Highlights of Christmas 2011...

The Day After Christmas...

Monday after Christmas we all slept in, well except for dad who was studying for some exams he needs to take before the end of the year, so he was up way before the sunshine.  We ate a yummy breakfast together and planned out our day with dad home. 

We spent a few hours in the morning serving a friend and neighbor by the raking leaves in her yard, then spent the afternoon at the Bountiful Rec Center ice skating.  Garrett has decided he wants to learn to play hockey and help coach the boys' teams, so he knew he needed to get on the ice and give it a try.  He's realizing now how much he has to learn, but he's going to do it and he will be awesome at it.  So, we made it a family event and had a great time.  It's so fun to see how well the boys are skating and how good the girls are, too.  After skating we headed to uncle Kurt and aunt Nicole's home for pizza and game night.  The kids had fun playing Just Dance 2, Colt took care of baby Jaxon and the adults had fun playing games and just talking.  What a great day!

What Sisters Do...

The other night I heard giggling from the girls' room so I went in to see what they were up to.  It was the cutest thing to see Kenna doing Ashlyn's hair in all different sorts of hair styles.  They were laughing and having so much fun together. 

I hope they look back at these pictures one day and realize how much fun they always had together.  Kenna is so good to help Ashlyn with everything and Ashlyn is a great sounding boarding for Kenna, she's great at keeping confidences with whatever Kenna tells her and she's good to let Kenna try new hair styles on her...they are lucky to have each other.

More of Wyatt's Drawings...

2011 Christmas Card...

Ashlyn's Braces...

Just like her older sister, Ashlyn has been waiting for this day for months!  It seems all her friends are getting their braces and she cannot wait for it to be her turn.  Today was her appointment at Coleman Orthodontics and she was all smiles...at least until a few hours later when the hurt set it.  She's not as excited as she was this morning, but she's loving them.  Dad was gone all night on Tuesday so he didn't even see her braces until the next morning when he woke her for scriptures.  The first thing he said was "Smile" and so she managed a sleepy smile and then he called her Brace Face!!  Ashlyn loved it and they both laughed!

Ashlyn opted for the clear braces on top and the silver on the bottom...when Kenna got hers on she wanted people to notice her braces, until she had them on for about a week, then she wished she had the clear ones...she's just a little jealous!

This morning Kenna curled her hair and she looked so grown up so of course I grabbed my camera for some cute shots outside...she is beautiful!!

A New Tradition...

This year my sister told me about the Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar she does with her boys every year. Our boys love legos and so we thought it would be fun for them. They have loved opening a door every day to see a different figure or ship they could build.

Santa's Visit...

Last night we had a special guest stop by. We heard jingle bells outside and then the doorbell rang. Wyatt was the first to the door and was so surprised to see Santa. We welcomed him in and each of the kids sat on his lap...the kids loved it and I guess you're never to old to sit on Santa's lap because Garrett and I got our turn as well.  Such a sweet surprise!

Brothers...

This is not unusual at our house. These boys always sleep shirtless and often Wyatt gets in Colt's bed somtime during the night.  Wyatt's favorite way of sleeping is with his legs over someone...I realize it's got to end before he serves a mission, but right now it's my favorite way of snuggling with him :)

An Average Day...

Just like any other day at the Sill house.  In my journal keeping, I don't want to forget the average days.  Cookie Crisp is one of the boys' favorite cereals...we don't have it often, but when we do, it's gone in a day.  I love these boys!

Strippling Warriors...

Our Primary Presidency made these cute bookmarks for the kids for Christmas.

Sill Christmas Party...

I look forward to getting together with Garrett's family.  I feel blessed to have sisters-in-law that I love and look up to and admire.  I don't know that I always appreciated them and their strengths and talents, but as I mature I'm realizing how blessed I am to be have great women in my life. 

Saturday we got together to celebrate Christmas with great grandma Sill.  She is beautiful and is a great matriarch of this family. 

Our kids love to be with their cousins and lately they love to hold baby Jaxon.  Colt especially loves Jaxon.  All he wants to do is hold baby Jaxon.  Aunt Nicole thinks Colt is the cutest thing in the world and loves that he is always ready and willing to hold baby Jaxon...Colt will be a great daddy one day!

RWDS...

Last night was Ashlyn's RWDS Christmas recital.  I have not seen any part of the dance her team would be doing tonight, so I was really anxious to see it all put together.  This year, their costumes are so different from anything they've ever worn, a little less on top and a little more around the waist, Ashlyn calls it a cupcake tutu. 

