A Very Merry and Wilde Christmas!

December is almost over, and I am behind in my blog AGAIN.  In my defense, I think everyone is crazy and busy this season, so it makes sense that I am as well.  Quickly, I will update the happenings at our house this month. 

• I got in trouble with Logan for writing in my blog that he wants to run for State Senate.  This is actually more of a family joke, and I put it in the Wilde family scrapbook for this reason.  Then I posted our little family interviews in my blog, forgetting that I had written that he wanted to run for State Senator.  Well, somebody asked him about it, thinking I was serious!!  Then he wasn't very happy with me.  So, in the future, if I talk about my sweetheart's political aspirations, it is a joke!!(mostly)
• We celebrated Joseph's first birthday on the 14th.  What a happy day that was for us.  He truly is a gift from Heavenly Father, and it is so fun to have him in our home, and see the love that his siblings have for him.  The struggles that we went through as a family to bring another child into our home, makes our love for him that much sweeter.  His sunny personality and sweet little nature fills our home with happiness.  That we celebrate his birth during the Christmas season, seems so appropriate to me, for he truly is our little Christmas miracle, and a manifestation of God's love and awareness of our family's needs.
• I have been busy, busy, BUSY getting ready for Christmas.  I have sewn and snipped a rag quilt for my mom(with my sister, Jen), made about 40 little wooden blocks for my neighbors and friends, stitched a picture for my mother-in-law (finished at 11:45 on the 24th), and did LOTS of  baking in between.  Plus, cleaning the whole house for Christmas (Told the kids Santa doesn't come to dirty houses, and yes, he checks under beds, in closets, and under toilet seats!  The big girls just rolled their eyes, but were good sports and helped, anyway.)   And, baking cookies and dipping pretzels for Grandma Camille, so she would have a treat for anyone who stopped by to visit her during the Holidays.  Add to that wrapping presents and going to various holiday activities, and it's a wonder I got any sleep this month!  

Just a few of the funny things that I heard or saw during the month of December in our Wilde house:

• Driving home from Black Friday shopping with Reed and baby, listening to Christmas music.  The Peanuts theme song is playing, about half-way through, Reed says to me, "Mom, I think this guy forgot the words to his song."
• Emma, who loves Curious George, was singing one of the songs from his Christmas special yesterday.  Unfortunately, she misunderstood the words, so instead of singing "Christmas Monkey", she is bellowing "Christmas JUNKIE"  at the top of her lungs, all through the house.  I'm picturing some poor strung out girl, hanging out on the corner, trying to score on Christmas Day.
• At Temple Square to see the lights with the kids and Logan.  Reed is less than impressed with the lights and keeps asking if we are done yet.  Until we get to the Reflecting Pond, where a beautiful white Nativity is displayed, with floating lights all around.  Reed gets really quiet, and I'm thinking, yeah, he loves it!!  He turns to me and says, "Mom, those lights are so cool."  I say,"Aren't they beautiful?"  Says Reed,"No, Mom, they look like BOMBS!!"  He is such a boy, through and through.
• Went to help in Emma's KINDERGARTEN class right before Christmas break.  Her teacher had the kids drawing pictures of what they wanted Santa to bring them.  Every one of them had drawn pictures of iPhones, iPods or iPads.  Am I the only one who thinks there is something wrong with this picture?
• Charlotte got an MP3 player from Grandma Julie for Christmas this year.  Among the music she has asked to download, JOHNNY HORTON, KAREN CARPENTER and the soundtrack for PAINT YOUR WAGON!!  Though I think the music she has asked for is funny, I am thankful that she isn't asking for Lady Gaga or Katie Perry!  But I am starting to wonder if I have sheltered them a little TOO much!
• This wasn't funny to me, for Christmas, Madison didn't want any toys.  Instead she asked for makeup, earrings, and jewelry.  I am looking at this girl and thinking, who took my baby and replaced her with a teenager??   I am not sure that I am ready for the next stage of her life, even if she is!

As I look back on this month of busyness and cheer, I am so very grateful for this family I have been given.  Yes, it is hectic and busy, sometimes stressful.  But it is also fun and funny, joyful and tender, just plain old good!!  How I love this season, and all the joy that comes with it.  I pray that this Christmas season found you and yours Merry and Bright, and that you remember the reason for the season, not just this Christmas Season, but every season.  Merry Christmas from our WILDE home to yours!!

Family Stories 2011

I know, I know two posts in one day is too much, but this is the 2nd half of Karen's homework.  I thought the kids stories were fun, and needed to be included in our family blog for the year.  Enjoy, or skip it, it's up to you!!

