I did it!!!

As most of you know, several months ago, President Hansen gave us a challenge. He challenged us to get a new copy of the Book of Mormon and read it. But read it and mark it with the intent of giving it to someone else. What an amazing challenge. A little scary, but amazing. I, along with my friend Heidi took the challenge. I started in October and finished it this morning.

It has been an incredible experience for me. I have read it before...but this time was different. I was reading it through the eyes of someone else. From the beginning I knew who I was going to give it to. Every verse I marked everything I read, was for her. That had a huge effect on me.

~~~~~~

Well, reading was the easy part. Now I have to actually give it to my person. In the next few days I will. My nerves get shaky just thinking about it. I don't know how it will go, but I do know that I won't be alone when I hand her this amazing book.

Christmas, Christmas time is here!!

Man did it come on fast. I don't know if there has been a Christmas that I have been less prepared for. It just seemed to sneak up on me. After our little gift for Jesus...the kids couldn't stand it anymore and headed to the living room.

Isabelle couldn't contain her excitement!!

Let the unwrapping begin!!

Mom, Dad, David, Cari and Gabe ended up coming over to unwrap presents with us.
I didn't get a shot of mom and dad though.

My sweet Savannah.

You can't tell from the picture, but she is dancing to the music. She sure can shake her hips.

Payton loves to pose with things. In most of the pictures I have ever taken of him, there is something in his hands.

Isabelle talking on her little cell phone.

Jillian loved the fairy costume she got from Aunt Judi and Uncle Paul. She didn't really want to take it off all morning.

After the commotion settled and we ate breakfast, Jillian and daddy were tired...and grumpy if you can't tell. They were watching Horton Hears a Who and I think that Doug was trying to catch a quick cat nap.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



BLACKMAIL!!

After a while, people started showing up. Nanci and John and their 8 kids came up from Battleground, Alan and Brenda and kids, mom and dad came back and so did David and Cari. It was a houseful again.

Well, I think everyone got a little bored. Most of the adults ended up playing the Horton Hears a Who game that our kids got. It was really hilarious to see all these "grown-ups" prance around in the Horton hat looking for the clovers. Mom was the funniest and the most embarrassed I think. She had to hop to a clover, the room was filled with laughter.

"Shooot"

John had to "flap" to a clover and was a great sport about it. Actually, I think it was his idea to play the game.

Even though Jillian wasn't really playing the game, she needed to wear the Horton hat and flap around like she had seen everyone else do.

John and Nanci got stuck in our awful driveway on the way in and the way out. Doug to the rescue. He got them out and they headed home.

After everyone had left, Doug decided to show off his mad guitar skills to the kids. They were impressed...sort of.

We usually try to get a shot of all of us together on Christmas day. But it was just the kids this year. After this pic was taken, we headed over to Doug's parents to have a great dinner. The ham was awesome and a perfect ending to the day. It helped that it was somewhere besides my house.

Of course a holiday or special event wouldn't be complete without the token "vomiting." During dinner Payton was complaining about his stomach hurting (no, not from too much candy). He ended up puking right before bed. Oh what fun it is to be the Gifford Family!!

We hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas!!

THE GIFT

~

T'was the morning of Christmas,

and all through this place

A smile was planted on everyone's face.
~

Payton was the first to arise with delight

Not to peak at the presents

Took all of his might.

~

He waited with patience

For his sisters to arise

Finally, presents...but first a surprise.

~

We tip-toed as quickly

As we were able

One present we found right there on the table.

~

"FOR JESUS" it said

As the kids looked with glee

What on earth could this possible be?

~

Then they remembered

FHE Monday night

Could it be what we said...oh, it just might.

~

They unwrapped the box

With sweet, tender love

And realized it WAS from them to above.

~

The gifts we would give

To the Savior this year

Placed in this box to draw us more near.

~

Dad would give prayer

More patience from mother

Payton would do service projects for others.

~

For those who were hurt

Savannah'd be there

Jilli would be nice and just try to play fair

~

From Isabelle she

Would continue to love

From all of us more reverence when we pray to above.

~

The last gift from all

Was to love on another

Like Jesus loves us and our sisters and brothers.

~

When we were all finished

So much more there could be

The things we could do for our Savior to see.

~

The rest of the morning

Just like normal was spent

With presents, and candy and holiday scent.

~

But for just a few moments

Before the presents for each

The meaning of Christmas, our hearts it did reach.

~

For us, Christ was born

And he lived and he died.

But he lives now for us to return to his side.

~

Clarissa Gifford

12-26-2008

Christmas Eve

~

Every Christmas Eve the family joins in on my sister-in-law, Dawn's, Italian tradition. She fixes up some spaghetti and meatballs (or Lasagna) and we all gather around the table. It was a small group this year. Only 11 kids and 11 adults.

