park in january

Our sleds are collecting dust but we are making the most of this mild winter.

benjamin's blessing

Benjamin and Jesse (cousins just 10 days apart)

Sunday the eightenth of December our little Benjamin was given a name and blessing from his daddy.  He was able to have both Grandpa's in the circle, which was an extra special blessing.  Both Josh and I have liked the name Benjamin for various reasons.  King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon is a favorite of mine.  I love his teachings of the be attitudes...be humble, meek, patient, kind etc.  I also love the kind of leader he was...steadfast, loving, and hard working.  All great qualities to share a name with.  August came from my paternal grandfather.  He too was a wonderful man.  He took great responsibility as a patriarch of our family.  He blessed our life and the community with his music.  With the sweet coos Ben has I think he is already on his way to be a great musician :).  We coordinated the blessing to be when lots of family was in town.  It was great to share his special day with so many good friends and family.

Stika Family of Six: Rowan Ben Clara Noah

Grandma and Grandpa Sanders

Grandma and Grandpa Stika

Four of the six siblings: Lissy, Laura, Rebecca, and Adam

attention

One weekend in December Grammy Pat had some of the grandkids for a sleepover and Christmas festivities.  They came home with these amazing creations.  Noah's was ofcourse a train with a volcano and Clara's the darling house.  Having enjoyed Grammy's gingerbread it took all my will power not to indulge.  They actually made it through to Christmas.   How she was able to do these and two others with the four kids I will never know...super grandma powers!

It's so funny what a breeze it was just having Rowan and Ben.  When  I just had two it never super easy.  I guess it's all relative.  Rowan absolutely loved the extra attention.  We tried to make it a special day for her.  We went to Kneaders for breakfast.

clara's preschool program

Rowan loves any occation to wear a dress.

She took the performance very serious and did wonderfully!

The proud brother that sang along from the audience.

I kinda love that Newcastle (Clara's Preschool) does a Christmas program.  In my years of teaching in California the closest we got to Christmas was Winter Soltice.  It included elf hats, angel halos... bring on the red and green! Clara sang, clanged her heart out.  We got to enjoy "One little light on the Christmas tree"  probably a hundred times this season.  Noah learned O Tannabaum for his sing along and shared it equally as much. 

lights of the season

Temple Square

Saturday after Thanksgiving we bundled the kiddos and with hot cocoa in tow headed downtown to kick of the Christmas Season.   The kids loved the refuge in the basement of the visitor's center (Rowan was especially wild, she freaks me out in a crowd...fast and cute a dangerous combo).  We rode trax, saw good friends from California (Corene, Rick, Athen, and Crew)  and toured the Grand America window display with them.  It was the highlight of the night to unexpectedly run into and catch up with good friends (even with the mayhem of my munchkins).

Zoolights
I bought a groupon to Zoolights. In the fine print I found out it was only good for a few days in early December.  Of course those were the coldest days of the season.  So yes, with a balmy 19 degrees not including wind chill I took my 6 wk old, and the rest of the crew to enjoy the magic of Christmas with the animals.  Well, 90% of the animals were no where to be found due to the extreme temperatures.  We sought shelter in the reptile house were we got warm and saw a few creature friends.  It actually was fun.  Josh threw down for a carousel ride which was the highlight of the night for the kids.  Amazingly everyone survived without getting sick but I don't know if it will make the cut to be a tradition.

Santa and Lights at Thanksgiving Point

We went with our good friends the Wests to see Santa at Thanksgiving Point.  The line took over an hour.  The kids were in good spirits the majority of the time.  However, when it came to picture time, this is what we ended up with...

waiting with hailey...before the tears

I think the only thing that tops it is that Josh thought it was so funny he sent it out to 600 past clients and I'm not even kidding.  I only found out because I was at Lissy's when she recieved one, love you dear,  next time that might be one to run by me ;).

Dr's office

I felt like a super hero mom.  Pushed a double stroller, while holding the infant carseat with Noah holding on to my pocket to cross the street and wait 25 minutes to get bloodwork done.  There were no meltdowns and although we got a few looks, I tried to have the kids presentable enough that we didn't look too pathetic.  I am a mom of four littles, you do what you have to do and somedays it actually works out :).

deck the halls 2011

Have I mentioned how I love being at home.  I always have.  Add the twinkles, smells, and music of Christmas and I am one happy little elf.  This year we got our favorite tree ever (thank you home depot)  it lasted the whole season as fresh and beautiful as the day we brought it home...the day after Thanksgiving.  Decorating this year was so fun, the whole family took part.  Noah and Clara already have favorites that they remember from years past and I love their joy in finding something they had made.  Clara had a big meltdown when it came to undecorating the tree,  I couldn't blame her.  I let her keep a few special ornaments on little tree in her room for a few more weeks.