Simply Having A Wonderful

Christmastime!
We always try to do Christmas right. Trying to make traditions and then keep up those traditions gets harder as the kids get older. But it's also fun to see them growing up and what they love to do together during Christmas. My favorite is everything leading up to Christmas Day. Decorating, baking, chilly weather, school projects and singing programs, all the Christmas music, Christmas PJs and shopping. I love trying to find special gifts for my people. I've started making lists on my cell phone whenever I get a good idea that I need to save for later. Then seeing them open it totally unexpected and excited, totally twinges my heart.

Every December I say I want to take the kids to the snow and let whoever wants to try winter sports. But it just never happens. It's a busy time, but hopefully someday it will happen.

In the meantime, we'll just enjoy life to the fullest while making plans for the future.

Merry Christmas World! May we always remember the Greatest Gift given to us by our Heavenly Father.

Halloween 2014

Dillan wanted to be a purple minion for Halloween. Fine. We'll piece it together somehow. But ever since he was a baby I've never like overalls. And I could not justify buying a pair just for Halloween that I'm sure NO ONE would ever wear again. Not gonna happen. But thanks to Pinterest, I found an alternative. Except, it was going to take every ounce of creativity, patience, and bravery I could find. I even had to borrow from others. Forget about sewing. Bring on the hot glue. And felt. Lots of felt.

Step one was finding a big enough box. Thankfully, Chris took care of that pretty quick. Then I was worried about making a cylinder. Then I tried it. Then it worked! After that, I was pretty excited about what I was creating. Everywhere I went I had the costume in my mind and trying to figure out the right materials to make a one-eyed-goggle, hair, and how it would stay on his body. As it began taking shape, I was proud of myself. My confidence increased. My son loved it. My husband over-the-top gave me praise. Not too shabby.

Of course, for the Trunk or Treat, he wasn't able to sit down. Then on Halloween night, he got sweaty and itchy, so it didn't last long. Then it was thrown away. But I was OK with all that. Really. I surprised myself. So now my limit is no more than ONE homemade costume each year.

 

Fall 2014

August 2014. Finishing up the summer days with San Clemente and lots of family time. BIG family time too. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it definitely feels right.

2014 Babies. Marin, Aisley, Lexi, Cooper, & Taylee. Hope I got that right?

The two who started it all. Still so much life and love to give even as they get older and slow down. So blessed to have them in my kids' lives.

Yes, school starts BEFORE Labor Day. Even though we are all excited to get back to school and get back on a schedule, it still FEELS like summer. So of course, we STILL want to do summer things. Talk about brain adjustment.