Christmas

We had a very mellow and low key Christmas this year.  We didn't have much to do or many places to go and it was actually kind of nice.  Santa found our house and the kids were awesome as usual.  Very thankful for the few things that they got and so much fun to be around.  

Christmas marks 1 year that we have had Minnie.  

We sure love this pup and she has brought a lot of joy to our family.

Kylee wasn't too excited about her underwear and undershirts.  

She did love her doll house additions and the barbie she got.  

'

Cannon was super excited about his Toy Story watch and the legos he got.   

Santa must have known that I have really been missing hockey.

He gave me a nice supply of hockey gear.   

It was a wonderful Christmas time.  

Parties

My Grandma decided she wanted to spend Christmas in California with my cousins (BOOOO!!!), so our usual Christmas Eve tradition was moved up a couple weeks, but we still had a great time.  It just didn't feel the same.  Probably because it wasn't really Christmas Eve.  : )  

We still laughed a lot 

And sang our favorite songs

And enjoyed time with people we love.  

Then we had our annual party at my parents house.  

 Don and Amberlee gave my kids some way cute blankets.  

Grandpa and his elves.  :) 

It was nice to actually have my hubs there with me.  

It doesn't happen very often.  

 We all pitched in and gave my parents a FIRE PIT.  

Now we can sing around the "campfire" anytime we want.  

I'm very grateful for my sweet little family and the love that we share.  

Cody's Engaged!!!

Cody and Shantell (or Sha-nay-nay as me and the kids call her), have been dating for awhile.  They were high school sweet hearts and are definitely best friends.  Cody took Shantell for a winter hike up Adam's Canyon (what they did on their first date) and asked her to be his wife.  He let all of us know that he would be doing this and asked us to come and be waiting for them when they got back from their hike.  It was a very cold winter day, but it was beautiful and the happiness in their faces when they came down made it all worth it.  

They will be getting married some time in August most likely, although no date has been officially set.  

We are very excited for them.  We love Shantell and are happy that she will be officially joining our family soon.

CONGRATULATIONS CODY AND SHANTELL!!!

Christmas on Temple Square

One of my favorite places at Christmas is of course, Temple Square.  

The new shops and fun at City Creek make it even more enjoyable. 

My kids and I had a great time with my family.  

It even snowed on us most of the night.  

It was pretty much perfect.   

I'm so thankful for these moments!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Since it is looking like there isn't going to be any hockey this year (NOOOO!!!!!) I can safely say this is my most favorite time of the year.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!  I know that everyone complains about not celebrating Christmas until Thanksgiving is over, but I think the two really do go hand in hand.  I love focusing all November long on the things I am thankful for.  It always come down to the same conclusion though...the thing I am absolutely MOST thankful for is my Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's very easy to let the shopping and the presents and the talk of Santa mask what the season really is all about.

This year as I got each nativity out I realized I have 3.  I told Ky and Cannon they could both pick one they could set up and we would talk about the story of Jesus' birth why we set them up.  It was so cute.  I told them about each figurine and why/how they came to see the Savior.  When we were done I looked over at Cannon's and he had arranged his all COMPLETELY around the baby Jesus.  I told him he needed to have them face out so we could see the baby, and he frankly responded: "But Mom, then the Shepard's and Wise Men can't see the baby Jesus very well and they came all that way to see Jesus."  It warmed my heart.  So all our nativities now have the visitors completely surrounding the babe.  I encouraged my children to help us keep Jesus the center of our home as well.  I love when my children humble and teach me. They are amazing little souls.  

On a lesser note:  I'm obsessed with Hot Chocolate.  I'm pretty sure I drink at least 3 or 4 mugs of it a day.  It warms my soul and makes me happy.  

 

I just thought this picture was so pretty.  It makes me happy (and thirsty).  

I hope you all enjoy this  

MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!