Boxing Day!!!

Happy Boxing Day! Even though it's a Canadian holiday and we are in Seattle, I always like to remember and observe this day if possible. This year, Mom and I got in on some Boxing Day sales! Although they don't call it Boxing Day here, they essentially celebrate it by having after- Christmas sales at the mall. Hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy Boxing Day!

Temple Time

We have had such a fun time here in Utah for Christmas. Yesterday it was delightful to take in the gorgeous Christmas lights that completely covered the trees on temple square! We were there with Spencer's parents and our neice and nephew who are 11 and 9. Our 9 year old nephew is a very active lad and he was climbing around a little and keeping things interesting by walking in a squatting position as 'mini man.' Haha... We had a nice time there sipping the hot chocolate and admiring the various nativity scenes.

My favorite moment was as we looked at the statues of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus who were on little stands atop the reflective pool in front of the temple. It was touching to see this image there in front of the temple that is such a symbol and reminder of the blessings our church brings, and of what Christ has done for us. There was a nice spirit there.

I was expecting to hear some carollers or singing. Although there was nice recorded music, we didnt hear singing so I started singing myself, but then we heard something that definitely at least ties with carollers: a carolling bag piper! Merry Christmas!

Traditions

One of my favorite holiday traditions involves the watching of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" with my friends. This tradition goes all the way back to 1994, which for some readers may not sound that impressive. However, this was started when we were in the 7th grade. At least 2 of us have gotten together every year to watch this movie, including when most of us were serving missions.

Holiday traditions are great to bring together family and friends and to establish a common link that may have been blurred by time and distance. Watching it last night with my friends brought back great memories.

Fancy New Places for Kinders

The other day I brought in a deck of flash cards for my students. Now they're the new hit! These aren't 'Addition' or 'Subtraction' cards. I decided to spice things up between the phonics and math lessons, and grabbed my 'Explore Landmarks' set- I just snagged them from the Target Dollar Bin without much forethought... but my students ate them up!

These pictures and the information about the landmarks has added a spark of curiosity about the world that I love to see from these fresh minds. I adore how everything I offer them is so new and exciting because they're lil Kinders! This was a reminder of that. I wont be with this group in the new year, but it was fun teaching them while I did!

The Moai Monoliths off the coast of Chile were their faves.

.... Spence and I saw replicas of these at the Easter Island exhibit in another polynesian land last year- Hawaii!

Happy Birthday Char!!!!!

Happy happy happy birthday! Char, we are so glad to have you in the family. Here are some nice things we would like to say to you :)

Grampa: Charla, Time to celebrate another birthday. I love that you like to look at the big picture and then look for deeper meanings in the big picture.

I admire your creative energy and wish you the happiest birthday ever.

Nana: I love how you can make a party from any event and from any thing you have on hand. I love your enthusiasm and your infectious energy -Even when you're running on empty it's there! And I so love your infinite supplies of quotes and sayings and philosophies for any occasion.

Happy Happy Birthday!

Ian: I love Charla's ability to be both incredibly fun and totally earnest at the same time. A very difficult balance to strike, but she manages it admirably!

Melissa: Charla, I love your sense of adventure, your deep and sincere desire to do whatever you can to love and help others and your beautiful sense of humour. I also love your blog!

Jord: You are an amazing wife and mother! Thank you so much for all the hard work that you've done since this last pregnancy and here's hoping that the next few months until the end of the pregnancy will run as smooth as ever.

Linds: What I love about Char is that she has so much joy for life. She pulls so much out of every moment and appreciates the beauty of what's around her, like music and scents for example. She shows her exuberance and love of being in the moment.

Spencer: I love Charla's enthusiasm for her family and children and how she shows this love on her blog!

Beej:

-I love how Charla is always willing to look at things in innovative ways and challenge conventional thinking.

-I love how Charla is always willing to try new things and has a very adventurous spirit, like boot camp, or living in Taiwan.

-I looove Charla's sense of humour, it's top notch (and I'm not just saying that because you laugh at my jokes or because we have similar senses of humour) well maybe I am who knows but either way great sense of humour.

