scenes from Christmas time

Christmas has come and it was the most magical time yet. It reminds me of my magical Christmas' growing up.
Enjoy.

(My camera cord was not working for a bit, which is why there were no pictures throughout the month I am making up for it now)

I love school Christmas crafts.



and I love that Taylor can now enjoy them.

(translation: a motor scooter and star wars legos...the r's are backwards, and no Santa didn't get him either, we didn't know)

Our gum Christmas countdown.

As well as a book countdown.

Packer family Thankgiving/Christmas dinner....love it!

Our fun loving Jolly left us ideas of what to do. (He wasnt' always so good at that)

That Christmas Devotional could not have been any better. Every talk was amazing. The next day Justin ordered A Christmas Carol and The Mansion because of this talk. And for Family Home Evening we played jenga because of this talk.

We tried so hard to not let "the perfect Christmas events" take over our lives so that in the end we tumble.

I am so happy that we can forget school for a week, I think all 5 of us need this.

This is the most meaningful gift I have recieved. Thank you dad, I will treasure this for the rest of my life.

Isn't he the most talented woodworker.

I was feeling sad that there was no snow forcasted for Christmas, but a few days before Christmas we got a surprise. Even though it was small, I told the boys it was a Christmas miracle. It was Heavenly Father letting us know that he loves us.

We boarded the "polar express" and headed to Temple Square.

Daddy sent these boys on a hunt to look for an early gift.

It was a soccer ball if you were wondering.

Mom and Dad's house. (Caroline and Jen...you two are adorable!)

I just loved these picture. We have cows in our backyard now.

Christmas Eve, the boys made a mouse trap car. (no worries, the trap was not a used one)

Christmas Eve night we gave our gifts that we made to each other. Afterwards we got to open a new game. We love games here.

This really IS a hug.

I love the look on Taylor's face. He was happy to have them open the gift he made for them.

Do you want a closer look? We were all so proud of our work.

Levi's gift. Our family symbol. I love you.

Taylor's gift. The boys love notebooks and Tay made them much cuter. (he really did most of it all by himself)

Corbin's gift. Wallets. (mom ended up doing a lot of it, but he helped pick out fabric and cut some of the pieces out.)

12:30 a.m.

Stockings before church.

During church "Santa" sneaked in a few more big presents (one of my favorite things about Christmas from growing up was seeing something hiding under blankets and sheets)

Typical scenes from Christmas morning.

Our humble, delicious Christmas lunch. Ham, mom's potatoes, sweet potato bake, green beans, and my sister-in-law's famous raspberry pretzel salad. And later that night, because we were all too stuffed, cinnamon rolls.

It has been a wonderful month, in some ways it's nice to have it over, but looking back at these pictures and memories it makes me long to have it start over again. I love the feeling this time of year brings. But mostly, I hope that as the next few days and months come that I will truly keep the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of Christ, in my heart. It's not just the birth that matters after all, it's the life and I hope I can live more like him.

gratitude still

With Thanksgiving day over, I am still trying to live in Thanksgiving daily.

For those who have fought and still fight to keep this land the home of the free.

Especially when it was Grandpa Morris. Thanks Gramps for the laughter you brought into my life and especially to Justin's. Thank you for the good traits you passed along to him. Your selflessness, humility, no speaking evil of others, and contagious sense of humor will still live on.

I got lucky when I married Justin, I also got two sets of incredilbe grandparents. Since mine had all passed away it was so nice to know that I had these guys to enjoy learning from. Thanks to Gramps and Grams Gerhauser...I love playing card games with you two.

Four, adorable, silly boys that keep me laughing all the time.

The fact that this little guy loves to do fun little crafts and will actually play with them instead of just tossing them to the side.

That this guy is loving 2nd grade and is growing into such a delightful young man

and keeps me laughing all the time.

Fun ways to remember simple things to be thankful for. (meet Rudger...one day if Justin has his way, we may have a boy with this name.)

creativity.

Projects. Grateful for the fun they add to our home.

Family feast. Even if the turkey wasn't done until 7:30 at night. (Levi is thankful that we didn't practice good manners that night)

This spunky, energetic, big squeeshy.

For the next month!!!

Fall is in the air - 3

Halloween. The climax of the fall season for the kids. For me, I'm burned out of costumes, parties, and yes even candy, but I am glad that we can look back on the fun that we had this year.
Our 2nd annual Packer cousin party.
Donuts on a string



Mummy Wrap





Someone's taking advantage of all that extra toilet paper. My super oldest brother.

Decorating cookies.

Trunk or Treat

I know no one can figure it out, I am a mummy. I only had about 5 seconds to come up with something. Not the greatest, I know, but the boys were happy that mommy and daddy actually got dressed up!

Another party with Jen and Ryan's ward

We didn't even get pictures of Halloween day and night. But it did include a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa Packer and some great cousins!! As I said before, we had a lot of Halloween this year, but at least we have some good memories.

Is anyone else listening to Christmas music now? (I promise you Justin that I will not be sick of Christmas even though I am sneaking in lots of it. And don't worry Thanksgiving is very much on our minds right now.)