Now is the time to drown my sorrows in movies

Yes, the post holiday blues are hovering over me now that Christmas is over and the kids are heading home.  I have some plans to battle the blues however.  First of all, knowing that Julia and family are staying helps.  Secondly, I plan on being a couch potato at home and at the movies watching season 3 of the sitcom "Ellen" (not to be confused with her talk show), The Hundred Foot Journey, Magic in the Moonlight, Belle, and anything else that looks interesting.  At the theatre it will be the Hobbit for Reggie and Luke and Annie for me and Samantha.

And there are always things to look forward to in January, right?  I've decided that in between all it's practicality it will be a scrapbooking month - that always makes me happy.  AND, best of all, we get to welcome another granddaughter in the spring, in Utah, and we all know that Utah is my Mecca/my Tara/ a place where I rejuvenate and get my strength.

So Happy New Year Everyone!

One last look at Christmas

We successful surprised Ross by having him
"help pick out a shirt for Andrew" which turned
out to be a shirt for him.

We successfully surprised Luke by giving him a
bag of apples, which he wasn't exactly thrilled about until he found the Apples I-Tunes gift
card inside.

Julia's homemade crescents were a huge success! -
especially the chocolate ones!

goodbye Hillary, Andrew & Audrey!

Auntie Mariah, Uncle Ross

Seems like forever ago that Mariah and Ross were here, or that the week before Christmas happened at all.  But it did and it was amazing.  Here are a couple more pictures that we took while in the city.  One thing I don't think I got a clear photo of to document the occasion was how much the babies love  Auntie Mariah and Uncle Ross.  Audrey is clearly attached to them - and while I miss all of them living in Utah, I am glad that the Lasts and Dobbins of our family have each other there.  It was also fun to see Addy & Isla bonding with them as well this Christmas.  Some day I'm sure they will add grandchildren to the mix as well, but right now their lives are very fullfilled with school, work and being a wonderful Auntie Mariah and Uncle Ross.

by the sea

The last 2 Sundays we took walks by the beach.  The first one was unfortunately cold and drizzly but fortunately an extremely low tide.  It made for some good exploring:

The second one was cold but clear.

gingerbread houses and christmas cookies

We meant to do gingerbread houses before Christmas, with Mariah & Ross.  Better late than never, although you are very missed Mariah & Ross!

Hopefully the finished product shows that we created an entire village! connected by Andrew's gingerbread bridge( he's such an engineer!).  Julia's clock tower is impressive and Luke's pile of crackers and candy made a beautiful "big rock candy mountain".

We did manage to do Christmas cookies on time however.  This house is just flowing with sugar!

"Mom in the family room with bad breath"

"Welcome to the Hanaike House.  A recent visitor has met an untimely end - he or she is the victim of foul play.  You must determine the answer to these 3 questions: Who done it, where and with what Weapon?"

Right now I am listening to the kids play Clue - the Hanaike edition.  Luke made Julia (whose name he picked) a homemade Clue game based on our family, house, and weapons that could be found in our house.  Here are the guesses/accusations I am hearing:

Andrew in the bathroom with a poisonous cookie
Lester in the family room with pointed heels
Dad in the bedroom with the burning hair straightener
Ross in the stairwell with too much screen time

Everyone is laughing - Hillary hysterically actually.

So anyway, now you know - visit the Hanaike House at your own risk!

An orange Christmas Eve

The kids aunt and uncle got all of them, and their significant others, orange hats and tickets to a giants game.  Now that's a lot of orange!

happy birthday Samantha!

THE BIG 19!!!!!!!!

We had lots of family over to help celebrate.  Her presents included some clothes, books and a promise of Reggie cooking her some salmon this weekend.  She's a very happy young adult!

Mariah & Ross' first apartment

Ha! Ha! Actually these are pictures we took in the museum part

of Fort Point.

I love this picture,especially the left corner

All month long I've been looking and smiling at the "stockings hung by the fire with care".  Each year we put up the ones for whoever is home that year.  This time they were all hung/they were all home.  I knew I wanted a picture of it and this one works.

cousins

Hanging out in the tent they got from Auntie Maya

Nothing like a little "Frozen" in your perfect sized chair

2 very special visits

Saturday we surprised my Mom with some Christmas caroling.  Priceless!

