Murdock's Musings: Santa Claus is Coming to TOWN!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Santa Claus is Coming to TOWN!

Or we should probably say CAME to town because he stopped by our house a little early this year. Since we are traveling to Texas to spend Christmas with Ben's family, we decided to simplify the packing by having our own little Christmas in Maricopa before we leave. It was just what we needed, some good fun family together time, and a chance to start some of our own Christmas traditions. Kaleb is just the perfect age right now to really understand and get into the whole thing. He and Dad wrote a cute letter to Santa, we made Christmas cookies to leave by the tree along with a carrot for Rudolph of course, and he went straight to bed w/ no stalling (a small miracle) since he knew Santa would come while he was asleep. To see the reactions of both the boys was just priceless!

BEFORE

'twas the night before Christmas
DURING

Kaleb got a special present from Daddy...the movie they saw in the theater together.

Both boys loved each other's toys as much as their own.
Here's Kaleb riding Dylan's present from Santa.

Both boys stopped and played with each of their toys before moving on to the next one.
Here's Dylan figuring out his new Sesame Street driving toy from Kaleb.

Here's D loving the stocking stuffer as much/more than his big presents. Typical, but cute!

AFTER

Cute boy Dylan showing off and saying CHEESE! Just this week he started saying cheese when we're taking pictures. I don't think he even knows it's a food yet!

Kaleb with his new Handy Manny tools in pocket.

A Christmas performance...enjoy! Pretty sure he learned his moves from dad and his uncles. You'll have to turn off the music on the side playlist to hear him sing & maybe turn up the volume a little.

8 comments:

Barbara said...: That is really fun Sara! I love that you had your own Christmas already. It is fun to start making your own traditions with your kids. After seeing how excited Kaden was to open an early present, I am now much more excited for Christmas morning because I think he will understand and be excited. That will help lessen the sadness of us not being with all of you. :) Love you!; December 16, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Aleathea :o) said...: What fun! The pictures are great. I love that your socks matched the Christmas stockings on the couch. We are so excited to have you guys coming. Thanks to Barbara's suggestion, we are starting a new family tradition. We will see how it goes. Yes, it is directed mostly towards the grandsons... I am so excited to have little Santa helpers. Love you all so much! See you soon... :o); December 16, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Val said...: Haylee loves watching her cousin do is dance. She always says 'Merry Christmas Kaleb!' after she's done watching.; December 17, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Robyn said...: Looks like a wonderful morning! That is quite a large doggy. I bet your kids just love, love it.; December 17, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Boyles Blog said...: Sara,

Thanks for the "cuties" and all the other yumminess!!! Have a good time in TX and we will c ya when u get back.; December 21, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Barb said...: Sary,
Okay so I am snowed in and ran out of things to cook and clean! I loved the video of Kaleb (and Dylan) dancing and singing! The pix are great too. I am sure you had a great Christmas and will have more! We miss you all and wish you were here for our very, very white Christmas! Get well, have fun and know that we all miss you and love you!! Mom; December 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Kelly said...: That is a great idea to celebrate a little early. It looks like a very fun day.
Thanks for your Christmas Card. It was very cute. I didn't do Christmas cards this year so I'll just say Merry Christmas right now!
Love you!!
Kelly; December 22, 2008 at 2:19 PM
carlahopp said...: I'm showing Gramma Gramma how to "Blog"...think it'll take???

Aunt Carlybell; January 7, 2009 at 5:47 PM

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The Days of our Lives

4.14 K pitched during his game & did great. I had to share at a RS night how I was spiritually prepared for my trials. It was difficult, but I think everyone felt the Spirit. I also was inspired to think about "spiritual love languages" and knowing how the Lord speaks to us individually. Gained insight into my own p. blessing as I was preparing.
4.15 Helped in D's class & took home packets to grade. Reminded me of my teaching days. :)
4.16 My VT came over & taught an inspired lesson about patience. Diana braided ruby's hair into a crown & Tiara brought pretty pink g. daisies.
4.17 Went to the Kennedy Gold Mine with Kaleb's class. I love that he still holds my hand & wants to hang out with me in front of his friends.
4.18 Baseball Sat. Both boys had games that overlapped. Ben got home after 10 pm from Philly, thankful for where we live.
4.19 Taught about the importance of the B of M. Shared my fave scripture, by small & simple things great things shall come to pass.
4.20 Ruby's the best one in her dance class. Met the boys at R. Robin for dinner.
4.21 FINALLY got my hair done again. Ben & I went out after kids were in bed & got some See's.
4.22 Caught up on g. shopping. K & D both had games & Ben had to run Pack NIght all at the same time. D hit 2 doubles, a single & learned not to throw his bat. K hit a double, too. Also got hit pretty hard in the calf.
4.23 Went to a fun surprise baby shower for Tiara & spent the night eating yummy food & having fun with girlfriends. Hike with Roxy.
4.24 Helped plant seeds in Ruby's class. Kids had friends over after school. Date nite w/ Ben. He finally took me to a girl movie: The Age of Adeline. Over dinner he told me more about his promotion as COO & that he negotiated a million shares in stock. (out of 8 m). He seems pretty excited.
4.25 Bball games rained out, spent the day catching up around here, riding bikes & playing catch. We told the kids about Ben's promotion & moving to TN this summer. They took it really well.
4.26 Finally changed blog to private & felt impressed to journal about spiritual things & just our lives in general again. It's been too long & WAY too much has happened.

words to live by...

President Hinckley used this quote by Jenkins Lloyd Jones in a talk he gave while I was in college. It always stayed with me and I try to remember it when life doesn't seem to go according to my plan (basically all the time!). “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.

"The fact is most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …

“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride” (“Big Rock Candy Mountains,” Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4).