Trip to Sun Valley

While we were in Idaho, we decided to take a drive to Sun Valley so that Matt could do some marketing for his business. He is interested in seeing what the market is like in Idaho compared to New Mexico.

As we were on our way, we passed through this tiny little town named Shoshone, Idaho. We had to stop at the Snack Bar for lunch. This is a place that my dad and mom loved to stop at. We ate a grilled hot dog in memory of my dad. On the way home we also had to stop again to get an ice cream cone. They are so big!!! It was a fun day spent in the car.

Oh, and look at all the snow!!!

Christmas Nativity

This is the second time we have performed and recorded the Christmas Nativity with the kids. The first year there were only 3 grandkids, Carter, Chloe and Spencer. They acted out all the parts, or at least we forced them to dress up as the parts. :) This year we had 9 grandkids so we added the 3 wisemen and three little angels to our existing cast of Mary, Joseph and angel/shepherd/wiseman Carter.

They did pretty well performing out their parts. Thank you to Travis who does all the filming and editing, he creates a magical video that really brings the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a fun day. Mason was up a lot of the night throwing up, so Matt and I were pretty exhausted after being up much of the night. Carter was frustrated during the night because he woke up after the commotion from Mason and figured that Santa wasn't going to come if Mason didn't go to sleep. Everyone finally got a little bit of sleep and then still woke up early to go downstairs to see if Santa brought presents.

Sure enough he had come bearing gifts. After everyone gathered downstairs, the gift opening and exchanging began. At one point I could tell Chloe wasn't feeling well either. She eventually got up and went to the bathroom to throw up. She is so well mannered when it comes to vomiting...she carefully leans over the toilet and throws up. Sorry to be so graphic. Anyway, she threw up a few times and then said she was done. As she got up to go back to the present fest, she looked at me and cried out, "It is so sad that I am sick on Christmas." She is really too cute for words. She seemed to get better after that.

However, Mason sat on my lap quite listless most of the morning. Poor little guy, did not feel well. After the unwrapping was finished, we had a nice breakfast that Matt made of breakfast burritoes. I found myself back in bed exhausted after a long night and I didn't feel myself.

Lance spent all day preparing the most delicious Christmas dinner ever. It was fabulous. Wow, what a day...lots of presents, sleeping and eating. Sounds like Christmas to me! :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we ate lots of delicious finger foods and decorated the pinion pine Christmas Tree in the basement of Memaw's home. We all sang Christmas songs together and then opened up our new pajamas. The grandkids all looked so cute in their new pajamas. Oh, we can't wait for Santa to come!!

The real fun was had after the kids went to sleep! :)We saw a lot of candy being exchanged...and oh, the elves were busy.

Santa Comes to Visit

Tonight was a really special night. After dinner, we were getting ready to go to see Christmas lights and all of a sudden Santa came to Memaw's house to visit the kids! Chloe went running right up to give him a hug and welcome him. He sat down and had each of the grandkids come sit on his lap to let him know what they wished for Christmas. He brought a cute little elf with him to hand out candy canes.

Chloe wanted a watch and a cell phone. Carter was too shy to go sit on his lap, until we asked him to hold Josie since she was afraid. Afraid is a kind way of putting it...She was terrified and kept screaming every time she looked in his direction. Carter wanted a watch and then cried because he wanted to tell him a puppy, but was afraid that everyone would laugh. (He is so sensitive.) Mason sat on his lap just fine, but didn't say anything of course. (He doesn't talk much.)

After Santa left, Chloe came running up to me and said, "Mom, I think he is the 'real Santa' because he has a big belly!" She was definately convinced that this was true. Carter proceeded to tell her that it wasn't the real Santa and then the arguing began...

It continued as we all got in the cars to drive out to the South Hills where they have a really neat Christmas light display. We got out and walked around and looked at all the fun Christmas decorations, when we ran into Santa again...and got another candy cane. Wow! We just kept running into Santa everywhere...He is a VERY busy man this time of year! At the end of the display, there is usually a camel that the kids can feed and see up close. This year, my kids first year to see the camel, he was home sick. The kids were disappointed, but hopefully he gets better so they can see him another year.