Friday we surprised our favorite elementary teacher with a visit.  She had all my kids throughout the years.  She had a special talent of being firm but kind and understanding.  She always had positive things to say to Reggie and I about our parenting which meant so much to me and kept me going when times got stressful.  As we walked into the school she saw us and recognized us, even though it's been a few years.  She instantly started talking about things she remembered about the kids, like Mariah's reaction when she read the Narnia books for the first time and Julia's story writing skills.  We gave her a card and candy lei and told her she is our family's all-time favorite teacher which made her teary - eyed.  This is now one of my all-time favorite Christmas memories.

we wish YOU a merry christmas

Love, Audrey

pictures!

Our camera was missing for a while and our computer was broken.  But we have since found the camera and gotten a new computer!  So, when I figure out how to load up pictures I will start putting them on the blog.  We have some good ones of some adventures we've had this weekend.  I can't wait!

the list

My family is coming through for me BIG TIME this year!  Reggie told the couples in advance that he wanted them to each make a meal while they were home.  I expressed to them how I had a goal to spend more time in the Christmas family-fun and less time in the Christmas work/maintenance of it all.  So one day I came home and Lester had made a list on the computer for all of us in regards to who is making dinner, who is doing the dishes, and who is cleaning up the living room each night. I am in awe of how everyone is following the schedule!  Not only have we had some wonderful meals cooked by each couple but they've taken their turns with everything else.

Last night I fell asleep to the sounds of all the kids playing games late into the night.  I didn't participate in that because unfortunately I realized yesterday that I have strep throat (again - it is my disease).  Luckily the urgent care doctor happened to be my regular physician - he looked at my throat and gave me the medicine right away, without making me wait for the results.  So I am feeling better this morning and ready for more fun!

my 1st day off

Today is officially my first day off of work for the holidays. ( I know how lucky I am to have 2 weeks off, working in a school and all!)  I am starting things off bright and early heading to Target for some last minute things.  I'm so excited!

Here is one of my favorite people to help me- I wish these ads were still around!

Letters to my children - dear Hillary and Mariah

Dear Hillary and Mariah - so glad you're home!

Love, Mom

Dear Samantha

Hang in there!  Unfortunately, tis the season to have finals - but one big one and then you're done.  Good luck!

Love Mom

Letters to my children - Dear Julia

Dear Julia - HA HA HA HA!  Luke just finished your Christmas present and you don't know what it is!  Just make sure you follow the directions he wrote on the label - no shaking! (and it does not involve Reeses)

Love, Mom

Letters to my Children - Dear Luke

Dear Luke - Have you ever heard the story/parable about the injured snake who begged the woman to carry him down the mountain where he could get better, and then once he was better he bit her?  She then said "how could you do that after I did you such a favor?  He replied "you knew I was a snake when you picked me up - you knew I was a snake the whole time."  Well, if you don't get the point of the story I'm sorry to tell you that here is another way to look at it.  Remember how we went to Target today to buy some candy for candy-lei making in the next few days?  Well, when we chose the bag of Reeses you knew my weaknesses - you have always known who I am and how I feel about Reeses peanut butter cups.  Sorry.  Next time lets only get the candy right before we are ready to wrap the leis, okay!  Love you anyway!

Love Mom

Father Mohr

I just watched a movie on the BYU channel that I found very touching.  It is called "Silent Night" and is a dramatization of the life of Father Mohr - the Catholic Priest who wrote the words to the Christmas carol Silent Night.  The point of the movie is of course to show how this most beloved Christmas carol came to be, but I was especially impressed with how this man lived his life; how he dedicated his life to taking care of people - especially people who were sick or in the poorest physical or spiritual circumstance.  According to the movie he died not knowing how popular "Silent Night" had become, and that it was being sung all over the world; although popular doesn't seem to be the right word.  He died not knowing how beloved his Christmas carol had become.  I think I like it even more now; and I am honored to now know about such a humble, selfless person as Father Mohr.