So...12 Days of Christmas Past::2006

Live Nativity::Christmas 2006::San Jose, CA

 

In 2006 we were back to San Jose for Christmas.  I was large with child, expecting Second Daughter a few months later.  Christmas Eve we got together with family (that's Brother In-Law in the background and Cousin as Joseph) and did a living nativity.  We did not do that in my family when I was a kid so it was really fun for me to watch!

 

First Daughter was Mary, Husband was the donkey, and First Daughter's first doll (cabbage patch) was Baby Jesus - you can see her (him) in the purple crib (manger) in the lower right corner.

 

Christmas "shopping" was easy that year.  First Daughter was very excited about certain things and had very simple expectations.  I ended up wrapping some of her favorite toys, and her favorite movie (Wizard of Oz) so she could open them on Christmas morning and get excited.  She didn't have any expectation for new toys so she was so excited.  It actually was the best.

 

But we weren't complete cheapskates that year - we did buy her new stuff too.  She was into princesses so she got a couple dress up dresses and shoes, a crown and play jewelry.  We just multiplied her stash of presents by wrapping already owned gifts :)

 

That is the only memory I have of that Christmas.  My pregnant brain must have forgotten everything else :)

 

 

 

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So...12 Days of Christmas Past::2005

First Daughter::Christmas Eve 2005::Orem, UT

 

Christmas 2005 was our first Christmas alone, in our own apartment in Orem, UT, just the three of us.  It was different, much more quiet, but wonderful.  It was the beginning of creating many of our own family traditions.

 

1::Christmas jammies - both Husband & I had this tradition in our families growing up, but this was the first year that we bought them for our own little family and for our own sweet daughter.

 

2::Christmas bear - this tradition kind of created itself and it started this Christmas with First Daughter.  First Daughter's nickname has always been "Bear," so I was so excited to get her a Christmas bear for her first Christmas.  Husband's family had a tradition that they each had a Christmas character (Husband's was Santa) and they had a stuffed animal/pillow with that character and then got ornaments that went along with it.  Getting the Christmas bear was my attempt to keep that tradition continuing, but it ended up just turning into Christmas bears for all the kids on their first Christmas.  The bears have the year embroidered on their paw so we can always remember when their first Christmas was.

 

3::Baum's Christmas trees - we bought our Christmas tree that year at Baum's, a local tree lot that was recommended to us by a friend.  We bought our tree there every year since.  (Actually, this was our first year not getting our tree there - it was kinda strange - especially since I am definitely a creature of habit/tradition).

 

4::Christmas book - we get a family Christmas book every year.

 

5::Christmas movie - we also get a Christmas movie.

 

6::Christmas card - this was our first official Christmas card.  Well...I think we sent out Christmas cards that first year after we got married...but this was our first take-a-family-picture-for-a-Christmas-card experience.  It made us feel like real grownups :)

 

Having a baby made Christmas morning a little different.  First Daughter had no anticipation waiting to see what Santa left her, and she was a champion sleeper, so we didn't get up until after 9 or so (which was normal for her).  We had a wonderfully relaxing morning opening the few presents that we had.

 

Family memories are the best, and the first memories of our sweet little family feel magical.

 

 

 

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So...12 Days of Christmas Past::2004

Well...I know I don't really need to say the obvious, but blogging doesn't seem to be my strong suit these days...my attempt to do the 12 Days of Christmas Past leading up to Christmas obviously didn't happen...BUT - I've never been good at letting a "goal" stay unfinished/open ended, so I'm just gonna do it anyway, even though Christmas is over.  Hopefully I get through them before the next holiday comes around...well, New Years doesn't count cause that's, like, tomorrow...or the next day...

 

Christmas Eve with Husband's side of the family::San Jose::2004

 

Christmas 2004 was with Husband's family in San Jose, CA.  I was pregnant with First Daughter and we had just found out she was a girl days before we arrived.  We brought a video (yes, it was a VHS) of the ultrasound with us so that everyone could watch and see if they could guess the gender.  Of course nobody could because ultrasounds don't really look like anything.  We thought it was such a clever way to reveal the gender, but looking back it was a little silly :)

 

This was my first time being somewhere relatively warm for Christmas.  It was different, but fun.  It was my first Christmas not being with my own family.  But being there felt like home, as it always did, and we had a wonderful Christmas.

