christmas 2013

Christmas will always be one of my favorite times of the year.  I just love it.

This year was a little different.  With Thanksgiving so late I felt like I got a really late start on everything.  I was always behind! And having a baby doesn’t help the productivity levels.  And then I was sick for pretty much the entire month {still am} which left me with not a whole lot of energy to do the extra fun stuff with the kids.  And Janie got sick.  And a dear friend was suffering from brain cancer and passed away on Dec. 22 {story to follow}.  Through all of that, there were some amazing moments to serve our dear friends and focus on our Savior during the most wonderful time of the year.

Nate’s kindergarten class during Spirit Week.

We did our annual trip with a large group of friends on the Boulder City Santa Train.  Always a fun outing.  Santa insisted on holding sleeping Janie for a photo op!

We had a great annual Christmas Party at the Hansons. {no pictures to prove it}.

We made it to the Cactus Gardens to see the pretty lights.

We made gingerbread houses with the Larsons and Schenkers.

Sam was SUPER Aunt the few days before Christmas.  On Monday, she had all of the kiddos over to make handmade gifts for people.  They made bags, aprons and they made Janie this adorable quilt that I will have forever!  She’s the baby cousin that I think will be adored for a while.

Then after sewing all of Monday, Sam had the kids over on Tuesday {Christmas Eve} to make their annual cookies for Santa.  I decided to stay this year and participate in these festivities and I’m so glad I did!  We not only made our own cookies for Santa but we started a new tradition of making “cookies for santa” kits to drop off to others and we took Theresa & Margaret some cookies, too!  It was fun to throw some service in there.

Christmas Eve is a favorite of mine.  We typically gather at my parent’s house for a nice dinner & a favorite guest . . . Mr. Claus himself . . . pays a visit.  The kids love it & it has turned in to a fun tradition.

On our way home, we stopped at the park and let off a lantern to sweet Baby Bryce.  He is our cute nephew that was born the week before Janie but was so perfect he got to go right back to heaven.

Christmas morning was magical, as always.  How I didn’t take photos I will never know.  The kids were thrilled with their gifts and it was fun to have the spirit of giving! 

My friend Jamie organized what I hope will be a yearly tradition . . . we met at 9am on Christmas morning at the home of our dear friends, The Schenkers, to sing Christmas carols to them to try to boost their spirits a little and let them know they are loved by so many.  This was the highlight of my day, for sure.

Later that day we went back to my parents to open gifts over there and have a casual dinner.  My mom also put Sam {very last minute} in charge of a nativity WITH costumes.  She did a great job and it was fun to act out the birth of our Savior.

It’s definitely a wonderful time of year to focus on giving and on our Savior.  Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had another wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  It’s one of my favorite days of the year.

I have a lot to be thankful for.  It’s been a rough month watching dear family and friends have to go through trials no one should have to endure.  It’s made me especially grateful for each day I have with my family and for the simple things in life I can enjoy.

Nate had a darling Kindergarten feast at school on Wednesday.  Mrs. Leverence’s class joined them so they had half pilgrims and half Indians at their feast.  Watching 55 Kindergarteners eat together was pretty cute.

On Thanksgiving morning, we participated in Holiday Outreach Jaws at Nate’s school.  Family and friends join together to walk the track for some exercise as well as donate coats and canned goods for those in need.  It’s a fun morning!  Ryan was done walking after quite a few laps so he was recruiting friends for a “rest”.  Ryan did get his “10-miler” ribbon this morning!

We went to my parent’s house in the afternoon where we helped my mom and the kids played outside.  It was another beautiful Thanksgiving day in Las Vegas!  Dinner was delicious, as always.  Ali offered to bring all of the pies.  I love her pie-to-people ratio!  There were 6 delicious pies to choose from.

I wasn’t going to go Black Friday shopping but Wes encouraged me to go with Sam.  So . . . Wes hauled the kids home and I went out with Sam.  We were home by 11pm which was nice!  Our major success was at Target where Christine joined us.  Not sure how I feel about Black Friday really being on Thursday but it was nice to get it over with and we had fun!

So grateful for all of the many blessings I’ve been given.