christmas 2012

I know. It's been over a month. 

But here are a couple of pictures that make me happy on these snowy, cold January days.

 Christmas at our home was a happy, perfect, beautiful day.

our christmas baby

is really not so much a baby anymore.  

We can't believe that seven years ago we brought this little bundle of joy home from the hospital. 

(and even more, looking back I can't believe I was so determined to still go to my family's Christmas Eve dinner that I brought a brand new baby to my parent's home where it was packed full of people...and germs. let's just say I was a little crazy.)

 It has been so good for me to try really hard to make sure when Tay's birthday comes around that Christmas takes a backseat and he is front and center. Some years have been harder than others. This year, I think, was a good year. However, he did want to decorate gingerbread houses for part of his celebration.

(loving that kitchen mess)

 Tay was so happy that some favorite's came to join us. Not only did they come, but they brought him his #1 Christmas wish. Modeling Clay. 

His request for dessert was brownie sundae. 

 One of my favorite things about birthdays, is when the brother's give each other gifts  ($2 limit). I love seeing how excited each of them get, and even more so, their hand written notes. Warms my heart.

I really do try hard to make the day special, but so often, with the natural busyness of the season, I let things slip. I love the inspiration from all my friends and relatives, I especially love the breakfast in bed tradition from Cami. The boys think it's extra special. This year I completely forgot about it until several days later, so I decided in the back of my mind to celebrate it on his 1 month birthday. (we like to be surprised, right?) 

Taylor ended up being sick the day before, so he slept on the couch that night and woke up to his surprise. 

I think I made it up to him. He realized that I never forgot it and in some ways made him feel even more special. 

I hope that with all the mistakes that I make as a mother, that in some small way I can make it up to each of them with the good that I may do. 

Taylor, we love you so much!!

and seven reasons why...

1) your endless creativity. 

2) you already show us how sentimental you are. So often you want to go through your box that is full of your things from school, your crafts, and pictures of yourself.

3) your sweet voice singing 'away in a manger' to Rudger, I love the look in his eyes when he watches you in amazement as you sing.

4) how hard you are working in school. You are becoming a really good reader. I love listening to you as we read from the Book of Mormon as a family.

5) the way you love to quote lines from movies. You always take us by surprise how well you quote them.

6) your love of chocolate...and not gross chocolate, good chocolate.

7) your sweet little smiles that melt my heart

Love you tons and tons Tay Bay.

glimpses of december

Can't believe the month has come and gone. At the end of the season I think to myself, "was it really that memorable and wonderful for the boys?" I always go into the month with such high hopes of everything being perfect. And it's not. In the actual moment, I don't think things are really that great or exciting. Then, when it's all over I sit back and reflect on what has happened and I long to go back to those moments. I guess that's when I realize

 we had a good month. 

Here's a glimpse into our December.

It started off right with my favorite activity. 

First Presidency Devotional.

Christmas movie nights every Friday are a huge highlight.

After the movie the boys get to sleep out under the tree. (unless it's Christmas Eve)

One of their favorite traditions.

 Christmas games by the tree. 

(Our personal favorite is memory. I can't get over how good of memories those boys have. They beat me every time, and I'm actually trying hard. I would feel really bad, but Justin's in the same boat as me.)

 Christmas Crafts 

If we didn't have Taylor, I'm not sure if we would craft as much as we do.

 Happy to just sit back and observe.

 Santa cookies.

 Our elf, Jolly, was pretty lazy this year. But he did surprise the boys with window stickers.

 Unfortunately, I was the only one in our family to see temple square. 

We were too sick when we wanted to go.

I loved this picture one of the young women took with my camera.

 Baking day. 

Wow Mandi, sorry we are so messy. But the food was so worth it!

 The boys were so excited when some of their best buddies brought over a Christmas gift.

 We loved reading our Christmas books all month. 

Rudger was just starting to play with his hands more this month.

 I was so excited when I found this white tree at the DI for $4. Made my day!

 We thought about sending Christmas cards, and even tried a photo shoot, but with the sickness we had (and  a not so organized mom) we just didn't get to it. But I'll still cherish the pictures. 

 I love seeing Taylor looking at his oldest brother that way. 

 And then Corbin and Taylor loving their younger brother.

 We had a great trip up to Brigham to hear my dad speak in church about Christmas. 

It was a wonderful day. 

My mom made each of the grandchildren little gingerbread men that they got to take off the Christmas tree and enjoy. The boys were so excited to find their names on their gingerbread man.

 Someday I hope I have a village like my dads.

 And a tree like my moms. 

 I love my parents home.

(I'm still in denial that my baby nephew who I absolutely love is leaving on his mission in just a few days)

Treats for the neighbors.

And there was quite a bit of this going on all month.

It really was a good month.