Another tradition is Christmas pajamas. Doug's mom, Eileen, makes pj's for all of the grand kids. (There are 28 right now). The kids love that they get to open a present on Christmas Eve.

(Gabe, Christopher, Megan, Spencer, Jillian, Payton, Bryce, Savannah, Haley, Dallon and Isabelle)

Trying to get them all to sit still long enough for a picture is a pretty crazy thing. This is the best I could get with all of them in the frame.

Let it SNoW, Let it SNoW, Let it SNow!!!

So all this snow fall put a damper on my plans for the day. Heidi and I were supposed to head up to OTown to hang out with our beautiful friend Rachel. We were all totally bummed that it didn't work out. Especially when we found out that there was going to be presents and sugar cookies!! sniff sniff

I am from Colorado. Having all this snow makes me miss it. The snow that fell today is similar to the snow that falls in my home state. Although the snow there is more dry...the snow today was way more dry than the usual wet heavy snow we get.

The kids got home early and when they got their chores done, I bundled them up and they headed out. Their cousin, Karlie was more than happy to play with them and help build a snowman. There were a few complications with his head. He ended up looking that a shrunken-head snowman. The kids had a blast and didn't really get that cold.

TEAMWORK!!

Jillian just spent the entire time eating the snow. At least she was trying to share with Isabelle. She didn't like it near as much!

Once there were 5 snowmen!
Karlie and the kids took turns being the snowmans head and arms before they put the real one on.

By this time, Doug had gotten home. So all Isabelle wanted was him.

HAPPY SNOW DAY!!

Finally...a Christmas Tree!

After Payton's wrestling thing on Saturday, we finally got a tree. We found a fabulous tree farm just off of Jackson Highway. The couple that run it are super nice and very helpful. They provided us with umbrellas and took the liberty of using their chainsaw to chop it down. They even carried it to our truck and loaded it for us. And the tree was only $10!!! Isabelle had fallen asleep in the truck so she missed out on all the excitement and the picture.

It has taken way too long to set up for the Christmas season this year. I usually set up decorations and the tree and the very beginning of December. But, at least we got one. The lights are on it and it is awaiting the ornaments.

I captured some cute moments on the way back to the truck. Jillian was having a hard time carrying the umbrella by herself, so Savannah helped. Jillian responded with a sweet, "Thank you, Thannah!"

My Little Wrestler

I finally made it to one of Payton's tournaments. Although I was a little late and missed his first match, I got to see his second. Unfortunately, he lost both of them. But he has done better in the past. His last match he won 2 of 4 and the same with the matches before. This coming Saturday is the end of the season tournament. Good luck Payton!!

Jillian's Masterpieces

Some people may think that a masterpiece comes on a canvas, paper, in the form of a statue...but there are other ways too. Maybe Jillian will have a career in face painting.

I'm sure this in not the last time she will use Isabelle as a guinea pig!!

Isabelle HATES when I take a shower. She usually cries the whole time. Which makes for an incredibly relaxing experience. I don't know if she thinks I am being swallowed up into some other dimension or if she just wants to be in there with me. Apparently, she didn't have the energy to scream the other day. I got out of the shower and this is what I found. Personally, a scale has NEVER brought me this kind of comfort!!

Kleptomaniac

On Sunday we had our missionary/cottage meeting at our house. Of course there were goodies to share afterwards. Bishop and Jill had brought OREO's, which I love. But, I have to eat them a certain way. (6, with a glass of milk for dipping.) Anyway, because I wanted to save them for later, I took my stash, put them in a Ziploc bag and hid them on the kitchen counter. The next morning I came into the family room where dear, sweet Jillian was. I looked at the coffee table, and low and behold there were all 6 of my Oreo's laying out, with the cream missing. SHE STOLE MY COOKIES! Not a big deal, I know. I let her know that she shouldn't take things that are not hers and to ask next time. FAST FORWARD to today. We were at the checkout at WalMart. Now everyone knows how they pack those sections full of candy and cheap, noisy toys that make the kids go crazy and make the checkout process even longer because you have to deal with your kids whining and crying about all the amazing things they are seeing that they just absolutely have to have and the tactic is that the big-wigs at the WalMart headquarters in Nebraska or somewhere are hoping that you will spend more money on all that stuff just to keep your kids from losing it and making a huge scene...whew, OK!!
Jillian really wanted one of those pretty princess cell phones. She asked over and over and over again for one. And I, being the loving, patient mother just kept telling her "no." She gave up after a little while...so I thought. I was busy loading my things on to the belt thingy and I happen to glance over at Jilli. I noticed that she had something in her shirt. Oh, yeah, It was the pretty princess phone!! She was trying to steal it!! Am I raising a klepto or what? First my OREO's, now the silly cell phone... I know what you are thinking, "she doesn't understand" But does she? Why would she think to HIDE it in her shirt?

More Crap from Jillian!

