New Years - 12/31/13 to 01/01/14

We didn’t do too much for New Year’s. New Years Eve, I took the kids to Target to spend their gift cards and Christmas cash. We had fun shopping. I actually spent most of my gift cards on Gwen. She’s just too much fun to shop for.

Enoch’s booty.

Trav’s finds

Gwen’s loot

Enoch was the only kiddo to make it to midnight.

Happy New Year!

2014

A Museum Visit - 12/31/13

One of the many benefits to Joe’s new job is getting paid time off. He spent quite a bit of time at home during Christmas and New Years that we don’t normally get to spend with him. It was SO nice. One of his days off was spent at the Museum of Nature & Science. The boys love going, Gwen is okay with it. We met our friend Kim there as well and we all had a blast. It was a gorgeous day too! I love Colorado weather!

Joe and Gwen taking a break in the Dinosaur exhibit.

Travis really enjoys the Health area of the museum. He really liked checking out his gate!

The Mythbusters Shark!

Travis was swimming away from him here. He wasn’t very quick at all. I think he would have been great white snack food for sure.

Travis refused to go into the Egyptian exhibit. He said the Mummies were evil and gross because they were all wrapped up. He might be on to something…

Just waiting…

Mom gets bored so she takes a selfie!

Overlooking strangers two levels below us.

The boys with Kim! She’s seriously one of our favorites. Thanks for chilling with us Kim!!

A Laundry Room for Christmas - 12/27/13

Joe’s best friend David was in town for Christmas. Perfect timing for a project! As a gift from Bonnie & Joe (and David), I got a new laundry room!

When we had bought the house and refinished it, they had a top loading washer and dryer. Which at the time, worked for this laundry room’s layout. Top loading would allow you to easily maneuver in this space. We, however, purchased a front loading set. I explained to Joe what I thought would work best for our laundry room set up, so he and Bonnie went to Home Depot. I swear the two of them would live there, they love it so much. Bonnie bought the shelving system and Joe bought the counter top, flooring, & new hoses for hook up. David offered his workman skills!

So this is the before

During

Almost done

And finished!

After using it for 6 months now, I can say I LOVE my new laundry room. It’s perfect! So a HUGE thank you goes out to Joe, Bonnie, & David for one of the best Christmas gifts EVER!!

Christmas Day Eve - 2013

It has become tradition for us all to meet at Mom & Dad’s for Christmas Day Eve fun. I didn’t take too many pictures, I was too busy soaking up the funness of Christmas with my family. So here are just a few photos of some fun moments. Its amazing how much Gwen & Gaius have changed since their first Christmas. Christmas was only a little over a week after Gwen was born. Fun memories!

Alana looks upset here because she had just found out that she couldn’t open all her gifts first. ; )

Guy got a pretty awesome hat from Alana.

Watching other people open gifts is always the best part.

My goofy Enoch

Patiently waiting…

Sean & Eli. Love that kids face!!

Christmas 2013

I love Christmas. The family time, the shopping, the baking, the food, the memories.

There’s just something special about decorating your very first house for Christmas for the first time. It was just magical.

Seeing your kiddos play in front of the Christmas tree together.

Receiving Christmas cards! I love Christmas cards!

I hope this becomes a tradition in our home. My friend Stacy gave me a recipe for the world’s best sugar cookies. They’re thick and cake like, I love them! So I made a batch for the kids to decorate. They had a lot of fun.

They really dug the colored sugar.

Gwen was just happy to eat the boy’s creations.

The master icer!

Their finished product! SO cute.

Christmas eve tradition. Clyde & Shami come over with their kids and the kids open gifts from each other. Papa Nui gave Gwen her first baby doll. She was pretty excited. She kept kissing her and saying, “Aw.”

How the tree looked after Santa visited.

Christmas Morning, before everyone was awake.

Snuggles with Dad before going downstairs.

The Mickelsen’s came Christmas morning, as they do every year, to watch the kids open their gifts and have a yummy breakfast. I didn’t take very many photos this year, I was busy enjoying the moments.

The boys were thrilled with their gifts this year. Although it was a small Christmas, I do believe it was cherished more.

We focus on Christ year round but especially at Christmas time we remember and cherish his birth. What a beautiful blessing it is to know that Christ came to this earth, to do as His Father asked, to carry forth His plan, so that we may one day return to live with Him again. I am grateful for my Savior and for my Heavenly Father. I am grateful that I can share this gospel with my children so that we can be an eternal family. Forever.

Merry Christmas.

Wise Men Still Follow Him