Jim did it again

Kade just figured out this is a box of chocolates. He's saying, "Chaaaclaate!"

When Darryl was in Philadelphia on his mission he met a neat guy named Jim. Every Christmas Jim sends us a package full of presents. He really hit the nail on the head this year. The boys two favorite things right now are chocolate and games and that's just what they got. Darryl and I got some cool gifts too especially if the Eagles win the Super Bowl. ; )

Christmas Card

This is one of our Christmas cards we sent this year. I've sent the others or I'd show them too. Consider this your Christmas card if you didn't get one in the mail or via e-mail this year. :)

Merry Christmas!
In 2008 we have managed to check off a few things on our lifetime to do lists. All of which have been added to our list of our greatest experiences.

THINGS TO DO:
DARRYL
Become a bee keeper
Become a certified EMT
Hike Birch/Orderville Canyon with Jenn
Go to China
Become a canyoneer
JENN
Fly in an airplane
Go to China
Go to the zoo
Teach math again
KADE
Ride a bike (with training wheels)
Have a snowball fight
Have a birthday party (3 years old)
Swim alone (with a life jacket)
CLINT
Have a pet(the fish only lived a few days)
Have a birthday party (2 years old)
Ride the big-wheel bike
Go down the big yellow slide at the pool
Ride on a merry-go-round

A few things we’ve learned from these experiences: It feels great to live in this country, we live in the most amazingly beautiful state, bees are incredible little creatures, flying in an airplane is not particularly fun, pets are great when they belong to someone else, boys love anything that is a ride, and giraffes look much different in real life than they do in cartoons.
You can see what else we’ve been up to on our blog at: djbosshardt.blogspot.com
We really hope you’re well and happy, and would love to hear from you and/or see you soon.
Merry Christmas! Darryl, Jenn, Kade, & Clint

A Ka-Chow Christmas

Little did we know that this Christmas would be flooded with 'Cars' memorabilia. The boys are really into the movie so it was great.
This year we stayed at our house for Christmas morning. The boys were so excited Christmas Eve and so Darryl was sure Kade was going to get up and go in and see everything before we got up. Darryl didn't want to miss Kade's reaction so every time he heard a noise he sat up in bed, "Kade is awake!" I'd go to roll out of bed and notice no lights, so I knew Kade wasn't up. We'd go back to bed and then 30 min. later we'd do it again. After about the 7th time I was ready to go sleep on the couch. ; )
Kade got a dart shot gun. Clint got a John Deer lawn mower. Both the boys got a basketball hoop, small Nerf guns, lots of games, and 'Cars' paraphernalia.
The boys were so excited. Kade kept saying, "It's been a good day."
We traveled down to the grandparents houses that morning. The weather made a few sections of the trip horrible but overall it wasn't as bad as expected. That night we had our traditional prime rib and shrimp dinner with the Browns. It's always the greatest to see family and spend time with them. I wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more often. The next couple days we spent playing with new toys at the grandparents homes.
Unfortunately we only took video shots so I didn't have any pictures to post. : (

Family Party

My family tradition is to get together for a prime rib, and shrimp dinner prepared by my family. We use to all draw names and swap presents at the party too but since the grand kids are getting larger in numbers we've tossed out the adults and now the cousins just swap. It's so fun to see how excited the kids get. We usually play the candy bar game where you shake a dice and if you get a 6 you get to put on a bunch of over sized clothes and try to open up an excessively wrapped king-sized candy bar before the next person shakes a 6. We use to play the dot game too. In that game you try to keep a beat and say, "I have _____ dots, how many dots does _____ have?" If you mess up someone puts a dot on your face either with a washable marker or stickers. The games kind of died out as the adults got older but I think the grand kids are starting to get into them and so I think in a couple years they'll be going strong again.

Caroling

The Bosshardt tradition is to go caroling at the local hospital and care center on Christmas Eve. We wrangled in the Swasey family this year to add to our minuet choir. The boys were so excited to sing. Thanks to a radio station that plays continuous Christmas music the boys have learned, Jingle Bells, Holly Jolly Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Rudolph, Mr. Grinch, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock, and more. Unfortunately we sang mostly hymns and so the boys helped out with a few words here or there. They enjoyed handing out oranges too. Kade wasn't very patient though. If they didn't take it promptly from his hand he threw it in their lap. Clint loves oranges so it made for some funny events. The first lady we caroled Clint gave her the orange as told, then when we got in the car he whined, "That lady took my orange." After that he'd learned his lesson. Then next few people we caroled to he would extend his orange out to the people but when the went to take it he'd say, "That's my orange." and quickly tuck it back into his arms. I'm just loving the boys' excitement this year. We sprinkled some "reindeer food" outside tonight. Kade was so careful.

