Goodbye 2014 - Hello 2015!!

It was a different New Year's Eve for sure... pouring rain and freezing cold.  The dance was cancelled so all the boys and their friends ended back at our house to play games upstairs while Kyle, Ally and the girls played with us downstairs.  We had fireworks, s'mores and lots of laughter ringing in the the new year!

Merry Christmas 2014

We had such a wonderful Christmas morning as well as as day.  The boys were excited to see all the things Santa brought as well as the to give the gifts they had carefully selected for each other as well as Brian and I.  

Christmas was also a very exciting time this year as we prepare for Elder May to come home.  Serving as a District Leader made his "skyping" time almost non-existent so we were only able to see him for a few short moments but we were able to talk to him for about 30 minutes on the phone and it was fun to hear how excited he is to come home.  We didn't want him to get to "trunky" as he still has a few weeks to go but we couldn't help ourselves in talking abut upcoming plans and so forth.  

Christmas IS the most wonderful time of the year!

Santa's On His Way ~ Christmas Eve 2014

We decided a few years ago that we would start doing the family Christmas Bash on the 23rd so that Christmas Eve was left open for individual families and to offer us time to clean up after the festivities.  Some of our family traditions on Christmas Eve included Matching PJs, board games, hot cocoa, cookies, munchies and being together.

Christmas Bash 2014

He Is The Gift...

Christmas time is such a crazy and hectic time of year.  Our families tried hard to remember the real reason for Christmas.  With the help of the campaign launched by the church, we remembered and reminded our children that Christ was the first girt the world ever received.  

Watching Hayden and Lily be Joseph and Mary was an emotional experience for me and hearing Bryson recount the activities of that glorious night was very humbling.  I am grateful for the birth of the Savior and the first gift we all received.  I am grateful to be part of a family that honors and remembers that special night.

Gingerbread Housemaking Party 2014

I think that the many traditions we have, the Gingerbread House Making party and visit from Santa is the one that the kiddos look forward too the most.  Combine that with Lily's birthday and it just doesn't get any better.  I think in some cases, they don't care about the houses.  They just want to eat candy and hang out. 

Christmas GIft-Making

We carried around this 100-year old headboard to 2 different houses waiting for the perfect project to use it for.  This Christmas was the time for the project for the headboard.  We all worked together to convert the headboard to a bench for Kyle and Allyson's house.  What I love about these pictures is that all three of them are working together to make this for Allyson and they all play an integral role in the process.  I am grateful for a husband and boys who truly understand the meaning of Christmas  it is better to give than to receive. 

Our Christmas Card - Happy Holidays 2014

Bryson Turns 17!!

How is it possible that our "baby boy"is now 17!  What a joy Bryson is in our family.  He is so fun to be around, loves life and loves the gospel.  What more could I ask for as his mom?!? 

 Happy Birthday Bryson!  We love you!!

Christmas Light Drama

When we bought our house, we had them add these really cool Christmas outlets.  Only problem was that they are 20 feet in the air at the 2nd story roof line.  Last year, there was no way to get up there to add the lights but over the course of this past year, we purchased a TALL ladder and new really cool lights that synchronize together as well as to music.  Getting them up there was another story and to say it was scary is an understatement.  

 But with the help of the Elders, we were able to get them up and they are beyond awesome!