Mother In-Law got us all matching jammies.  The sweatshirts were GDI (Husband's dad's company) sweatshirts, and I still wear it to this day.  I love that sweatshirt. 

All of Husband's family was there except one of his younger brothers who was serving a LDS mission in Washington at the time.

Christmas Eve dinner was at Husband's aunt's house who also lives in San Jose.

It was my first Christmas experiencing the traditional Christmas Brunch that Husband's extended family does every year.  It was fun and yummy and it's a tradition that we still look forward to every year.  We have one out here in Utah with his family members that live here.

I remember that we were there for a really long time.  Perhaps the whole two weeks of our winter break?  We watched lots and lots of movies, and I learned how to knit. 

My memories of that Christmas are pretty sporadic, but I do remember it being wonderful.  I have always loved being with Husband's family.  I am a very lucky woman to have married into such an amazing family. 



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So...12 Days of Christmas Past::2003

Brother & Sister In-Law::Christmas::Boston::2003

 

Sadly, I don't have very many pictures (two, to be exact) of our Christmas in 2003.

I actually don't even have any of Husband and I :(

But those were the days before we owned a digital camera, so we 1) didn't take very many pictures, and 2) have probably lost a lot of the pictures we actually have.  In fact, this picture may have even been taken with a disposable camera (remember those???)

 

Christmas in 2003 was at my parents' home in Needham, MA.  It was our first Christmas as a married couple, and the first Christmas for my brother and sister in-law (shown in the picture) as a married couple too.  We both were married in 2003 - them in May (right?) and us in October.  Christmas that year we all gathered together in MA.  This is the last (and only) Christmas we have all spent together.

 

My mom got us all Christmas jammies like she did when we were kids.  It was fun :)  My other brother and sister in-law had just had their second baby only three weeks before.  Now that I'm a mom, I understand how amazing, and probably difficult, that was for them.  My sister was living there with her family and she had one daughter that was 1 1/2.  My younger brother was 13, but didn't look like it - only months before he was mistaken to be my fiancé :) 

 

I can hardly remember our family like this.  It really seems like a lifetime ago.  All of our families have grown so much - sister::2 kids, brother::5 kids, brother::6 kids, me::5 kids, brother::married - we've dispersed across the country, and have had many different life experiences. 

 

Our extended family was so new at this Christmas.  We were still getting to know each other and still trying to adjust to our new family members - four of us got married in three years, and Husband and I had just been married 1 1/2 months before this Christmas.  Everything was still new. 

 

Thinking back to this time and our family experiences through the years since, I wish that I had done better to connect with my in-laws and establish a better foundation for our relationships.  11 years later we could all be a lot more close than we are.  We could have loved and tried to understand each other better as we made different life decisions and had different experiences and trials.  But - we were all very young when we got mashed together in one big family, and I can't speak for everyone but I sure know that I have learned a whole lot and grown up a lot in those 11 years.  Back then I really didn't know much and was really still a kid and was pretty selfish.  I have learned a lot (and am still learning) about family relationships and how to love and accept people for who they are no matter what.  Sometimes I think I am doing this, but I have learned that actions/words can be interpreted very differently by different people and family relationships are the most sensitive and the most important relationships.  And I am learning how to say sorry and how to forgive.

 

Family is all about showing love - no matter what - and forgiving each other for being imperfect - and being there for each other no matter how far away you live and no matter how long its been since you last saw or spoke to each other.  Family is family.  Always.

 

I love my family so much.

It has been a very long time since we've celebrated Christmas with anyone in my family, and every year I miss them.  All of them. 

 

This year my parents will be here with us and we are very excited about that.

And thanks to online shopping and Facetime, we can feel a little closer to the rest of the family even though we are thousands of miles apart.

 

 

 

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So...12 Days of Christmas Past::2002

Me & Husband::Boston::2002

This year marks 12 years of Christmases together, Husband and I.  This first one, we weren't engaged yet, but we were a short 1 1/2 months later.

