Right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Temple Square

We did Temple Square backwards this year.  We just didn't have the time to go before Christmas, and luckily, they keep the lights on until New Years, cause we went to see the lights a few days after Christmas with both of my sisters and their husbands and kids.  I don't really think it was any less crowded, in fact, it may have been more crowded.  We made the mistake of going to City Creek and trying to eat at the food court, along with what seemed the rest of Salt Lake City.  So we finally got some food, and a table and ate.  Then we went to see the lights.  They did not disappoint.  They did a beautiful job as always.   Gwen liked it for a little while, but then she started getting cold and tired and just wanted us to carry her around, even though she would have stayed much warmer in her stroller.  It was still a fun night, and the Salt Lake Temple always takes my breath away.  It's so beautiful, and the lights only add more beauty.

Friday, December 28, 2012

In Memory of Grandpa Schofield

Grandpa Schofield was a good man.  He will be missed dearly.  The night before Jake and Olivia's wedding, he got up to go to the bathroom and on his way back to bed suffered a heart attack or stroke and died soon after.  The family was pretty shook up.  He was supposed to be sealing Jake and Olivia in the morning, and the following day was bittersweet.  We were so happy that Jake and Olivia were getting married, but so sad the grandpa Schofield wasn't there with us.

During World War II, Grandpa served as an engineer and earned the Legion of Merit for desiging and developing the Lead Gyro checker for the central station fire control system for the B-29 aircraft, which saved countless hours of it needing to recondition.  After the war, he lived in Los Almos, NM where he worked as an electrical engineer working on atomic weapons research and peacetime atomic research.  For a school project a couple years ago, Dan interviewed him about his time in the war, and it was fascinating to hear about his story and the things he did.  He was always tinkering around in the garage working on some project in his navy blue jump suit every time we went to visit.  He like to be busy, and was always doing or learning something.  I am so glad we had the opportunity to spend some time with him and have him perform our sealing when we got married.  I am glad he didn't have to suffer and that he is home again.
The American Legion came to the funeral and played the bagpipes and trumpets for grandpa.  There was a flag on his casket, and Dan's uncle Sam who is also in the Military was able to present the flag to grandma.  It was a touching service and I learned a lot about grandpa from the stories that were told and remembered.  We'll miss him, but know that he is in a better place. 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

3 Days of Christmas

 We kind of had 3 days of Christmas this year.  We usually have Dan's family Christmas party a week or so before Christmas, but because of the wedding, we had it on the 23rd.  And, we usually do Christmas Eve with my family, but this year my sister had to work so we did it on the 23rd in the early afternoon.  My mom got G some adorable jammies, and the boys these cool air compressors, and the girls some yummy brownie, roll, and cookie dough mixes.

Gwen was very festive with her ruffle bum, Christmas Tree shirt, and red and green leg warmers  She is simply adorable.  And Halle girl absolutely adores her, and Gwen returns the feelings.  Halle walked her all around and Gwen was in Heaven.

And what's Christmas without the Nativity?  Gwen was the Angel, Leo was baby Jesus, Halle was Mary, Blake, Jack and Josh were all either shepherds or wise men, or maybe both. :)  It was so cute to watch them!!
Then it was off to the Schofield family party.  Almost everyone was there, so we had a big crowd.  We started off by doing a little program where all the kids who wanted shared their talents.  Then Tony & Becky had a little spiritual thought.  Then we ate.  There was a lot of really delicious food.  So we ate a lot.  After the eating, we cleared the room and participated in or watched the annual feats of strength.  This always consists of each boy running and jumping to see who can touch the fan blades, or the light of the fan.  The ceiling is vaulted so it is actually up pretty high, and not everyone can do it, but it sure is fun watching them try! After that we watched as the boys all tried to do a pushup with their heaviest brother on their back.  No one could do it, but I am proud to say, Dan was the closest.  And before presents, we did the annual "Airing of Grievances" No one is serious, and it usually dates way back to childhood, but it's pretty entertaining.
This year, Easton had Gwen and he got her this ADORABLE owl beanie.  It is simply to die for.  Nice job!!  Gwen had Will, and she got him a really cool (according to Dan) build it yourself robot.  Hopefully he likes it as much as Dan did.
And here are just a couple pics of her in her Christmas dress by the tree.  She is our little angel and we have loved having her be a part of our family this year!
Now, onto Christmas Eve.  We hung out at our house for the morning and afternoon, and then went to my mom and dad's for dinner.  After dinner my mom and I busted out the piano duets (a favorite Christmas pastime) and later, we watched A Christmas Story, tradition, though I'm not really sure why, since about half the family doesn't like it.  Then, we bailed on the usual annual sibling sleepover because now we have Gwen and she's not really into stuff like that. ;)  So we headed home.
And finally, CHRISTMAS DAY!  Santa was good to us.  He brought G a little play table, which she loves.  She can stand up to it and move around and play with all the different buttons and such.  Plus it has like 6 balls, and Gwen loves balls.  So she is in heaven.  Then, Dan and I got her a build a bear, which she also loves.  Every time she sees it, she points at it and smiles and laughs.  Then she tries to hold it and play with it, but it is a little big for her.  And we also got her a little VTech laptop that sings and teaches cool stuff.  So she was spoiled.  Dan totally spoiled me too.  He got me a lot of fun/cute stuff and I loved it.  It was the first year since the first year we were married that we have got each other gifts, and it was fun.

