"Twas the Night Before Christmas...

We spent Christmas Eve morning with Cherie & Co. The kids wanted to open their cousin gifts right after we walked in the door, but we wanted to build up excitement a little. So we asked the kids to prepare a nativity play for us. Elizabeth diligently directed the production (despite some pretty disinterested 3-year-old shepherds) and they told us the story of Christ's birth very sweetly. Then it was on to the presents. Transformers for the boys and Littlest Pet Shops for the girls.

Then, after a trip to Cherie's friends house to see some quail eggs hatching, we decorated cookies for Santa.

After returning to Elk Grove we had our traditional clam chowder in bread bowls at Barbara's house. Yummy!

Then we went home to put out our stockings and open our Christmas Eve door on our advent calendar.

Their Christmas Eve presents to open. Two fun new books.

The Polar Express

We were lucky to be able to take a ride on The Polar Express with Bryan's family this year. The kids were so excited to ride on the train. It takes off from Old Town Sacramento and they serve hot chocolate and cookies, the conductor punches your ticket, they read the story of The Polar Express and they play fun music, all while you ride to the North Pole.

Then Santa comes aboard and hands out bells to all of the excited kids (and adults).

A good time was had by all and I think the kids will remember it for a long time. It was a very fun way to add to the holiday excitement.

Seeing the Head Honcho

Our neighbors, Mike and Carol, invited us to their Elk's Lodge Christmas party to see Santa. They got fun balloons and face (and arm) paint.

Santa showed up in a fire truck and the kids ran out to say hello. Then they waited patiently to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Rachel was very serious about this and took time to make sure Santa understood all she had to say. She told him she wanted a doll house, a mermaid doll with a moving tail and a Barbie. Ben was another story. Last year he refused to be in the same room with Santa. But I told him that he needed to tell Santa what he wanted to get, so he bravely allowed Santa to put him on his lap. He refused to look at him, though, and he gave very short, fast answers to all of Santa's questions. He wanted a real football and transformers.


When they were done the kids each got a stocking full of fun things and we left to go home. On our way home the kids emptied their stockings. Ben seemed very disappointed and he said, "I told Santa I wanted a football and he didn't give me one." Apparently I didn't explain the way things work very well.

Gingerbread House

I love doing a gingerbread house with the kids each year. They had to be very patient this year because the kit I bought required hours of drying time before we could actually decorate, so what was going to be a fun Saturday project became a fun Sunday project. They did a great job this year as we tried to follow one of the pictures on the box.

Ten minutes after the picture was taken....

And yes, those are finger marks on the roof. It was a nice, nutritious lunch!

Thanksgiving 2009

We started Thanksgiving day with the 1st Annual Morden 5K at Elk Grove Park. The kids did a short race first, which they loved. Then Robyn, Kim and I walked/ran 3 miles while the kids and Bryan played. It was a lot of fun and we plan to do it again next year.

Our tradition is for the kids to make a colorful paper turkey to stuff with slips of paper listing the things we are thankful for. They had a good time cutting, coloring and gluing as always. I especially love the huge goggly eye they chose.


Robyn swiping an olive just before dinner.

Bryan carving the smoked turkey.

Dinner was fantastic with yummy pies to follow. We thoroughly stuffed ourselves then played games and went for a walk. Overall, a very nice day. I'm so thankful for all of the blessings I enjoy. Each year I find the things I am most grateful for include my family, my faith, my citizenship and the many experiences I have each year that allow me to learn and also to enjoy while on this earth. I do wish all my family were closer. Sure miss you all!

Apple Hill

We took the kids to Apple Hill for the first time on one of Bryan's furlough Fridays. We went to High Hill Farm where they offer fishing. The kids were so excited to hold the fishing pole. It was very easy to catch a fish, so we quickly caught two rainbow trout.

The proud little fish catchers...

We had a fun day looking at all the craft booths and just enjoying the fresh air. And to top it off, we found a caramel apple cider milkshake that was so incredibly delicious that it is bound to become a Morden family tradition.

Halloween Day

Halloween was on a Saturday this year so I thought it would be fun to wait and carve the pumpkins Saturday afternoon. Rachel was very excited to be able to draw her own face and help carve. Ben drew his pumpkin's nose (kind of).

Rachel was hamming it up for the camera with her glowing ghost and Ben is playing in the background with his Halloween sword from Gma Morden. We went outside a little early and realized it wasn't quite dark enough to start trick-or-treating so they played for a while.

