A Totally Awsumb Christmas

"For unto you is born this day

 in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord."

2001

“And there were in the same country

shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flocks by night.”
2002

The Other Wiseman,

Having given away all he had,

Learned the most important gift

We have to give is Love.
2003

I played my drum for Him

pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
2004

The Night Before Christmas...

2005

You better not pout, you better not cry

You better not shout, I'm telling you why!

2006

Santa Claus is coming to town...

2007

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

2008

Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart,

you won't find it under the tree

2009

Dreaming is Believing!

2010



Merry Christmas!

Love,

Kenneth, Wendy

 and Awsumb 

Duffy! 

Santa at Disneyland Ranch

Pluto the Reindeer? 

Minnie - Soarin' Over California! 

Pluto - Awsumb's favorite!

Winnie the Pooh!

and Tigger Too! 

Toy Story Mania! 

Last, but not least...

The Tower of Joy!

And this is my reaction when I realized I wouldn't have my photos back in time to send out Christmas Cards in a timely manner... sooooo.... here's a sneak preview! 

Disneyland Christmas Day 3

Although we woke up at 6:00am and planned to get right over to the park it was still 8:30am by the time we arrived.  The sun was already feeling pretty warm and I knew Awsumb would be miserable in long sleeves.  I hadn't planned on it being oveer 80 in December!  So I stopped In Disney Clothiers on Main Street and found a cute baseball Mickey baseball t-shirt for Awsumb. This store always had great finds and a different selection that The Emporium.

We ran through Space Mountain a couple times with only 5 minute waits. Then over to Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn and finally to see Small World Christmas.  We had hoped Monday would be slow, but it was still super crowded, evidenced by the lines in Fantasyland. So we chose Peter Pan and Snow White before heading over to Pirates!  Kenneth decided to make quick reservations at Cafe Orleans this day because they have some of the same menu items as Blue Bayou. This is the second time I have been there and once again the service was terrible. Kenneth never even received his soup and was served the wrong entree.  There was no attempt to make things right and well, next time we will just go back to our usual Blue Bayou tradition.

Awsumb wanted to see Pooh and Friends, so we headed over there while Kenneth picked up some Fast Passes.  We made it through just before they closed off the line to see Pooh and Tigger.  Back over to Thunder Mountain Railroad x2 and over to play at the shooting gallery.

The crowds were pretty thick as we headed over to Indiana Jones & The Jungle Cruise.  The line to get a dole whip was nuts and I was about ready to start thinking about making our way too the airport. The cool treat refreshed us and Kenneth talked us into one last trip through Space Mountain so we could use Fast Passes we had picked up that morning. By the time we got back to the hub we caught the end of the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Kenneth put Awsumb on his shoulders and we followed the last parade float down mainstreet!  What a fun way to say goodbye to Disneyland and all our fun last minute Christmas visit!

Although it was only 5:30 the park was closing at 6pm for a special evening event.  Half the exit gates were closed as they set up for the next event... So it was a major bottle neck to get out of the park.  5 minutes after we left the park the magic was over and the craziness of the lasty 72 hours caught up with me. I  was super tired and well, DONE!  A limo service responded to our taxi request and our driver took us to the airport in record time just before the main evening traffic.  And I won't even get into the nightmare we had with our returning flight... that's another story, but by midnight we were finally

sleeping snuggly

 in our beds with

dreams of Dole Whips

and Mickey Bars 

dancing in our heads!

California Christmas Adventure Day 2

After only a couple more hours of sleep than we got the night before, we ended up with a later start than we planned for Day 2 and by the time we got to Disney California Adventure it was about 10:30.  There wasn't as many Christmas decorations because so much of the park is under construction with all the new Cars Land coming 2012.  And because it was Sunday we thought there would be lower crowds... no such luck as this really was the busiest December to date.

We waited entirely too long for our Disney Visa Meet and Greet.. come on, can't they bring in anyone else besides Pluto and the Chip and Dale?  Maybe change up the characters yearly?  After a quick ride through Monster's Inc. and Muppets 3D we were already getting hot and hungry.  We didn't pack prepared for the sunny 80 degrees days! 