Later that day we hit up both the parents for a visit.  It was fun to be with so much family so often through the holidays.  My mom surprised Gwen with another present, an awesome rocking horse that neighs and makes a galloping sound.  She's not quite big enough to do it on her own yet, but she loves it when we help her.  She sure was a spoiled girl this year!
 
Though we were very blessed this Christmas, we did try to focus on our Savior, and his birth.  We want to make sure we teach Gwen that it's not about the presents, but it's about His presence.  We had a great season and I am so grateful to my Savior for the most wonderful gifts of all, which aren't toys or things, but the gospel and my family.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Jake & Olivia's Wedding

Danny's brother Jake got married on December 21st.  It was a really fun day.  He was the last of Dan's 7 siblings to get married, and all of his siblings and parents were able to be in the temple together to witness the sealing.  Dan's grandpa is a sealer and has sealed most if not all of Dan's other siblings and we planning on sealing Jake and Oliva, but the night before the wedding, he got up to go to the bathroom and on his way back to bed he just kind of slumped over.  He had a massive heart attack and died that night.  Needless to say what was already an emotional day became even more emotional.  The sealer was amazing though and we all felt the spirit & grandpa's presence in the temple.  It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun day.  We will miss grandpa, but know that he is in a better place and didn't have to suffer.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Meeting Santa

 So we wanted to take G to see Santa, but we couldn't find anywhere up in Draper where Santa would be.  So we trekked all the way down to Provo to the Riverwoods to see him.  It was worth it.  The lights were beautiful, the line wasn't long at all, and it was snowing a little bit.  It was fun.  I was sure that Gwen would freak out once she was sitting on his lap, but she didn't.  She just looked at him and at us like, "why are you giving me to this strange bearded man?" But she didn't scream.  

HOHOHO! Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

10 Months

What!?! Ten months?? When did this happen?  How did she get so big so fast?
This month I feel like she's just exploded in everything.  
*She is cutting 2 more teeth, her two middle top ones, and right now, the left one is about half way out, and the right one hasn't popped through yet, so she looks like a little jack-o-lantern smiler.  
*She has perfected her wave, which she does by moving her fingers open and closed towards her instead of outwards, so it looks like she's saying "come here" instead of "hi" It's practically the cutest thing.
*She can stick out her tongue on command when asked "where's your tongue?"
*She knows who she is, so when we say, "Where's Gwen?" she pats herself on her tummy.
*She can click her tongue.  I think this is the trick she's most proud of.  Whenever she does it she gets so excited and happy.
*She said her first words. MAMA!!!!  She looked up at me and did her hold me hands and said "Mama?"  It melted my heart.
*She can say "More" kind of.  She says "MAH" when she's eating and wants more food...which is usually all of the time.
*She still refuses to crawl, but grabs our hands and pulls herself up so she can walk around instead.
*She is finally starting to outgrow her 3 month clothes and fit into 6 month.  Yes.  My 10 month old wears 3 month clothes...still.
*She can clap her hands
She is so sweet, and sassy and funny.  She has such a funny personality and she loves to tease her dad. It's awesome.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas Festivities

We've been doing a few fun things this Christmas season.  We started the season off right by going to a Live Nativity sponsored by our stake.  Every year they put together this amazing nativity with live animals, and they even had a camel. They had it all made out to look like the city of bethlehem. It was very cool.  We had a really awesome time.  Gwen loved the animals and it really set the mood for the season.
A few days later we went to the annual lighting of Draper Park.  There were carolers, live music, Santa,  hot chocolate, cookies, and more.  It was really fun to see the lights turn on and they did an awesome job on the trees.  It was beautiful.  Gwen loved looking at the lights and, of course, eating the cookies. :)

'Tis the season!!