Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas cards and gifts have been sent. Christmas shopping is done...at least mine is (Jer is out finishing up as we speak). He always comes through with something amazing in the end, but being away quite a bit has made shopping hard for him. He informed me today that he is hoping to get the last gift he got for me in the mail tomorrow. It is Christmas Eve for our family and Santa will come to our house tonight so we can head up north to have Christmas morning with the Leonards. The kids are gone right now and the house is quite. I can smell the prime rib and potatoes in the oven that Jer has prepared for our Christmas Eve dinner. I'll say it again, I'm spoiled. I didn't know if I would have time over the next few days to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and put a few things our family has done this year.

Jeremy as most of you know took a new opportunity in his company and now is a consultant for Staker Parsons. He is enjoying the challenge of this job and feels like it pushes him to his limits and helps him to become better. The travel is hard, but we know this part is temporary. Not only has he been adjusting to a new job, but a new side of his company as well. He has had a lot on his plate this year, but manages to do all he can. In church he is teaching all the youth in our ward in Sunday School and all we hear is what a great job he does. For not having a teaching degree, he sure is an amazing teacher.

I am at home this year and feeling a little like a single mom sometimes. As hard as it has been having my husband gone most the week, we have all adjusted, and I feel like the kids and I have really bonded and learned to rely on each other in his absence. I fell closer to my kids and closer to Jer than ever. Having him gone makes me appreciate the time we have together. I am serving in the primary presidency in our ward and that keeps me pretty busy. In my spare time I have kept myself busy quilting ( a new favorite hobby), reading, and trying to keep the house in order.

Truman is 4 this year and is attending the preschool at Dixie College for the first time. He is loving going to school and I think he would stay all day if he could. He makes friends easily and wants to make everyone happy. He loves to entertain and be the center of attention. He still loves reading and will sit for a book anytime. He is staring to read himself and as a teacher I am trying to find that balance of encouraging but not pushing. He is still happiest outside and I am glad we live in warm weather so he can spend lots of time out there. He has also become quite the teaser, and like most brothers can't wait to get a reaction out of his little sister. When he's not teasing, he really is the sweetest little boy.

Prentice is 2, and as they say, going on 16. She is for sure our little princess. I can't say we don't feed into that sometimes. She seems to have us all wrapped around her finger and she is entertaining for everyone. No one can quite believe what a little character she is. She also loves to read books as well and can read a few just because she has heard them so much. She knows her letters and some of her sounds. She likes to do artistic things and will spend a long time working on projects for her age. She is very particular about things and likes things a certain way. She has a unique bedtime routine and lets us know just how she wants things done. Another accomplishment for Prentice is she was potty trained a little before her second birthday. She did it on her own and hasn't looked back. She loves her mommy and is maybe a little too attached sometimes. Nothing gets past this little girl and she plays us all to her advantage.

Here is a little about our family. Hope yours is well also. Although being a family can be hard and stressful, Jer and I always say, we wouldn't change it for anything. The chaos has become something we can't live without. We have created some great memories this year and are loving being together as much as we can. We are so grateful for this Christmas season and for the chance we have to remember our Savior. It has been fun being able to teach the kids about the true and wonderful meaning of Christmas this year. Well...it's off to dinner and then getting ready for our Christmas. Can't wait!

With Love,

The Leonards

Santa Came to Town!

The kids and I seriously think this is the real Santa taking a break from making toys at the North Pole. Prentice wouldn't go near his without Monique or we might have had a picture of her crying. Truman wanted a train, Monique a dog, and Prentice wants the Grinch.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Day in the Life

With Jer being gone so much, I feel like I am learning how to focus on the important things in my life a little more. I don't want this to sound like I am patting myself on the back, because really it was that or go crazy. I have no choice but to let things around the house go a little more and realize that sometimes I just can't keep up with it all by myself.

Today was one of those great days. The kids and I had the best time together. Nothing special. Just a day in the life of a mom.

We started off going to the gym and then headed over to the library for story time. The kids and I were talking at dinner and we really look forward to Wednesdays because it is library day. We stayed long after everyone had left and played some games on the computer and read books the kids picked out. I finally got to check out a book I had requested and can't wait to sit down and read it when I'm done blogging. Once again, I have a sink of dishes and a house that needs cleaning, but I am making a choice to worry about it tomorrow. Something I never used to be able to do!