Logan and Kim Family Stories 2011

This July, Ian hurt his head in a wreck.  While he was in the hospital, Caleb and Jacob came to stay at our house, and that night we watched Looney Tunes and Little Rascals.  The hilarious parts in Looney Tunes weren’t as hilarious without E-bird.  Caleb, Madi and I stayed up until Midnight watching movies and visiting.  The next day, I begged my mom to let me go with her to the hospital.  I was disappointed when I learned I couldn’t, and I had to go to Alysha’s.  On Sunday, I was really happy when Ian came home.  Mom and Aunt Karen made snow-cones for all the kids to celebrate!                                                                                                                                         Charlotte Jean Wilde

This year we went to the Ocean.  My Uncle Jeff lives there in Santa Cruz, CA.  I taught myself how to boogie board.  Most people wait in the water then swim away in the wave.  I tried that and went under.  So I made a new way to boogie board.   Then we walked down the beach to a cave.  Charlotte and I jumped off some rocks into the water below.  Charlotte was hesitating, but I jumped right in.  When I went down, my feet touched the sand and I pushed up.  I did this a couple of times before Charlotte was brave enough to come over and try.  She landed on the rock and wouldn’t try anymore, but I thought it was fun and didn’t want to stop!              Madison Anne Wilde

This year we went to California to visit Uncle Jeff.  While we were there, we went to Monterrey.  We had lunch at the COOLEST PARK I’ve ever seen, Dennis the Menace Park.  There was a hedge maze you can walk through.  I ran through the maze and jumped on my Dad’s back.  There was a rock climbing wall, and a slide made of rollers. It was REALLY BUMPY.  I tried to walk down it and fell onto my back.  That was no fun!  Next, I went down on my stomach, and my laugh sounded funny.  I had TONS of FUN in California!!                                                              Reed Paul Wilde

This year, we had the chance to go visit Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dawn, Alex and Anna Belle in California.  We got up REALLY EARLY in the morning and loaded in a BIG VAN with Grandpa Paul and Grandma Julie.  We drove all day long and stopped in “Rhino” to sleep.  The next morning, we woke up, ate breakfast and loaded back in the van.  In a few hours, we got to CALIFORNIA!!
We had so much fun swimming in the Ocean, going on a train through the Redwood Forest, and riding the rides on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.  I fell down and hurt my arm, but Mom kissed me better.  We saw a pier full of seals and sea lions and they were STINKY!!  I had so much fun in California, that I wish we could go there EVERY YEAR!!  Next time, I hope we go to DISNEYLAND!!                                                                                                                                                 Emma Loucille Wilde

It has been such fun to watch our little Joseph grow and change over the past year.  He loves his brother and sisters, and is such a good-natured baby.  He truly is a blessing in our home.  He loves to roll all over the house, and picks up everything he can manage to get in his mouth.  He is just a TINY bit spoiled, but is so very sweet that nobody seems to mind too much.  It has been so much fun to watch his personality develop and to hear him giggle and laugh at his siblings.  We are truly grateful to be blessed with this happy, healthy, strong boy in our home.  He is a miracle in our home, and an answer to many prayers.                                                                                Joseph Richard Wilde

What a year!! I can’t believe that 2011 is almost over.  It has been such fun to watch my children grow and change and become more than they were before.  I have felt so very blessed as I have held my children close and watched them grow.  What a blessing it is to be a mother of joyful children.  I never pictured my life quite like this, but I can’t imagine it being any better!  As I try to think of one memory to share, I can’t think of just one that stands out, they are all simple, but just right for me. 
However, I have had the chance to stretch and grow this year, so I will share one of the many learning experiences that I have been blessed with this year.  In September, I was asked (more like ordered) to speak at the SUNDAY SESSION of our Stake Conference the next week.  Did I mention that I have a huge fear of Public Speaking?  Pretty much the WORST thing you could ask of me.  So I was very scared and spent the entire week worrying about what I would say, what I would wear, and how I would manage to not throw up in front of the entire stake.   I bought a new dress (at the DI, thanks to my thrifty fashionista, Karen).  I went to the temple.  I (Logan) invited my parents to come on SUNDAY, if you are wondering Logan invited them instead of me, it wasn’t because I didn’t want them there.  It was because I figured the less people that saw me throw up at Stake Conference, the better.  I stayed up til the wee small hours of Saturday morning writing a talk that I was terrified to give.  I went to the SATURDAY NIGHT adult session of conference and heard these oh so scary words:  “Next we will hear from Sister Kim Wilde.”    At that point, I panicked!  I didn’t have my talk, my parents weren’t there, and worst of all, my cute DI dress was at home, hanging in my closet!!   Luckily, I was singing in the choir, so I was already on the stand.  With as much calm as I could muster, I, oh so casually, leaned down to President Walker and said, “President Porter asked me to speak on SUNDAY!!”   To which he replied, “Are you SURE?”  Ummm…YES!!!!  Fortunately, we were able to work it out.  I offered to give up my spot on Sunday, but they wouldn’t let me off that easy, and I ended up giving my talk in my cute dress, with Mom and Dad there to see.  Although I never want to do that again, I am thankful that I had the chance to share my testimony and the love I have felt from my Heavenly Father with the members of our stake.                                                          Kimberly Wilde

