Haleakala

Today we got to go up Haleakala. The weather was great so we got to see a lot. It is over 10,000 feet high, so you literally feel on top of the world. The kids got to do a junior ranger program and a citizen scientist program to learn about how Hawaii was discovered, about rock formations, temperature, and birds. I thought it was interesting, and they seemed interested in it. So at least we got some schooling done on this trip!

The Beach

We took a picnic down to the beach tonight, and for some weird reason thought that kids would stay out of the water. Ha! Ha! They had so much fun. I think this is the first time the girls have seen the ocean, and the first time Trev probably remembers it. They totally enjoyed the waves. Piper was okay with them as long as she could have a death grip on someone.

On Vacation

Prepare yourself for picture and post overload in the next few days (you have been warned)...

I have a feeling this will be happening a lot on this trip

We have had the opportunity to go to Maui with Grant's parents. The first day we did a lot of swimming and hanging out. Today we got to go look at the whales. They are in the area for a few months, so we got to see them blow water and sometimes come out of the water. I was amazed at how easy it was to spot them.

Christmas Day

Our family gift from Trevor--a picture frame

When did my baby get as tall as the tree?

We had a nice Christmas day. My mom was here and Grant's parents came down to participate in all the present opening. Piper totally got into it, and was at the age that she would just take any present from under the tree and start opening it. Ben was excited about getting gripping gloves to wear while riding his bike so that in these long cold days he can still ride without freezing (mind you, I'm sure he'll still wear shorts outside, but at least his hands are warm). Trevor got the pogo stick he has been asking for. Karmin had a magical Christmas in the fact that Santa went all out for her this year and got her the horse she has been dying for. Lydia got a Cinderella barbie (you know the one that every time she sees at the store she starts crying for it, so I have vowed that I won't take her grocery shopping again until she is 26 years-old--yes that one). And Piper got a muffin tin with fuzzies to put in them. Santa was good this year. And we all had fun together! I love Christmas. I love being with my kiddos while they are out of school. I love my Savior and am thankful for His birth, His life, and the atonement. Merry Christmas!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

When all through the house

Every creature was stirring, but hopefully not a mouse

The stockings were hung on the wall with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled on the couch before bed

While visions of Ice Age 4 danced in their heads.

And the kids dressed in their new pjs, and I in my, well pjs, 

Were about to watch Norad before the end to many long days.

When out on the counter there arose such a noise

Cookies and eggnog had been set out by girls & boys

Away to the beds they all sprang to a dash

In hopes that sleep would come like a flash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering ears should hear

But snoring and sleeping by my 5 children dear.

After more wrapping that needed to be done quick,
I knew in a moment we were finally ready for St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles Grant and I fell asleep
And Santa must have come without making a peep.

Now Karmin, now Trevor, now Piper, and Ben
Now Lydia, now Mom & Dad have presents especially for them.
For Santa did come and leave presents clear over to the wall

So we wish a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to one and all!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

We have a lot of Christmas traditions, and every year it seems like the number is growing--and the kids love it! One of the things that they love is the annual (that started last year) Ely Christmas get-together. This year we decorated gingerbread men too. But the tradition that is everyone's favorite is while we are seated, singing in a circle, Papa mysteriously disappears and suddenly Santa comes to visit. He reads "The Night Before Christmas" and we do a small gift exchange along with the poem. Everyone ends up with a gift to take home. Piper did not like that Santa Clause one bit, but everyone else got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and get their pictures taken with him. Piper was quite thrilled to sit with someone she knew once Santa left.

More Snow!

How much fun we have all had with this snow, and yesterday we got a lot more. So outside we went, and since things are always more fun when Dad gets involved--it was pretty awesome. Ben built this lovely:

It is a baby snowman that was sledding and ran over the dad and split him in half (I think he has been reading too much "Calvin & Hobbes). Grant and the kids built this snowman--although I helped too to get that head up there. 

Karmin and I found some pretty stellar arms. It was a great snowman, but it only lasted a few hours before it started warming up outside and he toppled over. Then we enjoyed some killer sledding--my favorite.

Dear Santa

Trevor and Karmin have gotten a kick out of writing letters to Santa this year. I don't remember them ever doing it in the past, but for some reason they both wrote the jolly old man. Trevor did his on his own at home:

And since it is a bit hard to see here it is:
Dear Santa,
For Christmas can you get me a heat seeking guided missile and a giant fortress with a ton of security?Security robots, security cameras, and stuff like that? Can you please give me the power to fly? Can you upgrade my ipod so I can get angry birds star wars?
Thank you and sincerely,
Trevor Ely
P.S. Please bring me to your workshop and follow the signs and leave stuff under our tree too if you can and please leave a signed note that says something like "you have been in the presents of 'Santa' or something. If you can not do any of this thank you for your gifts.

Ha! Ha! This kid makes me laugh. He still believes in Santa.

Karmin wrote one at home and then another one at school. Here's the one from school that asked for the same thing. :

(Dear Santa,
       I like you. How are you doing at the North Pole? I would like the horsey that I saw one day at the store. I have been good. I folded clothes for 20 minutes and a few more minutes.
Love,
Karmin)
Hers kind of pulled at the heart strings a bit. I think this might be one of her last magical Christmases, so that makes it even harder. She wants that horse really bad. Santa just might cave on this one.

Finally Sledding!

Piper's first time sledding

My boys have been dying all month long because there has been no snow to go sledding. Every time we would look outside we would just see green grass (yes it has been such a mild winter that our grass is still green). Then yesterday their cousins came up to visit and asked them if they wanted to go sledding. To our surprise, there was actually a lot of snow (read: ice) on the hill out back to sled on. They were so delighted, and so the rest of the day they were outside, and then today they invited Dallin to enjoy it too. They were so glad to finally have snow

Our Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas! This year has been a busy one for our family…

Grant was promoted to nurse manager this year. He is getting excited about starting another adventure of getting his MBA. I would say wish him luck, but he always does so well at school. I may be the one who is in need of luck because I will be raising 5 kids with a husband in school fulltime and working fulltime.

