Christmas

 We started Christmas day at 6:30AM!!!
Dru and I were in bed and all I heard was 'Woooooow MY BIKE' and then some rustling of papers.
Dru and I shot up and got our clothes on so we wouldn't miss the openings.
The kids were really excited.
Masaru couldn't stop talking about his bike.  He loved it.
It was a really fun morning.

 Takeshi got this hammer and nail wooden set from Santa.  He likes it.  He just needs a little more practice.  He also got this caterpillar ride on toy that he's too short for. 
Good one, mum and Dad!!
He's got a 'jet plane' lolly from his Grandma in NZ in his mouth in the above pic.  She also got him a T-Shirt and some books.
Grandma from Utah got him an awesome Tonka truck.
His cuzzies from Utah got him this toy mailbox.  It's a hit with his other cousin as well.
Thanks guys.

 Yuki got this tent and tube from Santa.
She got a necklace and tracksuit from Mum and Dad.  Her stocking was filled with little cool things as well.
Grandma from NZ got her that lamb scarf you can see her in up top, a t-shirt and books and pineapple lump lollies.
Grandma from Utah got her a toy pram.  It's a hit.
Cuzzies from Utah got her this cool game, which we've already played and love.
Thanks guys.

Masaru got this bike from Santa and LOVES IT.  It has gears and bigger wheels.  He's been practicing and is doing well.  I'm excited for him.
He also got Yuki a book, so that's them giving each other a hug in the bottom corner there.  Cute.
Then he got Legos from Mum and Dad and that army top you can see him in, which he hasn't taken off since Christmas Day.
Grandma from NZ got him some roses chocolates with a sticker on it that said 'HANDS OFF MUM' lol  She knows me too well.
He also got a cool T-shirt and a book and a cute little pig.
Grandma from Utah helped with the bike as well as got him a book and legos.
His cuzzies from Utah got him some legos as well.
So he's filled to the brim of legos.  Him AND HIS FATHER are loving it.

Dru and I had a great day together.
Dru took about 2 naps.  He wasn't feeling the best.
We ate, talked to family, played games, hung out, ate some more.
It was a great Day.
I'm very blessed and loved this 2010 Christmas.
So did the kids.
And that's the most important thing.

I'm grateful that we can still celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  With the way things are going, I ponder how long we have until it's a completely lost thing to the public?
It truly is a celebration.
Without the Lord, I couldn't return to my Heavenly Father with my loved ones.
I love Christmas for many reasons, but my love for celebrating the Saviour's birth trumps them all.
Without him, I have no way home, with him, I have everything!!
Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas Eve

So Dru's family have traditions at Christmas time.
This happens to be one of them.
My mother used to do this with us as well.  Except she'd bake them from scratch!!
I think if she could get her hands on the pre-made ones she might consider it.
This one is the one Masaru and Yuki made.
Trains this year, instead of houses.

Here's all the cuzzies trains in a row.

They always have a Christmas Eve programme as well.
This year I was in charge of it.
No big deal, Kristin has a programme already typed up and we just did that one.
I really enjoyed it.
The kids liked dressing up and doing their part, and they all looked awesome.
Yuki was the angel that visited Mary.

Masaru was Joseph.
I think he did a great job of looking after Mary and that veil of hers.

The kids also did talents.
Masaru and Yuki were SUPPOSE to do two songs.  But Masaru backed out at the last minute, even though we practiced, and Yuki got some support from her cuzzies and sang without him.
It was the song 'Once there was a snowman'
If you don't know the song it goes like this.....................
'Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman,
Once there was a snowman, tall, tall, tall,
In the sun he melted, melted, melted,
In the sun he melted, small, small, small'
See, now the pictures are making more sense right?
Pretty cute.

Then we just put the kids to bed.
Masaru said "So mum, when we get up in the morning we'll see that Santa's been here?"
Me "Yep, but you can't start opening up presents till Dad and I are up"
Masaru "Ooooooooooooo this is gonna be so exciting, I can't wait"

Again, pretty cute.

I had a tough time this Christmas Eve.
I really missed my family.
After having a cry on the phone with Haydn I went upstairs and tried to pretend I was alright.
Truth be told, I just wanted to be home with my own family.
For as much as I loved Dru's, I just missed mine.
My bro was over from Aussie and everyone was getting together and I just felt left out.
Sometimes I feel lonely over here, like no one really understands me cause I'm from another country.
I know that sounds stupid, but that's how I was feeling that night.
I just wanted to be around my family, that's all.

But it was a good night.
I got to talk to most of my siblings and my mother.  So that was good.
Then Dru and I stayed up all night working on last minute things.
Like my gifts to him, gifts to family, things I'd left till the last minute.
I'm pretty usless with stuff, if it wasn't for a deadline, nothing would get done.
I didn't get to bed till around 1:30am

Boiled wool/felting/matting

 

These are all the names for what this is.

You knit the basic stitch and then throw it in the washing machine on hot/cold cycle.