The whole family was able to be there cheering Ashlyn on and that was fun.  Her team came on stage and I don't think I closed my mouth the whole time...it was awesome, better than I could have imagined!!  The costumes fit the music and the choreography was incredible and Ashlyn shined like she always does when she dances...she is beautiful!  We ended the night celebrating with good friends at Warrens.

My Sister...

Where do I begin?  It seems every year I'm writing about another trial Whitney is facing.  Sunday night as she was leaving my parent's house she felt a severe pain in her neck.  They went to Russ' parent's house and while there, her left arm went numb and later her leg.  Russ took her to the emergency room and they transferred her to St. Marks hospital.  A main artery in her neck had ruptured causing blood not to flow properly to her brain...she had suffered a stroke and luckily Russ was with her when it happened.  She mentioned to the doctor that if she had been home alone, she probably would have just layed down on the couch until she felt better and the doctor said "or until someone found you there dead!"  It was an eye opener. 

I hate getting that call from my mom...I can tell in her voice the minute I say hello and she answers back.  I could just sense that something had happened to Whitney, I've had that call too many times. I called Garrett in an emotional wreck needing his calming influence. He knew just what to say.  I started by saying "What if Friday was the last day I would have been able to have with her?"

Friday I was able to spend the day with Whitney and her boys...it was William's 3rd birthday.  We met at his grave and celebrated his birthday with donuts, marshmallows (to hopefully bring the deer to his grave), sparklers and lots of tears.  Whitney is so brave and so strong.  I watched through my tears as she held back her tears and diligently tried to light the little candles she had brought for Will, the wind kept blowing them out...she went through the whole box of matches just wanting one to work for him.  I felt her sadness and yet she smiled and joked with Tanner and Ethan that William must be blowing them out just as fast as she tries to light them...just like 3 year-olds do!  I was so impressed with her strength.  I should have told her that.  I watched as Tanner and Ethan took special care to gently place their cards and talk to their brother, Will.  I felt like I was standing on holy ground watching this sacred tradition that their family has chosen to be a part of.  I don't know how my sister forges on, but she always does it with grace and a huge smile.

As I talked to Garrett, he immediately said "Steph, if Friday was the last day you saw your sister, what a blessing that would be in your life.  You chose the best part that day.  You have to know Heavenly Father's plan is a perfect plan.  There's meant to be trials and suffering and even loss, one day she will die, one day I will die and one day you will die and you have to be able to let your faith carry you through and trust that in the end all will be just as it should be. You have to let the atonement heal you.  You have to have faith."  He always knows exactly what to say to bring me back...I am so lucky to have him to rely on.  I've thought about that a lot since Monday morning and I do know and trust in our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.  Whitney has been close to death many times in her life, and I'm just grateful she came through again. 

I got the kids off to school and drove to St. Marks to see Whitney and to bring her boys home with us for the week, luckily they are off track.  She looked good and it was fun to visit with her and Dave and my dad. 

During her pregnancy with Ethan, eight years ago, Whitney got pregnancy induced high blood pressure and it's stayed with her ever since.  She takes a pill every day to maintain a normal blood pressure level and has been warned that if she forgets her pill just one day, she could have a massive stroke.  Over the years she has forgotten a day or two, but her body has generally been strong and she has avoided a stroke.  But now it seems her arteries are getting weaker and pumping the blood through her body it getting harder on her body...she forgot to take her pill on Sunday and late that night she had a stroke.

I was so excited to bring Tanner and Ethan home with me...I knew Colt and Wyatt would be ecstatic to see them and know they were spending the week with us, but the greater surprise came when I saw how Ashlyn and McKenna were just as excited.  I had told Ashlyn, Colt and Wyatt about Whitney being in the hospital, but Kenna had already left for school when my mom called that morning, so when Tanner and Ethan jumped out of the Yukon at home she ran over to them and hugged them and then questioned why they were here...just kind of nonchalantly I said "Whitney will probably be in the hospital all week, so we get to have them with us."  Kenna looked at me in shock...I hadn't let her know and she was immediately scared.  I told her about aunt Whitney and she ran to her room to get her phone to text her.  She loves her aunt Whitney!!

