It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow, I have really blown it with blogging this month! It's my worst month yet! I am going to take an easy out and blame it on the holidays and the craziness that comes with it!

It really has been an incredible month! December usually is though. But this Christmas has been especially incredible in many ways. Like so many people this year, it was a struggle for us, but in the end I believe it has been a wonderful holiday for everyone. I feel blessed to have been touched by so many wonderful friends and family and to have all that I have been given this month. So here are some highlights of this past holiday season at the Cole house!

Christmas is always a wonderful time for traditions. And this month started out with two of my favorite traditions. The first weekend of the month was a busy one for us. On Friday night Chris and I met up with the other "adult" siblings of my family, along with my parents, and we went to the production of "The Forgotten Carols." We purchased tickets as soon as they were posted online and this year we were down on the front row, center stage! It was incredible! There isn't a year that I have seen this play that I don't sit and cry throughout the entire thing. And having a night out with just us big people is always a plus!

That next day was our big first activity day with the kids! We started the day out by getting all dressed up for our Christmas Card photo's. That's always an ordeal! Why do we do that to ourselves??? Despite several kid meltdown's and a very BRIGHT sunny day (unfortunately) we eventually got through the photo shoot and came out with some great pictures!

After pictures were done, we headed out to let the kids shop for their sibling gifts! That is always a fun time for us because we let the kids choose pretty much whatever they want (within the given budget of course) for whomever they have this year; and it is always fun to see what they pick out for one another!

After grabbing a quick bite to eat for the kids, we headed to the Hale Centre Theatre for our third year of watching "A Christmas Carol." This year was really special because it was the first year that we were "allowed" to bring Jaxon. He was finally old enough to come! Also we had Mel and her kids with us, and they had never seen the play either! So it was great fun for everyone! Jaxon didn't move the entire time! And he is still talking about the play! It was so much fun watching his reaction to everything. And this year there were several changes to the production and the older kids recognized every one of them. That showed me that they really do like coming and that the play makes a lasting impression on them!

Then rounding out the weekend was our tradition of decorating the "family" tree! Every year since I was a little girl we have purchased a new, individual, ornament to place on the tree. I've been doing that for over 30 years now. And the tradition has been carried on to my kids. It's so great for me to hear that they love doing this as much as I do. We all have a great time carefully unwrapping all of our ornaments from the past years and remembering which one's are our favorites! Then of course I love watching them fill the tree up with all of the ornaments. More fun for everyone!

Leading up to Christmas week of course were many different school activities. Jaxon's school actually let out for a full three weeks, so he got to hang out with Mommy and go to all the different school events! We had a great time...every time. Probably my favorite was being able to surprise Chasers at his school by being the "Mystery Reader" for the month. I showed up in my Christmas attire and read a darling Christmas book to his entire class! Chase was so excited that I was there. Jaxon's favorite activity was most likely going to Cyd's school for her Christmas Party. He got to go to lunch with her in the big cafeteria and then play games with her entire class!

Jaxon had his first Christmas Program at school this year! He was such a ham! This kid is not shy! He sang his little heart out and we of course were very proud of him!

Last year, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the extended Johnson family decided that they just didn't "feel like" having our annual Christmas party! Well we all regretted it afterwords and the Cousins and I swore that we wouldn't let the "parents" do that again to us. So this year we planned it all out for the parents and it was a HUGE success! Everyone showed up and I mean everyone. We ran out of food! Oops! But regardless, it was a great time. And for the first time ever we attempted an entire Johnson Family photo! It turned out awesome!

Christmas Eve is always a wonderful time. For the past three years we have started a tradition of everyone in my immediate family coming over, everyone in Christmas PJ's of course, and we make a massive breakfast for dinner! The kids are always so happy to eat because it is all breakfast food, and truly, who doesn't like a good breakfast for dinner! This year, Chris and I switched up the menu a bit and Chris made his version of Egg McMuffins! They were a HUGE hit! I think my brother Jett ate 5 or 6! Then Dad made his Cinnamon French Toast, always a favorite! And I found a new place to purchase centerpieces from...Edible Creations! I purchased a beautiful ceramic sleigh full of a bouquet of fruit! It was AWESOME! The chocolate covered pineapple flowers were the best part!

After we ate ourselves silly we started the best part of the night...Present Exchange! We let all the kids exchange their family gifts along with receiving their presents from Grandma and Grandpa! Every single kid was thrilled this year and that was a FIRST! We didn't have to do much to convince them all to take their new gifts and run away and play so that the adults could enjoy their Christmas exchange with a little peace!

