Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas from the Glahn Girls.

The girls actually didn't wake us up until 7:30. I was shocked. I was awake before them. Im so glad that Haylee who just turned 10 still believes in Santa Clause. She may go back and forth with it but this year she wanted a bike. Not just any bike. It was the one she saw at Costco. I told her to be extra good and do extra chores around the house and be nice to her sisters and she may be able to pull it out of him.

Ashlee even though she is 12 still likes little baby things. She loves ELMO and Batman. So Ifound the cutest Elmo that is small enough to fit in her back pack to take to school. He is so cute. He giggles and says " Whats up?" She loved it. Each time she heard Elmo laugh she laughes like she has never heard him laugh before. Even 2 days later. She is still laughing so hard when he giggles. They are still young at heart.

Emily is in love with Zebra's. It's always fun when you find just the right gifts for your kids. My Goal is to keep the young as long as possible.

Ashlee loves colored Sneakers..

Haylee rips through her presents so fast I hardly took pictures of her. An Yes, Santa brought her a bike. The red one from Costco. She loves it because it is a boy bike and it reminds her of her boy cousins in Utah.

OK, I dont get these latest gadgets that the kids are into. I don't understand where they learn all about all these toys. We don't spend allot of time watching tv let alone commercials. How do they find out about these things. Haylee wanted this toy called My Amebas. It is a hand held computer game. I guess it is a little animal you have to take care of it and play with it. When you do it grows. When it gets to a certain size. The lid pops off and an animal comes out the tope. (not a real one). She is so excited about this thing. She figured it out and the thing is getting bigger and we will see what pops out the top. So stay tunned for that ....

It was a nice Christmas morning. We were happy that we made Christmas simple this year. There was just enough to keep them happy. Mike and I decided this year we were going to make more memories than spend money. We crammed as much as possible in the last few weeks. I have to say this Christmas had more meaning than any. It goes to show you that less is more...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so BEAUTIFUL. It was held at Allison and Jason's home. She had set the table nice ready for us to arrive. It was so nice not to cook this year. I loved it. We had a nice ham dinner and yummy potatoes and yams and Carla made the best asparagus. It was so good. We had lots of treats and just enjoyed the nice christmas Eve atmosphere that thier home brought to us. We read the I believe in Santa Clause Book and talked about the symbols of Christmas and sang a few songs as Jason played them on the piano and ended the night and went home to prepare for the morning.

We did a gift exchange from the cousins.

Blake also recieved a gift. OK, I have to say this has got to be the cutest baby boy. He already has the best personality and the cutest smiles. I feel blessed to be able to live close to a sister and watch thier child grow. I have never had that experience so I'm loving being around him. I wished that I could been closer for all of my neices and nephews.

Ashlee and her Daddy listening to Christmas Carols on the couch.

The girls just wanting to pose for us.

Here are a few of the grand kids singing a song for grandma.

Christmas Sunday

Today was Christmas Sunday. It was a great Day. We all went to church and were able to sit and enjoy the music program. We actually made it to church 20 minutes early so we could sit and listen to the youth sing Christmas songs as the prelude music. It was nice to see Emalee and Ashlee singing so sweetly. The program was nice. The choir was BEAUTIFUL. Every song was sang in their own special way. It was uplifting and edifying. I enjoyed it. These are a few pictures as we were headed out the door. Enjoy.

My Little Ashlee who is only 12 years old. Who would have thought she would look so mature! ( I hate it)

Emalee cute as can be

Haylee my little monster who never lets me fix her hair.

I love this pictures. I have Christmas pictures of them sitting together in this order with this same pose for every Christmas. I just love how they have all changed and grown.

I hope your Sabbath day was beautiful as well.

Merry Christmas

Making the Christmas Goodies

We decided to make it more fun to do all the holiday baking by letting ALL the kids help. We each brought over the ingredients to make 2 Christmas goodies. So, we ended up with 6 treats for Christmas Eve.



Brooke and Haylee frosting cookies










I made the famous fudge that I love. (Mrs. Sees recipe) and I made the Christmas Sugar cookies. Carla made cute reindeer cookies with Pretzel antlers, and peanut butter blossoms. Allison made chocolate truffles and English Toffee.

Even the Braidman was helping...
Ava and Her mommy making the cookies dough...

and of course, the older girls licking their fingers and talking about Edward and Jacob.... That is all we here anymore..