Decorating the Missionary Tree

Our family has always loved missionaries. When Kipp first went on his mission to Okinawa Japan, we hung his missionary tag on our Christmas tree. From that point on, my parents began their collection of Missionary Tree-Tag Ornaments, which became quite a treasure to them. My dad would always place Kipp's tag at the top and then place Alice's, Travis's and Matt's right below it.

We had fun decorating the Christmas Tree this year in memory of my dad and the grandkids had a great time helping.

Enjoy the slideshow.

Long Trip to Idaho

After spending weeks preparing for this 2 week Christmas adventure, we were finally on our way. We started out on the 19th of December and drove the 5 hour trip to Flagstaff, AZ. My mom lives in Flagstaff and is moving to Idaho...so we spent the morning of the 20th loading up the big Uhaul. (Happy Anniversary Matt!)

Moving at Christmas time seems to be a subconscious tradition that has begun to form in our family. I say subconscious, because who would consciously do this to themselves...let alone, their family. I know...it is bad timing and we told mom that she was done moving...she would have to die in her home in Idaho! Not literally, of course. Matt and I alone, have moved 5 times during this holiday in the 11 years we have been married. We also try to squeeze in an anniversary on the 20th of December amidst all the chaos. I am starting to wonder if we somehow, subconsciously enjoy chaos! We did seem to notice that there are other crazy people out there who were moving this holiday also.

We drove all day Saturday and stayed the night at some friends in Utah. We were up again early Sunday morning and drove the rest of the way to Idaho, with about 6 - 12 inches of snow to welcome us home. It reminded us of almost 5 years earlier when we woke up to 12 inches of snow the day we were moving mom out...interesting times.

Christmas was an experience. After traveling for 2 days, we spent the next 3 days cleaning, unpacking, making repairs where needed, decorating for Christmas and cleaning some more. It was nice for all 4 siblings to be at home with mom. We had some crazy emotions flying around, with dad's death being so recent and everything seeming to happen all at once. It was nice to be with family, but I hope that next time we get together, we can be a little more relaxed, emotionally stable, and have less work to do, so that we can really enjoy each other's company.

I am grateful for the feeling of a "White Christmas" this year. We had lots of snow and blizzards that we came across in traveling and while we were there. It brought a very cozy feeling.

After Christmas, my little family stayed another week to help my mom paint and get some more things organized and in order in her home. It was nice to be able to help her...she has a big job taking care of this home alone. She is a tough farm woman though, and can do it!

Looking back, I feel grateful for a chance to be together with family. I love my family dearly and appreciate who they are individually. I look forward to the next Christmas we can all be together...it seems like as we get older the years go by and time slips away faster than we can control. May we all be happy, healthy, and safe. :)

Chloe's Holiday Sing Along

Chloe had a really fun Christmas party at her Pre-school. They each made gingerbread houses and had a little sing-along in their classroom. Santa even came in for a little visit within their classroom. Chloe sat on his lap and told Santa that she wanted a watch for Christmas. Lots of the kids said some really cute things.

After her class party, each of the children gathered out in the small amphitheater and rang these cute little bells made out of pipe-cleaners and cheap bells. They sung songs and then Santa came riding in on a fire truck. He passed out candy canes to all the cute little preschoolers. They were so excited to see the big fire truck.

What a fun Christmas Party to start the Christmas Vacation! :)

Christmas in Arizona

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. When we first moved to Mesa, Arizona, I really missed the "feeling" of Christmas that I had known all of my life. The blistering cold weather, the white snow storms, icy roads, snow days, warm winter clothing and especially the smell of a wood burning stove. I quickly learned that I wouldn't be needing all the extra layering. I put my warm coats in the very back of my closet where they practically remained the next 7 years. On a cold day, a thin sweater would do and rarely would you need a coat in addition to that. I think the thing that I missed the most during those years was the change in the weather that always brought that feeling of Christmas to my soul.

