2013 wrap-up

We had some major changes in 2013 and we are so happy with where we are in life.  God has been so kind to us and blessed us in so many ways.

I know my happiness comes from the knowledge that Jesus Christ's true church has been restored and that through the power of the priesthood I have been able to make covenants that will allow me to return to live with my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.  I know that I can have the opportunity to live with my family in God's presence.  I am so far from perfect.  The kids point out quite often where I fall short.  But I am trying.  Each day I try to improve and be a little better.  I am grateful for that opportunity to make improvements.  Elder Russell M. Nelson said in his most recent conference address that this is a gospel of change!  I am working to be open about the areas in which I need to change.  Little by little I know it is possible.  And what a blessing that is.

Post-Christmas random

I decided to toilet train Anne over the break.  We only had three accidents.  She did great and we are not looking back!  I think she is the first one all done before age three.

You can't help but love a baby's pasta face!

Benny's first erector set creation: a robot.  He just loves the erector set that Santa brought him and is already making his fourth project (with instructions - he has a couple that he has just done on his own). This has been so good for him be able to create different things.  And he does so much on his own.  He may need help for a few different things here and there, but most of it is all him.

Day after Christmas Christmas

This was the only picture I got on our Christmas day.  The rest was video.  The kids had a wonderful time.  Here they are showing off their new jackets from Grandma and Grandpa.

Christmas Day

Spencer was on call on Christmas so we decided that the kids would do stockings in the morning and we would have them bring their sibling gifts to the hospital and watch a movie (elf) together.  I made creme brulee french toast that we were able to bake at the hospital and enjoyed a nice breakfast for lunch.

The kids got a nice note from Santa explaining the day.

Anne loved her Cinderella "globe" and stuffed ponies from Lilia.

Don't let her fool you.  Lilia loves her Snow White from Benny.

Andy and Anne had Benny and Andy (respectively) and got lego Star Wars sets.  Perfect for each of them.  They have taken them apart and put them together more times than I can count.

Leaving the hospital.

Janie missed out on the sibling gift exchange for this Christmas.  She did just fine with her pez from Santa.  This little girl loves a pez dispenser more than just about anything.  Unfortunately her Christmas pez met an untimely demise.

Things were definitely not ideal with Spencer working on Christmas.  I think we did a nice job of making it fun for the Kids.  At one point at the hospital, though, Spencer got called out for a new patient.  It took him quite a bit longer than expected and before he made it back the kids were asking to go home.  I really didn't want to leave without a goodbye to Spencer so we stretched a bit and made it work.  I think we will always remember this Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Sunday

 

I got bow ties done as well as a skirt for myself!  The first time I got my own Christmas clothes done.  Thankfully Lilia had a hand-me-down from an old neighbor to wear and Anne's and Jane's I bought a couple of years ago for the big girls.

Nativity

We invited all of our neighbors over for some goodies and for our acting out of the Nativity.  We had only Robin and Belinda able to come, but it was wonderful.  It was a great time.  We think we might make that into a tradition to invite all the neighbors for a little Christmas gathering like this.

Jane's stocking

I am so excited I was able to get Jane's stocking done not only in time for Christmas but also in time to have it around as part of our decorations.  And I love that we have a mantle on which to hang them all!

December Random Happenings

Jane starts to climb stairs.

Spencer reading our first Christmas story of the month.  We were able to read all of the stories without having to double up too much!  It was nice to read most nights.

Benny ready for his field trip to see The Nutcracker.  Such a handsome boy!

Our first snow of the year.

All morning Benny was wanting to go out and play in the snow, but he needed to get ready for school. The first thing he did when leaving for the bus stop was make a mad dash for the snow!

Cutting out her hand-tracings to make our Christmas wreaths.  I never did get a picture of the finished products, but between Lilia's and Anne's hand cutouts we had enough hands for a wreath on each of the kids' doors.

"Nose covers."

Anne didn't want to be left out.

We made snowflakes to hang from our ceiling.  These were my three favorite.  Most of them have survived and are still hanging.

Ready to see Santa at Dad's hospital.

Waiting to leave to see Santa.

Ready for bed.  And other things.

After almost seven-and-a-half years of not having my teeth cleaned, I finally went in to the dentist.  They were very impressed with my teeth (it's true).  I had one old cavity they said as well as two that needed to be fixed (some shoddy prior work) and a partial crown.  Here I am after round one of three.  To better use our insurance I was able to squeeze in two of the appointments in December.

Spencer brought a few pairs of these home from the white elephant they did for mutual.  Lilia has really taken to them.

Listening to Christmas stories.  I love December because we find the kids randomly dressed up in nativity costumes.

Pretty braids.

Jamma time.

Round two.

Lilia asked to take one picture.

There are fourteen of these.  With varying degrees of Andy in the background.