Decking Grandma's Halls

We went over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house after Thanksgiving. We got to help them eat their leftovers and decorate for Christmas. I can't think of any place I'd rather be during the holidays than HOME. It was wonderful.

Maddie helped Grandma put up the Christmas village--always the first thing out. She loved helping it snow.

My dad built two fires while we were there... so warm and cozy. I love their gorgeous fire place. It's made of travertine and has a big mantel to decorate for holidays. And there's nothing like a real fire... none of this gas and fake log stuff.

Here it is in all it's Christmas glory! My mom made the stockings herself, along with most of her decorations. She is one talented lady.

The girls helped with one of my favorite things--the "downstairs tree". It's the kid's tree where all the crazy homemade ornaments went growing up, plus the ornaments that we get on our stocking each year. It's full of memories!

Isn't Christmas magical?

Haircuts

If you haven't noticed, I chopped my hair off a few weeks ago. Then while we were in Twin Falls the girls got haircuts at my dad's shop, Great Clips (he franchises six in Idaho). It was Ella's first haircut!!!



Maddie was brave and proud for her trim. We used to cut her hair a lot but she likes it long. She wants it to touch her bum someday (she's been reading Rapunzel a lot). I had to convince her that trimming it keeps it healthy enough to grow long.

The Gift of Gratitude

This Thanksgiving I was very full of gratitude.

I am grateful to be the mommy of these two precious little girls... and another bun in the oven. I am overwhelmed with love for them, and a little bit of nervousness for having three wild indians.

I am more than grateful for this man, the crazy fun daddy and supportive helpful husband. He has done the dishes every night of my sickness vigil and is always good to help with the kids, all after putting in a full day at work. I don't know what I would do without him. I'm also grateful the sickness is finally waning (I'm thirteen weeks) so I can be the wife and mom I want to be. The girls won't miss "mommy choking."

I'm grateful we live near so many loved ones to share our lives with. It was great to gather at Mike's mom's new house in Orem and enjoy the family's amazing culinary skills--and company.

I love this quote from President Monson. I has helped me through some dark days and reminded me of how I want to live every day.

"When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given. . .

. . . to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

Pilgrims & Turkeys

Maddie didn't have Joy School yesterday so I taught my girls the Thanksgiving lesson. I like helping them understand and appreciate the real meaning of holidays.

We talked about the Pilgrims who sailed across the ocean so they could worship God in a free land, and how the Indians helped them plant crops and learn how to live in America. Of course we talked about their feast at harvest.

They made cute little pilgrim hats.

And then we made apple turkeys for snack.

It made for a happy and fun afternoon! Can't wait for the real thing tomorrow--gobble gobble.

Family Time

Grandma, Grandpa, Noelle, and cousin Emrie came to visit last week! I didn't take very many pictures but Maddie and Ella were in heaven with all the attention from their favorite people.

Before I told Maddie they were coming she said to me one night, "Mommy, I need to ask you a favor. Will you promise me I can see Grandma and Emrie before Christmas?" Funny girl... good thing the answer was yes!

We also got treated to free tickets to the BYU game with Dana and Landon. It was a relaxing (although brrzeeee) afternoon away and a great win. Goooooooo Cougars!

Wales Cabin Getaway

Last weekend we were invited to stay overnight with two of my old roomies and best friends at a cabin in Wales. We had some laughs because four of us were there together 10 years ago with the rest of our freshman clan. A lot has changed over the years (including 7 kids), but I'm so glad we're still friends!

The house is a beautiful old home built in the 1800's and restored to look much like it did then, plus some modern conveniences!

This is the dining room to the right of the front door. Mike and I took the bedroom on the other side and Maddie and Ella shared this adjoining bedroom below.


The house is filled with antiques and cool old furniture.


The kids had a blast together. They played hide and seek, made blanket tents, played board games, and their favorite was the Gator ride.

Ella was scared of it so she just watched from the sidelines.


These three were inseparable. The parents also had a great time playing games into the night and telling tall tales. We didn't get much sleep (with Ella screaming much of the night) but it was all in good fun! Thanks Jo & Doug for a great time.

Sisterly Love

We had a really fun day last week with two of my sisters and their kidlets, but I need to borrow pictures from their cameras to document it. Until then, here are some cute moments of the sisters that live at my house. I love that they love each other (most of the time).

Dress-up

Leaves

Reading books after bath in matching pj's!

Nothing is yummier than my freshly bathed babies.

Countdown to Two

Ella is growing up before our eyes. We have really noticed recently how well she can talk and how expressive she is. Twice strangers have asked how old she is because they are surprised to hear such coherent sentences come out of her little mouth! Well, folks, she's almost two!!! I thought I would share some things she loves right now.

Ella loves the piano. She climbs up there often and flips through the songbook, then plunks out some pretty tunes like she knows what she's doing. She sings little songs to herself a lot too, especially in her bed.

She LOVES musical chairs with Maddie and Daddy. They play almost every night.

The girls have been begging me to go swimming, so we finally went last week. Ella loved the freedom the life jacket gave her and often bobbed around on her tummy. They had a blast.

Of course Ella loves to learn countries. She comes by it naturally... have you seen her big sister?

Lastly (I may just have to video this) she says the cutest prayers! She repeats and sometimes says whole phrases, and always dives for a proud hug when she says "Amen!" We just love her!