The Neal Family

Well, in a manner befitting families with small children, we have already rung in our New Year with streamers and horn blowers and sparkling cider, at 8 PM, and the who's are all asnooze. Including one big who who fell asleep reading a bedtime story to a smaller who. :) Should I just let him sleep on through? Hmmmm. He'd miss the movie we rented, but get 10 hours of sleep. I know which one I would want!

I've spent the day digging out, literally, from two weeks of houseguests. (Thanks again for coming, ya'll!) I've also been digging out metaphorically, thinking over the past year. At first glance, my thoughts were that this year wasn't really huge in any way, good or bad. It wasn't one of those years that you can't wait to kick to the curb, because I've had those! It wasn't overly fantastical in any particular way either, and I've had those years too. But it was good. It was oh-so-good. In that everyday, ordinary, happy, good way.

We've had a lot of things happen this year. Our preschooler became a 1st grader. Our toddler became a preschooler. Our baby became a toddler. It all just goes so fast sometimes. It's true: the days in this phase of life can be so long, but the years just fly by. Lately, I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude for life. For being here. For being now. I had a scary moment on the freeway recently with a large truck that left me thinking about what-if. What if it were my time to go? And all I could think was "No!" I couldn't possibly be done here. There's too much to soak up, to enjoy, to savor. I hope that doesn't sound unfaithful. I just feel so incredibly grateful for my husband and my babies, for my parents and grandparents (and in-laws!), and my wonderful friends that I have here and scattered all over the globe. I have been given so, so much and my heart (and my eyes) spill over frequently with gratitude.

I hope that 2012 proves itself to be equal to 2011. No doubt it will bring it's challenges, but hopefully the joys will balance the scales in the long run.

 The day after Christmas we all headed into the city together. "Uncle Dude" aka Ian, was particularly excited to hit the ferry that morning.
 Left to right, Sean's mom, the kid's grandma. They call her Monga Nay. Next is Colton, Sean's teenaged brother, Patrick, then Ian, Sean's brother who goes to BYU-I, then Sean. We were missing Sean's sister, Rhiannon for this trip. Hopefully we get to see her soon! (When are you coming to visit, Rerun?)

 When we got to the city, we strollered up and headed up through Pike's Place, mainly for donuts if we're being honest, and then on to the famous Gum Wall. Patrick thought it was super awesome!


It was super awesome, but it was also super gross! Monga Nay handed out gum and let the kids contribute to the "art." Ha!

 After that we walked up the hill to the monorail station where the kids finished off the donuts.
 Cutie baby Maren on the monorail. Her cuteness kills me sometimes. She was such a good girl for this long day out!
 Then on to our main destination--the Pacific Science Center. I've wanted to take the kids for awhile and it was really very fun, although quite crowded due to the holiday.











My favorite part was the Butterfly House. It happened to be the "birthday" of the butterfly house, which Kennedy found quite fascinating! She was convinced that the butterflies themselves were having birthdays and kept telling each one "happy birthday." Cute baby girl!



We were there for most of the day, breaking for lunch in the afternoon and going back to the museum. When we finally had our fill it was getting late and dark, so off we went. Home again, home again....
Thanks, Renee, for a great day out! We had so much fun!

 After all the partying with friends, we enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve at home. We had yummy soup and bread for dinner, then settled in to watch "Joy To The World." I'm always impressed at how much young kids really do understand and remember about the story of the Savior's birth.
 After the movie, Sean read to us from the Luke 2 account of Christmas. The kids actually listened for awhile, then distracted themselves with the nearby board books. I distracted myself taking cute pictures of them. Whoops, bad example.
 Then they used the Little People Nativity to act out the events that transpired. Always a fan favorite. Someday I hope to make costumes and have them act out the Christmas story, but this works.

 After that the girls decided to do a little more tree redecorating....this went on all month and nearly drove me insane but they sure had a good time. (This may be why Christmas got packed up on Dec 27th around here....)

After that, Patrick read/recited "Twas The Night Before Christmas" for us. He memorized it at school this year and did a great job here at home as well!
 Then Kennedy wanted in on the action, so she helped Daddy recite "How The Grinch Stole Christmas." She knows most of it! Crazy little memories on these kids.
 We all helped prepare a plate of cookies and milk for Santa, and a plate of carrots and magical oats for the reindeer. Our kids love this tradition as do most, I'm sure!

And thus commenced one of the longest nights on record here at the Neal household, for Mom at least. After some serious Santa malfunctions (I don't want to talk about it.), we had just gone to bed when Maren woke up screaming, and in serious pain. Upon reflection, it was a combination of cutting the 4 vampire teeth all in one night, and being fairly sick as well. I spend a majority of the night up with her. MAYBE 2 hours of sleep total, in 10-15 minute chunks. Not pleasant.  Naturally, she crashed out for good at about 6:00 and at 7:30, Sean tiptoed in to tell me that he couldn't hold the kids off for much longer. So, we left her sleeping, took the obligatory Christmas morning picture and headed out!
Santa thrilled Patrick with the Lego Star Wars game for the Wii with Light Saber attachments for the remotes. Kennedy was pleased to see the much-requested dolly bunkbed, so pleased that she overlooked the obvious design flaws that will necessitate replacing them soon. Santa left a letter explaining that if they didn't work for long, something new would come in the mail from the North Pole. Maren got her "sturdy" doll stroller that Kennedy decided she needed long ago. (This combined with the stroller some friends handed down to her recently means there is No More Fighting Over Strollers! Woot!)
 After exploring Santa gifts and stocking trinkets, they dove into the pile of gifts. I love that we've always made them do it one at a time and they ooh and aah over every gift, no matter who it's for.

 At some point, Maren joined us, sort of. She did this for most of the morning. Poor baby! She went down for a nap about two hours after getting up and I actually ended up staying home from church and napping with her. She slept for nearly 4 hours--I got one! Isn't that how it always works?!?
 Barnes and Noble gift cards from Auntie Rhiannon--they loved spending their own money at the store later in the week!
 Maren did perk up for the last gift of the day. I just mentioned that I hadn't noticed any gifts from Nana and Grandpa and wondered aloud where they might hide a gift too large to put under the tree. After checking assorted places, including the toilets and showers, they made their way to the garage.....yay! Jumping fun for everyone! And in the garage, out of the rain! Terrible pictures when the garage door is closed, but awesome new way to burn off steam!



My favorite part of Christmas morning is always after things are opening, the adults are making breakfast, and the kids quietly explore their new toys. I love watching them in those quiet moments.

 After they were ready for church they were trying out their awesome new headphones from Monga Nay. I never would have thought to get them these but they are LOVING being able to plug into CD players and iPods and the DVD player in the car.

 After Maren woke up from her nap, she pretty much just sat around and ate candy canes if she could find them close enough. Poor little thing. She had a sad day, but overall, Christmas was great around here! Merry Christmas! 2011 was a good one!