The kids helped me get our Christmas cards ready to be sent. As you can see some of the stamps and return addresses are a little over the edge, but the kids really worked well together to get it done. It took longer, but so worth it to all do it together. I just hope that in the chaos of it all, we didn't forget to put a picture in any. After we were done, we walked to the mailbox and the kids took turns putting them in the slots. After our walk we sat down in front of the fire to read some books we got from the library. A daily routine around here that the kids insist on. Probably because it pushes naps just a little farther away.

Both the kids decided they didn't need naps so we headed out for a little Christmas shopping. Got a few more presents and also got a few wrapped. Of course both the kids fell asleep in the car while I was filling up with gas, and before we even got to the first store.

We got home and painted the wooden Christmas masks the kids got from the advent calendar and the put on plays and told stories with them until dinner. Then it was into the tub, scripture reading, and to bed in mom's bed. Wednesdays is the night they get to have a sleepover with me if they have been good. They go to sleep and then I crawl into bed a little later.

I just wanted to post about today, because today is why I am lucky to be a mother. It also taught me a little something...that my kids are much better when we take it easy and just have fun together. Sometimes I can't wait for naps, but today I was glad the kids didn't go down, because it meant we got to do more things together. Hopefully we can keep it going tomorrow.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Some of the things we've been up to the last couple weeks. December is always so busy, but we've really tried to do the important meaningful things as a family and it has made the season so much more special. I'm just not thinking about the fact that I still haven't gotten one single present for my kids yet!

I think Santa is still deciding if there is going to be some coal involved. Truman and Prentice are getting over colds and their behavior today was as good as I could ask for. Truman is on antibiotics for an ear infection that we saw the doctor for yesterday. I could hear him whimpering a couple nights ago and ignored it for a while because I thought it was our chronic night whiner, Prentice. When I went in and saw Truman curled up in a ball with the pillow over his head, I knew something was wrong. It is so like him to not even come in and get me, but to suffer by himself. This is the same child who makes it to the toilet to vomit at night and I don't even know about it until morning. I gave him some medicine and he slept with me that night until we could get him to the doctor the next day. First ear infection for either of my kids, so I've been lucky so far. I remember getting them as a kid and they are the worst, so I was proud of Truman for being so tough about it.

Last week for Family Home Evening, we went to the Visitors Center at the Temple and watched the movie, "Joy to the World," walked around the visitors center, and then went out in the pouring rain to see the nativity set up in front of the temple. As you can tell, Prentice is hating the rain, and Truman isn't bothered by it in the least.

Playing in what might be the only snow we get this year in St. George. The kids were so excited to put on their snow clothes and boots.

We also made it to the Green Valley Stake Center Nativity. I had been before, but I wanted to take Jeremy and the kids this year. It is has such a peaceful, reverent feel and each of the hundreds of nativities are so unique. It is a fun a cheap tradition that our family has started.

The kids even got to some hands on activities with some of the things that people used and worked with in Jesus' time.

Our little Joseph and Mary. The kids were thrilled they got to take the head gear home. Who wouldn't be...right? We did have to take them away shortly after leaving. I mean like dad pulled over and got out and took them away because we were having a major sibling fight over which piece of ripped up sheet was who's.

Hanging out at the clubhouse pool for Monique's 14th birthday party. It was so funny because Truman seriously thought he was just one of the teenagers. When we told them it was time to go, Truman had the emotional lip shake. Pretty sad. I was so impressed with how cute all Monique's friends were with them.

Chicken fights with the boys. I love how Truman has his elbows up in fighting position. I'm guessing this is how a chicken would fight.

Both the kids were so excited to go over to the Davis' house to make gingerbread trains and have dinner. It was interesting because out of all6 kids that were there, Prentice stayed and worked on hers the longest. Truman plopped his candy on pretty fast and was off to another adventure. And by adventure I mean a sword fight with Kai, with the fishing net.

I thought I would take a picture of the finished trains, because I knew they wouldn't stay looking like that for long. About half the candy has disappeared since we brought them home. Prentice is quick to inform everyone who sees them, that the red and white circle ones are HOT!

Ward Christmas Party

We were hesitant to go to the ward Christmas party on one of our only nights to spend as a family, but after decorating the tree we headed over. Of course Santa came for a visit and we even convinced Prentice to sit on his lap as long as she was holding Aunt Monique's hand. As you can see, these pictures were taken before Truman took the scissors to Prentice's hair.

One of our motivations was that Truman got to be a shepherd in the nativity the primary children put on. He was so serious and into the whole thing.

After I listened to this, I realized I can mostly just hear myself. Sorry. I was just trying to help out the kids!

Fun with Scissors

Buddy the red elf was at our house this morning. We think he told Santa what went on at our house last night.

