Meacham Christmas Vacation!!!

We drove up into our driveway Sunday morning at 2:30 AM. Payton said, "I'm so glad we're home, because I am exhausted." The day after Christmas we all; Mom, dad, John and I and our kids, Michelle and Cam and their kids, and Mares, Clayton and Jayni, Laur and Travis and their kids drove to Palm Springs, California. Chris and Laurie, and their kids flew down. We got there just in time to watch Doug and Greg's first game in their basketball tournament. We lucked out because there was a gym right next to the main gym where our kids could play.

It is so fun to watch Doug coach, and Greg play for him. We wanted to make this trip to Cali, because since we live in St. George, we don't get to see all of his games anymore, and Greg is a senior this year.My mom made the cutest bags for each of the grandkids with their names on it. It had all kinds of activities for them to do during the basketball games.

My mom got us all a AF basketball shirts so we could support our team in style!!

Maryann putting makeup on Jayni

Lydia showing off her makeup

We got to swim at the condo we stayed at. It was a wonderful trip. We just loved hanging out and spending time with each other.

A Fun Christmas 2007

Even though Brig is only 3 months, we couldn't let him go without a present, he got this cool tummy time toy, but he still prefers to lay on his back.

After over 30 pictures we took, this was the one and only picture that we could use on our Christmas card.

Christmas morning, the kids got up at a decent hour 7:30, and we opened presents. Lydia got all the girly things, makeup, dolls, dress shoes, and a cute doll horse I had to get.


Chrismas Eve, Mares and Clayton, and Michelle and Cam came over for dinner. The kids were out of control, they were so excited. We tried to play a game, and have a short program, but we gave up, they were way too hyper.

This is the St. George gang, of course Brigham is missing and Michelle is going to add one more in July.

This is what they are really like. I should've made this bigger, but you can click on the picture and see it, it's a classic.


I will be really surprised if Lydia does not go to hair school when she is older. She loves doing hair, so she got this doll to do hair on.

Marcus and Payton got all the boy toys; a basketball, football, basketball shoes and clothes, a nerf shooting game, remote control car, and an air hockey table, and of course xbox games. They had a great christmas. My favorite toy was an $8 training power ranger dvd we got for Marcus. It came with a blow up punching bag, and it is hillarious watching Marcus go at it. He truely thinks he is now a power ranger because he finished the training.

I got a new digital video camera, I love it, but I've got to figure out how to use it, download the videos, make slideshows, ect. so if anyone has any tips, let me know. There is nothing like a homemade gift from my kids. Payton gave me this that says, "Mom and Payton, Mom I love you your the best cooker in the whole wide world Love Payton." There is so much to obtain in this world, but there is nothing greater than to obtain the love of your children." I love my kids so much, and presents like this make me realize that there is nothing more important than my FAMILY!!!!

Marcus was so excited to give this to me he made me open it the minute he got in the van the last day of school. He is such a joy in my life. He is definately a child who I have learned that if I want his respect, I've got to respect him.

Then there is my angel Lydia. She is just that, "My Angel."

Brigham obviously couldn't make anything, but he made our family complete (for now :) )

Fitness Ridge Christmas Party

Riddle

The following words are alternate titles for several well-known Christmas songs. Fill in the proper title:

1. Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis

2. Eight P.M. to Six A.M. without noise

3. Minuscule Hamlet in the Near East

4. Ancient Benevolent Despot

5. Exuberance Directed to the Planet

6. Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing

7. Trio of Monarchs

8. Yonder in the Hay Rack

9. Cherubim Audited from Aloft

10. Assemble, Everyone who believes

11. Hollowed Post Meridian

12. Fantasia of a Colorless December 25

13. A dozen Twenty-four Hour Yule periods

14. Befell During the Transparent Bewitching Hour

15. Homo Sapient of Crystallized Vapor

16. Desire a Pair of incisors on December 25

17. I spied My maternal parent osculating

18. Perambulating Through a December Solstice Fantasy

19. Adorn the vestibule

20. Tin tintinnabulums

(answers at the bottom of this post)

Tonight was a blast. First of all the food was to die for, I especially LOVED the crab cakes, John's favorite was the beef skewers. The food was cooked by the Fitness Ridge chef, "chef Cameron". I love all of his food that he cooks at the spa, but he definitely outdid himself.

Here is Cindy (one of FR hiking guides)

We played a really fun game with presents we each came with. We stood in a circle, and Cam read a story about the right(pass your gift right) present, as they left the ? (pass your present left), and at the end of the story, I ended up with the cutest little coffee cups, I won't use the coffee, but the cups are so cute Lydia will love to use them as a little tea set. John got a cute necklace I can use. :)

Maryann and Clayton and their gifts.

This game, we worked as couples to try and wrap and tie a ribbon on a present using one hand, we almost won.

Ok, we had to blow up 12 balloons, put them in a nylon, put them on one of our team members head, and sing 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer". We won

Ok the last game took 16 or so minutes; a candle in a ball of ice cream; the last candle burning won a night's stay in SLC, and a pair of Jazz tickets. We didn't win :(

We had a wonderful time, I love to be able to work with and live so close to my sisters.