Here is a shot that shows our ghosts we made for the tree, which surprisingly survived a heavy wind storm in mid-October. I loved doing Halloween crafts with the kids and now look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Trunk-or-Treat

Another year of fun at the ward trunk-or-treat. Rachel was a fairy who refused to wear her wings and Ben was Spiderman who refused to wear his mask. Oh well, they had a good time dancing to the music, getting their faces painted, getting cupcakes in the cake walk, and pulling whistles out of the fishing pond. Then, of course, it was time to get down to business and get some candy.

Oh the pure joy!

"Don't take my picture mom!"

French Braids

I had to document my first attempt at french braiding. I have to say I am pretty proud of myself. My MIL braided my hair like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for a movie-themed Bunco, and the next day Rachel really wanted to be like mommy and wear the blue ribbons. So I thought I would give it a try. I may not have the patience to try it very often, but at least I now know I can do it. And she sure did look cute!

OUCH!!

Rachel, Ben and I went to the library to return some books. The kids love to take turns opening the heavy metal return slot, putting the books in, and closing it to let the books drop. Well, they weren't doing the best job of taking turns, and Ben ended up slamming the door shut on Rachel's finger. And, oh boy, was there a lot of blood! I don't usually get very nervous about the kids' injuries, but this time I was a little concerned and a little panicky. Luckily there was a very helpful librarian who helped clean and bandage Rachel up. We went to the doctor that afternoon and she ended up needing three stitches. She was quite the trooper through it all, even the doctor was impressed. I read her some Junie B. Jones while he stitched her up and we got frozen yogurt to ease the pain. This shot is one week later, just after the stitches were removed.

Kobe Camille

Bryan's family calls me Kobe Camille. Being Sacramento Kings fans, we do not care for the game-winning expertise of the Laker's Kobe Bryant. My in-laws feel the same way about me and my tendency to win at many of the games we play together. While Bryan's grandma was in town we were able to go on the Delta King on the Sacramento River for a Murder Mystery Dinner. (If you've never been to one, I recommend you take the opportunity as it was a total blast.) There were three murders played out by the actors who could just be sitting at your table with you. As dinner progresses, you try to solve the mystery of who the murderer was and why. Well, being very competitive, I paid close attention to see if I could win the prize for figuring it out....and Kobe Camille struck again!

So much fun! Thanks Bryan for watching the kids so the girls could have a great night out and thanks to GG for making it possible. We always love your visits!

Pumpkin Patch

It's time again for pumpkins and hay rides. Bryan's grandma was visiting from Utah for the weekend and joined us at Fog Willow Pumpkin Patch in Wilton.



Poor Rachel ended up having a fever once we got there. She was kind enough to pose for this photo, but wasn't able to do much more. At least she got a pumpkin out of the deal. I really love Halloween and I can't wait to carve the pumpkins!

At least once a day Ben says, "I want it to be Halloween." Patience is not his forte. This year (as long as no one changes their mind) Ben is going to be SpiderMan and Rachel is going to be a fairy.

Bryan's Birthday Present

Bryan has been wanting a fountain for our backyard for a while now. After lots of craig's list watching and nursery store shopping, he decided he could build one himself with his birthday funds. It was a little more work than he had anticipated. The second, larger pot is the original fountain, which unfortunately cracked when Bryan dropped it. But in the end, the fountain turned out beautiful and is a very nice addition to our backyard. Bryan has put a lot of effort into the yard and we are enjoying it immensely.

Tu-Tus and Tap Shoes

I got to sit in on Rachel's second ballet/tap class. Just as I suspected, she is loving every second of it. She loves that she gets to take the class with her cousin too. They are so darn cute in their little outfits.


Trying to get that 3rd position.

I had a friend once tell me that she couldn't decide what her favorite childhood stage was, and I'm beginning to understand. Every new stage is so much fun, being able to watch Rachel learn and grow. Of course my friend didn't have teenagers at the time...

Camping at Sly Park

We finally took a family camping trip. We went up to Sly Park which is only about an hour and half away. I didn't realize how beautiful it was up there. For those who know me well, they know that I am not a camper. But I realized that I have been missing out on so much and will definitely be taking more camping trips in the future. It was so much fun to let the kids explore, build fires and have s'mores, throw rocks in the lake, and just relax and enjoy nature. I got to go on a run through the woods, and wish I were back there right now!

Of course, camping is dirty. While Bryan was setting up camp, Rachel fell into the fire pit and got ashes all over herself. Luckily there was nothing hot in there yet and she learned her lesson before it could do much damage.

What could be better than roasting marshmellows? Mmmm...s'mores.

Dirty, but happy, kiddos! Good times, good memories!