Holidays 2017

We have had quite a lot of fun this holiday season.  Thanksgiving was marvelous.  Christmas was wonderful.  I feel so fortunate to have such a spectacular little family.  If I write about everything that happened though, I'll be exhausted and those who read this will be bored out of their minds.  So, I'm mostly just going to share pictures.

The girls have made friends with Madalena and Laila, who live a block away from us.  They are also 6 and 4.  We had them over one night until 10 o'clock to play.  We called it a "late-over."

Watching a movie with friends.

Their friend Alana had a unicorn birthday party the next day.  They decorated unicorn masks and played pin the horn on the unicorn.

Kirsten with her unicorn mask

Reagan with her unicorn mask

On Thanksgiving I had the honor of preparing the turkey.  Taking Matt's suggestion, I decided to brine the turkey.  Not to brag too much, but it was the most delicious turkey I'd ever eaten.  I was very pleased with myself, and naturally, it was gratifying to have my family enjoy it so much.  Even Kirsten and Reagan liked it!

The most scrumptious turkey ever

Relaxing in Daddy's lap at my parents' house after Thanksgiving dinner

While Madelyn took a nap at my parents', my mom and I walked to the school with girls and the dogs.  Kirsten, Reagan, and Sierra had fun playing dress up through the street.

Thanksgiving was so relaxing.  So low key.  So focused on family and happiness.  I hadn't been that calm and content in a long time.  I often find my mind rushing ahead to the next thing I want to do or think I need to do, so I relish the times when I can settle my mind by accepting all of the unfinished business and simply enjoy the present.  Enjoying the present is the best and most satisfying feeling in the world.

Thanksgiving promenade

 The day after Thanksgiving my mom came with me and the girls to Bridal Veil Falls.  We had a picnic and played.  It was ever so pleasant.  On that same day, Matt and my dad went rabbit hunting.  I like that they do that together.  It makes me happy to see my husband and my dad bond.

The day after Black Friday we drove up to Layton to cut down our Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm.  I really feel like we found the perfect tree this year.  The branches weren't so pokey that the girls couldn't put the ornaments on, and the top was just right for our star.  I loved the distance between the branches, too, because I felt like it displayed our ornaments just the way I like.

Matt preparing to cut down our tree

Our family with the tree

After we decorated the tree

The following weekend we went to the Festival of Trees at the South Towne Expo Center.  I love the Festival of Trees.  When I was a kid, I performed at it several years in Knoxville, of course.  So, going and supporting Primary Children's Hospital in that way feels very nostalgic to me.

In front of a Big Bird tree

Reagan decorated this bear for a sick child

Kirsten decorated this bear for a sick child

 For our Ward Christmas party we had a brunch.  The girls got pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  We ate yummy breakfast casseroles.  I lead the primary in singing "Picture a Christmas," and I got to sing "Christmas is a Feeling" with a small ensemble of women from the ward.  I love singing.

Reagan and Kirsten with Mrs. Claus and Santa

Madelyn with Santa

 The girls and I went up to Salt Lake with my parents to a Christkindlmarkt, which is a traditional German Christmas Market.  It was very crowded, but when I read that it was happening, I knew that I needed to go.  It was dark.  So, I didn't get any good pictures.  The parade was really neat.  I liked all of the traditional German outfits and German traditions that were represented.

Three little elves at the Christkindlmarkt

I don't have any pictures of what was quite possibly my favorite Christmas event of 2017, but I'm still going to tell you about it.  Back in September, I decided to join the Musettes, which is Springville's community women's choir.  I've gotten to go to practices every Wednesday night for the last several months.  I've had the pleasure of meeting some marvelous women and learning some challenging music.  Honestly, I don't think I've ever sung so many songs where the first sopranos didn't have the melody.  We memorize all of our music and perform two major concerts a year.  Our Christmas concert was on December 10th, and I enjoyed it so much.

Just as a funny side note, right after the concert my brother Brian hopped out of his pew and rushed forward to congratulate me.  Before he quite made it to the stand, the whole choir stood up and started singing another song.  Embarrassed, he turned around to return to his seat.  Then he noticed that a few other people in the audience were also standing.  So, he continued standing in his place.  My dad, Norma, and Matt stood up, too.  After the song, Brian rushed forward to greet me.  After talking to him for a bit, I had to giggle and tell him that only former members of the Musettes were supposed to stand and sing during that last song.  Then he was doubly embarrassed.  But, really, can you blame him?  The song wasn't even on the program.  How was anyone supposed to know what to do?  At any rate, he's been calling himself an Honorary Former Musette by choice ever since then, which makes me giggle.  Norma even made him a shirt for Christmas that says "Honorary Former Musette by Choice."

 The library had a "Crafternoon," and those who attended got to make two Christmas tree ornaments.  Each child got to bring one ornament home and leave one to decorate the tree at the library.  We all thought that the hot cocoa mug ornaments were adorable.

Reagan and Kirsten with their hot cocoa mug ornaments.  Sweet Maddy with her purple monkey.

We went with Madalena, Laila, and their mom to Santa's Art Shop at the Springville Museum of Art and got to see Santa again!

Kirsten and Reagan with Santa

Reagan with her snowman mask

Kirsten with her Reindeer puppet

We had a girls' day out to go see The Nutcracker.  My mom treated Kirsten, Reagan, Sierra, Norma, Evelyn (Norma's mom), and me to tickets to the ballet.  It was marvelous.  The music, the costumes, and dancing all make me want to learn ballet.  Afterward we went to my mom's house and ate quiche.  How fancy!

