Merry Christmas!!

Okay, I keep thinking that I will post closer to Christmas, send out cards, emails, etc. Well, none of that has happened, and I guess you can't get much closer to Christmas than Christmas Eve!


This year we were able to have our Ward help us with a Live Nativity again. It was a busy 3 nights and we really enjoyed sharing our home for this event. Again we passed out about 3000 pass-a-long cards with Hershey Kisses attached to the passersby and got great feedback from the community. There were a few church vans that refused to take the candy, but for the most part everyone seemed appreciative. It was fun to share the true meaning of Christmas with our community and to spread the message that Mormons are indeed Christians. I am so grateful for that Babe of Bethlehem. I know that he is our Brother, Savior, and Redeemer. Where would we be without His words, example and companionship?
We have been so blessed this year with good friends, and wonderful family members. We are truly rich in blessings! We hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Ben and Jake put this together to wish you a Merry Christmas:

Requested pictures...

Jen said she wanted to see Brad putting up the lights in the cold. He was in a better mood this day. I kept telling him to look like he was totally annoyed that he had to put up the lights in the cold, but this is all I could get out of him!



I love my husband!

We rearranged our Hair...

The boys came up from the shower the other night and said, "mom, look, we rearranged our hair" They were so funny, all dancing around and acting cool. Let me just say... they are cool! I'm so happy to have a couple of cool, strong, good kids to set the example for everyone else!

I love my Mother-in-Law...

For some reason, I think I watched a lot of Flintstones when I was a kid, because when I hear the words mother-in-law I always think of Fred Flintstone saying "I love my mother-in-law, I love my mother-in-law" through gritted teeth. Fortunately, I have an amazing mother-in-law! She is young and fun, is a great Mimi to her grandkids who affectionately refer to her as "the tickle monster"! I am constantly overwhelmed by her generosity and kindness. It was her birthday this week and we were so happy to spend it with her! Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Warm and Snuggly

Who could resist snuggling with this little bundle. I think I'll go snuggle with her right now! I love babies!

Christmas is up...

It's December and Christmas decorations are up. We spent a lovely 70 degree weather Thanksgiving weekend putting up lights on the house etc. Just to find out that now that it is 20 degrees this week the outside lights that Brad climbed up on the roof to hang are no longer working. They looked great the first night! He was so happy to hang them the first time, I don't know if I can get him to go up again!

The tree is up and so far we've only had 4 ornaments broken. But, never fear, everyday someone brings home a lovely replacement from school!

Now I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I still need for Christmas. I have been baking, which is easy for me to make a priority, because I want to eat like crazy right now. Unfortunately, I don't think even the nursing baby can keep up with this Christmas season! I haven't been exercising, but feel like I will start any day now. I did go so far as to record some aerobics shows on the DVR. Wish me luck. I really need my friends who moved away this year to move back and exercise with me. (You know who you are!)
My sister introduced me to a lovely Christmas story called "Funny, Funny, Mother" you should check it out. Brad didn't think it was that funny, I think it was all too real for him (mother crying uncontrollably, etc.) what's not funny about that.
Anyway, hope everyone is enjoying the season, and not feeling too overwhelmed!

Two Two Year Olds

Here are the two little boys on Samuel's birthday. The one day of the year that they are the same age.


Can't imagine life without these two! They definitely keep things going around here!