I had a great time training and running my first half marathon this year. It was an awesome experience. I’ve also enjoyed my time working with a group of ladies on starting a non-profit for helping kids with dyslexia.

Ben is 11, and is starting basketball this year. He has always loved to play, but we are finally getting him on a team. He loves sports and playing with his younger siblings. He is amazing with Piper.

Trevor is 8, and is doing taekwondo this year (more at my insistence to help him with his ankles) until he can start baseball in the spring. He is our quiet studious one who got glasses this year, and is flying again with reading.

Karmin (age 6) started kindergarten and is in love with school and her art classes. She has a new best friend. They are two peas in a pod. Together they could have painted the Sistine Chapel with their love of art.

Lydia (age 3) is full of energy—and I believe that is an understatement. She is a social butterfly, loves to dress up (multiple times a day), and paint her nails (all by herself—and each nail a different color). She is happiest when she is going and doing things.

Piper (almost 1 ½) has been mostly living on my hip for the last year. We thought she was just a sensitive soul, but it turns out she has had a constant tummy ache. We recently took her off of gluten and milk per doctor’s orders, and she is a completely different person. She is now happy, plays, and reads books. It is amazing how happy she is.

We hope you are doing well and hope that you have a great 2013!

Love,

The Elys

"Tummy Eggs"

At Easter, Lydia was so adamant that she did not want to hunt for Easter eggs. It took me awhile to figure it out, but finally realized that she thought we were looking for Easter tummy aches. When she had a tummy ache she would say tummy eggs, and why in the world would we want to be looking for those?

Piper has not gained weight like our other kids have. I wasn't concerned about it, but the doctor was. So after several weight checks, the doctor finally had me bring her in for another appointment. I was excited because she had gained a half a pound in one week. However, the doctor was not satisfied with that. She ordered a bunch of tests (and when I say a bunch---I'm talking like 4 adult-size vials of blood and 6 stool samples), and had us put her on a gluten-free diet. Trevor was a fussy child until the was about 4 years old. And so I thought that Piper was just the same way. I thought that we were in for the long hall, but I had faith that once she hit a certain age, she would be a lot easier. Because once Trev hit that 4 year mark, he has been a breeze of a child. It never occurred to me that Trevor was suffering. Therefore, it never occurred to me that Piper was also suffering. We also had to take her into a GI doctor and got her in so quickly which was a miracle because the waiting list is so long for him. He asked us to take her off of milk as well. Within two days of being on the diet, I noticed the biggest difference in her. She was a completely different person. I mean completely. I went from holding her and hearing her cry all day long, to her playing, looking at books, eating full meals, and just being content and happy with life. You read about those stories where parents have an autistic child or something, and the first time they hear their child say something like, "I love you," is the most incredible experience. I feel like I have had a glimpse into what that must feel like for them. Every time I would see her playing I would tear up. The doctor said that usually kids grow out of it by the time they are 4--sorry, Trev. I kind of miss holding my little sweet pea, but I love seeing her blossom by becoming a completely happy person and a sweet little sweet pea.

Christmas Party

Our ward had another breakfast for the Christmas party this year. They asked the Primary to sing, and the Junior Primary acted out these little parts during one of the nativity songs. Trevor, being in the oldest class in Junior Primary, and the only boy in the class (I think he likes this problem), was asked to be Joseph. Karmin was asked to be an angel. Trevor was less than enthusiastic about dressing up as Joseph. Karmin was super excited to dress up as an angel. Before we left Grant told Lydia that we were supposed to get dressed up and go to the church for the activity. Lydia took it as it was Halloween all over again. She dressed up as a "beach person." I'm just glad she didn't dress up in the giraffe costume or something like that. Ben, who apparently is great at measurements, won a jar of candy because he guessed the closest number to the actual amount of candy in the jar (this is the second time he has done this). We all had fun and enjoyed in celebrating the birth of the Savior.

Arrow of Light

Ben worked hard (and so did his leaders to make sure that it happened) and earned his Arrow of Light before he moved up to Boy Scouts. He also worked hard (and again because of his amazing leaders) earned every pin possible and award in Weblos. He was blessed with awesome leaders in cub scouts (in particular this one named Sister Ely--she rocked).

The Arrow of Light ceremony was great. Ben had been looking forward to it since he was a wolf. A group of Indians (I do not remember what tribe they were from) came and talked to them, they did a ceremony, and then presented them with their arrow and badge. We combined with another ward for the presentation, which was great because his best friend, Dallin, was in the other ward so they got it together. His cousin, Austin, is in our ward, and he earned his too. He was excited about the night.

Brothers, Brothers

These two are the best of friends. Inseparable.

Decorating for Christmas

Karmin with part of the burning bush

Lydia getting in the spirit by breaking out her dancing moves

This year's experience of decorating for Christmas went so well. Nothing broke--it was great. The kids had a lot of fun putting everything where they wanted it to go. For the most part it was reasonable. I just went through the next day and nonchalantly rearranged. We always put the Christmas tree by the wall with the stockings. For some reason this year, we had to put it on the other wall. I think it had something to do with the cord for the lights. I don't know, Grant is in charge of that part. You would have thought that we were torturing the kids and asking them to do something awful by moving the tree. They were not happy by the needed change. So they took out a fake plant that I had in the corner, decorated it with I think 6 strings of lights and garland and put it where the tree should have gone. It looked like it was on fire. Now we essentially have two trees. Oh well. Merry Christmas!