That Christmas marked the end of a long 7 months living apart from each other.  We dated for 4 months, I went home to Boston for the summer, he went home to San Jose for the fall semester, then we were reunited in Boston for Christmas and headed back to Provo together.

This was a very interesting/trying time in my life and in our relationship.  I knew that I was in love with Husband and wanted to spend the rest of my life and eternity with him, but not everyone was as enthusiastic as we were about the idea.  That fall semester, I knew that we were getting close to getting engaged and was desperately seeking a confirmation that marrying him was the right thing to do.  I knew I wanted it to be the right thing, but I wanted some divine confirmation.  That holiday season - Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine - was when I received my answer.

It wasn't anything grand and glorious or even really that obvious.  It was just a peaceful feeling of being at home when I was with him.  Even though I didn't have a whole lot of support from my family, I knew that it was right because I felt that he was now my family and I couldn't imagine a life without him.

This picture was taken in downtown Boston.  Our whole family went into the city together on the T.  Mom made matching red fleece scarves for all of us.  Husband had given me that winter hat for Christmas (and the Harry Potter box set!!)  I don't exactly remember what we did in the city - probably went out to eat and probably shopped - but I do remember it being ridiculously cold.  And I remember not caring one bit because I was so happy to be reunited with my man and having fun holding his hand and strolling through the city. 

My other memory of that Christmas was staying up late with Husband, cuddling on my parents' living room love seat, looking at a Christmas version of an "I Spy" book.  We did the entire book, which I think is the only time in my life that I've completed one of those books in one sitting.  It was easy because I loved every second with him, especially being close to him, and I was so happy to be with him again.  It really didn't matter what we did as long as we were together.

I loved the end of that trip because we didn't have to say goodbye to each other.  We got to fly back to Utah together!  We had had our fair share of weepy goodbyes at airports that year, and I loved that this visit didn't end the same.  In fact, we didn't ever have to say goodbye again because we were engaged the following February and married the October after that, without any time apart in between.

I don't remember many details about that Christmas.  I really only remember all the excitement, anticipation, and twitterpated-ness I felt that year being so in love with my husband-to-be.  This picture brings back some hard memories, but mostly the wonderful, giddy feelings and memories. 

I love being in love with Husband.

He's my favorite.

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So...We've Been Busy!

Remember when I actually used to write on this blog?

Ya, me too...

 

Well it's been a busy few weeks over here.

I'll start with my trip to BOSTON. 

Yes!  Boston!

 

Son #2 and I hopped on a plane and headed to my hometown for my mom's 60th birthday.  The best part about it - she didn't know we were coming!

 

We showed up at my parents' house while they were out to dinner.  We put Son #2 in a high chair in front of the front door so when they walked in, this is what they saw.

It was awesome.

We all jumped out at yelled "surprise!"

She was so surprised and so excited.

Son #2 cried a lot - poor guy didn't know what was coming.

Mom with all her grandkids that were there

Son was such a champ throughout the whole trip and on the plane.  It was really nice to have some one-on-one time with the little guy.  He's such a mama's boy so he especially loved it.  He even got to sleep in bed with me the whole trip!  He would grab onto my arm and snuggle me in the middle of the night.  So sweet.

We came home on Daylight Savings Sunday and needless to say, the adjustment was a little rough.

We also got new windows last week!
Wahoo!
I am so very beyond excited about this.

We had two birthdays this week.
Third Daughter turned five.  We celebrated with a disco party, princess cake, and a trip to the dollar store (her request).  She got a new bike, tea set, and clothes from grandma.  She was very happy!

Second Daughter turned seven.
She had strawberry cupcakes with vanilla swirly frosting.  We celebrated with lots of Minecraft (her choice), friend time, and hot tubbing at night as a family.  She also got a new bike, new shoes, paints, and clothes from grandma.  She also got a picture frame from her best friend with a picture of them in it.  She loves it!

In other news -
We've been loving the warm sunny weather

 

and First Daughter has discovered a photo booth app on my phone :)

 

The leprechauns visited our house this morning for St. Patrick's Day but we didn't get any photos to prove it.  Just imagine lots of gold coins, Reese's peanut butter cups (they're gold too), Werther's, and green clothes.  Oh, and Lucky Charms. 