That first Christmas spent in Arizona, I came across this poem which inspired me to make this darling bottled up snowman. He is so cute! :)

Here is the poem entitled

"Christmas in Arizona"

The visitor sadly shook his head
As he basked in the tropical sun;
Call this Christmas? to us he said
Well, not where I come from.
Christmas needs snow and ice and cold,
And the sound of the sleigh bells ring;
And so for me, I can't be sold
On this winter that feels like spring.
We looked at him and then we smiled
As he scoffed aloud at our plights;
'Cause he was so far from right.
For no snow fell on Bethlehem
On the night the star first shone,
There was no blizzard nor howling gale,
That swept with a shriek and a moan.
The breeze was soft, and what is more,
The night the Christ Child came
Hibiscus bloomed near the stable door.
As Mary murmured His name.
Bougainvillea of violet hue
Arched in a graceful bower;
Poinsettias, wet with midnight dew,
Enhanced that sacred hour.
The heavenly Host in the starry sky,
Proclaimed the birth of the King;
And the rustling palms echoed the cry,
As the whole Earth seemed to sing.
So we find here, in our sun-drenched land,
Untouched by the ice and snow,
That the Spirit of Christmas is near at hand
And we feel God willed it so.

Grateful for the many Christmas' spent in Arizona and who knows maybe many more. I am thrilled to be able to be in New Mexico for my kids to experience winter and Christmas the way I experienced it growing up. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of a "snow day" during the Christmas season. Carter and Chloe got one this year and had so much fun playing in the snow.

I think I just love the "feeling" associated with the Christmas Season.

Our Christmas Letter 2008

The Matt & Alice Kear Family 2008

It has been several years since we have sent out a Christmas letter and I was going to let this year slip by again, but something is nagging at me to get it done. So, here goes…

Our motto at the beginning of the year was “2008 is Gonna be Great!” We lived by this motto for the years in ways we did not expect would be great.

For the many of you who don’t even know where we are and what we are doing…we moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico Dec 30, 2006. Matt’s civil engineering job transferred us here, and we were thrilled for the chance to get out of the heat and busy city life of Arizona. A couple months into the year, with the housing market slowing down, the company decided to pull out of New Mexico and offered us an opportunity to move back to Arizona. Well one week prior to receiving the news, Matt had thoughts come out of nowhere to start up a painting business here in Rio Rancho. After sharing his thoughts with me, I supported him, thinking it would be years down the road. So, a week later, it all made sense.

We have worked hard starting our company called abstrakt, LLC. Matt specializes in custom painting and art design. He paints homes, murals, fine art paintings, and loves to do designer surfaces. You can view our website for a better explanation of what he does. www.abstraktpainting.com

So, amidst getting to know a new city and a new career, our family has grown. Let me tell you about what keeps us busy at home…

Carter, 7, is in the first grade and has excelled in reading, writing and spelling. He is a great student and his teachers rave about his good behavior. At one of the last parent teacher conferences, I wasn’t sure we were talking about the same child. :) Carter saves up all his energy for when he returns home, which we are grateful. :) He loves to play his game boy, write letters to friends and family, and draw. He is an amazing artist, which he obviously gets from his dad. He is also taking piano lessons and doing quite well. We love to laugh and joke around with Carter. He is a fabulous brother and very helpful with his siblings.

Chloe, 5, missed the kindergarten deadline by 6 hours and 25 minutes, so she started preschool. She gets to ride the bus and has learned many new songs from her bus driver. She came home one day singing “Shave and a haircut…2 bits!” Chloe has a passion for singing and can pick up the words immediately when hearing a new song. Amongst singing, Chloe has a way with making friends and talking to everyone. She is not shy in the least and can talk anyone’s ear right off. There is rarely a day that goes by that we aren’t laughing at something cute she says. She is also a good student and her teacher told me that Chloe always asks “Can we go over the rules again?” because she likes to help keep the other students in order. Unfortunately, like mother like daughter…

Mason, 2 ½, is the charmer of the family. He can bring a smile to anyone’s face, by the sparkle in his eyes. He is also, the explorer, the mess maker, the eater, the climber, the busy body, and the most independent child in the house. He completely dresses himself head to toe…at least 5 times a day. He has gone from speaking complete paragraphs of “Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh,” to vocalizing comprehendible words. He was a little behind in speaking, but he has been trying really hard the last month at saying lots of new words. We love hearing his cute voice and we especially love his big smile that lights up his whole face.