Reagan, Sierra, and Kirsten with some nutcrackers in the lobby

That Sunday I got to sing Mary's Lullaby at the Stake Musical Fireside with a trio of ladies.  I felt so happy to get to share my talent for singing with other members of my stake.  The song is particularly touching.  Can you imagine how it must have felt for Mary to know that her little baby was going to suffer and die to save the world?

On Monday Matt and I went to see The Forgotten Carols by Michael McClean to celebrate our anniversary.  I was so inspired by the music and the message.  I'm so grateful for Jesus and His life.  As we were leaving the arena, we happened to run into Michael McClean himself.  There were more than 4,000 people there, and we actually got to see him!

The next day was our actual anniversary.  Now we've been married for 8 years.  Matt likes to say "Eight looong years!"  But seriously, I'm so grateful that he's my husband.  I'm grateful that I can rely on him to be my friend and to love me.  I'm grateful that we get to share the good times and the bad times.

For Christmas my brother Michael and my sister Emily and her fiance Chris came to Utah to visit.  They stayed with my parents, and we got to see lots of them.  One evening we went to the Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point, which was beautiful.  Unfortunately, I got a cold the Thursday before Christmas.  So, for most of the time that my sister was here, I was feeling pretty cruddy.  I think getting a cold for Christmas is my most consistent Christmas tradition.  By Christmas day, I was on the mend though, which was a blessing.

At the Luminaria.  It was dark so I didn't get a lot of pictures.

Matt and I took the girls on the North Pole Express in Heber.  It was a fun train ride, and Santa even got on the train when we got to the North Pole!  He gave everyone a very nice jingle bell.  We also got some hot chocolate and one of Mrs. Claus' chocolate chip cookies.

On the train

What a sweet baby!

On Christmas Eve we acted out the story of the Nativity with my parents, Michael, Emily, and Chris.  That was lots of fun.  Kirsten was Mary, and Reagan was the donkey.  You can imagine that they got a little silly.

Mary and the donkey riding on Joseph's back

That night after my parents left, Jake arrived.  I always love having Jake for Christmas.  He's so good with Kirsten and Reagan.  After his long car ride, he came right in and read to them before they went to bed. 

I was so grateful I slept soundly on Christmas Eve.  When I woke up Christmas morning, I was refreshed and feeling much healthier.  Our family had a lovely time opening presents together. 

Matt and I gave Kirsten and Reagan each their own Wellie Wisher doll from the American Girl Doll Collection.  This year I decided that they would get their largest gift from us and not from Santa.  It may be kind of silly, but I was tired of Santa getting all the credit for giving the best gifts.  It never occurred to me that they didn't think we got them very good presents until Kirsten's last birthday.  When she opened her present from us, she squealed and said, "Thank you!  You've never given me a present before!"  Of course, that is not even remotely true, but I decided that I wasn't going to let Santa upstage me when Christmas rolled around.  They love their dolls, and it makes me so happy to see them play with them.

Reagan with Camille

Madelyn got a Wee Baby Stella

Kirsten with Willa

Three girls with their three dolls

Jake gave Reagan a stuffed unicorn

Jake gave Kirsten a stuffed unicorn

Bonny and David gave the girls their very own collection of Elephant and Piggie stories.

We started college funds for the three girls!

Papa and Beth got Kirsten Legos

Papa and Beth got Reagan a fairy boat

Kirsten got Daddy a tie

Reagan got me a beautiful necklace

Mimzy got me a medal hanger

Papa and Beth got Madelyn a fun baby ball/rattle

We were so grateful for the wonderful generosity of our family, and we can't wait to use the parachute and balls that Mimzy sent us.   We're just waiting for it to warm up a bit, so that we can use it outside!

That afternoon we went to my parents' house to eat Christmas dinner.  Then we opened more presents.

I gave Emily a dress I found at Old Navy

Emily gave the girls unicorn coloring books and colored pencils

Brian and Norma gave my parents these funny pictures of monkeys on their heads

We gave Sierra modelling clay, and Emily gave us the record player sitting on Matt's lap.

My parents gave  the girls these unicorn hats.

The next day our family drove up to Idaho to visit Grandma Shirley and other Idaho family members.  Lots of people took pictures, which I still need to round up, but since I didn't take very many, it will suffice to say that we had a relaxing time.  Marc always does such a nice job setting us up in the lap of luxury when we travel with him.  We had a nice hotel room for me to retreat to with Madelyn when she needed a nap, and when she would wake up, I would join the others for more visiting at Grandma Shirley's house.  It was good to see her.  Matt's Grandma Shirley is such a wonderful, kind woman.  I'm sorry that her health is declining, but I'm grateful for the years I have gotten to know her.

Madelyn and Grace playing together.  Grace is Melissa's (Matt's cousin's) daughter.

For Christmas, Papa and Beth got the girls Build a Bear gift cards.  On our last day in Idaho we went to the mall together and made their stuffed animals.  Lucky kids!  I was so glad we got to do it with Papa.

Papa, Kirsten, and Glisten

Papa, Reagan, and Ruffster

Two happy girls in front of the store

School started the day after New Year's Day, and the girls are really looking forward to Reagan's birthday coming up!  They've been busy planning, planning, planning.

Wearing the unicorn sweatshirts from Nana and Grampa