It started with some scissors left over from a Christmas craft earlier in the day. Then two kids came to me with smiling faces to show me Prentice's first haircut. Truman immediately told me it was Prentice, but I knew better. Apparently kids' safety scissors work just fine on hair.

Next there were two crying kids in time out and one angry, crying mom. Every mother has to have at least one child's self haircut I guess. It was my turn, but it's still hard. Luckily we just had family pictures taken for Christmas cards.

The culprit, Truman

The victim, Prentice

Short in the front, mullet in the back.

I was so upset and couldn't stand how it looked so I called my friend Natalie right then to set up an appointment to get something done with it. I took Prentice over this afternoon and Natalie loved putting a short bob on her. I'm missing her long hair and am sad there won't be any ponytails, pigtails, or braids for a while...but I do think she still looks pretty adorable. I hope she thinks so because in my frustration last night I did tell her she looks like a boy now.

Something to look back on and laugh. Not to that point yet. In my family, long hair is the only way. It is practically a sin to have short hair, so this will be an adjustment. I just hope this is the first and last attempt of Truman trying out his hair cutting skills. I keep telling myself it could have been worse. At least there was not cuts to the scalp and there was something to work with. Last night after it happened Prentice just wanted to love me and kept saying, "don't cry mommy." Truman finally fessed up to cutting her hair and with a quivering lip before bed, told me that I had hurt his feelings. I really think they had no idea how bad this was and were actually quite proud and excited to show me what they had done.

It's Up

In the day and a half Jer was home this weekend (he had a long training week in Detroit), we got a new tree, put it up and got it decorated. We have gone back and forth on the whole real or fake tree, and this year we finally broke down and got a fake on. I feel like it will be so much cheaper in the long run and a little easier. I still miss the smell and the tradition of going to pick out a tree, so we will have to settle for real wreaths and holiday candles. I do feel like we got a good tree because we have been looking for a while and hadn't been able to find one we liked. It is 9 feet with pre lit white lights. We thought we wanted colored lights but couldn't find one, so we just added some more lights to the tree that are colored.



Why are boxes so entertaining for kids? Truman has wanted to sleep in it ever since we unloaded the tree from it.



Both the kids were able to get into the decorating this year. I was surprised that Prentice actually wanted to do it longer than Truman. This was the first year we put up our new Steinbach Christmas ornaments. They were always a tradition for me growing up on our tree, so it was fun to continue that. The kids got to take turns picking one and then having dad help them put it on the tree. Truman even got the concept of spacing them out a bit, and even had to reprimand me a couple times on my spacing.

The finished product. We still have room to add more in future years which will be fun to keep collecting some. Fun times.

Prayer Time

This is a little taste of what prayer time is like at the Leonard house. First a fight over who's turn it is to say it. Then a cute but somewhat random prayer which may include some giggling. Lots of helping and even a conversation mid prayer. I will say that some are a little more reverent, but sometimes I just have to laugh.

Long Overdue Project

I will be honest...Truman is driving me crazy sometimes. The last couple weeks I have wondered if he is going through his terrible twos right now. He is such a tease and isn't satisfied until he teases Prentice to tears or screams, or both if he can. Prentice is all to willing to scream and cry so in the end I wonder how much more I can stand of it. Please someone tell me that this is normal like my mother does to calm me down and that it's just a phase. I told Jer tonight on the phone, I am seriously questioning my parenting skills right about now. I actually question them every day, but I mean really questioning them. When I try to discipline him, he seems to think it is funny and if I finally do get him to sit in time out or punish him he gets so emotional, it takes him 20 minutes just to calm down (I know he takes after his dad). So then I feel like I have another battle on my hands. We have been doing time outs, sticker charts, watching elves, lots of activities to keep them busy, but I still feel as though I need to do something better to get through to him. He is the sweetest, funnest kid and I don't want to keep fighting with him over this. Okay, I feel better that I have vented. On to the purpose of the post.



Truman and Prentice have been wanting to do Play Dough for a couple days now, so today after lunch they got out all the stuff and played nicely together for like an hour.





Then during the time when Prentice was supposed to be taking a nap of her own, she got out all the blankets and pillows and put all her babies to sleep for naps. It was so cute because Prentice had them all in their pajamas and kept telling them she was going to shut the door so it is quieter, even though she will never sleep with the door closed. She came out about an hour later like nothing had happened with new clothes on and ready to move on to the next thing. I guess she decided she didn't need a nap today.