Answers

1. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

2. Silent Night

3. O little town of Bethlehem

4. Old St. Nick

5. Joy to the world

6. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

7. We Three Kings

8. Away in a Manger

9. Angels we have heard on high

10. Come all ye Faithful

11. O Holy night

12. I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas

13. 12 days of Christmas

14. It Came upon a midnight clear

15. Frosty the snowman

16. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

17. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus

18. Walking in a winter wonderland

19. Deck the Halls

20. Silver Bells

A fun weekend

What a wonderful weekend we had. Friday we went up to American Fork to watch Greg's basketball game. Payton sang the national anthem before the game, and did a great job!! On Saturday, Michelle, Laurie, my mom and dad, my grandma and grandpa Johnson, and I were able to go with Bonnie King,( our adopted sister :), who used to live across the street from us in American Fork. It was such a wonderful experience. Afterwards, we all came back and enjoyed a yummy lunch that my mom made. I can't believe I didn't take a picture!!!! On Sunday we went to John's mom and dad's house and ate delicious soup, and treats. Every year Grandma Kemp dresses each of the grandchildren up, and Grandpa reads the nativity story while the kids act it out. They look forward to it each year.

Marcus was a wise man

Lydia of course was an Angel

Payton was Joseph, and Mckenna(his cousin) was Mary. Jared (John's brother) got to be the donkey

Grandpa reading the story from the scriptures

McKenna and Payton

The kids did great, and the dogs got to be sheep.

The Kemp family minus a few, we missed you!!!

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas

Payton Is Singing

Payton sang the 'Star Spangled Banner' two years ago at the AF High School basketball game. He is singing again this Friday Dec. 14th at American Fork High. We would like to invite anyone who would like to come and hear him, and then stay and watch Greg play. They are playing Timpview, and it starts at 7:00, Payton will sing before the game.

I just want ONE decent picture!!!

Today after church, I told the kids I wanted to take a picture for a christmas card while they were still in their church clothes. Many of you know how frustrating it is to get a cute smile from each of your kids. Well we spent about 2 hours taking pictures, and out of all of them, I think I got one that I can use. I will send it to Michelle, and let her work her magic. But here are a few of the many pictures that John and I took today:"Why is my camera so BLURRY?"

"Lydia, please come and get back on the couch."

"What is wrong with my camera!!!!!"

"Please don't fight over Brigham!!!"

"Wo, wrong setting."

"Lydia, please, I'll give you chocolate if you're good. "

"Lydia, please leave your barrett in your hair. Payton, we're almost done, maybe bounce him a little. Ok, Brigham I will feed you."

Hopefully the Christmas card we send out looks a lot better. What a day!!!!!

Fun with the Babysitter

John and I got a babysitter, took Brig, and went out on a date. Lydia had the babysitter do her hair, and the boys wanted in on the fun too. This is what we came home to. Payton's mohawk ponytails are kind of hard to see in this pictures. They'll love these when they are teenagers!!!!!

Christmas Fun

Michelle brought over their left over candy and graham crackers from their FHE. I think I had more fun than the kids did, but we enjoyed it. Thanks to the Kelsch's for the stuff, I had forgotten about making gingerbread houses, it will be fun to see each year the different houses we make.

Saturday night we had our Christmas ward party, and the boys dressed up as shepperds to sing with the primary. We left with a poem about Christ called "The Stranger". It was about how the world has sadly replaced Christ with Santa Clause. They sent us home with a Stocking full of candy, each night we are supposed to take out one piece of candy, and replace it with a piece of paper that has something you are grateful for and on Christmas Eve we will have a stocking full of things that Christ has given to us.

NO NO NO, stick to the stuff you know.....

Because Bryson, Payton, Marcus and Brielle all sing the High school musical songs all the time, this is what Lydia picked up.

I am so thankful for my husband

This morning at about 4 am, I felt horrible, I had a headache like no other, and was sooo cold. I took some medicine, and fell asleep an hour later. John got up this morning, fed Brigham, got the boys up and ready for school, did the dishes, put Brigham in his swing, and put Lydia in bed with me. Lydia played with my hair, and patted my face until at 9:30 I finally felt better and got up for the day. I don't know what I would do without John, he has been so helpful with the four kids, we are so lucky to have him.

John is a wonderful coach. Although, I know he thinks I complain too much about his passion for sports, I remember that is what I loved about him when we dated. He was a football coach, and he was such a good example and all the mothers were so appreciative of his care for each kid. Marcus has John's energy.

Payton is the most like his dad, he also is a per-fectionist, he is a jokster, and he loves sports.

Lydia has her dad wrapped around her fingers. He can't say no to her when she comes into our bed in the middle of the night.

John designed our home, he designed the floor plan, and designed the outside. He was at the work site everyday, and worked so well with the builder to make sure everything was perfect. He was so amazing at saving money in every way possible, and even spent three weeks painting the inside to save a little cash(we still need to paint our white door, and the front door is now stained dark brown).