Tree of Life

Back in December, TJ was pretty busy with work so we didn’t get to go up to the Christmas lights in SLC. So I opted for the Tree of Life in Draper and took the kids there one evening. It was so gorgeous and just nice to get out!

Christmas in Kentucky

The day after Christmas, the kids and I went to Kentucky for about two weeks. I wanted to see my family and TJ was crazy busy with work and the CES show in Vegas. Now this is why it’s much better to blog as soon as something happens because I don’t remember exactly what we did. Thankfully, I did take lots of video and have compiled those.

Basically, we hung out with my sister’s family and parents, and just enjoyed being together pretending it was Christmas again. Finn wasn’t sleeping well for the first week though, teething and a bad cough, so that made me extra grumpy for the first few days. I’ll tell you what, I’m just the worst when I’m tired. I need sleep to be a good mom. Anyway, Finn finally started sleeping better and so we got into the swing of things and got to do a lot of fun outings. We went to the conservatory, a kid’s place called Otterville, the aquarium, Newport on the Levee, and the Cincinnati Children’s Museum (for free thanks to my Thanksgiving Point pass!). I got to see several movies while I was home too, which was a blast.

We had a great time and can’t believe it’s all over. It’s always sad to leave home because I never know when I’ll get to go back. Thank goodness for FaceTime, right?

Photos to come soon!

Christmas Day 2016

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year which I really enjoyed. Eva woke up around 8 and then we woke Finny Babe up and headed downstairs. Finn couldn’t stop saying, “Woah!” Which was the cutest thing ever and Eva was excited about all of her toys from Santa. It was such a precious morning together as our little family. We then got ready for church and headed over to TJ’s parents’ home for brunch, which I made a French toast casserole for. Church was a nice Christmas program filled with lots of music, but Finn was pretty noisy so I had to take him out for a lot of it, unfortunately. After church, we relaxed and played in the snow for a bit, then had dinner with TJ’s parents and sister’s family. We got to FaceTime with my family that afternoon and then we headed home around bedtime. Once the kids were in bed, TJ I finished up a few Christmas movies. It was a great day and I can’t believe it’s been more than a month since it all happened.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was pretty chill, which I loved. We woke up and had a little breakfast together, I got my workout in, then we headed to my in-laws for lunch and to open up the cousin presents. The kids were all so cute opening up their gifts, and couldn’t wait to play with everything. We played games and just relaxed that afternoon and then headed over to a Mexican Restaurant with some of TJ’s extended family for dinner. Finn was really tired for not getting a good nap in that day, so he was kind of a pain at dinnertime, but we still really enjoyed having a Mexican Christmas! Afterwards, we finished off the night decorating sugar cookies, singing carols, acting out the Nativity, and having a Christmas PJ fashion show over at TJ’s uncle’s house. It was quite the group and a lot of fun.

When we were back home late that night, we watched the classic It’s a Wonderful Life while TJ worked the night away on a drawing he was making for his parents. There’s something so magical about getting the stockings and presents all ready on Christmas Eve, along with leaving the cookies and reindeer food out for Santa. It’s definitely one of the best parts about being a parent!

He Was Here

 

Merry Christmas! We didn’t send out many Christmas cards this year because we tried to scale back and simplify a bit, so I wanted to let you all know here how much we love and appreciate you. I also want to express my gratitude for our Savior, who humbly came into this world as a baby in a stable. This season, that simple truth made an impact on me.

Why would a God from Heaven
Come to the world this way?
Why in a lowly stable
Would the Messiah lay?
I shook my head and asked them
To tell the story one more time

Yes I did believe them
Though I’d not seen a thing
I did not go to Bethlehem
Or hear the angels sing
But there was something magic
In the air
That made me feel as if
I had been there

Do you think you’ll join us
Though you’ve not seen a thing?
You were not there in Bethlehem
To hear the angels sing
But if you feel the spirit
In the air
Then just like me you’d know

That He was here
He was here

It’s easy to doubt in our world. It’s easy to not believe. But this story of our Savior, I know it is true. I feel it in my heart. I feel it when my daughter recites her small version of the nativity with me. It is simple but it is oh so true. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and a great 2017!

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Santa Flashback

Two flashback posts in one day? #sorrynotsorry

2016

Santa at church (Finn is 1 and Eva is 5)

2015

Santa at church with two kids (Finn is a newborn and Eva’s 4)

2014

Santa at the Plaza Hotel (Eva’s 3)

2013

Santa at Macy’s Santaland in NYC (Eva’s 2)

2012

Santa in Cincinnati with cousins (Eva’s 1)

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Christmas Flashback

You know how I love a good flashback post! Here are videos and photos from Christmas past!

2015

Living in Lehi. Christmas in Utah. Eva’s 4 and Finn is a newborn.

 

2014

Living in Jersey. Christmas in Kentucky. Eva’s 3.

 

2013

Living in Jersey. Christmas in Utah. Eva’s 2.

2012

Living in Provo. Christmas in Kentucky. Eva’s 1.

2011

Living in Provo. Christmas in Utah. Eva’s a newborn.

2010

Living in Provo. Christmas in Kentucky. First married Christmas.

2009

Living in Provo. Christmas in Kentucky. Almost engaged to TJ (he came out to KY for Christmas then proposed in Jan).

2008

Living in Provo. Christmas in Kentucky. About to meet TJ in January.

It’s so fun to see how it’s all changed. Bittersweet.

Candy Cane Hunt

Draper held a Candy Cane Hunt (like an Easter Egg Hunt) last week and it was actually a pretty nice December day, so we and some friends checked it out! Turns out, although it’s a cute idea and the kids just liked being outside, candy canes are not suited for a hunt because if someone steps on them, they break. And if there’s one thing kids don’t like, it’s a broken candy cane. But like I said, the kids still liked it! Then they got to roast marshmallows and see Santa, so not a bad day!

Forgotten Carols

 

We went to the Forgotten Carols with TJ’s family last weekend for the second time in a row, and it was great as usual. If you haven’t heard the music or seen the show, you should watch the old YouTube videos here. It’s better in person when you know the story behind it (and the show has been updated quite a bit since these videos). But basically this man shares these forgotten carols with his nurse, and through the process her heart is softened. It’s really quite tender and has a great message!

 

 

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Christmas Cookies

Last Tuesday, we baked and baked and baked. I think it turned out to be about 75 cookies. A batch of gingerbread cookies (my first time making) and two batches of sugar. Eva loved helping me, although it would drive me crazy because she wouldn’t conserve the space of the rolled out dough and just put down the cookie cutters wherever haha! We divided them all up and brought them to neighbors and friends. This was by far Eva’s favorite part, and she was so sad when it was over! Quite a fun day.

Here’s the soft and chewy gingerbread recipe I used. I loved them, but next time will cut the ginger in half.

Here’s my favorite sugar cookie recipe.


In the evening, Eva and I went over to our neighbor’s house to build gingerbread houses. We had our fill of sweets that day for sure.