Because it was the holidays we decided to gorge ourselves on a TurkeyLeg!  This is a once in a lifetime experience... and I mean, something you need to only experience once in a lifetime!

We found Santa on the pier in a beautiful victorian coat.  The sun made for such surreal photos!  We are used to seeing Santa on a dreary rainy day!  And I think even Santa must have been enjoying that warm sun, just looked at his sunburned cheeks!

And that's when we found Duffy The Disney Bear!  Who went everywhere with us the rest of the trip!

We walked on Screamin' with no wait  but because we were tired and feeling hot none of us felt like going on three times in a row like our previous visit... So we decided to get the big wait over with for Toy Story Mania. Why they can't put this on Fast Pass I'll never know!  We should have skipped the Visa Private Meet and Greet and just headed right to Toy Story - live and learn!

By then we were ready for a break and decided to have lunch at Storytellers.  I think Kenneth only really loves this place because of the bread... can we say mini wonder bread loaves?  I admit I even ate a piece!  Awsumb and I love the chicken corn chowder!

After lunch we found Minnie outside Soarin' in her flight get up and used FP to walk onto Soarin' Over California - a family favorite.

Awsumb was begging to go to the Animation Academy.  Why have we never done this?  Probably because we were in Playhouse Disney!  That's the thing about Disney, if you think there is something you have grown out of there is always something to grow into!  I have no artistic ability, terrible handwriting and can't even draw a stick figure. But just look at this Mickey and Pluto! 

 Ok, so Pluto looks more like Goofy!  But it was fun. I was suprised how many people threw these out. What fun FREE souvenirs!

And here's Awsumb's! 

(I gotta scan these in.. check back!)

That's  right, we went to two classes. Awsumb could have done this all evening!  But we pulled ourselves away to join the party at ElecTRONica!  They were showing a special TRON preview in the Muppets theater.  Looks pretty nerdy, but my boys are excited for it.  

And finally time for MY favorite ride in the park - The Tower of JOY!

Awsumb was tired and even more traumatized than usual.  So we popped into Bugs land to ride the Tuck n' Roll bumper cars. it's simple, but I think he loves it because he can ride in his own car!  And even better because Duffy was his passenger!

Back to the ElecTRONica party to get a front row spot to see Laserman!  Forget World of Color - Go to Laserman!  OK not a fair replacement, but very entertaining!

We had late reservations at Napa Rose and didn't want to be late to see Auntie and Uncle!  We were so glad to see them and have a chance to relax.  Dinner was AMAZING, of course!  Awsumb didn't make it to dessert, which was too bad for him becase the apricot sorbet was so refreshing!

We made it back to our room after 10pm where we hoped to get some sleep before our last day.

A Very Disney Christmas! Day 1

Saturday ~ Disneyland ~

After staying up all night and waking Awsumb early in the morning to get to the airport and reveal The BIG Disney Surprise, By the time we checked into the hotel and got over to the park it was about 11am.  First up you gotta get your Christmas Mickey Ears!  The best value in the park for sure. Awsumb has a few different colors and styles.  Isn't this Christmas plaid so cute? 

Disneyland was all decked out for the holidays! 

The big tree was beautiful! 

So we had to get a few family pictures.

Although I had seen pictures of the castle at Christmas,

 I was still amazed at how beautiful it was! 

At night it looked like an ice castle.

The park was SUPER crowded. 

And we skipped fantasyland altogether. 

Somehow we weave our way through the crowds to

 

The Jungle Cruise  (check our Weird Al's sade tale of Skipper Dan!)

Because we had been up since 3am after Pirates we were ready for lunch at the Blue Bayou.  After lunch it was time to get this Christmas party started at the Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Kenneth made a silly joke and the fast pass attendant sent us through to the front of the line!

Then it was off to ride Big Thunder Mountain or as we call it the Wildest Ride in the WEIRDerness!    Awsumb spotted Woody and Jesse from Toy Story on the way and we had to get a photo. 

