caroling, caroling

I feel like I am growing up. I stepped out of my comfort zone and finally did something I have wanted to do for such a long time. It was cold with snow and fog all around, there were tons of kids, they were awesome and crazy, they were loud and full of excitement, and it was perfect. 

We went caroling.

I feel so much joy hearing Christmas songs, I love the cds my dad has given our family, but I think my favorite way to hear the carols is through children's voices. 

Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Frosty, Rudolph, Away in a Manger, and Silent Night were being sung really loud and beautifully throughout our neighborhood.

It was pretty close to a perfect December night.

Afterwards, we had to warm up with hot chocolate, treats, playing, and laughing. 

christmas weekend - two

Our elf Jolly started the weekend just right...because to me Thursday is a good day to start the weekend. 

We had the yummiest appetizer with Justin's sister and her family. Mini roasted sweet peppers and jalapenos with cream cheese and a touch of smoked salt. Addicting. Plus we made the most adorable little ice-cream snowmen.

Ward Christmas breakfast. I love our ward and the awesome youth (both boys and girls) who are so willing to play with Rudger.

I married a very good man, one reason, he and the boys came with me to watch my adorable niece in her first ballet concert. It was so festive.

Christmas shopping.

The boys finally broke down and purchased the latest trend in grade school. 

Napping while the boys watched The Croods. I rarely take naps, so this felt amazing.

Beautiful Sabbath day. I taught a lesson that was more for me than the girls. But how I hope they did get something from it. So grateful for the spiritual gifts we are all given. 

Falling asleep to A Christmas carol. Which my voice is so grateful our church did this. Way more fun to listen to. 

 ^^ this scene is all too familiar ^^

 ^^ I know, we have a large amount of photos with the boys not wearing shirts ^^

Even though our weekends really aren't the most perfect, I sure love the. I'm trying to savor them. 

Which is not helping my procrastination on getting Christmas gifts made...

christmas weekend - one

lots of puzzles, hanging out in cupboards, rudolph the red-nosed reindeer movie night, thanksmas with packers, santa, lots of snow, christmas lights, sledding the right way, daddy and levi shoveling lots of driveways, reindeer treats, christmas devotional

and plenty of pictures to look at, with one of my favorites saved for the last.

December weekends are my favorites!

happy moments

 I'm so grateful for happy little moments. And even happier that we have a camera to capture these happy little moments

The boys have their very own amusement park right here in our living room. They are pretty lucky to have their dad. Love him.

our long thanksgiving weekend

I heart this picture so much!

Our weekend was long, lazy, and perfect for us. I did not want it to end. We had a great dinner at Jen and Ry's, which was so fun and delicious and I can't believe that I forgot to take even one picture. Oh man.

Friday we headed to some stores for some shopping. I hate shopping for very long.  Then we went four-wheeling, had pizza, and watched Mickey's Christmas.

We got to spend a great evening with my sister and her family. We played a game and talked about budgets. We're awesome.

We ended with a relaxing Sunday evening reading "The Mansion" by the light of the Christmas tree.

{Taken by Corbin.} I just love that they understand the joy of picture taking.

OH how I love this month, and the snow coming down right now makes it even better.

for justin

The best thing that happened to me is when this guy decided he wanted to marry me. I pretty much new it was right, because it never felt wrong. 

I remember hearing from so many older couples when I was younger that they loved their spouses more at that time than they did on their wedding day. This couldn't be any more truer for me. He is even better for me then I even realized. I just always knew it was right. 

And to me, he keeps getting more handsome.