visitors part 2

Yesterday Hillary's Andrew came in from Alaska. She is on cloud 9. So far he seems like a great guy. He has endured the Hanaike sense of humor, Luke climbing on him and Samantha talking his head off - all with a smile on his face. Reggie is very impressed that he is an Eagle scout, and so hasn't followed through on his plan to do a background check with a couple of police officer friends. Or, wait a minute. How does Reggie know that he's an Eagle Scout? Maybe he did do a background check and Andrew passed the test. Hmm.

A couple of hours after he got here my young adult children and several cousins went to walk around the Oakland Temple and then to Fenton's for ice cream. Today Hillary introduced Andrew to Grandma and Grandpa Chandler, Grandma Hanaike and Uncle Gil. There's lost more family to go and lots of friends to meet, but I think he's up to the challenge.

visitors part 1

Yesterday morning my niece Shannon called to see if she and my niece Celeste, and their kids could come and visit for the day. It was perfect timing; not much going on. We had a blast. And I can't find my camera! There were so many picture-worthy moments.

My kids (young adults) and their kids (18 mos. - 7 years) had an epic battle; first with the batman sword and Indiana Jones whip, then with nerf guns. The little ones really enjoyed getting to know "Clester" as they called him.

Into the evening more family came, and just when dinner was ready the power went out. As the rain and wind beat against the window it was fun sitting around, visiting and playing games by candlelight. With the weather being so bad they decided to stay over and so the living room became one big slumber party.

I'm so glad that they came. It was a really fun day.

It's a good day

As some of you know, I hate when Christmas is over. And so I have been trying to come up with some things to help me be stay happy into the new year. Here is one of them - my new morning routine. I am putting it on the blog so that each morning I can listen to it and get going with life. Woo Hoo!

15 years old

Samantha had a wonderful birthday. She got her own camera, which will be a blessing for us. She got to be on the computer as much as she wanted. She got lounging around time to watch her Christmas presents - The Brady Bunch and Bewitched. She got extra love and attention from her siblings and a huge cake. Tomorrow she will be going to the mall. She is a very happy teenager.

one more project

It is 11 pm Christmas night and I have one more Christmas project to stay up late to work on.

A couple of months ago Samantha had a piece of zebra-print cloth and an old bag that she wanted re-covered/re-modeled. I told her I didn't think it would work but I would see what I could do. I went to the facbric store, got a much sturdier yard of zebra-print fabric and a pattern. I then started trying to make a new bag for her for Christmas. In the mean time Samantha saw a couple of bags in the mall that she has fallen in love with. She has been constantly talking about getting one for her birthday, which is tomorrow. Well, after already investing in the money to do the zebra bag, I was not going to go buy her another one. I figured she might be disappointed, but she would live. I started making the bag; it was harder than I thought, and because the fabric is so nice and thick, I broke 3 sewing machine needles trying to finish it last week. I finally called it "good enough" and wrapped it up for her for Christmas, even though it had a few pins in it.

When she opened it she was thrilled! She hasn't meantioned one thing about the mall bags since, but she has asked me a dozen times if I can finish the bag tonight so that she can take it to church tomorrow, on her birthday. Well, its still officially Christmas, and so I'm going to put on one last Christmas movie while I finish this present for her.

Christmas Day

homemade Christmas presents are kicking my butt!

I yelled at the sewing machine several times today, and I had no idea how long it takes to make fudge! Oh well, it will all be worth it.

first day of Christmas break

Yesterday was Samantha and Luke's first day off from school and they were in heaven.

Samantha was in her favorite spot for much of the day:



Luke had Andrew over. They played the Wii and had a nerf battle with Lester.




And of course, I had to make cookies, and I got to work on some Christmas projects. It was a great day.



