Road Trip to Alaska

On our way to Utah at Christmastime, Steve and I were talking about what we wanted to do with the kids this summer. We talked for a while about some things we could do, and then I said, "You know what I wish we could do. I wish we could take the kids to Alaska." My sister, Shaunna, and her family live there and though Steve and I have both been on separate trips there, the kids haven't ever seen it. Steve's face broke a smile and he said, "Why can't we?" I told him it wasn't nice to tease me, and if was serious, he'd better promise. We spent the rest of the trip figuring out when we could go, how we could afford it, and how to make it all work. After a very excited call to my sister, and a solemn oath from my husband, we announced to the children that we were going to Alaska in June.

I can't wait to show them all that I loved when I went. I remember the incredible waterfalls and roadside lakes on every highway. The monstrous glaciers were amazing, as were the sunsets in the middle of the night. I remember how much I loved the beautiful wildflowers, picking wild raspberries, digging for clams and seeing all the wildlife. I'm sooo excited to experience it with my kids, and my husband this time!

The only thing that could be problematic in our plan is all the car-time. We've decided to take a road trip (can't afford to fly 7 - or even 2 - of us there). We will take a week or so to get there so we can see and experience Northern Idaho/Washington or Montana and Canada on the way, stay in Alaska for 10 days or so, and take about 5 days to get home, by another route. Steve and I decided that if we have some destination each day, and lots of activities, snacks and movies, it could be bearable...even an adventure. We've decided that each day will be a mini-trip, with stops in national parks, camping, tourist stops, hotels, and hikes and such along the way. As I've told people about our plan, many of them have thought we are absolutely crazy to take 5 kids on a trip like that. I actually think it will be a lot of fun. We love being together, we'll have our dad all to ourselves for 3 or 4 weeks, and make memories of a lifetime. Sounds pretty awesome to me!

So, we've got an Alaska savings account going, with about 75% of the money we need in there. We're working on new tires for the suburban, passport cards, routes, fishing trip and day cruise reservations, etc. The hardest part I think, is deciding what we want to do while we're there. We've promised the boys a trip to go clamming, and lots of fishing. I've promised the girls a girls-only shopping trip in Anchorage. Steve's promised me a Halibut fishing excursion. I've promised Steve a couple of days to just hang out, without any stress or pressure. I'd also like to take a wildlife day cruise. Not sure if we can afford all of that, so I'm not sure what else to plan. Our tour guides, Shaunna and Eric, have many ideas, suggestions, and plans of their own. So, we'll get that tied down in the next month or so, and then all we have to do is wait for June to come!! ALASKA, HERE WE COME!!

Playing Catch-up

Okay, here I am, three months past December, and finally stealing a minute to catch up. Life has been absolutely crazy, and not a moment to myself...okay, a few, just not many. The next six posts (though not in the correct ascending order, but a more traditional descending chronological order) are a little run-down of what we were up to just in the month of December.

Sing, Sing a Song...

In December (sometime), Sarah had her Holiday Choir concert. She's in general choir this trimester and has really enjoyed it. The concert was really nice. I was impressed with the director and how well the students sang—from the select choirs to the general choir, that had only practiced for six weeks. It was fun to see Sarah so excited about something she enjoyed. She's also made a whole bunch of new friends. It's always good to be involved in high school!

Christmas Recitals

In December, Rachel also had a couple of piano recitals. First, she had one for her students, three cute little kids that play one finger at a time. They had all been taking lessons from her for less than 8 months, one child for only two. They all did really well. It was so cute to see how much support they all had in their first recital. We filled the whole Relief Society room of the church. After the kids all played, Rachel played her Christmas piece for the children. We spent almost as much time taking pictures afterward as they took playing. It was really quick, but we finished off with delicious brownies and punch (made by one of the moms). It was a milestone, and such a fun night for us to watch our Rachel shine!

Kersten, Tyson, Rachel, Erica and Andrew. (Andrew is Kersten's brother and performed at the recital, too.) Such cute, proud kids!

The next one, only a couple of days later, was her recital. She did an amazing job, as always. I love to listen to her play! Here's a video for your listening (and viewing) pleasure...
(Sorry it's sideways. I spent an hour trying to convert and fix it, but to no avail. I'll replace it if I ever get it to work. Just turn your head, or close your eyes and enjoy!)

Dixon Christmas FHE Traditions

The Sunday before Christmas, we all went to Grandma and Grandpa Dixon's house for our annual Christmas clam chowder and Family Home Evening. As always, the clam chowder was amazing (my mom's is the best ever) and the kids were very excited. Grandma had purchased nativity costumes from Oriental Trading and the kids had colored robes, hats, halos and crowns to wear, complete with crooks for the shepherds and gifts for the wise men. As Steve read the scriptural account of Jesus' birth, the kids acted it out and we paused for photo-ops in between each scene.

