Sweet Christmas Dress

There are very few things as sweet as a little girl in her Christmas dress.

Christmas Day

Our Christmas day was filled with joy and cheer from sweet gifts, yummy meals, and talking to our loved ones. There is little better than watching your child light up while receiving gifts. Brynnlee loved everthing she was given even though she didn't quite understand why she was getting it. (Don't worry....our next FHE was about the birth of the Savior.)

We wished we could have been with our families, but being together as our little family was the best gift of this Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

We spent part of our Christmas Eve at the Southeast Botanical Gardens here in Okinawa.

There were beautiful plants, trees, and flowers and fun things for Brynnlee.

We headed home for our shrimp dinner and Christmas pajamas!

Visit with Santa

There was a rumor that Santa was visiting the Kadena BX. (The BX is the Base Exchange. The store where we do our non-grocery shopping.) We decided to go and reintroduce Brynnlee to the Jolly Man.

Brynnlee's first visit with Santa was when she was three months old. Let's just say that it did not go very well!

Kevin and I told Brynnlee a little bit about Santa, and while we were standing in line she was so happy and excited. She kept saying, "Santa, Santa."

I was happy and excited because I was ready to get the cutest picture with Brynnlee sitting and smiling on Santa's lap. I knew she was going to tell him that she wanted to play for Christmas or tell him that she wanted a baby or something so cute.

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Well, at least Santa was a good sport!

Christmas Tree Craft

I got this cute Christmas Tree craft from Kids Craft Weekly. I thought it would be a cute simple craft for Brynnlee, and I was right! All I did was cut green and red card stock in to several triangles, and then we colored on them. Finally, I attached them to clothes pins, and we ended up with cute trees.

Kevin, Brynnlee, and I had fun making these little guys. And now our home has even more Christmas Spirit!

Brynnlee's Play Date

Today Brynnlee hosted her very first play date. We invited the Rogers over for a bit of fun. They were nice enough to invite us over to play, so we wanted to return the favor. We had a fun time with lunch, a snowman cotton ball craft, and a little bit of playing with Brynnlee's toys. I think we had a pretty good time for trying to get two two-year-olds to play together! I forgot to take pictures, but here is one of Brynnlee's snowman.

Finding the Christmas Spirit

I often have a hard time finding my inner Christmas spirit. I feel like Christmas has become a crazy holiday and few really think about the Savior. I sometimes wonder why we all get so wrapped up in this time of year.

Why do we stress ourselves out over gifts and parties and perfection? Why do we try to find the perfect presents for others? Why do we buy presents at all? Why don't we do service for others all of the time? Why don't we love each other all year round?

I don't know if my questions will ever be answered or if I will ever fully change how I feel about Christmas. But last week I found a little piece of my Christmas spirit. I was able to participate in an activity involving Japanese sisters from here in Okinawa. The people involved wanted to teach them about the American traditions of Christmas. The delight and enthusiasm of the Japanese women reminded me of children learning about Christmas for the first time. It was....refreshing.

We divided into four different groups. I drove my group to the homes of those participating. At each home, the Japanese sisters experienced a little bit of Christmas in the US. The first home introduced them to Christmas decorations and caroling. We even went to the next door neighbors and sang a couple of Christmas songs. It was wonderful to hear "Joy to the World" in English and Japanese. Next, they learned about Christmas cards. The wonderful American sisters explained what we do with Christmas cards and even helped the Japanese woman make a card. Third, we learned about the symbols of Christmas. This was my favorite because we sat around a fire and learned that the decorations, tree, colors, and gifts of Christmas all have a significance and are connected to helping us remember Christ. It is what I needed to hear because I was beginning to feel like all that we did had little to do with the Savior. Finally, the Japanese sisters were introduced to the art of Christmas cookie decorating--a very wonderful part of Christmas!

I am very glad I was able to participate in this activity. I know that my heart needed it. I haven't completely found my Christmas spirit, but I am one step closer.

Trimming the Tree

Ahh the smell of pine. We finally have it in our home and decorated our Christmas tree as a family. There were some stressful moments, a broken ornament, and a flopped over Christmas star. But we got it worked out. Brynnlee enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree even though she doesn't really understand what is going on. With some Christmas music playing in the background, decorating the Christmas tree really put us in the Christmas spirit!

"I Help"

Brynnlee is going through a helpful phase. Whenever I am doing something that she sees as important, she says, "I help." She "helps" me with cleaning up spills, getting food, making food, and unloading the dishwasher. I just wish that she really was being helpful instead of making mess!

Sometimes I Make Stuff....

I am not very creative. Oh how I wish I were. I love to look at the craft and food blogs for great ideas. And even when I follow their instructions or stumble across a good idea, I often bumble it. But every once in awhile, I do create something pretty cute. Here are a few crafts I have made in the last month.

"To Do List" Board

Bows for Brynnlee

Cards for family

Little bag for Brynnlee

Our Thanksgiving

It's hard being away from family on holidays....especially when it's your favorite. I love Thanksgiving, and this was our second we celebrated without our families. But it turned out to be a really nice day anyway.

First, Kevin and Brynnlee went on a daddy/daughter outing to an aquarium. It is one of the biggest in the world. They touched starfish and sea cucumbers, saw turtles and whale sharks, caught a dolphin show, and had ice cream for lunch. They had a fabulous time together.

Second, I was at home ALONE for many hours. It was so nice to be able to relax and get the things I wanted to done. I don't think I had ever been alone in our home before that day.

Third, we spent Thanksgiving dinner with some really fun people from our branch. The Thomson family was very generous to invite us over. We had some good laughs and a lot of great food.

I Think I'm in Love

I think I am in love.....with a machine. That's right, I am in love with my new computer. It's silly to love something that won't love me back, but it can do such wonderful things! So far, I have been able to easily finish my school-work, complete our family newsletter, print labels for mailing, watch television shows in my bedroom, and have video chats with the people I love. (That's my second new love...Skype.) And if I knew what the heck I was doing, I know I could do so much more.

Turkey Pumpkin

Brynnlee and I did a craft project today. This is what we created.

I cut out the features, and Brynnlee glued them on the pumpkin! Pretty good teamwork!

Happy Halloween

We went to our branch's trunk or treat activity where we were treated to delicious homemade chili, cornbread, and yummy desserts. I took Brynnlee around to the trunks to grab her loot while Kevin manned the car and treats. I decorated our trunk with little paper dolls dressed in Halloween costumes. I thought it turned out very cute. Brynnlee was a pumpkin this year thanks to my mom. She gave us the adorable costume last year.

Brynnlee was excited to get started!

This is our trunk decorated for visitors.










I guess she couldn't get enough!










We also went trick or treating on Kadena Air Force Base. Brynnlee was super cute when she asked for candy. And of course she said thank you!

Brynnlee saying, "Trick or treat!" with Kevin's help.










Waiting patiently for her turn....










Taking a much-needed break!










What a cute pumpkin!