The boys have been awesome...Legos are their favorite thing in the world and they spend hours creating cities, trucks, ships, planes and anything else you can think of.  We played charades for FHE and had so much fun...everyone was laughing out loud and making fools of themselves...it was great!  We went swimming over at the Anderson's indoor pool and they loved that.  Kenna babysat and made cookies with the boys one night while G and I went to the temple.  Ash babysat one night while G and I went suit shopping and visited a good friend.  One day we went over to the school and surprised Colt and Ashlyn with pizza and yogurt parfaits for lunch.  The boys have laughed way too much...it's funny how they just look at each other and giggle...well, it's not funny when they are doing this at 10:30 at night :) 

Wednesday night as I texted Whitney I could sense a sadness from her...that she missed her boys.  Thursday morning I could sense that same longing in Tanner, so I told the boys we were going to spend the day with their mom at the hospital...they were so excited to see their mom.  We spent the afternoon with her and enjoyed lunch from Crown Burger. 

Whitney has a good friend that just had a stillborn baby.  She has been helping her through the tough days and I know Mindy is grateful to her.  Whitney mentioned that Mindy had come to the hospital to see her.  She said they shared a smile when Mindy said "Come on, I know it's only been a few weeks, but really, Whitney, why is it you that has to take the spotlight from me?  Couldn't someone else take it this time??  But seeing you in here has made me realize that it's time for me to serve others, like I've been served."  Wow...that's the gospel of Jesus Christ in action.  We go through these life experiences so we may have compassion and help others through the same trials...we are served and we in turn serve others. 

My sister is amazing!!  I feel so blessed to be Whitney's sister...I say that all the time, but I want my girls to know how lucky they are to have each other...to have a sister.  What a blessing and strength and example of love a sister can be!

I've also been more aware lately how truly blessed I am with friends in my life that are so good.  The other night while at the temple with many of our best friends, Diane noticed that I was having an especially hard time.  Whitney was on my mind and another good friend, too and I think I was just feeling emotionally exhausted.  I was about to enter into my little dressing room and just broke down sobbing, Diane heard my crying.  I pulled myself together and saw Diane out in the main area of the dressing room.  She hugged me and said "Steph, I know you put your sister's name in the temple, but I want you to know I put your name in, too."  I'm grateful to Diane for that.  I didn't fully realize the love in that simple gesture until Wednesday morning when I woke feeling such peace and comfort and remembered the kindness of a friend.  I truly felt those prayers buoy me up.  

Kenna Marie...

Wednesday Kenna got the news that she didn't make the ODP team.  It was a tough night with lots of tears, but also lots of growth.  Kenna was with the young women at Temple Square when I called her with the news.  Not the best way to get bad news...but I told her dad would be there soon to give her a hug and he was. 

This last month, Kenna, Garrett and I have all grown in ways that I had never expected.  I've thought a lot about what Joseph Smith said while in the Carthage jail, that every experience shall be for our good.  It's become so apparent to me that every experience, challenge, trial, triumph and success shall be for our good, especially our tough moments.  To understand what we are to learn through our heartaches, challenges and trail we only need to come to the Lord in prayer and He will open our eyes and our understanding. I know this to be true...I've felt it so much this past month.

Late that night as I went downstairs to kiss Kenna goodnight, she shared something with me that I will cherish forever.  She quietly said "Mom, dad showed so much compassion to me tonight.  He really was so tender with me.  And then when it was time to ride home from Temple Square and my friends asked me to ride with them, I turned and looked at dad and said thanks, but tonight I'm going to ride home with my dad."  That touched my heart.  She told me how much she loves dad and how good he is to her.  I said goodnight to her and ran upstairs to tell G. He was quiet as I retold him what Kenna had said.  We both smiled.  Usually when there's heartache or disappointment in our family,  I'm the one that is more emotional about it...I tend to let the kids cry about whatever is making them sad and G is one to take more of the approach that everything will be ok, it's not that big of a deal.  But he's beginning to soften a little and understand that yes it may not be a big deal in 5 years or probably even 5 months, but right now it is everything to them and it is a huge deal and it's ok to be sad for a day or so and then pick yourself up and move on.  I feel blessed.

One Big Fat Lip...

At Kenna's last ODP tryout in the last 10 minutes of play she was in as keeper.  She said a silent prayer that she would have an amazing save that would show the coaches just how much she wants to be a part of this team...her prayer was answered, not exactly how she imagined, but it was answered.  Just minutes later, she had an amazing save, but along with that save she also got a swollen nose (not broken, but badly bruised) and a HUGE fat lip from the girl, Kylie, who used to be on her La Roca team, kneeing her in the face as Kenna went to make the save.  She immediately got a bloody nose and blood was everywhere, but she jumped up and threw the ball out and kept on playing.  The head coach stopped the game and told her she needed to come out...she told him she could continue to play and he said "No, you can't, we need to have your nose and mouth looked at by the doctor."  She knew it was bad, but not until she saw her reflection in the window of Todd's car did she know it was that bad.