Logan says that not much has happened in his life this year, but I disagree, so I am writing his story for him.  If I don’t, Albert will make something up that will be complete baloney, so I am beating him to the punch so you can get my spin on things instead of Albert’s. 
This year, our Anniversary fell on a Sunday, and we wanted to do something as a family.  We decided to take the kids up Pine Canyon in the Ranger.  So we cleared out the back, taking out the ROPE and spreading a blanket for the kids to sit on.  We loaded up the BOBBLEHEADS (what my kids look like in their helmets), and strapped Joseph’s carseat in the front with us.  Away we went.  We were having a grand old time “making memories”, and everything was going great.  That is, until we came to the fallen tree across the road.  I said that we should turn around, but Logan said that it would be fine.  “We can make it over that tree, EASY.”   Famous last words.  So I load all the kiddos out of the Ranger and wait on the side of the mountain to watch Logan go up, up and ALMOST over the fallen tree.  Instead, the Ranger is high-centered on the tree.  Then he says if he had a ROPE, he could have just pulled the tree off the road and out of the way.  We worked for at least 45 minutes to get that stinkin’  Ranger off the tree and headed back up the mountain!!  We ended up pulling the tree (tree, not LOG, mind you) completely off the road, Logan, Madi, Charly and I, while Reed and Emma watched the baby.  When we finished, Logan said how good it was for our family to have to work together!!  How I love that man!
I did learn a few OTHER lessons from that experience as well:  If you are taking a Ranger ride with all your kiddos in tow, you should bring a rope, a cell phone with a signal, and more snacks than two water bottles and a bag of Twizzlers.  Oh, one more, NO FOUR WHEELING ON SUNDAY!!                                                                                                                                                            Logan Wilde

Our Wilde Bunch 2011

This was a homework assignment from my sister-in-law, Karen.  I had so much fun doing, I decided to post it this week.  Hope you enjoy it.  If not, BLAME KAREN!!

Logan and Kim Wilde Family 2011

What an incredible journey 2011 has been.  We have laughed and cried, worked and played.  We have grown together and strengthened one another. There have been many joys, and a few sorrows.   We are so very thankful for this Wilde Bunch, and we can’t wait to see what 2012 will bring.

Richard Logan Wilde, Age 35

Something New I discovered I liked:  Politics (Kim says this obsession isn’t new, just more pronounced this year.)

A New Food I tried:  Clam Chowder fresh from the Ocean- SO GOOD!
Favorite Book for 2011:  The Hidden Traditions of the Kingdom of God.
Favorite TV Series:  MASH
Church Calling:  Ward Clerk (forever and ever, Amen)
Places I’ve gone:   Nashville, TN; Washington, DC; Santa Cruz, CA; Choteau, MT; and Delta. UT (Kim says that one is not worth mentioning)
Accomplishments:  Enduring a very painful back for most of the year, finally finding some relief in the form of Cortisone injections in late October.
Goals for 2012:  To be elected State Senator.  My wife says not to hold my breath!

Kimberly Ann Wilde, Age 34

Something  New I discovered I liked:  Facebook  (I know, but it really is a fun way to keep track of what’s going on around you)  Blogging (I never have been much of a journal keeper, but I like writing about what our family is up to every week, it’s fun!)
A New Food I tried:  Peach Salsa, Karen and I bottled our own this year, and it is pretty tasty!!Favorite Book for 2011: too many to name them all, but I really enjoyed The Rocketboys by Homer Hickam Jr, and Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank & Ernestine Gilbreth
Favorite Movie:  Ramona and Beezus, just a fun family movie, I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time.
Church Callings:  I was released as the 2^nd counselor in the Primary Presidency and immediately put in as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts. (I guess they figured I knew how to handle squirrely little boys)
Places I’ve gone:  Santa Cruz, CA and Choteau, MT (both of those are very LONG drives)Accomplishments:  Spoke in our Stake Conference to an audience of 2,000.  Wrote and directed my 2^nd Primary Program.  Learned to sew with a machine, and mastered rag quilts (but I still CAN’T read a pattern)
Goals for 2012:  Find more patience for those I love the most (my family).  Quit drinking Dr. Pepper.  Find the good in those around me.  Smile more than frown, laugh more than cry.  Love every minute I have been given!  Oh yeah, scripture study and prayer every morning and night.