As with the little kids, all gifts exchanged were a smashing hit! My favorite part was giving Hayley her present! She has been reading all summer the Harry Potter series, but had to get them all from the library, now that she lives on her own and is "poor"! HA HA HA! Anyway, I used several great discounts and sale coupons and was able to purchase for her the entire Hardback set! Her face was priceless! Lots of screams, giggles, and TEARS! I done did good!

I also received a wonderful surprise gift from my parents and Chris. There is a painting of the Salt Lake Temple that I have wanted for some time now. I was shocked when I opened the BIG gift and found the painting inside. It brought me to tears. I was so excited!

One of my favorite times of Christmas is Christmas Eve night after all the kids have gone to bed and Chris and I finish putting out all the "family" gifts out! It's always so peaceful and quiet and full of anticipation for the morning time to come! We always put out our cookies and milk for Santa and then I take my time soaking in the last night before the big day!

Christmas morning...why does it feel like it takes soo much work and time to get here, and then it's just done and over in a flash???? Oh well, we all had a wonderful morning! It was full of so much excitement and a lot of love and happiness. Having Mel and her kids with us made it extra special. They have waited several years for a good and happy Christmas and I was so excited to be a part of it! And of course nothing is better than enjoying Christmas through your children! I love watching their faces as they see what Santa brought and their excitement as they open all their presents!

So much took place and so many great memories were made! I am just so thankful for all the blessings in my life and for a magical Christmas season! It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

"Endless Day" is HERE!!!!

Yes, it's been two weeks since my last post, but I have literally not had one minute to myself. I never believed that taking on the music industry was going to be easy, but I didn't truly have any idea how crazy it was going to be! I've worked harder and more endless days (HA!) in the past two weeks than I have in my entire life! Blood, sweat and a lot of tears is an under statement in putting out this album. BUT, it was worth it! I am so proud of this amazing piece of work! Mitch Hansen and Brent Cook are amazing musicians and Mitch's voice is simply beautiful. The talent of John Hancock our music producer is uncomparable. All of our musicians who have brought to life Mitch's, Brent's and John's vision of this project are so incredible! I have sat in awe for the past two months watching them do their magic.


And then there are my partners and marketing team and art design team! This project would not be where it is today without support and backing of Gaylen and his entire team and for that I am so thankful. I am also so proud of Mel and all the incredible work she did on the album artwork. She was able to take mine and Clive's original vision for the album and bring it to life. And for Clive, I am most thankful. Though I have only known him a few short months, I know I have made a life long partner and friend. He is a music industry genius! I love him and his wife Bonnie!


Last and certainly not least, to Chris for supporting this crazy adventure of mine that is just starting. Hopefully this thing is going to take off the way we think is going to and we are going to start having some real fun! I love you baby!

And to all of you...check out our "Endless Days" website...and get your limited edition while they last! I promise you won't be disappointed!!!!! Go to www.endlessdaycd.com. Oh, and PLEASE, let us know what you think! We really do want your feed back. We have a blog at http://www.themitchhansenbandblog.com/. (It's still under construction so excuse the bleakness of it!)


Rock on everyone!!!

A Wonderful Thanksgiving!

It's 8:00 AM on Friday morning, and I still feel like I am in a Turkey-induced Coma!!!! My darling niece and nephew are here today; they had a sleepover last night with Jaxon. So we are all up much too early. The only reason I would have wanted to be up any earlier is to do Black Friday shopping. But Chris had to work today, so we are going to do our shopping tomorrow! Hope there is still some good deals and stuff out there to purchase! I'm guessing there will be due to all that is going on in the economy, but still hoping I haven't missed out!

Back to Thanksgiving...it was absolutely PERFECT!!! My morning of cooking was stress-free and everything went flawlessly I'm getting all this Thanksgiving Meal cooking down to a science! Jaxon and I were all alone because Chris went to work to make his homemade rolls, yams, and his Virginian Corn Pudding! All the other kiddios were with their other parents this year, so it was pretty quiet around here. But Jaxon and I made great use of our time and he was such a big helper! We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and then Wall-E!!! Well, it was more Jaxon watching while I was cooking!!!! Nonetheless everything went as planned and before Chris returned home I had everything completely done, and all the tables set-up and decorated!

