Christmas 2011

This year we spent Christmas with the Brown side of the family in L.A.  Grandma and Grandpa Brown hosted us all, and graciously put up with the kids (and adults) destroying their house.  Vicki and John, Jessica and Mark, and Jon and Jennifer were there.  The only ones missing were Jeff and Polly:(  Unfortunately, both siblings families' went home for Christmas day, but we partied hard before Jessica & Mark and Jon & Jennifer left.  During this time, we heard the great news that Jon and Jennifer are going to have their 1st baby in August!  Benson can't wait for another cousin small enough to tease, and Vicki probably already has gotten another charm for her 'grandchildren bracelet.' 

  Although the weather was warm (which is foreign to me during the holidays) we were still able to get into the Christmas spirit...being spoiled rotten by John and Vicki always helps.  Here are a few highlights of what we did- 

-Gingerbread houses (my first time doing real gingerbread- wow, what a pain! Now I know why my family sticks with graham crackers!)

-Whale watching (didn't see any whales, but lots of sea lions and a plethera of dolphins)

-Tempenkyaki (a Japanese style restaurant where they make a show out of cooking the food right in front of you)
-Wild Animal Park in San Diego

-Riding rides at the Santa Monica Pier and eating our hearts out in Malibu

-Riding bikes at Newport Beach
-Going to church on Christmas Day was great.  The Christmas music brought the spirit in abundantly.  Later that day we went to Great-Uncle Keith and Aunt Ruth's house for a really yummy dinner.

Benson & Great-Grandma Brown

Working our fingers to the bone

Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier

Benson loves his rocking horse

 6 person bicycle- Newport Beach

Baby Santa Clause

Benson driving Grandma's scooter

More of the 6 person bike

Christmas Day 2011

Bundled up for whale watching- Newport Beach

Santa breaking the news to Benson that hes on the 'naughty watch'

Pre Christmas celebrations- 

     -Ugly sweater party

Danny, James, James, & Dan (a little repetitive, huh?!)

Dan with all his wives and children

 

The wives at their best!

Everyone smiled in spite of Benson's ear piercing screaming

Mesa Temple lights-

Good times with Benson- 

Benson also took some of his first steps over Christmas, thanks to Great-Grandpa Brown's coaching.  Our friends, Colter and Paige Hansen also visited us over the break and helped the process along.

   Here are some picture of the Glendale zoo that we went to with our friends Colter and Paige.

   Another highlight of the season was that I was able to record my first cd of piano music... a goal I've dreamed of for a while.  After many failed attempts, and a far too many wasted dollars, we figured out the correct cords and recording software for my digital piano.  However, by the time the recording system was up and running, it was well into the Christmas season, and I was in a major time crunch. At this point in time though, I had no idea how big of a project I was taking on... let me emphasize that again... I had noooooooooooooooo idea how much time this would take, or how exhausting/frustrating/ it would be.  Not only did I have to learn all of the music, but I also had to learn how to operate and edit using recording software that was very foreign to me. 

   Fortunately, I was very motivated.  I was so excited to be able to record my own music, and I knew my parents would love it.  Being short on time motivated me all the more.  Plus, I felt the Lord's help repeatedly- quickening my ability to learn the music and the recording software, enlightening my mind with solutions to problems and shortcuts to recording, and blessing me with patience during the late night software system crashes.
   I started recording the minute the recording system was running on Sunday night, and finished recording and editing 4 days later; editing and recording every minute I could and well into the nighttime (because Benson ensured that I accomplished very little during the day:).  I stayed up until 2:30 AM two nights, and 4:30 AM one night.  I felt like an insane college student during an especially demanding finals week.  By Friday the cds were sent out to the family, with our picture and the songs pasted on the front. Needless to say, I am very proud of myself for this accomplishment. So, after a very long introduction (which was more of a journal entry to myself than to any particular audience), I'll see if I can upload the music to my blog...