The other night we were all heading upstairs for Family scripture and prayer. I walked into the girls' room and noticed two very dark brown spots on the carpet. "What is on the carpet?" I asked. Of course, I got the usual, "I don't know" "It wasn't me" answers from Payton and Savannah. Then we turned to Jillian. She just shrugged her shoulders. Being the brave soul that I am, I knelt down to take a wiff...praying that it was going to be the sweet smell of chocolate. WRONG! It was poop! I started asking more questions to which the kids had no good answers for. Again, we turned to Jillian. We asked if she pooped on the floor. She is only 2, remind you, and at the stage where she is OK with taking the blame for everything. She said that she did do it. We then asked her why, to which she answered..."I just taked off my diaper and pooped on the floor." Doug and I both had to turn our heads away so she wouldn't see us laughing. Now, we don't really know what happened, but we do know that Jillian sure can make us laugh!!

A few questions about the holidays...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? HOT CHOCOLATE!!!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree? Sits them out everywhere!
3. Colored or white lights on tree and house? ALWAYS white on the tree and if we get around to it this year...colored on the house.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not usually...but maybe this year!
5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually at the very beginning of December...hasn't happened yet...sad!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish not including dessert? Wow, I don't even know.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Sneaking down stairs to check out my presents with my sister Tiffinie.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, but the kids do. (Christmas pajamas from Grandma)
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Red, white, blue and silver...it's a little bit of a "cute Country" themed.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! (I'm a Colorado girl...gotta love the snow)
12. Can you ice skate? Not really.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? As a kid...a handmade doll house my mom and grandaddy made, and my Cabbage patch doll.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family and focusing Christmas on the Savior!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I really like those white fudge covered Oreo's they bring out at Christmas time.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Is it sad to say that we don't really have one?
17. What tops your tree? A silver star
18. Which do you prefer, giving or Receiving? I really like RECEIVING...but, of course I absolutely love GIVING!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh, Holy Night by Josh Groban
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? On occasion they are yummy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

B.A.

(Blogaholics Anonymous)

My name is Clarissa Gifford, I am 28 years old, and I am a Blogaholic! I have been suspecting this for some time now. I thought I might have a problem when I realized that I looked at my life in terms of blogging. Anything and everything that happens, I would think, "OOH, I should put that on my blog," and then I would start writing the story in my head. There was also a sense of sadness when I didn't have anything to blog about. Well, it has only gotten worse. I came to the absolute conclusion that I have an addiction during my last blog entry. You see, I had woke up Saturday morning pretty sore and tired and had a massive sore throat. I wanted to just brush it off because I thought it was mostly because of going riding on Friday. Well, some pretty severe symptoms started to develop and all I could think of was posting to my blog about Thanksgiving and riding. I kept having to stop to regain my thoughts, rest my head and focus. My husband said, "Go to bed, you don't HAVE to blog!" I was like, "what did you just say?" Towards the end of the post...I was typing with trembling hands and blurry vision. When I was finally finished, I rushed to get into my bed!! I was shivering with terrible cold chills and feeling weak and tired all over. I had a fever of 101.9. I stayed in bed the rest of the day not really being able to pick my head up off the pillow. Needless to say, I was miserable. We spent most of Sunday in the ER (because there is no urgent care open on Sunday mornings) and filling prescriptions for me and the rest of the family for strep throat. Not how I wanted to spend my Sunday!!
But here's the thing...I am not completely better, my kids are super sick now, I am running on about 6 hours of sleep over the past two nights, the house is in complete disarray, I have a ton of stuff to get done and I am here blogging! Yes, my name is Clarissa Gifford and I am a Blogaholic.

How we spent "Black Friday"

So, this year I opted not to do the whole shopping thing. I went last year and it was pretty fun...I just didn't feel like it this year. I am sure that it was fabulous for those who did go. Well, very last minute I was able to go riding with my husband over in Shelton. I haven't been in a really, really long time. But, it's just like riding a bike...

It seems like it takes forever to get everything going...
Doug doesn't mind changing in front of everyone. He says..."We're all dudes!"




Doug and his brother Rob

On the way there we had to stop at WalMart to get a new battery for my quad. Once they figured it all out...it ran great!

Jeff and (daughter) Heather Layton...Doug's cousins

Rich and Wes

Ben McBride and his dad

ME!!

We ended up having to stop several times for different things. Waiting for people to catch up (ME!), Rob had to air up his tire like every 20 minutes, someone getting hurt (But not too bad)...you know, the normal riding stuff.

Taking a break and waiting for Rob! Dang tire!

Heather, super cutie and only 13 years old, was a pro on her 200. And since her and I were the only girls there...we had to show our toughness!!

I know...we are dorks!

There were some pretty steep hill climbs. You can't really tell by the picture. Next time, Doug wants me to try and get more action shots!!

When we finally found our way back...which took a really long time, Wes pointed out this sign. OOPS!!

We had a blast!! I was wet, cold, and muddy! I loved riding through the big mud puddles!

I am sore and very tired this morning! But it was a great "Black Friday"!!

Thanks to my mother-in-law, Eileen for watching the kids!