Party, Party, Party

Even though the Christmas Parties always make this time of year even more crazy busy I love them. Darryl's work party had great entertainment this year from the Mama's Boys. Our street party didn't lack laughs as usual. The last party of the season was at our neighbors'. They know so many people from the area that we don't so it's fun to meet new people. I also had a little 'party' with one of my college roommates. We baked all morning. She made some super yummy gingersnap cookies, and we made some fudge and caramels. It's not a good idea to make candy and talk a lot. We had great conversation but ignored to thermometer too long. OOPS! The caramels ended up in the garbage and the fudge was a little undercooked so it was super soft. Oh well, we had a fun visiting and the kids had fun playing.

Santa!

It was the library story time Christmas party today. Kade was SO excited to sit on Santa's lap. I was seriously holding him back the whole time. It was so funny because all the kids were crying, shy or hesitant but not my Kade. After the little girl in front of us got of Santa's lap Kade swung his arm in front of his belly and said, "It's my turn!" Clint on the other hand wanted nothing to do with Mr. Clause but was drawn to Mrs. Clause. He climbed up on her lap and told her what he wanted. I hope it works whether you tell the 'Big Guy' or his wife.

Myriad of Things

Well the day has been busy. Our ride home this afternoon was extremely awful at the mouth of Provo Canyon. I don't know how we didn't get into a wreck. We ended up turning around at Bridal Veil Falls and going home through Salt Lake. All I need to say is that I'm so glad my boys are sleeping soundly in their beds, the car is parked in the garage, and we're safe in our home. Once we were home the boys couldn't wait to play in the snow. The teaser of snow fall we had about a month ago has left them wishing it would snow, snow, snow! I just kept saying it would come too soon. It's here and I'm glad to have the snow for the holidays but I really wish they could keep the roads ice-free. (Redmond Minerals has more IceSlicer Deicer put it on THICK! LOL)
After a quick play in the snow I took the boys over to my UVU staff party. The home was beautiful but it's never fun to take two Tazmanian Devils into a home like that. I was definitely on edge the whole time, but I work with some really great people so it was nice to just be able to chat with them and not worry about working. The hostess sent us home with a few cupcakes and Clint dove into his, he had more in his nose than his mouth I think. Don't mess with Clint and a cupcake. When he was done he threw his arms out and said, "All gone. Sticky fingers." The the boys were being silly so we took a few photos.

Kade's Wish

We have a great new Christmas tradition this year. Last year we were given a little manger with a bag of straw and a baby Jesus. Each time someone does something nice for someone they get to add straw to the manger to prepare it for when Jesus comes. Then on Christmas morning the kids find baby Jesus in the manger.

The boys are really loving it. I love it that everyday they run up to me and say, "I get to put straw! "

Tonight they said they helped their friend so we got out the bag of straw. Kade took his pieces and held them close to his mouth, half way closed his eyes, and whispered something like, "I wish I may, wish may. I want to play with my mom." Then he blew on the straw. I'm not sure where he picked that up but it was SO cute. I just love him to pieces!

Memo

As I mentioned in an earlier post Kade has discovered the memo button on our phone and loves to leave long memos on the answering machine. I recorded a few seconds so you can get the idea of how cute they are. As you'll see Kade does it so often Clint has become a parrot of him.


"Hi Neal. I wanted to come to your house today, but my mom said I can’t come to your house, and . . .[We’ll go for Thanksgiving]. . . Thanksgiving."
Last time we visited the grandparents Kade asked me what their names were. I told him, Neal and Marcia, and Dahl and Elaine. Since then he's been on this kick of saying their name instead of Grandpa or Grandma. When he blesses them in his prayers he says, "And bless Dahl, and Neal, and Marcia, and Elaine." It's pretty funny.



"Hi Braxton. I want to play with you today, and . . . give me a call as soon as you can."



"Hi Braxton. I want to play with you today."