Tis the Season...

For:

Stockings

The Tree

("It's not going in our yard, Russ, it's going in our living room!") The perfect statement! We love our BIG tree!

and the Big Guy!

My Five:

1. Medicine! All four of us are sick. AAAGGGHHH!

2. The dishwasher

3. On-line shopping

4. Hair straighteners

5. Christmas stories

Taking a moment!

I can't help taking a picture of Emma when we straighten her hair. Plus, she had on her favorite overalls (she would wear them every single day if I'd let her...) and her fun leg/arm warmers. These are such a good idea, especially since the girl still loves wearing her short sleeve shirts and skirts! She did not get that from me, that's for sure. Wrap in up in a sweater any day!!
I kept wondering why she wasn't giving me a big cheesy smile, and it was because she had a mouth full of gummies. I should have known!

And of course my little buba's!

I know that I may have a slightly biased opinion, but I feel so blessed to have the sweetest, best kids. Tal is so innocent and full of life, so excited to learn and do. He makes my entire insides shine when he smiles at me. Emma is kindness and love down to her core. To watch her interact with her friends at school, makes my heart swell with joy. She lives to please her daddy, and listen to  her primary songs as loud as she can on her CD player.

I could have never imagined the kind of love I could have for another person, until I met Matt. And adding Emma and Tal has given me a glimpse of what our Father in Heaven's love for us really is. I love being a mother. It is the hardest thing I've ever done, and would never trade it. I'm so thankful for this life!  

Let's Eat!!

We had our first snow already this last weekend. Emma was beside herself excited! The first thing she asked was if she could go out and eat it. I caught her outside on the deck eating the snow in her church dress on Sunday, and on Monday she got herself into her snowsuit and had a healthy breakfast of snow!! And throughout the day I kept feeling drafts of very cold air due to the open door out to the deck... I wonder why!

What a stinker!

Tal prefers something warm and indoors!!! He gets so excited for every bite!!

My Five:

1. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. He gave us many wonderful and insightful glimpses of his eternal testimony of the gospel.

2. Black Friday... you know you love it to!!

3. A loving, hard working husband! He does do much for us.

4. My mom and sister. I just love them!

5. Warm sweaters... it's been really cold here. Brrrr!

Give Thanks!

Don't you love this time of year! It's wonderful to take the time to celebrate the things we've been so blessed to receive. I find myself at times taking for granted the little things, and I'm reminded of the scripture story of the 10 lepers: "Were there not 10 cleansed, but where are the 9?" Let's not fall into such forgetfulness as the 9, and thank our Father in Heaven for all He so freely and willing provides.

Emma's little class had a Thanksgiving feast. Such cute little pilgrims and indians they were!

Emma, Elsie, and Shelby (of course the cupcakes and the chocolate covered pretzels were eaten before the cute little turkey sandwiches I brought! Can't say I blame them!)

And we had a very 'full' Thanksgiving Day spending it with Matt's parents and his Aunt Dita who so bravely invited us to use her home. These are the cute table decorations Emma and Grandma made for everyone!

Ginger Bread House

This is such a special tradition. When Matt and his brother were growing up, their mom would make them each a ginger bread house to decorate (Matt always gave his to his teacher at school. Ah, what a sweet boy!). And now she's carrying it on with Emma. We feel very lucky! They are such beautiful houses (and they smell so yummy!). It's quite a time consuming project, but, oh, so worth it. 

Matt's mom invited Emma and a couple of her friends to join in the festivities and sugar rush. The kids loved it, more for the candy at times, but each house couldn't have been cuter! Such a fun day.

Before

"One for the house... one for me..."

After

Arwin, Alaura, Emma and Cooper

The windows are crushed-up, melted Jolly Ranchers. There is also a light on the inside, so when you plug it in it lights up the windows. I know, I know... too cute, right!