And on a side note: It is always fun when Luke's friend, Andrew Porter, comes over. They've been going to each other's houses since they were toddlers, and a holiday isn't complete for any of us without a little bit of Andrew. Coincidentally, Hillary's boyfriend's name is Andrew and we are looking forward to a visit from him next week. This has caused some confusing conversations. Andrew (Porter) has gotten the most bewildered look on his face when we've teased Hillary about dating Andrew (Dobbins). The other day I asked Lester what he thinks of Andrew. (I wanted a brother-in-law's perspective). He responded that he's a nice kid, and it took a while for me to realize that Lester was referring to Andrew Porter. So anyway, we love our good buddy, Andrew, and we are looking forward to meeting Hillary's sweetheart, Andrew.

the journey home

Lester's parents drove Julia and Lester home from Utah. They left late Sunday morning and arrived here around 2:30 am, Monday. Julia said it went well; was a pleasant trip. The roads were pretty crazy, with all these storms, but they made it safe and sound and we are so happy to have them here.

The Gingham Dog & The Calico Cat

Sometimes you never know what will become a treasured tradition. Years ago, when our oldest kids were little ones, I was Christmas shopping and saw a clearance bin full of CDs. I bought a story one, even though I had never heard of it: The Gingham Dog & The Calico Cat. The kids fell in love with it and it has been a tradition for them ever since to, at least one night each Christmas, sleep in the living room, by the tree, and listen to the story. It is narrated by Amy Grant and has a nice Christmas guitar playing along. I didn't realize how important this CD was to them until we couldn't find it tonight. I started frantically searching ebay until Samantha found it. The living room is now full of matresses and they are keeping up the tradition.

David Archeleta and Captain Crane

Last night Lester's parents met Julia and Lester in Salt Lake City and they all went to a concert of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archeleta. Julia said that you could tell David Archuletta was nervous, but he sang great. The MoTab was great, and the narrator - Michael York - was also great. We found this particularly interesting because Michael York is a British actor who played a dirty old pirate in our favorite t.v. series: Avonlea. What a versatile actor. Needless to say it was a wonderful experience for Julia and Lester.

13 days

Yesterday was the 13th day that Reggie has worked straight/without a day off. The overtime is so appreciated. Today he finally had a day off and I urged him to relax, take a nap and rejuvinate. But my nephew in San Jose is having his Eagle Court of Honor tonight and Reggie felt it was really important that we go. He really wanted to support Joe and wanted Luke to see his good example. I continued to point out to Reggie that he's tired, its storming, and it would be okay if we didn't go. But he was determined. Then Julia called this morning to say that she and Lester would be getting home tonight instead of tomorrow night (yeah!) Since I have been using their room as a laundry room/sewing room/ gift wrapping room I had alot to do to get it ready. I was planning on doing an all-nighter after the Court of Honor, but Reggie convinced me to stay behind and get it done early.

So, to make a long story a little shorter, Reggie started his day off by going to church, and is ending it by picking up my brother's father in law and heading to San Jose with him and the kids. I am home, getting things done and thinking about how much I love Reggie. He really is a great man and we are very blessed.

Hillary is home!

And she went through a lot to get here. She took the train from Salt Lake City to Emeryville. She got to the depot in Salt Lake city at 11 last night, only to find out that the train was running 2 hours late. She got to Emeryville at 6:30 tonight. She sat up all night, with the pet fish she was bringing home to Luke, but did manage to get some sleep. Hillary always sees the bright side of everything; she found people to talk to and enjoyed the scenery. She said it was all worth it to get home. (The fish made it safe and sound too, and Luke is very happy.)

it's finals week and I'm exhausted!

Samantha has a huge final tomorrow for her driver's training class. I've been helping her study the California Driver's Handbook. Between this and taking Mariah to get her license last week, I must be THE BEST DRIVER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

Ms. Christmas herself

Mariah has truly caught the Christmas spirit and is making things wonderful around here. She has been working hard since August and has saved most of her money, but she is also enjoying Christmas shopping for the family. She has been so excited when she's found each gift, and she loves wrapping the packages in creative ways. She also bought some decorations for our tree.