She sat on the side line with Greg Maas, the coach for Kenna's age group, and chatted with him for about 10 minutes.  He is also a keeper.  He began talking with Kenna asking her who she plays for (Ray used to be Greg's assistant coach with ODP and Greg knows Ray well and knows he only trains the best, so that was a huge plus for Kenna) and Kenna was quick to point out that the girl didn't score on her...he said she is a true keeper!  She was sore and hurting, but what a great opportunity for her to talk to him.  She will find out on Wednesday if she makes the team.

Sunday morning I woke up and had decided that if Kenna wanted to stay home from Church, I would let her just so she could rest and get better for school on Monday.  I slept with her Saturday night just so I could keep Tylenol and Advil in her through the night and so I could hold her and take care of her like I used to when she wasn't so grown up.  I sometimes look at her and remember the tiny little white-haired girl she seemed to be just yesterday and I fall in love with her all over again.   We snuggled all night and as I got up to shower I noticed her lip and nose were still so swollen. So much so, that she doesn't even look like my McKenna. 

An hour later, I saw her come up the stairs all ready for church.  I asked her if she wanted to stay home and she quickly replied "No, I'm good, everyone at church knows what I usually look like."  Wow, I was taught a great lesson by my 13 year old daughter.  She is not vain,she is not superficial, she is not worried what others think of her, she has more courage than I think I've ever had. 

School is Cancelled...

Yesterday as I picked up the kids to take them to the dentist, they all piled into the Yukon shouting "School is cancelled for tomorrow"!  They were so excited and so was I!  As we talked of the fun things we could do...go to Sparetime, see a movie, go ice skating, Kenna was quiet and quietly said "That will be fun for you guy"  Oh, I hadn't even felt bad that she would still had school, but then as we drove to the dentist my friend called to say she had received a call from Davis school district saying all school would be closed...Yay!! 

While driving to see Dr. Anderson, Kenna let out a little scream and smiled.  I asked what happened...she said Conner texted her saying he was at the dentist and had to go because he was going back.  She looked at me and said "Do you think he goes to Dr. Anderson??" with questioning eyes.   I said "Of course he goes to Dr. Anderson, the Clarks are some of their best friends!"  She said "Well, I just texted Conner that I'm on my way to the dentist, too, little does he know that I'm going to see him in a few minutes."  We walked in and Conner was in the dentists chair...it was akward between the two of them, but it was fun to see him.  Ashlyn has never seen him up close and as he finished and walked out to his car, Ashlyn said "Wow, Kenna, he's cute!"  I loved it!  Hopefully these guys can remain close friends, without all the girlfriend/boyfriend stuff right now, Kenna's just too young for that and she knows it and gets it.

Friday we spent the day together.  Kenna trained with Emalee in the morning and then we raked leaves and the kids played soccer all afternoon, it was great!  What a fun day off school and it looks like there will be no make-up day for those on year-round school...lucky us!

YW's in Excellence...

A few weeks ago aunt Whitney taught Kenna the YW's theme in sign language.  I don't know how this came to be, if aunt Whitney just began teaching her or if Kenna asked her to teach her.  But when she showed me, I was thrilled...lately Kenna's been diligently working on her Personal Progress and one of the value experiences in Choice and Accountability asks the girls to study the YW theme and write down their thoughts.  As we talked this last week about her learning the theme in sign, we decided that it would go right along with that value experience. 

So, last night at the Young Women's in Excellence she performed it for everyone.  It was awesome.  She is so beautiful and so feminine...I love to watch her sign.  All of the girls told of what they've been working on to complete their value experiences, some girls sang and some bore testimony of the importance of reading the Book of Mormon each day and writing impressions in a journal.  It was a powerful night.  Brother Porter ended the night reminding the girls why the Personal Progress program is inspired of God and how important it is for these girls to commit to completing their Personal Progress because it will help them reach their ultimate goal of becoming mothers in Zion.  I'm so proud of Kenna, the last few weeks have been challenging for her and she has faced the adversity and heartache that has come to her with integrity, dignity and with her head held high and a smile on her face.  She is much more valiant and true than I was at her age...I look up to her and feel blessed to be her mom.