug

I love this picture of my sweet girl. She fell asleep on the way home from Mutual. See her little hand on her pink bunny? As soon as I handed it to her, she fell asleep.

Bug had cereal for the first time yesterday! She loved it so much she grabbed the spoon from me! She eat everything, and we only had a little mess.

Yum Yum!

Things two year olds do.

Here Boo is playing peak a boo with Bug. Bug thought this game was great. Boo is a good girl, and a good big sister.Boo is also a two year old. And that keeps mom busy.
This week was a cold wet one. This is how Boo entertained herself when mom couldn't.
Monday she went upstairs to the "bathloom", a perfect place to find interesting stuff that two-year-olds can't touch while mom is there. She unrolled a new roll of toilet paper. Completely. I came upstairs as she just pulled the last square off the tube. She looked at me with guilt in her face and said, "I neededed a wipe a nose." Uh- hu. Right.
Tuesday she pulled all the sheets and blankets off her bed. But that was okay. They needed to be washed.
Wednesday she decided our front room need a color make over. Yup, the TV stand and floor got craola-ed. Thank goodness for Mr. Clean magic erasers.
Thursday she gave herself a makeover with mommy's makeup.
Friday we had the Lym family over for dinner and games. There boy, Redden, is a few months younger than Boo. While they were watching Chip and Dale, Boo climbed onto a chair and pulled my markers out. Well, here is her art work. He just sat there and let her do it. I think he has at least four colors on his face. She colored his hair too!
So for all the Moms who ever raised a two year old, I tip my hat, or I would except it is in Boo's dress up box.

Our Happy Halloween.

Our Halloween was a little different this year. Casey's Mimi passed away the Sunday before. He was out in Utah for her funeral while I attempted to do Halloween on my own. I had awesome neighbors to help me. So a shout out to the Sarah and Amron, Mandy and Cal, and Abby and James. I don't think it would have been very happy with out them. Luckily we carved our pumpkins the night before Casey left. It took me all Friday morning to make Boo's costume, and we finished it just in time for the party at the gardens. We then had trick or treating at Village Green, and then the ward party. By the end of the day Boo and I both had a blast. Bug just went along with the ride. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the pictures. Carving with Dad. That is a pen sticking out of the pumpkin. Mom tried to push the eye out with it, and it stuck. Boo has pizza in one hand, and her little carving tool in the other. Why is sis kissing the pumpkin? Yup, it is One Eyed Willy and Little Miss Muffet. At the gardens trick or treating. Trick or treating with our neighbor, Scarlet, who was "Little Scarlet ridding-hood."

Cute girls!

Trip to Nauvoo

During Casey's fall break, we took our first family trip, that wasn't to go see family. Um, did that make sense?....anyways... We went to Nauvoo, Illinois! Casey and I both had ancestors who lived there. It was beautiful, it was spiritual, and it was cold. So the girls are wearing hats, or have hat hair in most of the pictures. We found the plots of land our families owned. We saw how life was lived in the 1800's. I loved to hear the testimonies of the senior missionaries serving there. They were so kind to us, and our girls. I can't wait to go back when it is warm!

Boo at the statue of Christ in the visitor center. I thought this was so cute!

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Starring Bug

I've nick-named Bug "Shriek n Squall". When she is happy, she shrieks. When she is mad she squalls. I guess any way, she is just trying to be heard over her sister. Here is a video of her shrieking-um I mean laughing.

Boo Overheard

"Mom! A fly! Go hit that fly!" "Aya, don't touch me!" Boo was lying on top of Bug. And my favorite. We started potty training. I told Boo to try to go in her potty, so she could get a prize. She sat there for a few minutes and said, "Nope mom, its not working." What do you say to that? Bug is just cute. She grabs her toes, rolls over, and makes cute baby noises. That is about it. She wants to sit up so bad, but it only lasts about 3 seconds. Casey's test seemed to go well last week. But guess what, he has another one this week! He is starting to establish a good balance, has wonderful study groups, professors, and department that is helping him. Thank you to them, because that helps me. He is the president for his class. I asked if that made me first lady. He said sure, but I have no power. I pointed out I had power over his dinner. Then he said I had the ultimate power. Bwahahaha! Wait...what am I going to make for dinner this week? Truly, I need ideas!!!

When Daddy is Home

We don't get to see much of Casey during the school week. Maybe 3 hours a day. But he spends time with his girls on the weekend. He made cookies with Boo last Sunday. Count how many times she dips those little fingers into the bowl. (don't worry, we didn't give this batch out to anyone)

Boo Overheard.

Here are some cute things Boo has said today. "I'm a big girl. Mommy is a big girl. Baby Bug is a big girl. Daddy is a BIG BOY!" At lunch, "Yum, this is tastic!" (fantastic) "Look Mom! Dori!" We went to the aquarium at the zoo today. Every other fish was Dori. Playing with some kids, "Everybody, calm down okay!" (I wonder where she got that from?)

Promised Pics!

Finally, the pictures were done on Thursday. With all the tears Boo shed, the photographer happened to get some cute shots. She really didn't want to hold still. Elmo helped a bit. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

I'm back to blogging!

Moving day, we're all going crazy!

Entertaining myself while everyone unpacks.

I know the whole point of our family blog page is to keep you all posted on the happenings of our family. I'm sorry, but it has been a little crazy settling in. So here are some quick updates and pictures to admire.

*July 5, 2008 we blessed Bug.

*July 15-30 Various family members suffer strep, pink eye and ear infections. Bug was spared. *July 23rd we celebrated Casey's birthday. He celebrated with strep. *August 4 Casey went hiking down the Subway with his brothers, sister, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and a few friends. Special thanks to Chris and Jerry for arranging that amazing hike. *August 5 we packed as much as we could into a truck, trailer, and two sedans. *August 6 we drove and drove and drove and drove and drove and drove and drove........ *August 7 Bug cried as we drove and drove and drove some more. At 2:00 p.m. central time we made it to Omaha NE 68108! Our new home. Thanks to all our family who helped us get to this exciting time in our lives! We've been settling in nicely. Our townhouses are referred to, by the missionaries, as "Little Provo." Most of the folks are students going to school, and they are Mormon. I've met a few who aren't, but they are so nice and welcoming! We miss our friends, but like the song I used to sing as a brownie, "Make new friends, and keep the old. One is silver, the other gold." We live right next to the Omaha Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Naturally we bought a family pass to the zoo, and I've taken the girls there once a week. There are many little kids here and Boo is in heaven. One thing we really love out here, is the price of gas. We filled up last week with it being 3.31! And the upgrade is cheaper than the regular. We love our ward. We have heard some amazing conversion stories, and look forward to getting to know these people even more. Casey is a home teacher, but no other callings...yet. We did speak in church two Sundays ago. I took the girls to get their pictures taken at JC Pennies so tune in this weekend for a posting. Casey will be taking his oaths this Friday for his profession. I'll post pics from that too. He has been doing quite well in his classes, but I have become what is referred to around here as a "Study Widow." He studies more hours than he spends in class, but he thinks his first class went very well. Well there is a crash and smash of the last two months for us. We love you, and thank you for all the support! BUG'S BLESSING DAY

Janice made the dress.

At the pool in Kensington Apartments