Jose, 14 months, may be a surprise to many of you because she came as a surprise to us soon after we moved to New Mexico. She has been a wonderful surprise and addition to our little family. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and blonde curly hair. She doesn’t go without being unnoticed because she has discovered that her voice can get really loud, and the louder it gets the more reactions she gets from her family. We think she just might be blessed with great singing lungs like her sister. She loves to listen to music and snaps her fingers and dances whenever she hears a tune. Her smile radiates happiness to all of us and she has everyone at her beckon call.

I, Alice, spend my time trying to keep our home and family organized. I was struggling with my talents a while back, getting caught up in all the tasks of wifehood, motherhood, etc. and so I asked Matt what he thought my talents were and I told him not to give me a silly response. I asked him to put some real thought into his answer. He did just that and came back to me with his answer. Glue. He said my talent was being the glue of our family. Definitely not what I expected to hear. Who on earth wants to be glue?  As he explained to me that without the glue everything would fall apart…in a more descriptive explanation, I felt honored to be the glue. I must say that Matt is the “super” part of the glue (super glue) that truly keeps our family together. I love him and cherish the 11 years that we have been married.

At the beginning of the very long letter (I must be catching up on the 3+ years that I haven’t written a letter) I mentioned that 2008 was going to be great. Well, in August we took a trip to Utah so Matt could take a class. We had fun visiting old friends and family. After the week was up, we went to Twin Falls, Idaho for the new Temple Open House. We spent a couple days with my sister and driving the kids down “memory lane” for me. It had been a couple years since we had been to Idaho. The temple was beautiful and I was amazed that we finally had a temple in my hometown. I also was able to go and visit my dad for the first time in years…very long story. It was a very healing time for me. Well, 2 months later, almost to the day, my dad had a massive heart attack as he was going for a morning walk on the canal near his home. How grateful I was to have spent that time with him, just 2 months prior.

So, when we look back at this year, we see how great the gospel of Jesus Christ is in our lives. We see that the blessings of Temple Marriage really bind our families together for eternity, and how the Savior Jesus Christ truly atoned for our sins. That is how 2008 has been Great to our family.

Thanks for each of you and your loving examples and friendship. We look forward to “making more memories” in 2009. Love to you all.

We have a blog that we try to keep up…feel welcome to pop in once in a while and check up on us. www.kearkeepsakes.blogspot.com

Love,

Matt, Alice, Carter, Chloe, Mason & Josie Kear

Snowball Fighting

Today the kids got to stay home for a SNOW DAY!!! :) They couldn't wait to eat breakfast so they could get outside and "play in the snow...all day long!" I had fun watching them and I even took a video of them. It was too long to post on the blog. So, just enjoy the pictures. :)

11 Years Together

Matt and I have just celebrated our 11 year anniversary. We went to the Albuquerque Temple and then ate dinner at The Range Cafe in Bernalillo. They had really delicious food. We celebrated it a week early because we will be traveling out of town for the holidays on that very day. We were married Saturday December 20, 1997 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. It was a wonderful experience for us.

I reflect on the last 11 years and can't believe how much "real life" we have experienced. I was looking through our wedding album and found some fun "Words of Wisdom" that we received from friends. I thought they would be great to share with this post...

~ Never go to sleep angry.

~ Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.

~ Be Happy. Have lots of fun, and have many, many children, but not all at once.

~ (I thought this next one was quite creative)
M ~ Make every moment special
A ~ Attend church always
T ~ Thank God everyday for each other
T ~ Take each other out on a date 1 time per week.

&

A ~ Act as though you never heard that negative comment and then forget it!
L ~ Love being a home maker.
I ~ Increase your knowledge so you'll not be boring
C ~ Cuddle often
E ~ Eat nutricional foods so you'll stay healthy

~ Don't take things too seriously - let the little things stay that way!

