{Lots of Christmas Fun}

Each year in December we try to do something special to celebrate the Season...

this year I was totally off my game and we had multiple makeup days...but we squeezed in a lot of fun!

This was one of my favorites-The Christmas Village in Ogden.

It was darling!  The girls and I loved it and the weather totally worked for us this year.

We got a screening of Juanito Bandito-and it was hilarious like always.

We have such great talented friends in Erin and TJ!  

The girls were thrilled to see their friends there and ditched me the second we walked in...

So I was thrilled to find some great friends of my own in my old 15th ward buddies. So fun!

One night we watched Roo Dance and then grabbed Gingerbread Cookies and Hot Cocoa and went for a Christmas light Scavenger hunt.  It was a blast!  I can't tell you how much I cherish those moments when my kids open up and just chat about everything.  Love them!

One day I snuck the girls out of school early and we hit the slopes for the first time this year.  It was a blast!  I love watching them learn new things and they are just so fun to hang with!

That night we went to my moms and the ENTIRE fam came up for our early Christmas Eve party.  I look forward to hanging with my siblings so much and it was an absolute blast.

And these cousins couldn't get along any better.  They truly love each other and its a joy to see.The next day Adyson sang again at the mall and did a wonderful job!  She had a TON of support and felt very loved...and a little embarrassed when some of her best friends walked in.  She is blossoming in her talent and I am so proud of her! I couldn't do it!!

I had to snap a pic of the girls in their Disney attire.

My darling parents gave all the grand kids baskets of Disney for our upcoming trip.

Clothes, money and coupons for lots of fun things to do while we are there.  The girls were thrilled!

Adyson got an award at school for being a leader in her class and a great friend to everyone.  When Travis died I was (and still sometimes am) worried about how my girls would do without him.  I am always amazed at how they seem to excel and find joy and keep smiling.  I am truly blessed with great kids!  Good job Adyson!

Christmas Eve morning the girls woke up to their usual gift from Mrs. Clause... .a new shirt to wear for the day.  The older they get, the more excited they get about this tradition.  I think she will continue to deliver even when they are old and married. :)  Poor Sienna woke up to a VERY sore throat and was pretty miserable, but we made the best of the day.  We had the Johnson clan over for dinner, games and treats and it was a really beautiful Christmas eve with lots of smiles.  Before bed we put some luminaries on Trav's grave, said prayers, opened jammies and I tucked my little goof balls in bed before Santa came.  It was a VERY sleepless night with one sick Roo (who needed a bath at 1:30 am), one excited Adyson who tried to wake us up at 4 and 4:30...and one tired mom who crawled into bed the first time about 20 minutes before Roo woke up sick...but Christmas Eve will always be my favorite night of the year and we made the best of it.

Santa Came, and he delivered more then any of us deserve:).

The second pic down is my stash.  My cute mom took the girls shopping and they bought my gifts with their own money, and wrapped it all.  Again, I was touched by how great my kids are!

Adyson got a microphone, camera, clothes and lots of grown up girly things.

Roo got a glow in the dark soccer ball, BOOKS galore, clothes and another loopsy for her collection.

And Santa brought SNOW!  BEAUTIFUL snow.  We were so happy to have a white Christmas!

Adyson got combat boots, plaid, and a beanie and when she threw it all on  I was transported to the 90s...she's killing it.

We've enjoyed the last week and spent some more time at Beaver, and Grandpa came to spend the day with us....

It's been a great break so far!  We've felt very loved and blessed and enjoyed each other immensely.
We are all so grateful for a reason to spend time together, and for a season to remember the birth of our Savior!

{Tis the Season}

I broke the cardinal rule this year and decorated for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving...

I  just couldn't help myself!

The girls and I spent the day shopping for brand new decorations for the tree, 

and it just put us in the spirit.

Our bird tree turned out pretty dang beautiful though!  It's the tree I've wanted for years.

I feel spoiled.

But....