The Holy Family...
Kassandra (Baby Jesus), Becca (Mary) and Justin (Joseph)

The angels (Samantha and Macey) declare glad tidings of great joy
to the shepherds (Bryson, Nathan, Jessica, Joshua and Kyle)

Wise men (girls) traveling from afar to worship the Holy Child...

Sarah, Hailey, Rachel and Shannon
(Angel Macey smiling on, as I'm sure the angels did!)

My happy little shepherd, Nathan

...And the silly ones, Bryson and Josh

Following the nativity, we had a program where each family presented Christmas songs or stories they wanted to share. There was enough of the spiritual side of Christmas to balance out the sillies. We got to hear a flute, guitar, cello, trumpet, piano and beautiful voices. It's such a good opportunity for the kids to perform recital or concert numbers and share their talents with the family. Michael and Shaunna and their families were missing, so it didn't quite feel right, but it was nice to carry on the Dixon Christmas FHE traditions another year!

Cousins' Christmas Party

I talked last summer about how my mom is either amazing or totally crazy that she holds the cousins' campout each year with all the grandchildren. I recall that I decided she was just amazing. And that brings me to another tradition she does with them every year. My mom's favorite holiday is Christmas, hands down. She loves the decorations, the smells, the treats, the lights, the songs....everything about the season. In the past, she's been known to have the decorations up right after Thanksgiving dinner and not down until after new year's. Needless to say, she's carried that love of the holiday to her grandchildren with her annual Cousins' Christmas Party. This year's party included...

Decorating Cookies - red, white and green frosting and any sprinkles and decorations you could think of! A child's paradise. Joshua's frosting was twice as thick as any of his cookies!

Making Nativity Snow Globes - I got to help with this project. They were really cute. The little ones especially loved them.

Story Time - Grandma read one of her favorite books, "The Mitten", by Jan Bret. She gave each family an anniversary edition of this book to take home.

They also colored fuzzy poster style ornaments, glued together cheese and cracker candy trains, had lunch, and played together (always with Christmas music in the background, the obnoxious kind just for kids). Besides the book, she also gave each family a little nativity that the kids can touch all they want to! The kids had a ball, Grandma was wiped out, and it only took most of the afternoon to clean up the mess! What a saint my mom is for keeping these traditions alive. My kids have the greatest memories of these times with their cousins and Grandma. Hope I'm crazy enough to be such a good grandma!

Christmas at Our House

We were all counting down the days, but nobody in our house was as excited for Christmas to come as Nathan was. He wore his Santa stuff, shoved toys in bags, and wandered around the house yelling "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!" It was so cute!

Well, the blessed day finally came and after eating our traditional pizza, we opened up our annual Christmas Eve jammies! Nothing feels better on the body that brand new fuzzy fleece...

We hopped in the car and went for a drive to see the lights. It was so late that we had to wake Nathan up when we got there so he wouldn't miss them. Poor tired little thing. After we got home and had some special gourmet hot chocolate and egg nog, put out snacks for Santa and the reindeer, and checked the internet to see where Santa was, we tucked the kids all in their beds. They all sleep together, just like I used to with my brothers and sisters when we were young. I have such good memories of those times. Well, just like we used to, the kids had a hard time settling down. I heard one of the boys tell the girls to hurry and go to sleep so Santa would come faster. It was cute. Steve and I went downstairs to wrap up some more presents and do the grown-up thing and went to bed when all was quiet and perfect for Santa's arrival.

The next morning came really early... I think it was 5:30 this year. Thanks to the big kids, the little ones never sleep in too late! Santa was so good to us this year, bringing very special presents for each one of the kids. He really outdid himself this time!

New bedspreads and things to redecorate a dark
basement bedroom

Castle blocks for building and playing with
medieval treasures

A work bench to build with dad
...and wood from Santa's own workshop!

A genuine pirate treasure chest,
complete with pirate treasure and clothes

We had so much fun opening presents, watching each person open one at a time. It made it last a lot longer, and it was fun to enjoy each moment together.

I got some new clothes and shoes, a wii workout game, jewelry, and some other great presents. My special present this year was from Rachel. She learned a song by Taylor Swift called "The Best Day", and sang it for me while she played it on her guitar. (You can listen to Taylor's version on my music player.) She had typed up the last refrain and framed it for me to keep. It made me cry. The best presents always do! She cried too. It was so sweet, straight from her heart to mine, and such a special mom and daughter moment.

After all the presents were unwrapped, closely examined, separated from the trash and wrappings, and played with for a while, we had breakfast...our traditional Ham and Cheese Souffle. The rest of the morning (it was only 8:00 when breakfast was over) was spent re-examining, re-separating, and playing with our new toys. We got dressed and spent a wonderful afternoon and had dinner at my mom and dad's. It was such a nice day!

When it was all over and the kids were tucked in later that night, Steve and I (like every year) sat and cuddled on the couch as we marveled at the blessings we have. It was a wonderful day, and though we also got some very fun and special presents, the greatest presents we've ever received are the incredible family we shared so much joy with that day, and the knowledge of the birth of our Savior and the incredible love He has for each of us. Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year!!