~ Be Happy. Enjoy life and each other and don't take life too seriously.

~ Make sure the women do the haircutting.

~ Seperate His & Her toiletries!

~ Remember that Matt is the head of your home but you are the neck and you can turn him which ever way you want.

~ Probably the best advice I could give you is to not waste any time fighting, or disagreeing over small things that really don't matter.

~ Always talk about everything!

~ Try to go to the temple often.

~ Make Matt your best friend and always treat him that way. Never go to bed mad at each other.

~ Just always be best friends. HAve a sense of humor. Laugh.

~ Have seperate checking accounts! Ha!!

~ Never go to bed angry - always say I love you always pray together.

~ Remember to always give 100% to each other.

~ Every night before bed tell each other how much you love each other. Do this forever.

~ Don't let the MAN get you down - Hehe!

~ Always go fifty fifty when it comes to being the boss.

~ Marriage is NOT a 50-50 thing. Each needs to give 100% to each other to make the relationship work. Support each other.

~ You need kids right away.

~ Pray for Matt daily and whenever you think of him. He will need your support in order to perform his priesthood effectively.

~ When the going gets TOUGH- the tough DON'T go shopping! That's the time for the library or some place else that doesn't cost.

~ Don't take life too serious. Enjoy and laugh a lot!

~ Get me some nieces and nephew FAST!

So, we received some pretty good advice and we are trying to keep it. It seems that most people thought we should not fight before bed and we should give 100% to each other.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband. Thank you Matt for "roping the moon" for me. :) I Love You!

Post 12/15/08

Sunday mph (miles per hour)

This morning at church, Chloe leaned over to Alice and asked, "Is today slow Sunday since last week was Fast Sunday." Alice and I just started laughing.

First Snow this Christmas

We are so excited because it finally started snowing!!! (Actually started on Tuesday)Chloe and Mason could hardly wait for it to hit the ground so they could go out and play with it. Thankfully it was snowing big enough flakes that were quickly sticking to the ground, so by the time they got shoes, coats, hats and gloves on, there was enough to actually walk through. :)





These cute happy faces, bring back so many good times that I had growing up playing in the snow. Snowflakes...keep falling! We want a snow day and a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!

Recess

Chloe went with Matt the other day to take a painting into his school class at UNM. As they walked across campus, Chloe looked up at Matt and asked, "Daddy, where do you go play at for recess?"

Made in China

Carter came to me and said, "Mom, I think everything in our house was made in China...see (he shows me his light-saber) it says here...Made in China." Wow, so observant. I wonder how many things he has noticed that actually were made in China. :)

Tender Moments

I have been thinking this morning about some of the tender moments I have had as a mother. I am grateful for these moments, because they give me the strength to endure the many challenging ones.

*Carter recently told me that we should do away with our presents this year for Christmas and just spend our time thinking and talking about Jesus. I am sure that this 7 year old boy will soon forget...and desire his presents, but I will treasure his moment of thoughtfulness.

*Chloe has been really sweet lately when asked to help with small chores. She quickly responds with an enthusiastic "Sure!" and goes about to help. It makes me feel so happy to see her desire to serve. She is such a determined little hard worker. When she sets her mind to doing something, she goes full force.

*I was laying down with Mason for a nap and I started to sing "I Am a Child of God" to him. The next thing I know he is humming a sweet tune along with me. This is my sweet little boy who struggles with his speech. It was so tender to hear his precious voice.

*Josie recently turned one and I am in the process of weening her...which is always a sad time for me. It means my little babies are growing up. Josie has started to look up at me while nursing, raise her sweet little hand up to my face and start waving to me. It is precious...like she is telling me how much she loves me and is aware of our special bond.

I am grateful to be a mother. I love the opportunity to serve these very special little spirits in our home. I know they are not all mine, I have to share them with a loving Heavenly Father, but I will share, since he has blessed me with each and every one of them.

I want them to know how much I truly treasure all the memories I have with them.