And finally it was time to go to the Disneyland Ranch for a Visit with Santa.  Lot's of locals, but the line wasn't too long and Santa's cabin was pretty cute.  Awsumb asked Santa to surprise him!  Obviously he is well cared for and doesn't have a want in this world! LOL!  Mrs. Claus was also there and we were so looking forward to seeing her.  By the time it was our turn she had some cookies burning or something and dissapeared!  insert frowny face!

Awsumb did get to see Pluto, who was was having an identity crisis. The ranch had some animals including the 2009 Thanksgiving Turkey pardoned by the President.  (Did you know they sent them to Disneyland?  How do you think they make those giant smoked turkey legs! Just Kidding!)  We also saw all Santa's favorite Reindeer and Awsumb thought that was a lot of fun.  It was hard to take photos of the real reindeer, because they had set up such a protective barrier to keep them safe from kids I guess, and all I ended up with was butt shots, so here's Awsumb and PLUTO

Fantasyland was a mad house and we headed over to the Matterhorn. When the rickitiest ride in the park breaks down when your in line and you stay in line because that makes it all the more exciting you know your an addict.  We enjoyed some treats like a Mickey dream bar and ended up with a pretty resonable wait. 

We got off just in time to catch the  Christmas Parade from the raised parade viewing by small world.  I think we waited longer for the parade to get to us than for any other rides on our trip!

And finally Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear and it was getting dark - time for fireworks!  We were looking forward to the special Christmas display.  After picking the perfect spot to eat dinner with a great view of the castle we waited and waited and well, 30 minutes after they were supposed to start we found out they were canceled due to winds (which must have been way up high!?!)  Seriously, there was not even a breeze!

All the waiting and well, you can see Awsumb was dead tired.  We decided to call it a day when he woke up and begged to go on Indiana Jones before we left the park.   We obliged because we had fast passes.  And after a quick ride through Pirates again we finally got back to our hotel about 11pm.

Here are just a few quick iphone shots.You can see we only managed about 18 attractions.  Definately not our usual routine. Did I tell you it was very crowded?  But a great first day.  The boys fell asleep the moment they hit their pillows.  Day 2 -3 coming up...

Duffy The Disney Bear!

 The Story of Duffy The Disney Bear

One day, Mickey Mouse was getting ready

to set sail on a long sea voyage.

Minnie Mouse made him a special teddy bear

to take with him so he would never be lonely.

Minnie presented her hand sewn bear

to Mickey in a duffel bag.

Mickey loved the bear and named him Duffy.

As Mickey and Duffy sailed on their journey,
they visited all sorts of exciting places
and make new friends along the way.
At the end of their travels,
they sailed back home
for a wonderful reunion with Minnie.

Mickey and Duffy shared their magical
memories and photos with Minnie,
who was thrilled that Duffy was such
 a great friend and companion for Mickey.

Where will you take your Duffy?

Duffy is all the rage in Tokyo.  And isn't he so cute?  He's soft, cuddly and a classic.  We just fell in love with him and had to bring one home!  Awsumb carried this giant teddy bear all over Disneyland. He went on all the rides including California Screamin' (which goes upside down), The Matterhorn and Space Mountain.

Because Duffy is new at Disney's California Adventure the cast members give you lots of attention and say things like, "I like your Duffy Bear" or "That's sure a big Duffy Bear."  Which of course Awsumb just loved.  And if you are lucky enough to get to hold Duffym Awsumb will give you these instructions each and every time he hands him over to you, "Hold him under the arms (I guess so his head doesn't pop off?), rub his tummy and scratch him behind the ears!" 

Awsumb sure enjoyed carrying around his new best buddy.  And apparently he makes a great pillow if you happen to fall asleep before dessert at Napa Rose with Auntie and Uncle!

And at the end of the day,

that's what makes the perfect teddy bear.

Have you hugged Duffy yet?

Surprise! We're going to Disneyland!

About a week ago Kenneth asked me, "So what would you rather have for Christmas?  Those earrings we saw the other day or a quick trip to see Disneyland?"  Was he serious?  My reaction was pretty much like Awsumb's as seen below.  Once I realized Kenneth was serious we decided to plan this as a surprise for our little boy.  This also meant and early Chrstimas gift for me!  And I got to open my new Mickey Dooney and Bourke a little early! 

