8:07am

At 8:07 am this morning I heard the first little steps down the hallway into the family room and then I heard those little steps come running back into the boys room, Cooper, Bauer..... Santa came and brought lots of presents.

Then the pandemonium broke loose. Kind of.

They immediately dumped out their stockings and ripped open a package of lifesavers, candy cans, jolly ranchers, Hershey kisses all over the floor and Kessler was now in candy heaven. (usually candy is out of his reach so all over the floor he couldn't decide which ones to grab)

I loaded two videos of some of the highlights. Alivia did get her fake nails, a nail polish creator, a cup cake decorator & a mini camera type thing. She also got clothes, hair things, an iCarly blanket and some cash (thank you Nana and Grandma)

Cooper and Bauer loaded up on the Transformer items and Bauer did get his prized item of Rocky the robot truck. They also got blankets, puzzles, baseball mitts and baseballs.

Kessler got a little people school bus, a little tykes piano and a robot truck as well.

Andrea got a new set of scriptures, that say "Andrea Whidden" , photography class and a surprise gift of a GPS for the Suburban.

Ben got candy, some tools and got to put together 6-7 kids toys.

We had a good afternoon. We took the kids to see "the Chipmunks, the sqeakqual" it was cute and the kids loved it. We also had a special dinner tonight some honey baked turkey, potatoes supreme, corn and a pink fizzy drink.

After dinner, we read the kids a story about Santa and how you can relate Santa to Jesus, then we had the kids blow out a candle and then light a candle representing closing this year and then lighting the candle representing the New Year and keeping the light of Christ with them and then at the end of next year they will do the same (a little bit more detailed than that but for the sake of typing).

We are trying to come up with some of are own family traditions, Ben said next year our tradition should be prime rib.

Merry Christmas,

I am thankful for this time of year. I am thankful for my Savior and his humble birth, his parents who raised him on this Earth and Our Heavenly Father who sacrificed his son for our sake.

Merry Christmas!

35 fine years!

Benjamin Earl Whidden is 35 years old.

According to Ben he does not feel 35 and I would be willing to bet he probably thinks he could do all the things he did when he was 18.

Which would include staying up late, eating chips, cookies and pop, running up and down the basketball court a couple times a week.

Yes, he has aged well, there is not much he has given up, maybe a tad bit of freedom with the demands of a wife and kids.

In my past blogs I have written 31,32 or 33 reasons we like, love the things that Ben does. I would be sad to not do that however I hope I can think of that many, some might be repeats but will try hard to think of something new.

1. He really doesn't mind having grey hair, I secretly think, he thinks, it is distinguishing.

2. He doesn't really take good care of cars, if he didn't have to change the oil he wouldn't it takes a miracle to talk him into buying new tires when they are shot.

3. He likes to do things by himself, I don't mind cleaning up a room and helping him out, he however would rather do it all himself, I think so no one is in the way?

4. When he hangs things they are was too high, Ben being tall he puts things where it would make sense if he whole family was taller than 6 foot.

5. His favorite cereal right now is frosted flakes.

6. He never uses lotion.

7. When he is watching hockey and his team scores he has to find someone to give 5 to.

8. If he does give you five don't put your hand up by your face.

9. He burned down a section of our fence this year.

10. He didn't get any tickets this year.

11. He got a different calling in Church that doesn't have to do with sports.

12. He spoils his kids on Christmas.

13. On his birthday he was shocked Christmas was only 6 days away. I thought he would have figured that out by now.

14. He has been wanting to take the kids ice skating for a couple weeks.

15. When our printer runs out of ink, he doesn't buy new cartridges he buys a printer on clearance we have 5 printers in our house right now.

16. I have finally talked him into throwing his socks away when they have more holes than fabric.

17. He loves his job

18. He doesn't like orange juice with pulp.

19. He secretly likes my suburban, he has acted indifferent, but every time he drives with me I show him something cool and he smiles.

20. He is glad that I found a hobby.

21. He doesn't like when I spend money on my hobby.

22. His passport is still expired and he says at least once a week he should get it renewed.

23. He bought a weight set he has used once.

24. He really wants a German Shepherd.

25. He sometimes thinks the kids are older than they are..for example he tells Kessler to go get in bed. (he sleeps in a crib:)

26. He let Cooper stay home from church for the last 20 minutes by himself, Cooper told Ben I will clean the house. Ben believed him.

27. He will sometimes tell me jokes.

28. He organized our food storage this year.

29. He can't eat as much as he used to.

30. He loves to take the kids on vacation.

31. He can't wake up as easily as he used to.

32. He didn't know how old he was turning this year.

33. When he gives me a hug he pats my back three times.

34. He says "oh great" when I have rearranged a room

35. He is the best dad!

The Vibe

Alivia started dance a few months ago at a place called The Vibe in Lindon. She has never taken dance before and was not very sure at first. Her first day she was very awkward and some of the little girls, she said, were whispering about her.

It was hard to hear her little feelings be hurt however she likes it more and more.

This is a video of the dance they are working on, they do a mini performance at Christmas time and then a showcase at the end of the year.

Alivia's teacher is Alexis and she is AWESOME!

Mad Skills

( This is Alivia's house I took the picture of the side because she said that the gum with the licorice on it represents a hose and the hose holder:) Ben and his gingerbread making skills. I think Ben has more fun than the kids do. This year the kids were able to choose one more difficult and then make a little house they could do whatever they wanted. Here are some pics from phase 1, yes this has become so complex we will have a phase 2 installment. Ben (not pictured yet) an igloo and ice skating rink Andrea (not picture yet) swimming pool Alivia - fish tank and little house Cooper- optimus prime and little house Bauer- Bumblebee and little house Kessler- little house Alivia's House Optimus Prime with the detachable cab (ben is out of control)

Kessler and his new smile when he sees the camera (it is hysterical)

Bauer and the Michael Jackson approach (one-glovin it)

Bumble Bee

Butter cream frosting. yummy. I was frosting graham crackers with this frosting and eating them just because:)

Did they turn their Christmas lights on...

Cooper has always been known to not pay attention and when asked a question he will respond with a very weird answer or respond with a question. Tonight: (a very condensed version) Ben: holds up a picture of Mary on a donkey Ben: Alivia what is this? Alivia: Mary riding a camel with Joseph holding a baby Me ?? Ben: where were they going? kids: no answer Ben: explains what a stable is Cooper: did they turn on their Christmas lights? Me: ?? Kessler has been sitting on my lap so far, the kids are on the floor sitting by each other, Kessler won't sit there anymore gets down and hits Cooper on the head and says "duck" The kids crack up laughing and we never regain control....

Saturday Sleddin'

We decided to go sledding we started in our back yard and then ended up at the school up the street. The pictures are not really in order however I took quite a few and narrowed them down to the funny ones. This is Bauer he was loving the sledding and then by accident his sled went sideways and hit some kids jump they made for their snowboards. I unfortunately wasn't as prepared for this shot and it is blurry, but once the kids saw Bauer go on the jump and survive they thought they should try it too.

Cooper's first jump attempt

Cooper didn't like the 'fear factor' sledding very much, he said he hurt his bum and if you have seen what bum he has, he doesn't have much padding.

Ben trying to hit me with snow balls---rude...although his aim was lacking...never got me

Fun~ I should have brought gloves....tad bit chilly

Kessler's first sledding try..

He was sad for about 90 seconds and then off to sled with someone.

Liv's first jump attempt

Ben trying to snow surf :)

Some of Liv's jump attempts