Rico: What I like about Charla is that she is a great listener who genuinely cares about what you are saying. And she will also provide a cool insight of her own. Plus she is fun to be around.

Wooz: Charla, you are always really fun to talk to (I wish we could more often) and I think it's awesome how many cool things you've managed to do with your life so far. And I definitely love all your life insights! You're amazing!

I hope you manage to take some time for yourself on your special day, because you are awesome and you deserve it! Here's to a fabulous day!

We need your votes!!!

Hey everyone,

Oliver's school has entered a competition to get grant money for an outdoor courtyard classroom from the Aviva Community Fund.

His school has made it into the semi-finals and they need as many votes as they can get in order to move to the next round, so if everyone could spare 2 mins to initially register and then about 30 secs for each subsequent vote then that would greatly help their cause as they are currently trailing some of the other semi-finalists in its category by only a few votes!

Anyone can vote online - you just need to register first by providing an email and a password and then after that you are allowed to vote 1X per day until the voting ends on Dec 16.

You just need to go to

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/

First register and then after you registered you can vote by typing in his school's name (Holyrood) in the search line of the upper RH corner of the page. A picture of a dog and a school will come up but don't vote for the dog!

The name of the project is "Holyrood School Courtyard Classroom". They don't have a great photo but you can read more about their project and also vote for it once you click on the picture of it.

Thanks for your help!

Bonbons at 21!!

We thought it would be fun to pool together our top 'what we like about Rach' thoughts. Here they are, with our love and wishes for a happy 21st birthday to one of the best sisters/ daughters ever!!!

One of Rach's high school friends nicknamed her "bonbons" and I've always thought that was a perfect nickname for her.
You are very fun and you make us all feel good when you are around. You've always been very determined and have a good sense of what you want to do with your life. Happy Birthday to a very fun and talented girl!
-Dad

One of the thousand things I like about you is the way you mix 'mellow' and 'determined'. Not a whole lot of people know that under your kind, calm and easy-going exterior is this amazingly focused, ambitious, uber-smart person.
Another thing I like about you is that you're not afraid to try anything! Like a hum bow at Pike Place or a black diamond ski slope or a trip to somewhere you haven't been.
And I like your smile so much.
-Mom

Rachel you are kind to the core. We love your sweet smile and gentleness. Thanks for being you!
xo
Melissa

Rachel has, as long as I've known her, a really strong sense of confidence and self-assuredness that I find admirable. I don't have a memory from this year, but her busking is a good example of that.
-Ian

What I really like about Rachel is her ability to connect with so many people. She can navigate her way through the social jungle quite easily. I also admire her for her ability to listen and to stay low-key and relaxed, but yet still showing a caring attitude.
-Rico

Woozie has always been considerate and willing to help us in many different ways, she is generous and always willing to share her talents and it is always a treat to listen to her on the violin.
-Jordan

I'm glad Rachel is my little sister because she is lots of fun. As a younger sibling she is not needy of her older sibling’s attention like I was. She is very motivated to succeed but also knows how to relax and is mindful of others in a refreshingly supportive but non-aggressive kind of way. She is a great example for all of us. Best younger sister ever!!
-Beej

I like that Rachel added Metascience to her list of interests on facebook.
-Char

Rach has such an enthusiastic spirit and great running abilities!
-Spence

I love that you’re so sociable and fun, Rach! Even as a newby here in LA last summer it was cool to see you put a party together for Canada Day. I was proud of you for being so bold, even though you could have easily made the excuse that you didn’t know many people yet. (When Rach gets an idea in her head there’s no stopping her!) It was also fabulous to hear about your adventures as a volunteer at Cedar Sinai and see you work towards your goal while balancing that with making friends. You are also so supportive of others reaching their goals. I love your spunk and fun loving spirit!
-Linds

Rach you are a treat to have in our family. Your rare ability to find fun in the run of work and achievement will continue to bring great joy and a sense of pride from yourself and all of us! Have the best birthday imaginable!

Love, us.