This little secret of ours was so hard to keep!  We had lots of last minute arrangements to make and frankly Kenneth and I were so excited we could hardly stand it!  But we knew Awsumb would get more work done at school and if we were ever going to pull off a suprise trip to Disneyland this would be it!

We packed our bags and woke up at 3am to drive to SeaTac.  Awsumb was so sleepy and it wasn't until we were almost to the airport that he started asking questions about where we were going....

And that's the story of our decision to break all our own rules and go to Disneyland at Christmas.  2010 has turned out to be the parks busiest December to date.  And because a day at Disneyland can mean at least 10 miles of walking we never plan to visit the park on an airport day. This is not something I recommend doing with young kids or old parents! LOL!  After two airports in one day I really prefer a swimming pool, shopping and a nice dinner. 

Because we are Annual Pass holders this year we weren't too worried about missing out on anything and knew this would be a great trip since we were really going to visit Santa and see Disney decorated for Christmas.  So it was ok for us that this would be less than a 72 hour trip.

And although it really was extremely crowded Saturday, Sunday and even Monday, it was warm and sunny... 80 degrees highs!  Honestly, we would have loved a little rain because we are so used to rain anyway and rain at Disney means low crowds.  But it did feel good to feel the sun on our face!

Check back for our trip report...

The Gift of Nothing

Last year I talked a little about not letting the Grinch steal your Christmas and my own journey from stressful to joyful holidays.  I think most of the stress people feel around the holidays is self inflicted. Stress about shopping, making the most perfect handmade gifts, or even having the most perfectly decorated house!  If these things don't make you happy, stop complaining about them and simply don't do them! 

When I decorate for the holidays my family room feels complete. But years ago I sorted through and kept only my most favorite items including, books, nativity, and ornaments.  This way when I open up these boxes each year I am excited to set out each item and think about it's meaning to me.  You can see some of them in last years blog Deck The Halls.

But there is one small thing I worry about each year.  What to send all of our siblings. We live so far away that we can't just make it a point to spend time with them. So sending them something is our little way of being there.  Years ago we tried to find family fun night type of activities. Then for a few years we thought we could start a tradition of sending a Christmas book each year, but soon had trouble finding that 'perfect book.'  For now it's sending Christmas music as it's something Kenneth likes best.

A year or so ago we found this little book, The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell.  Mooch wants to give his best friend Earl the perfect gift.  But Earl has everything.  SO he spends all this time trying to come up with something... and finally puts NOTHING in a box and delivers it to Earl.

 Earl opens the empty box and exclaims,

"There's nothing here!" 

"Yesh!"said Mooch.

"Nothing...but me and you."
So Mooch and Earl just stayed still
and enjoy nothing
and everything.

I know I talked about Being Present last year.  But, I really do think about it all the time and how being present is the best gift we have to offer. To really BE present to our family takes sacrifice and selflessness as we give up some of our own dreams fulfull theirs. 

This year my Aunt and Uncle are coming to spend Christmas with us again.  Although I already know they are bringing a super special Christmas gift that every 9 year old wishes they had, the best gift they are bringing to our house is the gift of their presence! 

Every December we visit a few of our favorite families in the area and find their homes stuffed with their children.  And more recently with children who have returned home with their own children so they can all share Christmas together. For many of the years that Kenneth and I were trying to have a child we often went home and found ourselves in tears, wondering if we would ever be able to fill our home with children, let alone grandchildren.

To have my house filled up with family is such a miracle and I hope the Hardy's will visit for Christmas again sometime as well as my own parents. Then we can truly enjoy eachother's presence!

Of course this isn't enough if your 'love language' is receiving gifts! But that's another blog.  Although I fall into this category, you should know it's the bow that matters!  The smallest gift makes me happy as long as it's tied with a pretty ribbon! ;)

Click here to read about more of our favorite Christmas Books

I hope this year we can be still and enjoy nothing...

and everything, together.

Love Is A Mix Tape

The story goes something like this... On one of our first 'dates' (if you can call it that), I leaned over and switched off Kenneth's precious radio and that was the end of the soundtrack of his life!