Of course, two strands of lights don't work.....

And I refuse to take them off and start over, so I'm hoping our lovely birds

take the attention away from the unlit sections!

I was pretty exhausted after lugging the boxes all over the house,

and carrying the trees and putting everything together.

I sat down that night and turned the lights off and let the tree glow and felt extremely proud

of how independent I've become.

I'm getting really good at doing the 'man stuff'.

If only that didn't include killing spiders!

Getting Christmas out means that the Elf book came out also.

I caught these two in an awfully sweet moment.

I love being their mom!

We've been spending a lot of time doing projects after school...

I swear, they have a big one due every single week.

I complain a little and then realize how blessed I am that they need my help still,

and that they enjoy spending a few hours together every day still...

so daily I tell myself to embrace the chaos and enjoy it!

We've spent our Saturdays lazing around in hoodies and hats and Christmas shopping

and lunching together. 

Is there a better way to spend a weekend?

No! There isn't!

My girlfriends made a trek to the taco wagon in Richmond for my friend Briann's birthday lunch.

It was FREEZING-and we just had to laugh at ourselves.

Only our friends find us in situations like this...often.

I love my crazy friends.

They are such great people!

Court and I felt like little Babushkas.

I spent the day before Thanksgiving baking a LOAD of pies and made Rolls Thanksgiving morning.

I reflected over the past year pretty much the entire day.

It has been full of so many emotions-I mean, EVERY emotion in the book.

But when I look back I am full of hope.

The girls and I have been able to smile, and to heal.

So at the end of the day-I'm grateful for spirits that can recover and survive tough times,

and find joy in all circumstances.

These girls are my everything, and I am looking forward to a year full of JOY and great memories,

and I pray daily that I can teach them to look forward with a happy and hopeful  heart.

The best part of Thanksgiving is the pie!

And those cold Diet Coke's....

I was pretty proud of my domestic abilities this year!

My Dad's Birthday was the day after Thanksgiving.

He spent his morning letting the kids put together his Christmas Village, 

while I ran errands alone.

(Yes, basically babysitting! By choice!)

That is because he is the best father.  I am so grateful for him.

He is always willing to step up and help, and usually does it without being asked.

He's pretty amazing.

Heather and Jody were on there way home from Salt Lake to Boise so we met them in Brigham for dinner.  My dad was in heaven...and even more so when they decided they were to tired to make the long drive home and stayed the night at my parents.

The kids were the happiest by far.

These cousins adore each other.

(Don't mind Cody looking like a fool in the background).

My darling friend Katie heard that Adyson was feeling a little overwhelmed with a few projects 

(a play, a part in the school program and 3 songs to sing), 

so she brought them some silly string and we had a war in the back yard.

They laughed their guts out.

It was a blast!

We've been doing our Christmas Advent,

and I'm finally getting caught up....

Here we are at dinner by the fire.

I could just smooch them all day long.

Adyson was the snowflake in her school play.

She is really growing up,

and I kinda hate it.  I wish she could stay little forever!

She's been taking voice lessons this year,

and on Saturday she sang 3 solo's at the Mall.

I was so incredibly proud of her.

She's worked so hard to memorize her music,

and to practice-practice-practice,

and it showed!

She sounded beautiful and had the whole family in tears.

It's so nice to see the girls flourish...

it helps me feel like I'm not completely failing them!

Saturday, after Adyson sang, 

we had our annual Johnson family party.

I love this party, and love the Johnson clan.

It's so great to see everyone, 

especially Grandpa and Johanna.

This year Grandpa was in the mood to tell us his stories, 

and we soaked them all in!

He has lived a remarkable life and I am so grateful that we have been able to be a part of it.

I am almost 100% ready for Christmas (only 3 more people to buy for!)

and everything is wrapped.

I think this calls for a lot of hot cocoa (If we could get some snow!),

skiing, cheesy Christmas movies and lots of snuggling by the fire.

Bring it on!