MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Somehow, I just didn't manage to get unpacked, prepare for Christmas, organize a youth activity, celebrate Trent's birthday and get a Christmas card out this year. I hope you understand.

We wish ALL of you a very,

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!With Love,

The Lonestar Langfords

No need to dream . . .

Snow is falling all around,

On the housetop on the ground,

Snow is falling on my nose,

On my hands and feet and toes- are FROZEN!

Christmas Eve the snow began to fall and fell all through the night. It was our Christmas wish come true. Apparently, it hasn't snowed at Christmastime for at least 13 years. The kids bundled up and braved the cold- jumping on the trampoline, making tracks around the yard, forming snow angels, and of course, creating a snowman. After their little bodies were frozen solid, they would come inside to warm themselves by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

Trent is not sure about snow yet.
Making tracks as the snow began to fall.

Jumping, well rather, sliding and falling all over the trampoline as the snow came falling down.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

No Room at the Inn

For December, I was designated to put together a Christmas youth activity. After researching online I found an idea that thrilled and moved me, entitled, " No Room at the Inn." Though I was worried about being able to organize the logistics, I decided to try.

The general idea is the youth are told they are going to spread Christmas cheer to some neighbors which have been asked to turn them away. After being rejected several times, the youth are taken to a home where the nativity is set up, welcomed, listed to a song about having no room in the inn, and then given a brief message about making room in our hearts for the Savior. Of course, hot chocolate and treats are served afterwards.

The Sunday before the Beehives came over and helped me prepare batches of chocolate chip cookies- at least 150. Those were arranged on plates, covered with tissue paper and tied up with a bow as a thank you for those families who would reject us.

The youth arrived and were anxious to spread Christmas cheer through caroling and treats. When the first mother turned us away claiming she didn't have time and was watching a movie with her daughter, the youth were stunned. We crossed the street and tried another neighbor, who came to the door, turned on the light, peeked through the side blinds, and waved us away, indicating we needed to leave. The youth were deflated and a little hurt now. The leaders tried to be encouraging and suggested we go to a member home who had just moved. As the youth piled in the car, they complained, saying how ridiculous it was people didn't have just a few minutes to listen, and how could they refuse cookies? They were certain the third house would be willing to listen. When we were turned away at the third house, the youth were deflated and confused. How could this be?

I offered that we try my home, and as we approached, there were Mary and Joseph, cradling baby Jesus in a handmade manger, surrounded by hay with and angel singing and giving praises. The scene was moving and tender. My heart was softened because my husband had sacrificed precious time to build a manger and even though his time was short, had patiently allowed Tyler to help him. He had also found hay at the Christmas tree farm and loaded in his truck for us to use. My original cast members for Mary and Joseph had called in sick and my children volunteered as I walked out the door to leave for the activity. They found the costumes and props all on their own and waited in the freezing weather for us to arrive.

After witnessing the nativity, we stepped into the warmth inside and listened as the music group Eclipse sang, " that night there was no room in the inn, this night may there be room within, within our hearts, for Him." After which our YW president delivered and instructive message about making room in our lives, and time for the Savior. That night, I felt as if the spirit of Christmas blessed our home.

Our Nativity

Christmas Concerts

In the Langford home, Christmas music is played the day after Thanksgiving because in my opinion it carries the meaning and joy of Christmas. When I hear Trent singing, "Glory, glory Hallelujah, Angels sing from on high!" I know at his tender age he has captured the joy of Christmas.

All of the children performed with their school choirs at the performing arts center and it was refreshing to hear songs about Jesus sung by public school children. A feat no longer heard in California. Kaylee also performed at the Great Wolf Lodge and all around Trophy Club as well as with her choir. Music filled our home!

We were asked to share a musical number at the Ward Christmas party and so we put together " Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby"- a fun, latin-rhythmed tune. All of the children sang as well as Greg- I accompanied them on the piano. Because we were all performing we decided to record ourselves beforehand at home. What a disaster- though its hilarious footage to watch. As soon as I upload it off the camera, I'll post it on Youtube. The footage contains: all of us missing our cues, singing off-key, Trent sneaking away to find a recorder and playing so loud no one can hear themselves and then kids dropping like flies as he whacked them with it. Disastrous and hilairously funny.