 

It was a breakfast of champions.

The kids loved it.

And the leprechauns turned our milk green too.
Naughty leprechauns...

Corned beef for dinner tonight.
I've never cooked it, and I've never eaten it.
This should be interesting.



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So...On Looking Upward

::my motto for 2014::

 

I always am excited when January comes around and it's time to set resolutions for the new year to come.  I'm very motivated by goals and improvement and moving forward.  I am a goal-oriented, achievement-driven person and so resolutions suite me well.

 

But this year, I haven't really been feeling it. 

 

I've found myself at the end of 2013 stuck somewhere between accepting myself for who I am and being ok with where I'm at and what I'm capable of, and striving to be better, constantly improving, and measuring up.  It seems like the two struggle to coexist in my mind.  How can I be content and still pushing toward change?

 

The best thing about 2013 by far is the birth of Son #2.

He is one of my greatest achievements and so he alone made 2013 a great year.

 

But to sum up 2013, I would say it was a humbling year for me.  It wasn't my best year, but it wasn't my worst either.  It was a transitional year and that is ok. 

 

I've been reevaluating how I measure my own worth and where I look for reassurance and validation. My confidence was shaken a bit and some areas of my life I felt good about were rattled a little.  Some experiences left me more prone to finding validation for my faults and struggling to see my strengths.  I saw my capabilities and limitations in a new light and came to a realization that I might not be as great as I thought I was.  Not to be dramatic or depressing or anything - it just was a humbling year and a major reality check for me.

 

It's been a regrouping and rebuilding year and hopefully I have grown from it. 

I'm looking forward to moving forward.

 

And so, while thinking back on 2013 and looking forward to 2014, I've decided not to make any resolutions, but to commit to the motto of "look upward and not outward for approval."  I am feeling very done measuring my worth by the feedback I get from people around me - the positive and the negative, spoken or unspoken.  The only approval and validation I want and need (and all that really matters anyway) is from God.  He is who matters and He is the one who can rebuild my self-confidence and help me move forward to become my best self. 

 

I'm already excited.

This is going to be good.  I can feel it.

2014 is going to be a good year.

 

 

 

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So...Christmas Wrap

If I could describe our Christmas in three words, they'd be: Simple, Successful, Wonderful.

Our Christmas was pretty quiet this year (as quiet as it can be with five kids).  We didn't have big plans or lots of people over.  All of our out-of-the-house festivities were pretty much done the Friday before Christmas.  We just spent a lot of time at home, together, without a schedule, without a plan, without expectations.  It was so wonderful for our family.  Sure, we've driven each other a little crazy at times, but that's part of family life and it always works out.

We got all the essential traditions in on Christmas Eve - jammies, new Christmas book, reading the Christmas story from the scriptures, ham and restuffed potatoes for dinner, making cookies for Santa, singing Christmas carols. 

When I put the ham in the oven, I didn't realize it was going to take 2 1/2 hours to cook.  All day I was thinking more like 1 1/2 hours, so that pushed dinner back to about 7ish.  Oops.

With pretty anxious kids we ended up doing jammies, scriptures, and carols before dinner.  They loved their jammies and slippers and were excited that Husband and I got jammies too.  It has been years since we've done that, so that was fun. 

Reading the Christmas story out of the scriptures was fun this year because we have two kids that can comfortably read the scriptures on their own.  It was fun taking turn reading scriptures and passing the scriptures to our kids.  Every now and then we would pause for Third Daughter to fill in the blanks.  She knows so much of the story and even knew the words the angel said to the shepherds.  It was pretty awesome to hear her pipe in with, "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." (Luke 2:10)  I'm pretty sure she picked that up from Charlie Brown Christmas :)

After dinner we got started making cookies for Santa.  We decided on chocolate chip this year because Santa loves my chocolate chip cookies.  The girls helped and loved that.  They decided to put an extra plate of cookies in their room to see if Santa would come up there to get some.  They also put out carrots for the reindeer, milk downstairs and egg nog upstairs to give Santa some variety.  That was very thoughtful of them.