If I remember right, we were having a heated discussion, but I didn't consciously do this to get his full attention or something... I just did it.  The thing is sometimes music in the background just winds me up or distracts me.  Sometimes we listen to music in bed and I finally just have to turn it off because I will stay awake listening to it and never let myself fall asleep!

Kenneth's love of music started at an early age.  By age 7 he was painting his face and making carboard guitars and rocking out to KISS (Ya, I bet that freaked his mom out!) and then of course there was Billy Joel and Olivia Newton-John!  He found his voice in Jr. High choir classes and by High School performed with the Granger Madrigal's and On Stage (a performing group connected to a local dance studio.)

Kenneth likes just about all music (even country, which I can't stand  - yuck!) and has quite the collection.  I am so sick of finding bottle caps and pieces of carboard piled on his desk because they include free music download codes!  Thank goodness for music subscriptions like Rhapsody! 

When we were first married Kenneth actually sung in a grunge band. The grunge scene became popular while he served and LDS mission and though he didn't care for it he wrote some lyrics and sung as the lead singer to help out a friend. I never even saw him perform because I wasn't 21 and couldn't get into the private club's where they performed. Kenneth didn't really like singing in smokey clubs and it didn't last. 

If Kenneth didn't have to work at Mircrosoft to earn the big bucks to support his demanding wife, he would like to grow up to be Ben Folds (a modern day Billy Joel).  In the meantime he makes a mean mix tape!  He has been making mix tapes for me since before we were really “together.” Over the years he makes them with current old and even traditional vocals like Frank Sinatra and creates a story that’s relevant to what we are going through in our relationship, for special road trips, etc.

He made a CD for Awsumb once that included super hero theme songs and ended with the song Never A Better Hero, which he is often asked to sing in church. It’s a contemporary LDS song about Christ being the greatest hero. Who would think to add the spider-man theme song with a hymn? Kenneth!

If I ask Kenneth to do any random household chore, he takes more time selecting 'just the right music' for the job, than it would have taken for me to do that task myself!  And like father like son, Awsumb LOVES music and has it playing 24-7 when he's hanging out in his room or around the house. I actually had to draw a line on his kids CD player when he was 2 so he woundn't turn it up too loud!  So, although from MY perception we always have music on in the house...  I guess Kenneth seems to think I'm always  switching it off.  I just get sick of songs really fast (and don't tolerate much but alternative). 

Check out the book Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time  by Rob Sheffield 
Kenneth and I think the audio version should come with the soundtrack!

I guess this new generation no longer uses the term "mix tape" as we all just make "play lists" on our ipods or music players these days... Kenneth often gives me mix tapes at Christmas, Valentines or Anniversaries. The truth is I look forward to them as much as any other sparkly something he might give me (but don't tell him that!). Kenneth just had a way with coming up with great themes and putting songs together.

A few years ago, during a very trying time in our life Kenneth began a mix tape he called The Comeback that began with The Mixed Tape by Jack's Manneuin.  The song ends with this line,
"And this is my mixed tape for her,
It's like I wrote
every note
with my own fingers."

And because I know he can't spend all day writing music, it means a lot that he takes the time to make these for me! Thanks Kenneth!

Mixed Christmas

Because Kenneth makes the best mixed tapes ever, I have asked him to guest post:

At Christmas time, we usually just have music playing from the family room stereo so it can be heard all over the house.  Having all this Christmas music on doesn't mean that we can't get tired of some of it.  For example, one of the classics (in my opinion) is the Chipmunks Christmas.  Awsumb and I love it, but Wendy can't stand it.

It's easy to get sick of the best Christmas songs because all the stores barrage us with the same 10-20 songs, mostly of the secular variety.  Some of these songs are good ones...  but with the overwhelming volume of good Christmas music out there, it's surprising that we hear these same songs over and over.

Straight No Chaser nailed this problem in their song The Christmas Can-Can which takes a light-hearted jab at our Christmas shopping experience.  So this year, I made a "No Fruitcake, Please!" playlist, inspired by this track.  I wanted to make a list of great non-traditional Christmas songs or non-traditional performances of traditional songs. 