So the night ended well. We got everything baked and divided up for three families and one tray for Christmas eve.. We finished at 12:30 and I finally got to be at 2:00 am. After I scrubbed the floor and cabinets.. Lets just say. I always wanted Chocolate Brown grout on my tile.... Now I have it along with the scent of sweet morsels... Yummmmmy... Of course I'm never in the pictures, I always take them...

My New Job !

This is where I work!

I know it is a little picture. I keep trying to remind myself that I need to take a picture but at 7:00 in the morning I forget. I feel so blessed to find a job that will help take care of the basic needs of our family. Things have been a bit stressful and it is nice to know that I can be team player and help out when I'm needed. I feel as all of my medical assistant schooling back in the old days and the years I have been able to work in the medical field has been a blessing. In these trying economy times. The one work place that has a steady need for employment in in the medical field. For that Im thankful. I started work this week, yeah I know right at christmas I'm trying to look at it as a gift that I get to work. I'm working in the business office as an account payable clerk. This hospital is amazing. The have the highest standards and this hospital is an up scale hospital. It is a brand new hospital and has employeed such great people. I feel honored to work here. The hours that I'm working allows me to be home pretty close to when the girls are home. For that I'm thankful for as well. I know there is one thing that will be lacking when Im not here and that is housework. Once Christmas is over and we get on a better routine. "IM HIRING A HOUSEKEEPER" any takers?

These are a few of my Favorite things

I love this porcelain tall statue of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus that I have. I just love the little baby and the colors of this set. I thought I would share it with you.
My Snow guys.. I love to collect snowmen. These are some of my favorites. When I look at them they make me happy. They are sitting on a built in shelf way up high when you walk into my entry way. They are there to greet ya.

I Also, collect Snow globes just for Christmas though. There is just something about them that I love. When my girls were little, little they would wind them up and push the snow button and just watch them. I never had to tell them to be careful with them. They just new by looking that they were delicate and would break. I think the sounds of a music box makes every one feel reverent and helps them to look at every detail of the snow globe. If you click on the pictures you can see them closer. These are a few that are on my entry way table. I have a few more around the house. My girls are already pointing to the ones they get to keep one day.. I guess they are worth the fight.

This is Haylee's way of celebrating

I know I have posted allot lately, December is a busy month for our family. Haylee's birthday always comes first. I don't want her to feel looked over because he birthday is in December. I tell her she is so special she gets to share her birthday month with Jesus. I asked her how she would like to spend her day she said she wanted to spend it with her new BEST FRIEND SHAYLA. I love that she has a friend names Shayla because I to have a good friend named Shaila that I have known for over 10 years.. and I miss very much. Anyway, Haylee wanted Shayla to sleep over and then they wanted to go shopping and get their hair done and out to dinner. OKKKKKKKKK, I said let's go.

So we started at this store for Girls only called " JUSTICE" They do make over's on girls and give them a look that they want. So they were excited to get their hair done and have glitter sprinkled all over them. They grabbed their Mic's and started singing.

Then of course Haylee and Shayla had to spend 30 minutes trying to decide what Webkins they were going to buy. You should have heard them trying to talk each other into buying different ones. It was hilarious. They finally made a decision on the pink poodle and the Polar Bear ( I think that was it) I sure wish these toys would die down a bit. Haylee loves them like they are the newest thing there is. She still can't get enough of them.

Haylee wanted to buy a "Best Friends" necklace for Shayla so they can wear them. All day and night they would put the heart together and say "Best Friends" It's cute

We then went over to the San Tan Mall so the girls can go into another store they picked and we went and took some pictures in the Santa Chair. Santa wasn't there. I guess it was getting late.
We ended the night eating dinner at Johnny Rockets. It is a 50's diner they sing and the workers stop and do a dance. The girls had fun. Then Haylee had Shayla came home and gave each other a facial and laid down to watch tv and fell asleep. I was happy that she was happy and it was allot easier than throwing a party for her.

Thanks Shayla for being so nice to Haylee. She loves her gift and loves that you came to spend the night with her.

Deck "n" the Halls !

The girls decided that they wanted to experience of going to pick out a tree on a lot. Cutting off the bottom of it and placing it on the car and strapping it down and bringing it home. We usually have an artificial tree so this sounded like a good idea. They would have to convince their Dad. SO they begged and pleaded with him. He finally gave in and grabbed the keys and said Let's Go.

SO off we went... I found this tree. But I was shot down with a NAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

.