They wanted to have a sister sleepover in the same bed.  That lasted about five minutes.  After kicking each other and struggling to get comfortable, they eventually found their ways to their own beds and eventually fell asleep.  We were all asleep by midnight, which was very nice.

Each of our kids woke up at least once that night (not at the same time).  Some woke up twice.  Not the best night sleep for Husband and I, but we didn't expect anything else.

The kids woke up around 7:45 which wasn't bad at all.  They piled on our bed and we waited for the Sons to wake up, which wasn't too long after the Daughters.  We brushed teeth and lined up on the stairs.  Christmas morning anticipation is so much fun.

The opening of presents was amazing.  We kept things very reasonable this year which was such a great idea.  Everyone was happy with what they got and we managed to get through the day without a single melt down.  That's got to be some sort of record!

Some favorite presents::
First Daughter - Kit (American Girl Doll), iPod shuffle, Hugo Cabret (book and movie), rainbow loom
Second Daughter - Saige (American Girl Doll), Lil' Big Top Lalaloopsy, new Piggie & Gerald book
Third Daughter - Caroline (American Girl Doll), Anna from Frozen, more Little People Princesses
Son #1 - bus, truck, cars, moon, Winnie the Pooh
Son #2 - rice cereal, a new toy that I have no idea how to describe
Husband - pants that fit him, T-shirt with the moon on it for Son #1, giant Reeses peanut butter cups, cologne
Me - new iPhone 5C!  no more cracked screen for me! Kirsten (my American Girl Doll I had when I was a kid)

Christmas Book::I Spy! Christmas
Christmas Movie::Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Family Game::Monopoly

We also got some new games - Dominoes and Monopoly - that we have had a lot of fun playing, lots of fun books to read, and lots of yummy treats to share.  The girls all got presents for everyone in our family which was super thoughtful.  I didn't even suggest to them to do that.  They used their own money to buy things at the Third Grade store at their school (I helped Third Daughter since she doesn't have a store at her school).  I love that they thought to get presents for their family members and every gift they got was so thoughtful.

The best part about Christmas morning was watching this boy finally have cars to play with.
He just played and played and played.  We hardly heard a word from him all morning.

Later that morning we headed to Husband's Aunt's house for the annual Christmas brunch.  It is one of my favorite parts of Christmas morning.  We had a wonderful time visiting with our family and enjoying each other's company.

 

The best part of this Christmas break has been to have Husband home.  He has been able to be home since Christmas Eve and it has been so wonderful.  I love having him here and so do the kids.  It is such a great feelings having my family together.  I feel very blessed.



I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
I hope you were able to feel peace and love from those around you, and more importantly from the Savior, Jesus Christ.  That is a gift that He can give us any time we seek it, not just at Christmas time.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

I love the Savior and I love celebrating His birth.
He is the greatest gift of all, from our loving Father in Heaven.



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So...It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

There are so many things that I love about Christmas - the traditions, the treats, the parties, the music, the time with family and friends, the focus on the Savior - there really isn't anything I don't like about this time of year.  I actually even enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and the busy-ness of the season.  It's all part of creating memories and being involved doing fun things.

 

This season has been very full and very wonderful.  We have -

::had a violin recital and a piano recital

::had a school choir concert

::gone to see the Spanish Fork lights for FHE with friends

::gone to see the Thanksgiving Point lights with family

::gone to see the lights at the "Christmas mansions" (our family tradition) for FHE with cousin Meghan

::gone to see the lights at Temple Square

::gone to a night in Bethlehem for our ward Christmas party - Husband was a wise man and Son #2 was Baby Jesus

::gone to see Frozen for a work party

::gone to see The Hobbit

::gone to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with my Grandpa

::gone to a Christmas dinner where my Grandpa lives

::gone to a ward choir Christmas party

::sat on Santa's lap and got his autograph

::made gingerbread nativities with Uncle B + Aunt L

::watched a ton of Christmas movies

::made treats for friends we home teach and visit teach

::had school Christmas parties and sing-a-longs

::gone caroling for Activity Days (First Daughter only - we were all jealous)

::done lots of online shopping

::got our tree at Baums and decorated it with cranberry strings and paper snowflakes

::had lots of hot cocoa

::played in the snow a lot (while mom was inside where it is warm)