The hardest part was the handle.

It took both Dru and I working on it for about 30 mins.

I dunno what I'd do without that man.

I come up with the ideas, and he helps me execute them.

Although this idea was from HERE

I made this for my sister in law for Christmas.

I also made another one for my mate in Boise but forgot to take pictures.

My OTHER sister in law gave me the idea (thanks Brooke)

I won't be making one of these again for a while.

I'm all knitted/crochet out.

Maybe I'll start sewing again.............  

Lou Lou Photography

 This is my favourite of Masaru (above)

 There's only two of Takeshi cause he didn't want anymore taken of him.  We were lucky to get these two.

 

Yuki LOVED posing.  I think she had the best time and could do this daily.

She's more girl than I realize I think.

Thanks Lou Lou, your the best.

Her button is on the left hand side of my blog.  If you click on it, it will take you to her site.  You should check her out.

Journal Entry Fourteen

Tell of a time when you had a car accident or car trouble.

Click HERE to read mine.

"Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life."

President Spencer W. Kimball

Masaru's pride and joy

 

So I'm pretty sure every kid in the planet who is of age, has made this clay pot.

Masaru LOVES it and is really proud of it.

He told me I could eat and drink out of it.

It might help me with my 12 week programme if I only eat and drink out of this bowl!!

He brought it to the dentist to show him.

He's pretty much told every person who'll listen, that he's made this pot and has asked me to blog it so EVERYONE can see it.

So HERE IT IS EVERYONE................Masaru's clay pot.

If you see him, let him know you thought it was awesome.  

Man that'll make his day.

While we were sleeping

 

So the kids wake up earlier than Dru and I and are left to themselves, usually for about half an hour or so.

It's always a surprise to see what they've been up to when we get up.

This particular morning I got up to find this.

Looks like the kids fed themselves chips for breakfast.

Looks like Masaru used scissors to cut the chip package open as well.

Don't worry, all my kids still have their fingers, toes and eyeballs.

Then he got the chip clip and strategically closed the chips up for us and put them away.

LOL

I love it.  It's so cute and he tried so hard.

So I thought I'd blog it.

No comments about the scissors and the kids up by themselves while we're sleeping thanks.

I don't need any judgments.

Just focus on how cute of a job Masaru did on the chip package.

Utah

We left for Utah yesterday and guess what..................it snowed.
I don't think it's snowed since we left Boise but Boise heard we were leaving and decided to give us a send off of snow.
Mother nature must say "Oh the Nakaya's are on the road, let it snow"
So we drove through the snow to Utah safely.
Did I type the word 'snow' enough for everyone?

So I went to church by myself today as Dru's with his father down in Moab picking up a trailer that broke and almost caused his father to have an accident coming home yesterday.
They're just in Moab now having lunch.
So my guess is I'll see him tonight, hopefully, before the kids go to bed, but I'm not holding my breath.

That's about it I guess.
My life the last 2 days.

Journal Entry thirteen

Tell some of your family Christmas Traditions.

Click HERE to read mine.

"Your own journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them.
Your journal should contain your true self rather than a picture of you when you are “made up” for a public performance. There is a temptation to paint one’s virtues in rich color and whitewash the vices, but there is also the opposite pitfall of accentuating the negative. Personally I have little respect for anyone who delves into the ugly phases of the life he is portraying, whether it be his own or another’s. The truth should be told, but we should not emphasize the negative. Even a long life full of inspiring experiences can be brought to the dust by one ugly story. Why dwell on that one ugly truth about someone whose life has been largely circumspect?"

By President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)

6 months and training

My little bro, Elder Wright AKA Bevin, has been out for 6 short months and is already training.
He gets his new companion today.
I can't believe it.
It's like he's still so new.
Not in the eyes of the mission President I guess.
Man I'm so proud of him.
He's doing so awesome.
I'm excited to hear how it goes.
All I know is this new missionary is damn lucky to have Bevin as his trainer.

It's done

This morning I went in, paid the $39 and entered the 12 week competition.
It's starts on Jan 8th.
You have to take a before shot.
I told Chris I don't own any short shorts and I'm not about to buy any for TWO PICTURES!!
But the competition is based over stats and overall appearance.
So the more I can show, the more chance I have of showing them how much I've changed.
I told Chris that I don't even wear that little at the POOLS WHEN I'M SWIMMING!!
So we'll see how that goes I guess.
Anyone got some short shorts I can borrow on the 8th?
I've got the sports bra.
How embarrassing!!
There's 5 categories.
I'm in the 30 to 39 year old category.
To win the $12,500 you have to win OVERALL.
So beat out EVERY CATEGORY.
$500 is just for Boise in my age group.
The $2500 is for my age group in the NATION.
This should be interesting.
It's win win really, there are no loosers.
But I'm sure gonna try my best, it can't be much harder than what I'm doing right now.........................can it?