Emalee found the pretty fancy ones.

Haylee said NAYYYYYYYYYYYY

Haylee, Ashlee and Mike found this one. Emalee and I said Nayyyyyyyyyyyyy

So we let the worker help us. He picked out the perfect tree and told is all about it. So we all agreed and took it home..

Thanks, Worker from Fry's

Mike always places the Star on the top. We all sit down after we are done and listen to the Christmas music and watch him place the star on top of the tree. To me the tree topper represents the The Master of the tree, The finally, the Perfect Ornament that watches over all the other ornaments. It represents the Father of all the ornaments. Maybe that is corny but. That is how I view Mike. The head of this house the one that watches over us all,who takes care of us and makes sure he has his eyes on us at all times.

He is my STAR !

When we decorate our tree we end with a toast. Eggnog with Cinnamon on the top. It is a perfect ending to the tree decorating night. We toast to the beginning of the Christmas season.. We have done this every year for the last 10 years.. The girls look forward to this.

We always take a picture on the night we decorate the tree. It is always hard to do because we are all tired and it was close to 11:00 on a school night. I had to run to my seat before the timer went off.. Pretty funny.. I look a mess.

After we get the girls to bed. I tip toe around the tree and remove some old broken ornaments that the girls love and re-arrange the tree and add some MOM touches. I try and hide all the ornaments that are on their last leg. So this is the actual finished Glahn Family Tree !

I don't think I have ever seen an ugly Christmas Tree. I don't think there is such a thing. Decorating the tree to me IS Christmas. I love to sit and look up at the tree and just reminisce Christmas's in the past. And just enjoy the Spirit of Christmas.

My Sister Allison says, "Rumor has it if you sit under the tree and look up at it and listen carefully you can hear angles singing" My girls believed her and are still trying to hear the angels...

Enjoy!

Who Rock the House!

OK so I had to post this short clip. After each game the team does this little dance. I think it is so cute. Emalee is #10. Go COUGARS!

Emalee's 8th grade Softball Championship

Yeahhhhhhhhhh, EMALEE

Emalee's softball team was undefeated for the season and won the last championship game. The 8th graders are awesome to watch. Who said sports are just for boys are wrong. These girls know how to to put their head in the game and stay focus.

Softball has tought Emalee to be a team player and to be determined. Her coach tells her that

SOFTBALL IS A THINKING GAME. You have to watch what is going on all the time.

GO COUGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Favorite Things about Haylee !

I can't believe that Haylee is now 10 years old. She was 10 months old when we brought her home from the Agency. (Remember Cheri) It's been 10 years. I actually took pictures of my pictures so I could save time on not scanning them. I loved this little yellow dress. She was my baby doll. I loved to dress her and make her adorable.

These are some of my favorites, I could sit and post tons of pictures but these bring back some sweet memories and make me smile.

Haylee, is a year old in this picture with her little red overall dress. I still have this dress. It is on her Bear from the Build a Bear workshop. She loves to put it on her animals. Funny, how her baby clothes became her doll clothes.

I can remember making these rag bows for her hair. My sweet baby,

Do they get any more darling than this. This was a fun age.

This was at down town Dsiney at Libby Lu. Great place to take girls. They doll you all up a nd sprinkle glitter all over your hair. This was a fun day.

Here she is 5 years old. Every year I would take some fun poses of her. She loves to pose for the camera.

One of her fondest memories of dance. Is when she was on a competition dance team in Utah. She performed every Saturday for 3 months. Prior to that she practiced for a few dance routines 6 hours a week for the entire year. It was intense for a 9 years old girl. However, she loved it so much and wished she was still on this team.

They biggest competition is when we traveled to Dixie College where 30 dance studios competed. Her routine for this dance took 1st place for costume, choreography, It was a long day.We were there for 8 hours. She had 4 routines to perform.

of course, Mom was proud of her. Even though it was a year of tough training and learning new techniques. and constantly improving her dance skills she did it with a smile. It has tought her the rewards of hard work, and dedication. Her passion for dance has never diminished. She has been twirling around this house and in dance classes since she was 3 years old. I'm proud of her.

Now she is 10 years old. We made cupcakes for her class. She wanted to put the letter "H" on her cupcakes so everyone knew that it was HER birthday.