::gone hot tubbing in the snow

::visited with friends

::had extended family dinner while watch the LDS Church Christmas Devotional

::sent out Christmas cards + packages

::played and sung a lot of Christmas carols

::read a lot of Christmas stories

::done lots of shoveling - well, Husband has :)

 

As much as I love all the special things we get to do and be involved in during the holiday season, my favorite time is the time we have just being at home.  I love having my family home in our cozy house on cold winter evenings.  I love the lit tree, the burning fire, and the music playing.  I love getting in jammies and watching movies by the fire.  I love staying up late and sharing Christmas treats.  I love sitting on the floor in my kids' room reading Christmas stories and singing Christmas songs before bedtime.  I love the excitement and the wishing for the perfect gift from Santa.  I love baking all day and sharing goodies with people we love.  I love that we are creating memories and a home full of love. 

 

And I love that amidst all the hustle and bustle and treats and gifts, the Savior is the center of it all.  We talk about how every thing about Christmas points to Christ - even Santa and gifts and treats and parties.  If you think about it, all of it points to Christ.  The trick is to look for it. 

 

I love the story of Jesus' birth.  I love reading the scripture story and singing all the songs that depict that beautiful, miraculous event.  I love the Savior and I love celebrating his birth and his life during Christmastime.   I love this time of year.

 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas season full of love - from our family to yours.

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 waiting on the stairs, Christmas morning 2012

Our Christmas mornings start with the kids lining up and waiting on the stairs.
It's a fun teaser to add to the anticipation of Christmas morning, and a chance for Mom to get her camera reading before the kiddos see their loot from Santa.

Third Daughter was not happy about this tradition. :)
When I told her to wait on the stairs, she thought that meant she wasn't getting her presents.
You see...the stairs is where our kids sit in time out. 
She misunderstood why I was asking her to wait on the stairs.
Is it mean that I thought that was funny?  :)

When I was a kid we had the same tradition.  We would line up on the stairs, youngest to oldest, and then our parents would go check to see if Santa came before we were allowed to see our presents.  It added to the anticipation and was pretty fun. 

I think our kids like it too.
Christmas morning is so fun!
I can/t wait.



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So...Thankful Post

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Food + family + remembering the things we're thankful for.
It's so simple and simply wonderful.
I love this holiday and everything about it.

We will be celebrating at Husband's Aunt & Uncle's house with lots of extended family from his side.  I'm bringing mashed potatoes and a lemon meringue pie.  Maybe an apple crisp too.  I'm so excited and so thankful to spend this day with family.  Family is such a blessing and this family I've married into is the best.  The absolute best. 

This year my gratitude has been focused mostly on the basics.
This year I am thankful -
::for my family.
::for a wonderful marriage to a loving, caring, amazing husband.
::for five beautiful, healthy, smart children.
::for our home and for beds and for heat.
::to have enough to eat.
::for job security and that Husband is hard working and able to provide for our family.
::that I am able to stay home and be a full-time mother.  I am so thankful for that.
::for all the opportunities we have to learn and grow and try new things.
::for our knowledge and testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
::to have an amazing support system in our family and friends.
::for the family I come from and the family Husband comes from - so thankful for a rich heritage full of countless examples for us to look to, honor, and live up to.
::for forgiveness and mercy.
::for our health and our strong bodies.
::for this beautiful world we live in and this beautiful plan we are a part of.
::for life experience.

We are very fortunate to live a comfortable life full of opportunity.  I never want to take for granted these things that we enjoy daily. They are all incredible blessings that I am incredibly thankful for.

I hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to spend it with people in your life that you love. 

What are you especially thankful for this year?
Please, do share.  I'd love to know.



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So...Our Halloween

The Halloween festivities began on Wednesday at Third Daughter's preschool party.  Here she is with her buddies.  They are a cute bunch of kiddos!

Third Daughter's preschool teacher had the most hilarious costume!

That night we carved pumpkins.  First Daughter got brave this year and got her hands in the pumpkin guts.  That was a big deal!  Usually she won't touch the stuff.  Holiday activities like carving pumpkins is always a lot of work, but I'm always glad when we do it.  These are the kinds of things that create good memories for our kids.  It was fun to have Brother & Sister stop by to visit too.  Love having family close enough to drop by!

