Thoughts of Christmas

How I love Christmas! I love the smells, food, lights, visits...everything! I have been thinking a lot about my Christmas traditions and some memorable Christmases. Today in church, a member of our bishopric spoke about gifts you give and receive.

So, here are just a few memories from past Christmases:

- One tradition our family loves is what we like to call "knicker-knocking". Basically a drop and run. There was a family in our ward when I was about 10 or 11. We decided to get them all presents and they would be the family we would knicker knock. So, we got everything ready, piled into "The Tank" (our big blue suburban) and got going. We were able to park so we could see this family as they got their gifts. I remember watching the young boy go to the door and call the rest of his family to the door. They were so excited, throwing the presents up in the air and looking at everything! It made a huge impact on my life at such a young age and helped me to always remember the true meaning of Christmas!

- One year in our gift exchange with our family, we decided to make all of our gifts. I remember making my little sister a small blanket for her doll. I think I was 8. I was so excited to make that silly blanket and even more excited when my sister used it for her doll all the time!

- When we go get our Christmas tree, we always will tie sleds to the back of the truck and sled behind the truck down the road. We loved it when we were young and now that we are older, we still do it and love it!

- We love to peak after "Santa" has shown up. One time when I was in high school, all 6 of us were sleeping downstairs and me and my younger sister decided about 3 that is was time to peek. We go upstairs and my sister sits down right on a stocking. All of a sudden the loudest siren goes off. "Santa" had brought one of the boys a police car with a siren and she sat on it. It was so funny. To watch her trying to cover it up with a pillow and then a mad dash back downstairs!

So many fun times during the Christmas season. But just as what was spoken about in church, it is all about giving and receiving the greatest gift of all....the birth and life of our Savior. I don't remember what gifts I have gotten but I always remember those things I did for others. And as that is how the Savior lived his life, in the service of others, I hope to do the same.

Entertaining Insights....from a 17 year old

Here are a few things that I was enlightened by the last few days at school

- "Miss Stokes, you probably should think about getting married"
- "Are you dating anyone? You should probably just date and play the field a little bit more"
- "So and so (names are obviously changed) thinks he's going to marry you"

So, entertaining day at HHS...always!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It happened!!! Finally it snowed. Granted it did take me a good 45 minutes to get to work and most of the drive, especially on I-215 I could not see the lines on the road. There were accidents everywhere and then add a bunch of high schoolers in that mix....oh man!

The kids were wild today with all the snow. All day I heard, "Wow- it's still snowing!!!" My afternoon class went out to measure how much snow. We measured 8 inches in West Valley. Crazy!!! Even though my ideal day of snow would be to stay home and read a nice book with the fire going and drinking some hot chocolate, it was nice to enjoy it from the inside of my classroom too!!

Moab and the Winter Sun 10K

My first time in Moab and it was for a 10K with my cousin Bryce. We had a great time and even though it was a quick trip, I loved it. It was NOT sunny. It was actually freezing and I was not properly dressed. I made it but was cold by the time I finished. My goal was 55 minutes. I did it in 56!!! If I didn't have to run that one lap around the track, I would have made it. Oh well. Next time.

Just so happens my good friend Josh was there running also. We started out together and then he creamed me!!! Oh well. Next time I'll get him. It was fun to see him and also Mike who was there.

Me, Emily and Bryce. I love road trips with these 2 and can't wait for the next one! The race was fun and I will soon recover. But it was so worth it!

I love Christmas Lights

The annual "Go see the Christmas Lights" family home evening took place last Monday and it was so fun. Just a small group but we had a great time. And the lights were beautiful. As always. Now, if only there was a little snow.....



I love the Holidays and all that comes with it. Christmas Lights, parties, hot chocolate, snow, Christmas music, ABC Family Movies (with all the cheesiness involved- Just FYI, our DVR is full of them!!!) candy canes, family and the whole reason behind Christmas....to remember the birth of our Savior!

Remember the song from White Christmas....

Snow, Snow, Snow...That song that they sing on the train on the way to Vermont. They show up and .....it 76 degrees outside. I know that we aren't quite that drastic but that is kind of what I feel like right now. It's December 3rd and I think that we should have some snow now. Not that I just love it and want to go play in it (ok- I am ready for a nice big snowball fight) but I feel that we should have snow. Not that I control the weather but I'm just saying, A little snow would be nice!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! It is always so fun to go home to my hometown of Salmon, Idaho and enjoy family and the making of good memories. I know that it is no longer Thanksgiving but I still have so many things to be thankful for. So, here is just a small list...and they are in no particular order



- the gospel
- family
- friends
- an awesome bed
- food : )
- a warm car to drive to work in every morning
- my healtth
- the gym
- a great job
-great students to teach
- clothes
- pay day! : )
- Nightime (meaning a chance to sleep!)
- The Atonement
-wonderful parents
-awesome siblings
-to have been able to serve a mission
-my soon to be "aunt" hood (yes- Emily is pregnant!!!)
- the holidays