Bug

I have a nickname for my love. When we first got married I referred to Alice as my "Love Bug". As the years have progressed I have abreviated it to just "Bug". I just want to make a quick post and tell Alice that she is a special part of my life. She is a large part of who I am today. She makes me want to be better. She helps me realize my strengths and encourages me to improve on my "not so" strengths. She is a beautiful person, wife and mother. Someday I will post my first impressions of her...but for now, I love her eternally.

I love you Bug!

A Christmas Tag

Here is a little Christmas Tag. Copy and paste this post, change your answers and then tag 5 people.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper...too worried that people will sneak a peak with gift bags...

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real tree by choice, but artificial tree for easier clean-up...but ready to retire the artificial one...it has served us well for many years.

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as I can get it out of the attic. This year it was up before Thanksgiving...yeah!

4. When do you take the tree down? When I get tired of it and feel ready to move on with life.

5. Do you like eggnog? No, I used to drink it with my dad when I was young. When he told me the story of him drinking homemade eggnot as a kid and swallowing a chunk...that was the end for me. Haven't drunk it since.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't remember anything specifically. I just remember the feeling of Christmas morning...warm and cozy with the wood stove burning and sitting around with my family anticipating their expressions when they opened their gifts from me.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Matt. I can never decide on the "perfect" gift for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Chloe. I can give her everything I always wanted when I was a little girl.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several...maybe more. I love them and have a bit of a collection. My favorite for the kids is the "Little People" one that they can play with safely.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Am I supposed to be doing that? Well, I have tried over the past few years to mail cards...well it just hasn't happened. Maybe this year. I have sent out New Year's cards before...:)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Again, I can't remember. I have good memories from Christmas, so I can't think of a bad gift.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life. I guess because it is a wonderful life.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I feel in the mood. It seems to be later each year. Ideally I would shop all year...but that just hasn't happened yet.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Of course, hasn't everyone?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything sweet! and everything that people give me. I don't want them to feel bad.

16. Lights on the tree? Is that an option? Don't the lights make it a Christmas tree? Otherwise wouldn't it just be a pine tree?

17. Colored or White? I prefer white, it's not so busy.

18. Favorite Christmas song? I think I decided this year that Silent Night is my favorite.

19. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like to be home for Christmas. It just depends on what feels like "home" that year. I can't wait to be in Idaho this year...my home.

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, can you sing along with me?

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Does it really matter? We haven't had either...just haven't gotten around to it.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both, we open new pajamas Christmas Eve and save all the good stuff for Christmas morning. There is nothing better than sleeping in a nice new pair of cozy pajamas.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The chaos.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the classic country look...snowmen, gingerbread men...etc.

25. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Everything that is hot and delicious. Ham, potatoes, you know...the good stuff. :)

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? To remember what is most important in life. Family.

I tag:
Memaw
Matt
Rebekah
Krystal
Zonnie

Thanksgiving Turkeys

This year for Thanksgiving, we had Memaw, Grandma Polly and Krystal come for a visit. It was a lot of fun. We spent Thanksgiving morning making a Hamilton favorite treat. These cute little Thanksgiving Turkeys. We couldn't find any candy corn at 2 different stores, which is what we usually use for the feathers. We decided to try Mike & Ikes and they were very colorful and were a good replacement. Grandma Polly was a great helper. Chloe couldn't resist tasting the chocolate...do you blame her?

Memaw is the old pro at these turkeys...she made them with us many years growing up.

Aunt Krystal and Alice took turns taking pictures.

Mason and Mommy couldn't resist sneaking a treat every once in a while...:)

Then Mason helped Grandma Polly cut up onion and celery for the stuffing.

Good job helping, Mason! :)

Chloe sitting at the table after helping Carter and Mommy set it beautifully.

Carter made these little name tags for the turkeys to set on.

And then it was time to cut the turkey...Who's the turkey in this picture?

We had a really nice thanksgiving. It was relaxing and more enjoyable having family around. Thanks for coming to visit and share in our delicious meal. Oh, we had all the yummy trimmings. We had a deliciously juicy turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, stuffing, Memaw's Cranberry Salad, broccoli salad, veggie tray, 2 pumpkin cheesecakes and one chocolate pie. I think we will be stuffed until next year! :)