New Christmas Traditions and Boy Decorating Hazards

FHE, this week, was decorating the house for Christmas. Always SO much fun! Levi and Joe worked outside on the lights, the younger boys and I decorated inside. (we haven't got a tree yet, and probably won't if we can't find a cheap one-since we won't be here on the actual Christmas Eve/Day.) We talked about Christmas, and I pulled a great little switcheroo stunt from an Idea my personal trainer came across. I just casually mentioned, that we need to write our lists to Santa, but "remember that we only get three gifts from Santa each, because that is what baby Jesus got from the Wise Men, one from each wise man." "Santa helps us to remember why we get gifts on Christmas. He helps remind us that we can give gifts to Christ, of our love and service, and that he gave gifts to each of us." Levi said "I thought we got more than that last year".....and then amazingly finished my job by saying:..... "oh but I bet I am thinking of the gifts from you and dad too." Yes, I say. Smiling hugely. What a smooth transition into a new tradition!! I love this idea because I feel it brings the Santa tradition a little more in line with what Christmas is and has him take on an even more symbolic role!! Just as it should be.

Now after our little lesson, I divided the boys up with different jobs. They were all very enthusiastic, and really helped out a lot. Getting a little Too much into it, as the following pictures suggest. This is what I found when we were all done!!!! It was the funniest/sweetest thing I have ever seen. Apparently Lucasfilms bought the right to decorate at our house for Christmas......

Apparently the wise men also needed storm trooper guards:
“Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?”

The shepherds weren't left without protection either.... (but maybe they are there to protect the new little family from these guys)

At least these stormtroopers know how to show proper respect...
(this TOTALLY cracked me up seeing this..... it is really sweet though)

Indiana Jones can't help but climb the cross of the Chapel, I guess he is on look out for Santa...

We also have some of Darth Vader's empire lackeys on the lookout from the Christmas Tree advent Calendar:

Is he king of the hill?.... Or just inspecting the Christmas star for imperfections....."“These blast points — too accurate for sandpeople. Only imperial stormtroopers are so precise.”

It's nice to see those evil German Nazi Soldiers chatting with an Angel though.... Maybe they are changing their ways this Christmas. Although she does look a little surprised maybe it isn't a friendly chat afterall.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!
Hope your holidays are giving you all that you need a little bit of laughter and Love!

An old "newly found" poem

Today, I came across an old poem. It was quite the find. I had completely forgotten about it, since it was written in 1987. My grandmother Harrington wrote this poem for me, on the day I turned twelve. Since she is gone now, this poem is especially neat to find, written in her own hand.

My Grandma, May Tippets Harrington:

She was such a special woman, I loved and love her very much. She only received an education through the eighth grade, because she was the oldest daughter and was needed back at home to help out with the family. She taught herself to draw, and would paint murals in her house constantly. It was so fun for me to go to her mural room and admire what she was working on. She drew pictures of us, and I think even did a mural is one of the LDS chapels in Springville. She kept on learning and improving her education and herself all throughout her life. She was sweet and kind and loving. This poem was written on lined paper, and is very tattered and yellowed, but obviously, even as a 12 year old I thought it was special and it somehow survived until now. I thought that I would share it with you.
Just in case you can't read it on the blog, here is what it says:

To Cami, from Grandma H.
Twelve years old

She's twelve years old today, is Cami.
Sometimes she acts fifteen,
but in another moment she may be only eight you see.

Her hair is long and golden, with a rosy glow upon her face
and a smile that catches your heart in every tiny space.

Then off she goes bounding round the room, twirling here and leaping there,
Up the stair and down again with tangles in her hair.

She yells just like a tomboy on a spree,
You look again and there she sits with hands upon her knees.

Looking so demure and sweet
So angelic and petite.

I wonder if I ever saw the girl who yells,
or was it just a dream

"But No" She's off again teasing, squealing. She's a chameleon, a chatterbox, a bossy one and funny too.
A little lady with growing pains doesn't know just what to do.

She'll be this way a few more years through laughter joy and tears,
will Cami who's aged twelve years.

Grandma's are the best, aren't they?!!