During Play Dough and sort of naps, I actually had time to clean up and organize Truman's room. This has been on my list of things to do for so long that it felt so good to finally get it done. I should have taken a picture of the mess before I started. I put away a lot of toys because I like to rotate them so he gets "fresh toys" every few months. I also figured that Santa may be nice enough to bring him a few things that he will need room for and probably won't mind putting away some of his old toys for a while. Honestly...how long will this clean room really last. Hopefully at least til Jeremy gets home to see it.

Meciocre Thank You

I posted a while ago about how our wonderful neighbor L'Deane had been working on a sculpture of Truman. A couple months ago she gave us the original bust of him and we put it in our hallway in a niche next to his room. I absolutely love it. It looks just like he did when she did it. It is amazing how much he has already changed since then. She has also just finished a full size likeness of him where he is sitting at the beach looking at a shell in his hand, that she has just sent off to be bronzed and then put into stores. She also came over to show me the Christmas card she designed and wrote a poem for, where she also has a picture of herself working on the full size sculpture of Truman with Truman and Prentice playing with clay in the background.

We knew there was no way to truly repay her, but we wanted to do something. This is the same lady who is constantly stopping by to give my kids treats and presents and has taken Truman to numerous movies and plans on taking him to another one tomorrow. Anyway, we decided that the only semi unique and meaningful thing we could do was for me to make her a quilt. I haven't given it to her yet, but plan on it for Christmas and her birthday which is the day after Christmas. I finished the binding on the quilt last night, and the kids and I are anxious to give it to her. Hopefully they can keep a secret for that long. I tried to do it in colors that would match throughout the house, but tried to also keep in mind that she is an artist that appreciates color and design. This patter is from the book "Strippin Away."

I actually did the whole quilt on my own until the binding and once again I went over to my friend Nedra's to get that sewn on before I hand stitched the rest. She is a talented quilter and someone I admire so much.

Angel's Landing

We spent an amazing day in Zion's National Park the day after Thanksgiving. We left for the hike at about 10 in the morning, all bundled up, thinking we had not worn warm enough clothing. About 15 minutes into our hike up the famous 5 mile Angel's Landing hike, we started to shed our layers of clothing as the sun came out. We went with Anton, Liz(who is 5 months pregnant), Lilly, Grandma Debbie, and Monique. Every time I go to Zion's I can't get over what an amazing wonder it is. I had done the Angel's Landing hike once before, when Jer and I were first married. Anyone who has done the hike knows that once you reach the sort of top, you continue to the very top by holding onto chains. It is scary to say the least. Especially if you are terrified of heights like me. I tried going up when Jer and I first hiked it and ended up about 20 up on the chains having a panic attack and having to basically be escorted down by Jer and my dad. I had tried and knew I would never do it again!

This time we all knew we weren't going to attempt the chains. We got a few surprised looks and comments from people thinking we were seriously going to take the three kids in our group up the chains. Not a chance. I won't even let Jer go up them. Having said that, it is an amazing hike up that I would recommend to anyone.

All done with the hike and ready for lunch. We did the whole thing in about 3 hours. Not bad, considering they say it is a strenuous hike that takes about 4. Even our speed hiker Anton slowed it down for all of us.

I loved how this picture turned our with the light shining down. We were all so impressed that pregnant Liz made it to the top with no problem. When we were talking about it on the way home, Jer asked me if I would have attempted it pregnant. I said I for sure would have. He proceeded to tell me that I probably would have whined a lot. Thanks babe. Wasn't it you who had me pulled up our lawn in Bountiful at 9 months pregnant. Pretty sure I didn't whine or complain then. Guess when get pregnant again, I will just have to show him what a hiker I am!

This is the view from the top, called Scout's Lookout. It is beautiful, but a little scary to look down so I had Jer take the picture.

Prentice with her easy ride in the backpack.

Truman loved climbing on all the rocks and hiding in the crevices. I love that we made it a family activity and no one seemed to mind letting the kids enjoy themselves.

This is the last part of the hike, called "Walter's Wiggles." It basically zig zags back and forth about 25 times until you reach the top.

We made it to the top!

I couldn't believe how well Truman did! He hiked the whole 5 miles (almost all up the way there) without any help. I didn't see anyone there as young as him that wasn't being carried. People would stop and ask him how old he was and what a good job he was doing. He told us a couple times that his legs were tired, so he would stop and sit on a rock for about 30 seconds. It was good motivation to keep him moving by telling him that if we didn't keep going Uncle Anton would beat him to the bottom.

What a great day! I can't wait to do it again. Maybe we will make it a Thanksgiving tradition.