"Christmas: Take One!"

We had a "trial run" Christmas Eve before we left for Utah.  Due to the lack of room in the car and not wanting to drag our gifts to and fro we decided to have an early Christmas Eve.  That night we went and saw "The Nutcracker Ballet" then went out to dinner.  The kids were so excited to get home to open their gifts, they thought they were so lucky to be able to receive their presents early.  We made sure the kids understood that Santa would be bringing them a few more presents on the "Real" Christmas Eve.  One of our Christmas traditions the kids really look forward to is Home-made Christmas P.J.s!  R.J.'s were a baseball print and the girl's had a matching pink  kitten print.  I think I did a pretty good job sewing them (thanks for the help Allison).   I think the kids hit a record this year with opening their gifts, I think they finished, cleaned up and started playing with their loot in a matter of 10 minutes flat.  And all that wrapping took 3 long nights!  The kids really appreciated all their gifts.  Madison is going to become a great photographer with the new digital camera.  I should have thought twice about the ipod Payton recieved, she sure sings loud!  And R.J. is going to get a jump start with baseball this season, he was thrilled to open an envelope that held the registration form for the baseball camp at BYU.  And Rob wanted to start cooking that night with the Wusthof Knife set I got him.  I was content just staring at my Stretched Canvas Family Portrait Rob gave me, imagining how it's going to look framed and above my fire place!  My favorite gift to the family was a blog book, It contained all our family's blogs since I started in August 2007 till the year 2008'.  Next Christmas I plan on giving them 2008' blog book.  It's so neat to see their faces while they read, it makes such a great family journal!  This was a fun trial Christmas eve, but we now can't wait for the real one! 

"A letter to Payton"

Just a few days after Payton was born a letter arrived from her Grandpa Melendez.  It was a letter written by him just for her. 

 Here are some of the words he wrote,

"Payton, these are a few of my thoughts and feelings concerning you that are in my heart, for soon I will not be here, and I wish to express them so that you may use them as guidance in your life as you walk upon this earth.  Upon the first day of your birth I have called you "Mi Hija".  This is a

 Spanish phrase meaning "My Beloved Daughter".  It is a phrase that is used to express a deep and tender love for someone special.  I also call you my little "Tulip" a beautiful flower from Holland.  It pleases me to see you grow.  You will be a very beautiful young child with many talents.  You have been blessed with the following attributes, gifts and blessings: You have a good heart.  You will enjoy good health and be blessed in your times of need.  You have a beautiful mind, use it wisely and for the benefit of people.  You will reach great heights in education.  You have been blessed with good parents.  Stay close to them.  You have the ability and patience to wait for good things.  I promise you that great strength will come to you as a result of your careful choices in life both temporal and spiritual.  Be bold and be part of all that is good.  You will be energetic, kind and will have a friendly smile that will bring you many friends.  From your example many will follow.  Education is as important as breath, food and water.  Do not starve yourself, seek for higher education.  Be loyal to Heavenly Father, your spouse and your country.  Be a lady who is loved and respected.  Remember you carry the name of Melendez, protect it well.  There is much evil in the world today, so walk carefully in this life choosing only those things that will honor God and your parents.  

You are a beloved granddaughter in whom we are well pleased. We wish you success and happiness in this life."

With Much Love,

Grandpa Melendez

Payton,  After reading this special letter from your grandpa again after 6 years made me see that some of the blessings he wrote about are already coming to pass.  You have made us so happy and have never failed to bring a smile to our faces in the past short six years. You are an original, a one of a kind.  We love your spirit and spunk and your desire to learn more about the world around you.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!  

We love you so much, 

Momma & Daddy

Christmas 2008

We wish you a Merry Christmas 

and a Happy New Year!!!

Love, The Hazen Family

Rob, Rachel, R.J. (11) Madison (10) & Payton (5)

"Bring on Christmas, My Check List is Finally Complete!"

1. Make Gingerbread houses

with the Missionaries...Check!

2. Purchase and Decorate

Christmas Tree and House...Check!

3. Sew Christmas Pajamas...Check!

4. Go take picture with Santa and

give him our "Wish Lists"...Check!

5. Go to the Nutcracker Ballet

(Staring Danny from "So, You Think You Can Dance?")...Check!

With all of the December Christmas traditions complete I can now breath easier. Sometimes I feel there are not enough days in the month to do all the things for this special holiday. It feels great just to go to Utah and just enjoy ourselves, no last minute shopping, no hurrying from here to there and no school schedule to keep up with. If it didn't get done before we came, it ain't getting done! Now we just get to sit back close to a fire, have fun with the family and have a "White" Christmas!!!

"She Works Hard for the Money!"

I was asked the question, "What are you going to do with all your "Free Time" now that all your kids are in school full time?"  too many times!  It made me really think, "What am I going to do with all my time?"  To tell you the truth, it's really not that much "Free Time" and I found plenty of things to do.  But, I also got something I haven't had in a very long time...A JOB!  Okay, I am not really part of the work force, I only work two hours a day, twice a week.  But, I do get a paycheck, so to me that's a job.  I work at the kids elementary school as a glorified "Cruise Director".  The principal approached me one day and said she had me in mind for a job on campus I'd be perfect for.  (She really knew how to Woo me...with compliments!)  My job title is, Eagle Play Coordinator.  Eagle Play is a program that promotes organized fun, fitness and safety for every child at school.  I plan the Lunch Time Recess Extracurricular Activities, prepare the monthly activity schedule, coordinate and prepare the parent volunteer schedule and just simply play with the students.  Best of all, I get to spend this time with my girls and get to know all their friends.  I also feel like a Rock Star when I step onto the campus, the kids get so excited when they know it's "Eagle Play Day".   We have a great time playing games such as, The Blob, Crab Soccer, Kick Ball and Red Light-Green Light.  This job makes me feel like a kid again but, sometimes I do have to tone down my enthusiasm, I pegged a boy in the head during a round of "Boys vs. Girls Dodge Ball last week.  So, here is the answer to that question,  "What am I doing with all my free time?", having FUN!      