Daddy, Made her some yummy bacon and eggs for Breakfast. She is not a morning person so being happy and full of smiles was out of the pictures. Literally

She loves to play and mix lotions and positons. (That is what she calls them) She would save all the little bottles from hotels we stayed in and make her own scents and label them. Now, Target came up with a Spa Factory. You can make your own spa scents, oatmeal masks, pefumes, and lip glosses. THIS IS SO HER. So this was a gift from her parents.







I love you Haylee Sugar Bug, Thanks for a fabulous 10 years. I love being your Mom.You may have not grown in my tummy but you certainly grew in my heart..

Joseph B Wirthlin passed away at 91 years old.

Joseph B. Wirthlin, Oldest Apostle, Dies, Age 91

SALT LAKE CITY 2 December 2008 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91.
Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.
He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.

My Daughter Ash, and I are always searching for quotes from the prophets. She does such a great job at organizing them and keeping the quotes order by who recites them. This is one of her Personal Progress Goals she is working on. I was going through her list of quotes and she has a few from Elder Wirthlin. Here are some of our favorites. I'm happy to know that he is with his beautiful wife and they are embracing each other and continuing their journey together.

I...believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.
Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," Ensign, November 2008

We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities."
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 28–31

"The companionship of Christlike friends deeply touches and changes our lives. We should well remember that the Lord often sends 'blessings from above, thru words and deeds of those who love'...Love is the very essence of the gospel of Christ. In this church, prayers for help are often answered by the Lord through the simple, daily service of caring brothers and sisters. In the goodness of genuine friends, I have seen the reflected mercy of the Lord Himself. I have always been humbled by the knowledge that the Savior regards us as His friends when we choose to follow Him and Keep His commandments."
General Conference. Oct. 1997

THIS IS MY MOST FAVORITE QUOTE....Makes me want to home school my kids...

Parents can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of their children only if they know where the children are and what they are doing. Parents should not leave the teaching of their children to chance. (Ensign, May 1989, p. 9)
Every home is a house of learning either for good or otherwise. Family members may learn to be obedient, honest, industrious, self-reliant, and faithful in living gospel principles, or they may learn something else. Learning the gospel in the homes of Church members should be centered on the scriptures and on the words of the latter-day prophets. The Lord has commanded parents to teach their children. (Ensign, May 1993, p. 70)

I found some free things to do in Arizona

Snowfall at San Tan Village
Now through Saturday, December 20, 2008 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings.

On Friday and Saturday evening from 7pm-9pm -- every halfhour for 10 minutes, the Children's Play Area turns into a winter wonderland as snowfalls.


Complimentary Horse and Carriage Rides at San Tan Village (Thanks Elizabeth for sharing this info)Now through Tuesday, December 23, 20086:00 pm - 9:00 pm Complimentary horse and carriage rides will be offered throughout the holiday season.
November 28, 2008November 29, 2008
December 5, 2008December 6, 2008
December 12, 2008December 13, 2008
December 19, 2008December 20, 2008
December 21, 2008December 22, 2008
December 23, 2008

Christmas Questions!

This is a fun Christmas questionnaire -at least I had fun answering the questions!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial my daughter has allergies need a artificial one
3. When do you put up the tree? Around the 1st of the month
4. When do you take the tree down? I get sick of it on Christmas night! (sorry)
5. Do you like eggnog? I like it with a sprinkly of cinamon on the top
6. Favorite gift received as a child? don't remember,
7. Hardest person to buy for? my mother
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, of course!
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
10. Favorite Christmas Movie?Clark Griswolds Christmas Vacation
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? It is always on my mind.. I buy and store it in the closet.
12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, I appreciate all gifts
13. What do you eat at Christmas? a breakfast casarole type meal, christmas dinner, this year we are going out to dinner at a Restaurant. No cooking for me
14. Lights on the tree? Yes! I seem to like white better than color, but I like both.
15. Favorite Christmas song? Pretty Papers by Willie Nelson, O Holy Night by Martina McBride
16. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay at home
17. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Nope...
18. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have both, I like the star better though.
19. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas day? We open one present Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas day.
20. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People that are rude and drive crazy
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red-
22. Favorite for Christmas dinner? ham, funeral potatoes, and all the sweet stuff
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? just to make some new memories
24. Christmas Tradition? reading stories to the girls, being with family, laying under the tree singing christmas songs with the kids and hubby. You should try it. The tree looks different when you lay on the carpet and look up at it. It's pretty...

Now it's your turn.... copy and past and answer the questions.