Kaylee and I were able to share a violin and piano duet for the sacrament program and we enjoyed practicing and preparing for that. She has almost learned vibrato- which is a huge step for a violinist.

We have played Christmas music non-stop on our ipod and loved singing the songs that make Christmas feel like Christmas.

Megan's 1 st grade performance

Tyler entering stage for 2nd grade performance. He chose to wear his Santa hat!

Kaylee's 5th grade performance

Our little stars and the performing arts center.

3 EARS old

Beach boy Trent

Our comic relief: TRENT

Enjoying some of his favorite donuts with chocolate frosting and sprinkles on top.

According to Trent he is "3 ears old" today and couldn't wait for his birthday celebration. When Daddy called out, " Dough-eeeee-nuts!" (our nickname for donuts) Trent leaped from bed half awake and raced down the stairs proclaiming, " it's my birthday, it's MY birthday!" Our family tradition is to eat donuts on the birthday morning and give everyone candles to blow out and celebrate. Blowing out the candles is always his favorite pasttime. Generally, he blows them out 30 or 40 times -in one sitting. Tonight we will celebrate with cake and presents, but before we race to the presents I thought I'd share a few snapshots of Trent's personality.

Trent has a love for machines, especially good ones. As I finished vacuuming last night he wrapped his arms around the vacuum, giving it a hug, and declared, " I wub you vacuum." Then he planted a kiss on it. I admit I love my Dyson and it is a beautiful piece of machinery, but I never considered kissing it.

We were a little late for church yesterday so we tried to sneak in quietly to a back row after the Sacrament. Trent, on the other hand, had other plans and marched up to the very front row, climbed upon a bench, and yelled, " Mooooommmm come SIT down! Moooommmm where are YOU?? COME SIT DOWN!" I received many comments that day, thanking heaven that wasn't THEIR child. Well, embarrassing as it was, I still thank heaven he's my child.

After many visits to the paint counter at ACE hardward, Trent learned his Daddy's full name because it was the name our paint colors were stored under and I gave it everytime I visited- which was several times in just a few short days. Hearing Trent say " Gweg-o-ree WangFord" is about the most adorable thing I've ever heard, but the story gets better. At dinner last week, we asked Trent what all of our names were. He began: Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Kaywee Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Meggie Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Tyler Gweg-o-ree Wangford ( at least that One was correct) and Mommy Gweg-o-ree Wangford. What a good laugh!

Trent loves to sing and has an amazing repetoire of songs that he uses quite often. Last night my Beehive girls were over making cookies and before too long Trent was on the upstairs balcony with the bottom half of our music stand as a microphone, serenading these girls! I believe I am in trouble with this one . . .

Some of his favorite things are: water, pizza, jet planes, trains, music (a wide variety of genres), park swings, singing, books, Star Wars, his carseat, Costco berry smoothies, peanut butter pretzels, Little Einsteins, dogs, and Buzz Lightyear.



Whenever Tyler sits down to practice, Trent pulls out his toy guitar, plants himself right next to Tyler and sings along, " Father Abraham had many sons" or "E 2-3-4 F 2-3-4" and sometimes feels it is necessary to correct Tyler - no Tyler not that one!


I can't finish without commenting on his prayers- they melt my heart everyday. He puckers his lips, and presses his eyes shut tight, with his arms folded across his chest while he prays:


Dear Heavenly Father we're grateful that we're together. Please bless that the food (he never finishes this). We know we're not perfect. We're thankful for the Atonement. Please bless that we will be good. In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!!!

Trent is a character and we love him! Happy Birthday Trent!

Living up to her name

Filled with excitement on Halloween eve Megan yanked out her two front teeth and declared herself a real-live jack-o-lantern. This afternoon, two more gaps appeared and she is truly living up to her jack-o-lantern status. She claims Tyler knocked one out while jumping with her on the trampoline and the second one she twisted and pulled on until it wriggled out. ( The blood doesn't bother her one bit. She told me I'd better stay out of the bathroom until she got the blood cleaned up. LOL!) There are more gaps than teeth now!

The best stocking stuffer . . .

I know what I'm going to fill the kids stockings with this year- Costco cups! With the leftover Thanksgiving cups the kids have had hours and days of fun building forts, walls, and castles and then knocking them over to have them make a terrific crashing sound.
Who needs toys????