thanksmas 2015

One of the most anticipated days of the year came! Every year, the pictures from Thanksmas look the same, we do the same things, eat the same things, all in the same order. Only the kids look a little bigger with each passing year. I think that's why we love it so much. It's familiar and wonderful and there's so much happiness radiating from the cousins! 

This year, Cami made a video for the family. I get a little emotional every time I watch it. I know all the cousins will cherish that video as much as I do.

And this year included two new babies, two very loved babies!

These moments make my heart so very happy!

ten

When the Christmas excitement is just about to burst, we get to pause a moment and celebrate this young man for a day. We are so grateful for his kind heart and contagious smile!

For his birthday he got crepes with hot chocolate for breakfast in bed (actually in Corbin's bed, because they are on Christmas break and they made a goal to sleep in his bed every night). He got a candy bar poster from his brothers and cards from grandparents. He played with his brothers all afternoon. We went and saw the new star wars in the big city and we were all a little excited about that! Then we ended the day with pizza for dinner and brownies for dessert! Happiest Birthday Taylor, our Christmas baby!!

christmas throughout the month

1. Thought I would be such a fun mom and do all sorts fun activities every single day.

2. Shows how on top of it I actually was every day :) It's just how things are and that's okay.

1. Justin cooked breakfast several times this month. Love!
2. The fried potatoes and eggs that he made, I can't stop thinking about it.

1. Our favorite Christmas readings.
2. And cuddling on the couch while reading our favorites is heaven.

1. We finished reading A Christmas Carol, so for movie night, that's what we watched.
2. Painting and coloring scenes of the nativity.

1. Snowman milk on the biggest snow day!

2. Snowman pancakes too.

1. The boys couldn't wait to get out in that snow before school.
2. It was one of the most magical things that happened all month.

1. Plowing the driveway the fun way!
2. Caroling for family night with friends.

1. Our view.
2. That boy and his hot chocolate (and all the marshmallows he could add)

1. That snowman would not stay up.

2. Taylor looks forward to this activity every year!

1. Levi was SO dedicated to this job.
2. Rudger piled on the cookies to make the tallest snowman hat.

1. The milk, the girl, the tablet.

2. So many days and nights gathered around the fireplace.

1. Cutest snowman.
2. The most exciting breakfast all month.

1. Testing out family Christmas pictures.
2. I mean, seriously!

1. Sundays in December are the best!

2. These are the moments. (I wish they happened more often)

1. Piano recital time! Taylor played 'Oh Tannenbaum' and Corbin played 'Up on the Housetop'. Corbs did have his shirt buttoned up :)

2. While picking up some ground beef, these trees stopped me in my tracks.

1. Last day of school before the Christmas break! Who doesn't love wearing jammies to school!
2. A cookie exchange party!

1. No coats, four wheeler, big piles of snow! :)
2. They played and played all afternoon and I was so happy I caught these moments!

simple Christmas decor

Christmas around our house is just plain simple. I don't know how we have four totes full of Christmas decorations because every year when I pull it out and spread it around our home, it sure doesn't seem like we have that much. But I like it that way. My hope is that it feels reverent and calm, but also a place where I can tell that kids live here. (though I do think the noise and the toys scattered across the house are a pretty strong indication that there are kids here! and that's probably why I try to decorate the way I do)

One of my favorites this year was the advent we hung up. Just white bags with adorable teeny Christmas tree clothespins. And inside each bag was a piece of the nativity scene that I sewed together last year. (got the idea from one of my favorite blogs)

And my favorite way to enjoy our home at Christmas time is all cuddled together on the couch with the Christmas lights on and a Christmas movie playing. Just can't beat it.

life kept on happening

Even though this area of the web has been completely neglected the past few months, life has been busy and happy and full of these littles. We have adjusted to having five children. There are good days and their are bad ones. On those bad days I wonder what we were thinking, I can barely take care of myself and a home. But those good days, they sure make life worth living.

The boysies (what Rudger calls his brothers) are home for their Christmas break and we are so very happy about that. While they are off playing their adventurous games, I am going to attempt getting this place caught up. But not before I get Christmas taken care of!

11.6.2015 - for prophets and apostles

I am so grateful for these wise men. The world is changing so fast. I feel like the values I hold dear are being mocked and devalued. Lately these men, whom I believe are working under the direction of our Savior, are becoming less popular with the world and even with members of my own faith. But I know how I feel and I will stand with these men and hold on to my faith.

Last Conference Elder Bednar gave a beautiful talk on his love and respect for these older men. I loved the tenderness in his voice as he spoke of them.

"Serving with these representatives of the Lord, I have come to know their greatest desire is to discern and do the will of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. As we counsel together, inspiration has been received and decisions have been made that reflect a degree of light and truth far beyond human intelligence, reasoning, and experience. As we work together in unity on perplexing problems, our collective understanding of an issue has been enlarged in marvelous ways by the power of the Holy Ghost." 

I truly believe this.