"Christmas Books"

In keeping with our Christmas Traditions (read this post for more info.) we had our first Christmas Family Home Evening this past Monday.  The kids were excited to open and see what new Christmas Book they were going to read.  We chose the book, "The Inn Keeper's Wife, The Rest of The Christmas Story."  Each of us took a turn reading a chapter.  After reading the book we followed another tradition that we started just last year, Manger Elves.  We got the idea from one of the books we read last year called, "The Last Straw".  Once a week at Family Home Evening we pick a member of the family's name from the manger.  For a whole week we get to secretly do kind deeds for that person we chose.  When we have completed a good deed we can add a piece of straw to baby Jesus' manger.  Our goal is to fill up the manger by Christmas with lots of straw to make the bed nice, soft and comfortable for him.  Hopefully these simple acts of service and kindness will help remind the kids the true purpose of this holiday season.  So, for the past week our house has filled with busy little "Manger Elves" performing all sorts of good deeds like, making beds, writing love notes, putting out pajamas on the bed, making breakfasts, etc.  I am really liking this, I think we'll have to do it year round!    

"He Blows a Mean Trumpet"

In middle school R.J. was given the choice to either join the band or take an Expo Class.  He chose to follow in his Grandpa Hazen's footsteps and learn to play the Trumpet.  So, for the past two months our house has been filled with the sweet, loud, melodious, notes from that trumpet.  R.J. practices hard and is a very diligent student.  He loves to wake his sisters in the morning to the sound of his eager blowing.  His goal is one day to be able to be his Scout Troop's bugler and wake everyone up to the Reveille.  Last week R.J. performed at Fall Band Concert at school.  We were excited to hear the fruits of his labors!  The beginning band played about four different songs.  I can honestly say, they sounded great, not like beginners at all.  The parent band also played a song.  For homework R.J. was to teach one of his parents a song for that Parent Band.  Rob was the Lucky parent who learned the piece.  As for the parent band, they should keep their day jobs.  Only kidding, they were great too.  Rob said he was relieved to be sitting by someone who actually knew what he was doing.  You know what they say, "Fake it till you make it!"  We'll never know if he played the whole song.  But, what I do know is how proud I was of my two boys that night!

"BLACK FRIDAY... Where were you at Midnight?"

We came, We saw, We conquered!  Black Friday shopping at 12 AM,  It is all about the rush I get when I think I am getting a really good deal.  It is becoming a tradition that My sister Michele and I attend "Black Friday" together.  I am a true "Door Buster", I kind of think she feels sorry for me because she knows I would go alone.  I am grateful for her company, we have the best time standing in those long lines together.  It feels so good to put check marks on my Christmas Shopping List!  So, who else didn't get any sleep Friday morning, and what good deals did you find?! 

"Thanksgiving 2008"

We are so thankful for...

Rob- Family, good health, work, the gospel and for democracy! 

Rachel- All the little things in life that make me laugh, Knowing the end from the beginning and for always feeling the love from my whole family!

R.J.- Spending time with our family and for playing football with my cousins today!

Madison- Having food 

because so many people go with out it.  Seeing family that I don't get to be with everyday.

Payton- Being with my Grandma and Grandpa and cousins.  I am so thankful for our Thanksgiving Turkey!

We had another memorable Thanksgiving filled with lots of fun, food and family! 

We are so 

"Thankful" for this time that really 

allows us to think about what really matters to us in 

our busy and sometimes chaotic lives.  "Grateful" for lots of brothers and sisters to spend time

laughing and reminiscing with.  "Happy" for

 a mom who passes down a (6 generation old) stuffing recipe and has the patience to

 teach my Madison how to make it.  "Pleased" to have a 

husband who loves to cook and gets excited when he brines a 

Turkey.  "Blessed" to have a daddy who gives long speeches before Dinner and makes sure to tell us

all the things he is Thankful for in the last year!  "Lucky" to belong to this great family that makes spending time together a treat and not a chore!  "Fortunate" to wake up to my life everyday and share it with Rob, R.J., Madison and Payton.

"Sweet Revenge"

(R.J. babysitting at the Timmerman's)

It all started with this picture and Post , which led to this Post. We warned the Timmermans we would get them back, and that day finally came. 

These two nameless and faceless BYU accomplices helped me do the job. After coming home from "Twilight" and sleeping for an hour, at 4:30 AM we did the deed. Our friends and neighbors the Timmermans are HUGE University of Utah fans. And we couldn't resist paying 

them back when it was time for our rivals to meet on the field! They were actually leaving the next morning for Utah to go to the game (I think they used Thanksgiving 

as an excuse to go!) So, when they walked outside to leave, a decorated car and signs welcomed them. We even left them a "Traveling Care Package" for the long drive to Utah. It consisted of: "BYU Blue" Tortilla Chips, "BYU Blue" Berry Muffins, "BYU

Blue" Gatorade, "BYU Blue" Gum, and "BYU Blue" Berries. This payback would have been perfect if only BYU had won.

We are never going to hear the end of it! I am little scared for them to return home. You better watch it Timmermans, we are going to sleep with one eye open!