My favorite Christmas decoration

I just had to post a picture of my absolute favorite Christmas decoration. It is the custom stockings that I made for our family 3 years ago. I absolutely love them (I hope that doesn't sound conceited since I made them). Each stocking has a different nativity stitched onto it. Also this is how I hung my Christmas cards this year.

Also this is how I hung our Christmas cards this year...clothespins and ribbon. We don't normally keep fruit in our greenery but this picture was taken after Christmas and Santa always leaves fruit for us.

Austin is 14

My oldest son turned 14 this past December. I can hardly believe he is 14. For some reason this just seems way bigger than when he turned 13. Maybe it is the fact that he is starting to pass me up in height and is starting to look like a man. It is just crazy and a little sad. Austin is such a sweet young man. He does have a sarcastic streak in him, but he never intends to hurt anyone; he's just trying to be funny. I love him lots and can't believe 14 years have already flown by. It hit me the other day that he only has a few years left with us at home. :( I hope they don't go by to fast. Here are some pics of my sweet teenager.

I know his cake looks a little funny. He wanted an icecream cake with YuGiOh cards on it; doesn't really let me go crazy with my cake decorating; but he liked it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Let me start off by saying Happy New Year!!! I am seriously behind on blogging. We've had two birthdays, a baptism, and Christmas and I haven't blogged about any of it. So hopefully I will be doing multiple posts over the next few days. I also have some exciting plans for crafting this year. I am going to be doing a different Christmas craft/organization thing each month so that I will be completely prepared next year and hopefully alleviate any stress the holidays can cause!! Not to say this year was bad, I just didn't get to do all the things that I wanted.

OK so this is going to be my first catch up....we had a beautiful white Christmas. Which means since it snowed and snowed and snowed I lost my hubby for a few days while he plowed and slept. But we made the best of it and still had a good time. We did our traditional fondue and gift exchange on Christmas eve and spent Christmas day at my in laws where we had a delicious lunch/dinner. We all had a great time!

My little girls in their new nightgowns!! Aren't they cute!! (I know it looks like Noel is trying to lift Gracie's nightie!!)

Here is my whole crew in their new pjs.

Christmas Eve with my siblings (well those that were in town) this is just a pic of all the girls plus Jason.

A pic of the sisters. I don't know why Sam isn't in the picture. She's almost as good as me at sneaking away. :)

All us adult girls.....well I guess we can't call Hope an adult yet.

There you have it.

Merry Christmas

I know I haven't been blogging much lately; just busy with the family!! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, my hubby is out salting and plowing which is sad but good!! It means we are making money!! :) Will post pics soon!! (of Christmas, not of my hubby plowing!! ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My Dad!

Today 6 years ago I stood in a hospital room with my mom and watched my dad as he struggled through his last day on this earth. I can say that it was the hardest day I have experienced. To have to watch someone you love suffer and struggle in pain. As I reflect back I think of the calm peace that was emanating from my mom and the strength that she had that day and has continued to have throughout these past 6 years, including the past few months struggling with the sudden passing of my brother, she has been such a light for me.

My dad was a lovable man. He was always there for me when I had a problem. I remember spending afternoons with him going out to lunch and just chatting. I have very fond memories of him holding my babies, even if they were screaming their heads off, he always had such a calm manner with them. I can't help but mourn for my babies that have come into this world and will never have his arms wrapped around them. Do not get me wrong, I know without a doubt that they know their Poppop.

My heart breaks for my little brother and sister who will never know dad like us older kids! The hardest of all though, is knowing that my mom doesn't have her soul mate with her anymore. I know that this lifetime is but a short time, but I can't imagine how long it feels to journey it without your spouse. I know that we will all be able to be reunited one day and I SO look forward to that day when our family will feel whole again.

I love you dad, I miss talking with you, crafting with you and mom, and all the other silly things we all did together.

Ramblings

We have been very busy at our house the last month or so. Things don't look like they will be slowing down anytime soon. We are having a Creche Exhibit at our church this week, which is going to be amazing. Then we are also having our Relief Society Progressive dinner on Thursday this week, We have 2 birthdays in the next couple weeks. Austin is going to be 14 which is completely crazy, I can't believe I have a 14 year old!! Christian is turning 8 and will be getting baptized on the 12th of December with two of his friends, we are super excited!! The next weekend we are going to have our annual Christmas Bunko Party, that is if I get my act together and send out the evites!! It is such a fun tradition we have been doing it for probably 7 or 8 years now.

Just had to throw in a picture of my sweet little baby~getting soo big and toddling around! And yes, his tongue is always hanging out like that!!

I have been crafting a little and hope to post pictures soon!! I am going to post a pic of the stockings I made last year or maybe it was the year before?! Anyways, I looooove them, I still have to make the baby's stocking so as soon as I get it done I will take a pic and post!!
On a sadder note December 2 marks the day my Father passed away 6 years ago. It makes this time a year a little more somber at times, it's hard not to miss him at all of these special celebrations!!

Charity's an orphan!!

Charity did such a great job tonight. It was her first play. She plays an orphan and school girl in the play Oliver. I will post some pics tomorrow of her in her costume and makeup. She just looks adorable. I only got to see the first scene because I was down in the costume room. But tomorrow morning I get to see the whole thing and I am extremely excited. Can't wait to see my girl dance and sing!!!