December 2019

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Church and work Christmas parties, swapping treats and singing with friends, and finding little ways to honor and be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The ice skating rink moved to Pittsburg, and I had a blast going with my family, and then going again with the activity day girls. I was surprised by how well all of the kids did, and how much fun we had.

I got to attend my big kids' ranch immersion program with them and (somewhat accidentally) brought the younger two boys with me. It was fun to see what they've been up to.

This little boy is SUCH a ham, and we all love him so much for it.

Making gingerbread houses is becoming a favorite tradition for all of us. I made an epic one using graham crackers and limited resources of candy and frosting, due it the rest being eaten. Ha! I thought it turned out awesome and I , of course, can't find any pictures of it.

They beg to eat their houses and soon as they make them. I think I gave in about 3 days later.

Art from "farm class"

Adaline has been taking ballet lessons for a year now. She started out so timid and shy, but has grown a ton since she started! I am so proud of how much she has matured beyond her comfort zone. Her dance studio got to be in our town's Christmas parade, and participation was completely optional. I almost didn't mention it to Adaline, because I was afraid she would be too shy, but she was ecstatic. She went to the rehearsal, practiced at home, and performed everything she could remember with so much confidence and a huge smile.

He recently learned how to kneel and it's so cute/funny even now to watch him try to remember how each time.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!! He just got a new phone, so the presents were minimal, but our love for this guy is huge. Thanks for being the perfect husband and dad for our family.

Pretty view on a run one morning (I think?)

One morning I was making toast for the kids and noticed a funny smell. Turns out Alex had put some candy in the toaster and it was able to melt and deform just right so that it couldn't get back out. Kids are an adventure and sure give me problem solving experience!

Adaline's hair skills are improving, and I'm hopeful for what the future holds

I had a picture of a kidney stone that I passed recently, but...I think people actually don't want to see that...

Family reading session turned family giggle session thanks to Alex

I didn't expect much of these whole wheat biscuits, but I ended up taking a picture to send Andrew so I could tell him to come home right away and eat one.

With her Christmas package, my mom sent two fun scavenger hunts for the kids with some gold coins to find. They LOVED it, and I'll definitely need to put together another one for them

Merry Christmas!

Oh hey, Santa

After putting out everyone's stocking/santa gifts, I worried for just a minute that there wasn't much there and the kids might be disappointed. I was surprised and thrilled in the morning, when they got excited over every pair of socks, underwear, and oranges. I have a lot left to learn from my kids about gratitude and finding joy in the simple things.

This was easily her favorite present from this year.

The day after Christmas, we began the trek to Utah to visit with grandparents and cousins on Andrew's side of the family. We got to be there for the Smith Family Chili party, basketball at the church, pizza with rootbeer floats, lots of games, tons of dress-up, bowling, and many long chats.

This was a very mutually beneficial experience for these two

So much reading!

Go Cougars! Alex has been singing "rah rah rah rah rah....go cougars!" ever since we got home.

Cousin buddies

I expected Michael to be the most into the game, as he is the sports fanatic in our house, but Adaline surprised us all with the most enthusiastic cheers, while Matthew kept track of the score for all of us.

They insisted on this picture, and I ain't mad about it.

Okay, this was fun. We happened to be wandering at University Mall and noticed the giving machines at the end of the hallway. We figured we'd check it out, but I worried the kids would find it disappointing. We ended up all getting engaged talking about how some of the different things would be helpful to people and what things they would most like to give someone. We all got to pick something that was important to us to provide for someone else, and the kids all walked away with big smiles.

Andrew's brother was so nice to let the kids play his guitar. He also spent many minutes reading books, playing board games, and having snowball fights with the kids.