Fuimaono Christmas 2014

OUR SWEET CHRISTMAS

Compared to last year's Christmas, this Christmas has been very simple, relaxing, and just wonderful.

This year....more smiles and good times
with these three monkeys.

This was us last year....packing and moving.  Twas a bit stressful.

We had a lot of fun "shopping" with the kids.

I think our outings were 10% actual shopping and 90% just hanging out, eating out, and taking the kids around.  
  

We didn't have a bunch of Christmas parties to go to,

 just the Ward Christmas party and a family get-together.

Frozen themed Ward Christmas party.

Food, people, skits, decorations...
was all mean.

Our tree set up and decorations were easy.
(left that to the artists in the family...aka the kids and Dad) 

Aljay wrapped the door and made the
wreath from the pine trees in the front yard.
He also did our lights. So festive this guy.

Since Aljay works the swing shift (2-11pm) we would usually spend our mornings doing family things. Then when he went to work the kids and I would hang out,  watch Christmas movies, bake cookies, and have mini Christmas lessons. Love hanging out with these cute little people. 

Struck by the Cold
I don't mean cold weather. I mean the sickness. I caught a cold on Mon (22nd). Nursed my way back to 70% strength by Christmas Eve, but then Baby had developed his cold by then. He had high fever and was really congested. Christmas day we had to take him to the ER...major sad face. This was followed by two days of followup appointments to make sure he was still improving. Of course the common cold is just the gift that keeps on giving- eventually Leila and Sefa caught the bug and our little happy home turned into a hospital. We're all on the mend and doing better though.

Sidenote: don't ever take max strength nyquil for a common cold. I slept like a rock and woke up feeling drowsy all day the next day. Never again. Sticking to lemon tea and vicks next time. 

New Family Tradition 

One 'tradition' (hopefully it stays) we've started this year was having a stocking for Christ. I got this idea off Pinterest and had this idea to do a Family Home Evening lesson where we talk about the gift of the Savior and then write down gifts that we can give Him. We'd put those gifts in His stocking and on Christmas Day open them and talk about the gifts we wrote down and how we have been able to give those gifts. Nice idea right? Of course it didn't work out that way. Aljay hung it on the top of the tree and every Sunday we were either doing something else or I was too exhausted to try get everyone together. But just having the stocking there was a constant reminder to focus on the Savior. It resulted in my constant attempts to incorporate the Savior into the kids everyday activities- bedtime stories of the Saviors birth, lds.org Christmas videos, teaching what a Nativity is, talking constantly about how to give to other..... so I guess you can say it still served it's purpose. 

Failed Attempts

I tried to make one of those cute diy advent calendars. I just saw the picture on Pinterest and didn't bother to read the actual project directions lol I still never learn from all my past pinterest flops.....sooooo it ended up a fail. The kids had fun making it though lol. I was going to toss it but figured I could use it to as seed starters for when we plant stuff in Spring (we'll see how that goes).

Greaaaattt idea!!!

Pooor execution hahahah

We also attempted to make some goodies for our home teaching and visiting teaching families. We baked brownies and made furikake chex mix :) yummmm.....But the only week we were able to go and drop off things ended up being the week we all got sick. Sooooo now it's going to be a belated Christmas and Happy New Year goodie box hahaha.

Christmas Day

We woke up Christmas day to SNOW!! There's something magical about waking up on Christmas day to snow! Especially since we had been experiencing a very unusually warm winter. Temperatures were in the 40's and 50's all winter with no sign of snow. Nekmennet we wake up to 6 inches of snow. Ahhhh. Just like the movies lol.

This wasn't taken on Christmas day
but you get the point. 

We had our usual family lotu. We didn't read the story of Christ (think I covered that part throughout the first 24 days of December), but we did ask the kids to tell us what Christmas meant to them. Leila said "Christmas is Jesus' birthday and we give to others." Sefa just agreed to everything Aljay said. Slick guy. After a prayer we opened gifts and watched the kids enjoy their toys. 

The kids got some coloring books, clothes, toothbrushes, flashcards...you know...all the things they need from practical gifter Mom. Lucky they have Dad who bought them the fun things like dinosaurs and scooters and a Frozen coloring book lol.

I got pretty spoiled too. Aljay got me (but really it will benefit all of us) a sewing machine that I'm just itching to use. He also got me some exercise stretchy pants lol. yesss....just what I've needed! Nowwwww I can actually start working out! lol.

Viiga boy was hitting the super sucky stage of getting sick...poor guy.. I hate seeing a baby sick. Breaks my heart. He was a little trooper though. He got a little sippy cup and some baby food from us....then some truck toys from his Aunties lol.

Last but definitely not the least....the guy who told me exactly what he wanted and left me no room to surprise him...Aljay...He got a cologne that he specifically asked for, an axe bathset, and some shoes. Spoiled guy. He deserves it though. He works hard and wants everyone to always be happy. I am totally blaming me being sick and having limited kid-free shopping time to giving in to buying his wishlist items, instead of going with my usual practical gifts lol (like garments and art stuff).

We then made our way to Uati and Omi's house and ate, hung out, and talked and laughed. Always good to see family and hang out. They also were super helpful by watching Leila and Sefa when we had to go hospital.

Viiga had an Xray done and took some Tylenol to bring down his 103 fever. We waited for about 4 hours before we could go home. Found out he had Bronchitis.  However, the next day at his followup appointment his pediatrician said he actually had croup and an ear infection. Poor baby. He was prescribed antibiotics and a steroid to bring down the swelling. Few days later he's looking much better. Whew. Thank goodness cause it stresses the heck out of us when we see him not acting like his usual happy active self.

Thank goodness for doctors, nurses, city workers who have to plow the snow, policemen, and everyone who has to work on Christmas to make sure people are still safe. Cause the roads were scary!!!

Oh and Walgreens! The only drugstore that was open on Christmas day. Thannnkkk goodness or else we wouldn't have been able to get the meds for everyone. Oh and bomb husband who did everything he could to let me rest and recover and help nurse the kids back to strength. Thanks husband!!!

And of course bomb family! Lahvjal and Penny saved me one night by coming over and bringing food and helping me clean the house. Aljay had to get back to work the day after Christmas. That evening, after he left, I was honestly praying for strength and energy to be able to care for everyone and clean the house. Just as I was trying to muster the energy to clean the kitchen and get the kids dinners ready, the doorbell rang and in comes Penny and Vjal with bags of food. They helped clean my house and care for the kids. My heart was so full. That's was giving is all about. Love them and the example they are to us.

Now we are all on our way to a full recovery. Can't wait till we are all better so we can head outside and play in the snow!!!!

Even though we were sick, spent Christmas in the ER, had to stay indoors.....we are so grateful for another beautiful Christmas, time spent with loved ones, and especially for the blessings that we've received along the way.

Merry Christmas!