My entire family arrived around 2:00 and the festivities began. Again, with all our kids missing, it was pretty quiet. Even with Jaxon and his cousins here, it was still relatively quiet! Dinner was fantastic and everyone was very content!

Since the little one's finished quickly and ran away, the adults decided to share with one another the things that they were Thankful for. It was a wonderful way to end our dinner. There were several mentions of family of course, the blessings of living in a country where we are free to worship as we choose, being members of the church and the blessings of the Gospel in our lives, as well as living in a free country altogether. There were some very touching moments, and we all shared in each other's love and tears. It was really a special moment!

I thought I would share the things that I am most thankful for this year, as this has been one incredible year for me personally. First and foremost, I am thankful to be here today. Having gone through the possibility of cancer, and having to have a hysterectomy at the first of the year, I am just happy to be alive. That experience was one of the most difficult and most painful processes I have gone through, and at the time, I truly believed that it was my time to go. I know that I wouldn't have made it through without all the love and support of my family and all my wonderful friends. I have never felt so much love as I did during that four month period. I know that the Lord was blessing me, and that it clearly was not my time...I still had too much to accomplish in this life!

I am so thankful for my children. I'm especially thankful for all the doctors and specialists that have helped our Chasers. It's been a year now that he has been on his medicine for ADHD and he is a completely different child. Chase has always had such a huge heart, but he has struggled for so long emotionally. And we have finally been able to get him the help he needs. He has improved so much in school, and he is doing so much better. I love him so much! I miss him every day that he is not here.

I am thankful for the wonderful schools that Cydnee and Jaxon are attending this year. Their new schools and the incredible learning environment that they are have been such wonderful blessings to us. Jaxon is so in love with his school and his teacher. He never complains at all about going to his school. I am so thankful that he is no longer in daycare and is a loving and educational environment. I am thankful for my opportunity and freedom to have time to be a part of the kid's activities. I've never really been able to be this involved and I am so happy that I can be now.

I am so grateful for this incredible new opportunity that starting this new company is bringing to my life. It has been a complete joy for me to work and meet so many wonderful and talented people. I am thrilled to be utilizing my skills and talents in a new industry, and of course learning about a new industry altogether. This experience has been one of the greatest in my life. And the best thing is that it is all just beginning. I know that there is going to be so many more wonderful opportunities coming our way!

I am thankful for my friends. Again, this has been one of the most stressful and trying years of my life, and I just don't know if I would have made it through without their love and support. I am so blessed with so many wonderful friends who I love and love me in return. Whether they are here in Utah, or far away in Oregon, Virginia, and Atlanta, it matters not, I feel close to all of them every day!

I could not have a list of things that I was thankful for and not have my ward and the Gospel a part of it. The members of our ward have shown so much charity and love to me and my family this year. I am so thankful for our Bishop and Relief Society President. These two wonderful individuals have been there so much this past year and most of the time without having asked. They just show up, and always when I needed it most. For nearly three months while I was down from my surgery there were people I have never even met coming to my home to help clean, bring in meals, and help with Jaxon. I never had to worry about a thing. Every minute of every day was taken care of for me. I've never experienced such compassion before. I will be forever grateful for all that they have done for me and my family.

I am so thankful to have Melanie and her beautiful kids living with us. I am grateful for the opportunity to help someone in need, but I am receiving so many more blessings because of it. I love this family with all my heart and I love seeing them happy!

And last but not least, I am so thankful for my husband. We have struggled together more this year than any other year of our very short marriage. It has felt so many times like we just weren't going to make it. But I am so thankful that I know that there is enough love there to get us through. And I do love him. He is a wonderful father and I love how he loves the kids. We have learned what we must focus on in order to make it through this dark and dreary world, and it's when we lose that focus that we are struggling the most. If we can remember to always put one another first, and keep the Lord close to both of us, we can make it through anything.

It has been a wonderful holiday and just the kind of break that I needed. I am so excited for the rest of the weekend. Today I am breaking out the Christmas Decorations and tonight when Chris gets home we are going on the train to downtown and watch the lights at Temple Square come on. Then all day tomorrow Chris and I will be doing our annual Christmas shopping marathon. It's our favorite thing to do together and I can't wait. We actually will NOT be bringing Jaxon this time. He is much to aware of everything now, so this will be the first year that Chris and I get to do our shopping ALL ALONE! Woo Hoo!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving also! My love and thanks to all of you!!! Happy Holidays!