12 weeks

So Gold's Gym is have a 12 week challenge.
I'm thinking of doing it.
It'd put me from Jan to March, then I'd start trying to have our forth kid.
What do you think?
Gym winner gets $500.
Regional winner gets $2500.
National winner gets $12,000.
I'm kinda scared as I've never done something like this before and it's a bit of pressure but good pressure right?
Chris thinks I can do it and have a lot to prove.
I dunno man, like I said, it's all a little scary.
It's $40 to enter.
What do you think?

Last Law Exam

Dru sat his LAST LAW EXAM today.
He's home and we're OFFICALLY on break.
Oh yeah baby, I get to see Dru more than 2 hours a day, it's gonna be great.

NO MORE LAW EXAMS.
Wooohooooooooooooo
We did it.

Now we can't get too excited as he DOES have the BAR EXAM.
But I'm not officially counting that as a LAW exam.
It can be it's own deal.

Man when Dru sits and passes that THEN it's be celebrations.
OH and WHEN he gets a job.....................that'll be another celebration.

BUT FOR NOW we're celebrating the fact that he's DUNSKIE with law school exams.

Man I knew it was gonna be like this but law school sure has gone by fast.
I've LOVED this adventure we've had together, it's been TERRIFIC.

I don't think we use that word enough................terrific.  Let's start using it more.

Good enough?

So there's a 'Boise Mission' place where you help out teenagers at Christmas time this year.
So my question to you is........................Do you think a teenager would wear this?
If I gave it to the 'mission', would it get used?
Or are the colours just wrong?
I like it, but would anyone else?
I wanted to do something for the teenagers and Dru and I are running SUPER low on funds this month, like the rest of the world, so this is what I came up with.
I dunno man, what do you think?
If you think it sucks then just keep quiet.
If I get zero comments then I'll know just the unravel it and think of something else.

Tender feelings

So for movie night tonight we all sad down and watched the movie 'Hook'
The kids LOVED IT.
But at the end the movie was cut short.
We probably had about 3 minutes left and it just cut off.  We were all bummed about it.
Both Masaru and Yuki started crying and I tried to explain to them that it was nobody's fault and we'd try and get the DVD from someone and watch the end.
Masaru calmed down but Yuki got more and more hysterical.
I got her in bed and asked her "Yuki do you know why you're crying?"
She goes, through sobs and tears "Because the baby went down in the pram and fell out in the rain"

There's a part in 'Hook' where Peter Pan remembers running away from his mother because he didn't want to grow up and then Tinkerbell finds him and takes him to Neverland.
Yuki's too young to understand this and was really upset about this baby's pram rolling out of control away from it's mother and falling in the rain, by itself with no one.

I was shocked and tried to explain to her that it's just pretend, that there was no real baby in the pram and Tinkerbell found him, held a leaf up to protect him and looked after him, and that the baby was ok.
I know, it's half truth, but it's all I had.
She calmed down, after she asked a few more questions and is asleep.

Growing up I had SUPER sensitive feelings and emotions about just this kind've thing.
I was always mocked by my siblings for taking things to heart in movies and books, stories and articles and real life documentaries.
I remember crying once cause a kid ran over a worm with his tricycle.

Tonight is the first time I've ever seen these same kind've feelings in Yuki.
I just never realized she'd think about things like that and take it to heart.

Poor Yuki.
So precious.
I love her.

Maybe we should just stick to 'Duck Tales' for movie night.

Journal Entry Twelve

Tell about a family vacation that was special to you.

Click HERE to read mine.

"Accordingly, we urge our young people to begin today to write and keep records of all the important things in their own lives and also the lives of their antecedents in the event that their parents should fail to record all the important incidents in their own lives. Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity.  Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant."
Spencer W. Kimball, "The Angels May Quote from It", New Era, Feb. 2003, 32
    U

Kid 'friend'ly

So we were reading in November's Friend magazine and came across this.
So as part of our scripture study this morning we made these.
I guess it was more of an activity to do after the fact.
Anyway the recipe is SIMPLE, the kids all helped.
It's more HEALTHY than other baked goods I can name that are red with raspberries ontop of them.
And they taste REALLY YUMMY.
Triple whammy mate.
So if your like me, and would rather have the kids stay out of the kitchen, but feel guilty telling them to get out all the time, TRY THIS WITH THE KIDS and then you BOTH WIN.
If I can do it, you can too.
Gooooooooooooooooooo US!!

I was thinking you could add cream cheese or vanilla frosting on top and drizzle caramel over the top as well if you wanted to get fancy schmancy.

Let me know how it goes.

Nothing

 I was taking some pic's for my mate and Yuki asked me to take a pic of her.
So I did.
She has Mickey Mouse ears on.
Hence the reason she wanted her picture taken.

 Then this little guy got in on the action and wanted his picture taken and pulled this face when I told him to smile.

It looks like Yuki is forcing his head like this, but her hands are really just placed there for guidance rather than forcefulness. (Is that even a word?)

Anyway, as you can tell, this blog post is about nothing.
I'm just putting up pic's cause I can.