Family

I've been thinking about what I want this final blog post of 2019 to be about, and as I've been reading over the blog posts this year one thing is clear: how important our family is. Tyler and I have made it our goal to make sure our family is strong and unified. Our children are so important to us. Our relationship with each other is so important. We have so many challenges, but together we have tackled everyone of them. I get so overwhelmed when I see how scary our world has become and I can't fathom how to keep our kids safe, but I know that our home is a place of comfort and safety. Sometimes we don't always get along and our challenges are daunting at times, but we love each other and are so glad we have each other to help us through those tough times. I love this eternal family of mine!

New Year's Eve

Is it any surprise we headed up to The Land for a few days after Christmas? We had a great time with our cousins playing games, going on 4 wheeler sled rides, and just relaxing. 

Kids these days... always on their phones!

Grandpa Craig made a huge bonfire and we finally burned all those old computers we had lying around.

Our kids spent HOURS... literally hours going for rides around the pasture. It was so cute.

Family game of headbands.

I thought this view of the trees was so pretty on our way home.

And check out the frozen waterfall.

For New Year's Eve we just stayed at home and played games. The kids really wanted to stay up until midnight. I was skeptical they would make it.

Makayla made us an Easy Bake Oven dessert. She's becoming quite the chef.

I couldn't believe it, all 3 kids made it to midnight. We watched the countdown together

Then ran outside at midnight to bang the pots and pans.

After that Makayla asked, "What's next" and we were like, "that's it. Time to go to bed." I think she was a little disappointed in New Years Eve. 

Goodbye 2019. We had some great moments and I'm looking forward to all that we will accomplish and see in 2020!

Until next year!

Christmas!

Sunday before Christmas and my cuties all dressed up. 

 I am especially grateful this Christmas season for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that he came to this earth to teach and minister and set the perfect example for all of us. Christ is the reason for Christmas, and I am grateful that because of His atoning sacrifice, we can return to our Heavenly Father and be an eternal family.

We set a family goal this December to "Light the World" and find ways we could be more giving and Christlike to those around us this season. I was so proud of my kids for making new friends, helping strangers, and giving to those in need. It really made a difference this season to remember to be more Christlike.

We had our first of many parties. We had the Evans/ Jones Christmas party with our traditional lasagna dinner. Our kids got spoiled with so many toys and clothes from Grandma and Grandpa. Mom and Dad got spoiled with lots of tech toys!

 I love that our kids are so close with their cousins. The smiles on these two are so great!

 For months Caden has been planning a birthday party for the kids' teddy bears. If you don't remember, 2 years ago we had a special Christmas date on December 23 and we took the kids to Build-a-Bear and they got to make whatever bear they wanted. This day was especially meaningful to me because it was right after a really trying December and I remember that day we went to Build-A-Bear feeling relieved and wanting to make up for the rough days we had that month.

The kids planned the birthday party. They each had to dress up like their bear. Makayla's bear has Shopkins pajamas, so she dressed up as a Shopkin, Brynnli's bear has Trolls pajamas, so she dressed up as Poppy, and Caden's bear is Captain America, so he dressed up like Captain America... seriously, how cute is that? We had a party upstairs with a scavenger hunt and drawing.

 Then we went downstairs and sang happy birthday to the bears and blew out two candles on their donuts.

 On December 24th, we let the kids open some presents from us. Each kid got a new Christmas outfit and slippers.

 How cute are they in their outfits?

 We had some of my family over for pizza, then awkwardly opened presents.  Tyler got a trip to Alaska with my dad and brothers in August, that my dad is super excited for. Honestly, I feel embarrassed for the way the way the presents turned out, but it was so out of my control.

After my family left we had to say goodbye to Kitty the Elf as he would be going back with Santa that night. The kids are allowed to touch Kitty and give him one big hug.

Makayla breaks my heart every time she has to say goodbye to Kitty. That look right there is genuine sadness that he has to go.

 We went over to Terry and Craig's and made it in time for the talent show. Caden and Makayla played some of their Christmas songs on the piano.

We danced in the street while Tyler played "Nu ar det jul igen" on the accordion. 

Then it was time for presents. Brynnli got some Frozen toys from Bruce

 Caden got Minecraft Legos from Tammy

 And Makayla got a sewing machine from Tracy

 All the grandkids in their matching jammies... and yes, Colton is out cold asleep on the couch!

 Christmas morning the kids woke up hoping Santa brought them some presents, and did he ever!

 Our traditional stair picture...

 Then they ran to see their gifts. Santa brought the kids a new tv and chairs for their new playroom.

 Brynnli got the baby she wanted

 Caden got some Baeblades

 And Makayla got an Easy Bake Oven

 Santa brought Caden the Dogman books he wanted and he wasted no time to read them.

 All the kids got exactly what they wanted with a few surprises...

 I love this look on Makayla's face when she opened her Heeley shoes.

 Lookin so cute in their new coats

 We stopped by to see my parents, then headed to Terry and Craig's again for the Evans party. The kids did their talent show again and we opened more presents.

 Later that night we stopped by Tammy's house for yet another party. We were exhausted after a full day of fun with our families!

 I think our favorite day is the day after Christmas. We spend the entire day in our pajamas and play with our new toys ALL.Day.LONG!

 Makayla made us some treats in her Easy Bake Oven.

 Brynnli played store all day long.

And Caden played with his new stuff. 

I love Christmas and the time I get to spend with my family creating memories and new traditions. This Christmas was magical and one I want to remember for years to come!