Madison Anne Wilde, Age 11

Something New I discovered I liked:  Boogie Boarding, Rock Jumping, and Rock Climbing.
A New Food I tried:  Fried Oreos-they were YUM-YUM!!
Favorite Book for 2011:  Peter and the Sword of Mercy by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Favorite Movie:  Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Church Calling:  My job is to watch the kids and keep them reverent when Mom has to take Baby Joseph out!
A New Place I’ve Gone:  Santa Cruz Boardwalk in California
Accomplishments:  I have been given more responsibilities at home.  This year, I started babysitting for Mom.  I really like it, and have even watched Aunt Karen’s kids!  I have also been learning to bake on my own, and can make cookies, brownies and Top Ramen!
Goals for 2012:  Plan and make dinner by myself.  Learn to sew on a machine.  Earn my Faith in God award before my birthday!

Charlotte Jean Wilde, Age 10

Something New I discovered I liked:  Driving a four-wheeler by myself!! (but only with a HELMET on)
A New Food I tried:  Norwegian Waffles, the best dinner EVER!!
Favorite Book for 2011:   The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan
Favorite Movie:  Narnia
Church Calling:  My job is to help Mom get everybody ready and out the door for Church.  She says she wouldn’t get there without my help.
Places I’ve gone:  Temple Square with Grandpa Paul and Grandma Julie; Santa Cruz Boardwalk, CA; Monterrey Bay Aquarium, CA; High and Dry NEVADA!!
Accomplishments:  Made a new friend at school.  Babysat Reed and Emma all by myself.  Read the entire Percy Jackson Series.
Goals for 2012:  Read The Son of Neptune.  Babysit Karen’s kids.

Reed Paul Wilde, Age 7

Something New I discovered I liked:  Boardwalks, they have really fun rides on  them, and they are right on the beach.
A New Food I tried:  Eggnog Fatboys.  They are REALLY GOOD!!
Favorite Book for 2011:  Interrupting Chicken
Favorite TV Series:  Scooby Doo
Church Calling: My job at Church is to TRY to be reverent during Sacrament Meeting.
Places I’ve gone:  Dennis the Menace Park in Monterrey, CA
Accomplishments:  Rock climbing.  Forming the “Koala Home Club” with my cousins.  (sidenote, Mom has no idea what this is)
Goals for 2012:  Make another “Koala Home Club.”  Get no N’s on my report card for the rest of the year.  Become a Cub Scout!

Emma Loucille Wilde, Age 5

Something New I discovered I liked:  Going to Kindergarten.
A new Food I tried:  Angel Hair Primavera…YUMMY
Favorite Book for 2011:  The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson
Favorite Movie:  Hello Dolly
Church Calling:  My job is to TRY to be reverent in Primary.
Places I’ve gone:  Santa Cruz, CA
Accomplishments:  Started Kindergarten.  Mastered the Alphabet.  Learning to read.
Goals for 2012:  Learn more words.  Go to California AGAIN!!

Joseph Richard Wilde, Age 1

Something New I discovered I liked:  My toes, my fingers, my sisters and brother.  Being tickled, playing peek-a-boo.  Pretty much EVERYTHING has been new to me this year.
A New Food I tried:  I try to eat everything I can get my hands on…a few examples- mud off Dad’s boot (I HOPE it was mud); a dime I found on the floor; bobby pins and dryer sheets.  Not all of these things taste good, but I have to make sure!
Favorite Book for 2011:  God Gave Us You (that’s Mom’s favorite anyway, so she reads it to me A LOT)
Favorite TV Series:  Curious George, I watch it with Camisen every morning!
Church Calling:  My job is to be cute during church so everybody will smile at me and make me laugh!
Places I’ve gone:  Basically anywhere and everywhere Mom goes, sometimes I wish she would stay home a little more!   But I was a really good baby all the way to Santa Cruz and back, and then all the way to Choteau!!
Accomplishments:  Rolling over.   Sitting up.  Army crawling.  I don’t like to sit up very much, because I like to roll all over the house.  I find it is a very efficient way to get around.  Between that and my army crawl, I may NEVER need to learn to walk! I am also really good at waving BYE-BYE, playing  PATTY CAKE, and being an INDIAN.  I don’t know why, but doing that always makes Mom and Dad laugh, no matter how many times I do it!  Guess they are just easily entertained!
Goals for 2012:  Get some teeth.  Learn to crawl, and then to walk.  Be weaned (oh wait, that’s Mom’s goal) Continue to be HAPPY HEALTHY and STRONG!!