Halloween morning First and Second Daughters wore their costumes to school for their school parade and parties.  We all dressed up as well to go watch the parade.  Son #1 was not happy to be in that mouse costume and he was even more not happy (I guess that would be less happy) to be strapped in the stroller watching a parade of kids.  He hadn't quite caught the vision of Halloween.  Until...

We went to Husband's work to trick-or-treat.  Once he realized that he got candy (specifically suckers) he was so excited!  He even did a little dance and clapped his hands each time he got a piece of candy.  It was so adorable.  And I loved watching that puffy little mouse bum waddle around the office.

The family ready for trick-or-treating later Halloween night.  Husband's Sister and family came down to trick-or-treat with us.  It was great to be with them.  Later that evening Husband's parents arrived to be here for the baby blessing weekend.  It was so fun to have family here.  We sat on the porch visiting while trick-or-treaters came and went.  It was really a good time.

 Mama Bear and Baby Bear

 cousins

 "forget trick-or-treating - I'll just sit here and eat my candy"

 First Daughter was so sweet with her cousin. 

I still can't believe that I have an eight year old, but it is pretty great having an older kid around to help with the younger ones.  She is especially helpful and I know she loves it. 

perfect neighborhood for trick-or-treating

We had a really fun Halloween!

 

 

 

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So...Halloween Without Candy

The girls and I laughed a lot at this commercial!
Happy Halloween in T-2 days.



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So proud of this little lady and how she is excelling at violin this year.  She's a natural and is doing so well!  She has her first Suzuki Showcase next weekend and that will be exciting - I totally remember playing in those at Wellesley College when I was young.

Face sleeper.  I love it!

This tree drops so many leaves!  We have one tree in our front yard and it creates this huge pile - and there are still more leaves to fall!

Cut about seven inches off my hair.  It feels so nice.  I colored it too (I'm starting to find greys...).  You can't really tell in this picture, but it's too red for my taste.  Oh well.  I'm not really a fan of coloring my hair, partly for this reason...but I'm probably going to get some highlights added this week to tone down the red.

Blurry disheveled family picture from the pumpkin patch.  It's a fun tradition that we usually do with some friends of ours but they weren't able to make it this year.  Bummer.  But we had a good time despite my bad mood - hate when I do that :( - and the car that almost ran us over while crossing the street.  The things we do for good looking pumpkins and free hayrides!

Loves his ba-ba and blankie.  We love to snuggle together in the mornings and watch Yo Gabba Gabba (his favorite!) after the girls head off to school.  He loves to "break it down."  I love finding out the little things that he loves so much.  This is the most fun age! 

Learning to hold his bottle!  What?!  It's still more in the propping-it-up phase, but it looks like he may be the earliest bottle holder.  He must have figured out that being the fifth child will require a great deal of initiative on his part :)

She is such an amazing little mama.  She holds Son #2 often while I cook dinner or just need a break, and she loves carrying him around the house.

 and changing his diaper...

and getting him to fall asleep.

 

 
She'll even spend time reading with Son #1 while I nurse to he won't head-butt his brother while he's eating.  She's a lifesaver and so helpful.

Son #1 fell asleep during nursery.  Who does that???  Such a sweet boy...

How you doin'...?

 Incredible, huge, full moon the other night.  Breathtaking.

Second Daughter lost her first tooth!!!  She has anxiously been waiting for her first tooth to fall out.  It was a very exciting day!  She was very nervous to pull it out, even though it was hanging by a thread and the adult tooth was already growing in behind it, but a teacher at school known for pulling out loose teeth got her hands on it and viola!  She was so excited.

We had our first girls' night out in a long time.  We went to In-N-Out for dinner and then to see Despicable Me 2.  We laughed a lot!  These girlies are so fun and I was so happy when Husband suggested we go out Friday night while he watched the BYU game.  It was a great chance to reconnect and get goofy with these cuties.

World Series!!!  It has been so fun to cuddle up with Husband at night this week to watch our team play.  And now I must go, because we are turning on Game 3. 

Go Sox!!! #redsoxnation


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