Here's this years list (all of these tracks are available on Zune, Rhapsody, or iTunes):

The Christmas Can-Can, Straight No Chaser.

Christmas Is Starting Now, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Ha!  Wendy liked this song a lot until she heard it came from a kid's show.  Seriously, though, do you watch Phineas and Ferb with your kids?  It is hilarious -- and I hope inspires kids to think big.  This is a great song from their great Christmas episode.

A Great Big Sled, The Killers.  This song is all about remembering magical life is through the eyes of a child.  Making snowmen, sledding, rolling down a hill, and imaging a flight on Santa's great big sled are all part of the magics.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,  Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLachlan.  This is maybe the darkest traditional Christmas song there is, which is probably why BNL (a bunch of Jewish guys) perform it so often. This awesome track gets heavy rotation at my house every year. (For Halloween, their version of Disneyland's Grim Grinning Ghosts…)


(And Barenaked Ladies aren't really naked...  or ladies.)

The First Noel, Weezer.  If you pick up a Christmas album from your favorite artist, you often hear lots of secular "holiday" type songs, plus Santa and Rudolph.  This Weezer EP is the exception by being almost exclusively sacred tracks.  (Okay, they threw in a splash of figgy pudding...)  So, it's got the Weezer sound, but still sounds reasonably reverent.

River, Sarah McLachlan.  I think that once in a while we can all feel lonely at Christmas, even surrounded by our family. Many songs cover that ground ("Blue Christmas", etc.) but this song (originally by Joni Mitchell) is really sad and really pretty. Listening to it I imagine myself in the cold woods and I can see my breath rise through the empty branches of the trees.

You'll Never Find My Christmas, Bishop Allen.  Yeah, it's from the Target ad but you'll probably never hear it in their store! They have an entire cd of good holiday stuff on their website, including Guster, one of our favorite bands.  Follow this link to Target's site and you can download the whole album for free!  The tv ad with this song shows people looking around for presents… and this is a reasonable interpretation of this song, but I think it means something that they never say "you'll never find my Christmas gift". Because their "Christmas" is more than that...

(And Bishop Allen isn't a bishop.)

Merry Christmas Everybody, Oasis

The Christmas Song, The Raveonettes.  A modern-indie-surfer music take on "Let it Snow" or "Baby Its Cold Outside" with a little extra trance thrown in.

Boots, The Killers.  Didn't U2 already do a song with the word "Boots" in the title in the last five years?

(And The Killers aren't really U2, but they can sure sound like it sometimes.)

Away In A Manger, Sufjan Stevens.  Sufjan ("Soof-yan") Stevens is classified as "chamber pop" and when you hear it, that should make sense. It sounds like some hipster college kids grabbed random instruments at a museum and made some great music. This is from a four cd set and its full of really neat music. Away in the Manger is probably my absolute favorite Christmas song and this version is uniquely beautiful.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel, House Of Heroes.

Wish List, Neon Trees.  (Free download on iTunes.)

Peppermint Winter, Owl City.  Owl City is like a bizarro-world Death Cab for Cutie, take soundalike vocals and pair them with super bright lyrics (instead of reasonably down ones). Okay, you might not admit it, but you remember that "Fireflies" song...  What other group could make a lyric like "I slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face" sound so happy? Every track they record bounces like a cartoon bunny in springtime. You might think this is the official song for "Christmas in July", until they ask "What's December without Christmas Eve?"

Home For Christmas, Cavo.  This is not your mother's "Home for Christmas", but I think it carries the same feeling of longing to be with loved ones for the holidays.

Christmas Lights,  Coldplay

I Believe in You, Sinéad O'Connor.  The world is quickly becoming a world of unbelievers. As if faith is something you grow out of, like belief in Santa Claus. I was surprised to find out it was written by Bob Dylan and probably not intended as a Christmas song, but it fits, as the story of someone trying to share in a town that won't believe has always been very powerful to me.  It's maybe my favorite song for the season.

There you have it...  our Christmas list for 2010.  What do you think?  What are your favorite Christmas songs?  (I'm always looking to add new stuff to our holiday music collection.)

To read about more of Wendy's favorite Christmas Music go to The Sounds of Christmas