Holiday Tradition...

I have a favorite family tradition that has been part of my family for about 10 years. Sub-for-Santas. I have gained so much from giving to others, expecially at this time of year. I have seen the worst circumstances of those we have given to and other times I only know the childs age, clothing size, and shoe size.
One family in particular comes to my mind every Christmas season. We received this family from a friend of ours who was a teacher. She had one of the children in her class and had learned of the families trials. The mother had walked out and left the father in care of 3 young children. The father had lost his arm in an accident and therefore was unable to work. As we arrived the night of our delivery, we were all in shock as we starred at what they called a "home". It was a storage shed, heated only by a small space heater. The three chilren began unwrapping some of the presents as we unloaded them. One of the children had asked for a sleeping bag - he found it, opened it, and the smile on his face was almost all we could bear. We gave each of the children a new coat; we had learned from the teacher that they had only one coat between the three of them, and whoever woke up the earliest was the one that got to wear the coat. My dad left a business card with the father, it had a number of someone he could get in contact with for a job. As we drove away that night, there was only silence... none of us were able to talk. That Christmas changed us. I think of this family every holiday season and pray that they are in a better place.
My family continues to do Sub-for-Santas, and although we have never since seen the conditions we did that one year, we are always touched. I think one of the best things we can all do during the holiday season is to give, especially to those who need it most.

cold... colder... FREEZING!

I love Utah in the winter.
1. I love the snow
2. I don't mind the cold
3. I love the way everything looks covered in snow
4. I love the fog
5. I love snowboarding and snow-skiing (although I am not very good at either) This is the view from my parents front door step the other morning. The fog was so thick - I thought it was beautiful!
Jackson loves the snow. He loves layering on all his snow gear and going out and playing/eating the snow. The other night Scott put him on the 4-wheeler (which he calls a "ride"), and he loved it. As cold as it is - he would stay out there for hours if I let him.

A Weekend To Remember...?

Utah has had some pretty crazy snow storms the past two weeks. We are staying up at my parents house in Heber and have really been hit hard with the snow. Two weekends ago, Brad and Jaime had to come up through Heber to pick up their Christmas Tree (they got a permit to cut it down in the forest). I invited them to my parents to play in the snow and have some lunch before they headed out to find a tree. It was a great start to the day - we had delicous creamy vegetable soup - the kids LOVED playing in the snow - and Jacks enjoyed eating the snow. My dad talked Brad and Scott into helping him with some things he needed done and in return offered to drive them to where they could cut a tree down - see the snowstorms have been so crazy that Brad would have been up to his waist searching for a tree - my dad figured he could get them up the mountain to a place where he wouldn't have to hike in so far.

We took two cars - my dads very large Ford 350 truck and Brad and Jaimes Expedition. The roads started out "okay" but very quickly became snow packed and icey. As we continued up the road, we came to a hill, my dad said "if we can get up and over this hill we will be fine". Well, needless to say, we didn't get up and over the hill. My dads very large truck lost traction on the hill, and started to slide back, and of course Brad and Jaime were right behind us. As they saw what was happening, Brad tried to reverse his car - he was stuck and could go no where. So we slammed right into them. No one was hurt - besides their car, the front bumper had a good size dent in it. Of course we decided to turn around and head out of the canyon. We got out safe, but my dad knew we couldn't give up at that - they needed their Christmas tree - so we went up a different canyon (a normal highway) and found a place "not to far off the road" where Scott and Brad could cut down a tree. The day ended with what they came for, and I guess also what they didn't come for - but at least they got their tree, and we all have a weekend that will never be forgotten!

GO COUGARS

We made it home from AZ just in time to drop Scott off at the COUGAR stadium for the big BYU vs UTAH game. I went up to Heber to watch it with my family - and wow! what a game! It was pretty intense, but BYU pulled out of it with a win, we love our BYU COUGARS!

I was also able to see my sister Melissa and her family, they came down from Denver for Thanksgiving, but will not be coming back for Christmas, so I was excited to get home to spend some time with them. Melissa took our family pictures while she was here. They turned out soooo cute! I will post some later for you all to enjoy! ha ha.

Jack and Henry eating at the little kids table.

Thanksgiving PARTY!

Okay... things have been a little crazy for the past coule weeks. I know this is a little late - but this was our Thanksgiving Holiday!

We spent the weekend in AZ with Scotts Family. All of his siblings were there, which makes it so fun. I think we are all very lucky because we get along so well and have so much fun together. Scotts mom bought the xbox rock band game just before we arrived - needless to say, I think the boys spent most if not all of their time at her house in front of the TV, pretending to be in a band. It was hilarious! The girls would get together and play occasionally - I think our drummer (jamie), made us look pretty awesome!

The morning of Thanksgiving day, a few of us participated in the Turkey Trott. It was a 10k (about 6.2 miles). I am not a runner, in fact I think I could use the words "run" and "hate" in the same sentence. But I signed up for it and therefore, completed it. Hoo-ray for me! This is our little family Thanksgiving Day ...

Christmas Cards Anyone?

So, it's that time of year. Time to put together the cute family pictures with cute Christmas cards. I love doing this! I love putting them together, I love sending them out to friends and family, and I love getting them in return too!

If you would like to be on my list, please e-mail me your home address. Thanks!

Let the Happy Holidays Begin!

mccallrandall@gmail.com

Tag... you're it!

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. I was 14, so probably wishing I was 16 (michele, i stole your answer)
2. Diving Diving Diving
3. Class President of 9th Grade... go eagles!
4. Writing my name with every cute boys last name... wondering, will I marry him? I was such a day dreamer.
5. Sneaking out to hang out with boys - my parents had this rule: no boys until we were 16, even if it was a big group of people to hang out with. Of course, I thought my life would be over if I missed "that" party... oh, the joy of junior high!

5 Things on my to do list today:
1. Work Out
2. Buy Groceries
3. Visit Scott @ Work
4. Best thing in the world: Play with Jacks
5. LAUNDRY/DISHES/CLEANING (never ending!)

5 Foods I enjoy:
1. Chicken
2. Cucumber Sandwiches
3. Frozen Yogurt
4. Hot Cider
5. Fruit... any kind

5 Bad Habits:
1. Not cooking dinner, but having plenty of cookies and treats around the house
2. Too much TV, why are there so many good shows on?
3. Wanting things I can't have
4. Staying in sweats or work out clothes all day
5. Hoping for something, rather than just going out and working for it

5 favorite toys:
1. The mall (is that a toy?)
2. The kitchen (maybe this isn't a toy either?)
3. iPod
4. My rollerblades
5. Scott and Jackson (best toys in the world)

5 People I Tag: Heidi, Michelle Roe, Melissa Stevens, Emily, Nikki