Today she got Luke to help her make snowflakes and hung them from our living-room ceiling.


(My camera has gone missing, again, so here is a picture from the internet)

Her days are numbered around here - 23 to be exact. She is certainly making her last few weeks at home memorable.

the payoff

All of the stress of teaching another kid how to drive started paying off tonight with these wonderful words: "Mariah, please go to the store and get us some milk".

3 down, 2 to go

Mariah passed her driving test today, and I just watched her drive away on her own. Ready or not, world, here she comes!

movie time with Uncle Gil and Grandma

I am so thankful for extended family. This parenting thing would be alot harder if we didn't have so much family around, happy to help. When Luke is sick with a cold or just not feeling well on a school day, I have been able to call Grandma Hanaike. She is always happy to watch him while I still go to work. While he is at Grandma's house he always ends up having movie time with Uncle Gil. They have watched Iron Man 2 (the day it came out on DVD), Jason and the Argonauts, Mysterious Island, and more that I can't remember right now. I am starting to see a smile creep across his face, even though he's sick, when I tell him that I still have to go to work, but I'm going to call Grandma. Since he enjoys this time so much I guess I will have to watch more closely, and make sure he really is sick! Either way, we are very lucky.

Merry Christmas, 1967

My brother-in-law just posted some family pictures on his facebook, and I stole this one. It is of my mother and her 3 girls (I'm the baby, apparently trying to look into the camera), in the house we are still in today.








I also copied this one from him. Isn't she beautiful? This is my Mom, I think when she was a senior in high school. She sure looks like a 1940's movie star.

Christmas music

For the month of December it looks like the only kind of music we are listening to is Christmas music. I am still amazed that I can turn on a certain pop-radio station and hear people singing about Jesus. Its wonderful. I also love that I can find my favorite songs - even ones I remember from my childhood - on the "create your own playlist" site.

We all have our favorites.

Julia has always loved "Joy To The World" sung by Whitney Houston, with a full choir as backup. Its loud, lively, and really gets your spirit going. When she's home we crank it up and the kids jump around, singing it with all the feeling they can produce. It is a fun way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I don't know what Lester's favorite Christmas music is, but I would bet that she has him listening to this one quite often.



Luke loves the song "Believe" by Josh Grobin, from the movie "Polar Express". I think one reason is because it reminds him of good times with Hillary. They would sit on the couch singing it together. He can't wait for Hillary and Julia to come home.



Samantha enjoys songs from our "Muppet's Christmas CD". She loves the humor that they throw into their songs. She also loves "Oh Holy Night", especially the version sung by "Celtic Women" - another CD that Hillary introduced us to.



Hillary loves so many types of Christmas music, as you can tell. But one of her favorites is Frank Sinatra.



Mariah. Hmm. I don't think I know what Mariah's favorite Christmas music is! But, her favorite movie is "White Christmas". She couldn't find it for a few days and it drove her crazy! So, I will have to say that she must love the music in that movie.



Reggie enjoys Harry Conick Jr's "Must Have Been Old Santa Clause", Michael Buble's "Let it Snow", and "The 12 Days of Christmas" sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks. He has also come to love my favorite, which I will mention next, and has been listening to it while driving to and from work.


I love so many, but the one that is the most worth mentioning is Handel's "Messiah". I don't remember my parents having alot of music on in the house when I was growing up, but every Christmas they would play The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "The Messiah", with a full orchestra. I loved it then and I love it now. I think Handel was truly inspired, to be able to take verses from the Bible and make such beautiful, testimony-building music. "For Unto Us A Child Is Born", "Halleluiah!" and "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" especially bring tears to my eyes.




The next 3 weeks till Christmas might not be enough time for us to listen to all of our favorites. But we'll give it a go!

self-photography

I went to upload pictures from my camera and found that Samantha had gotten ahold of it and
taken lots of pictures. This one is a keeper:

HAPPY DECEMBER!