Christmas break with Anna and Lindsey

We enjoyed having two of John's sisters here from Christmas to New Year's Eve. My kids were way more excited for them to come than Santa. We all had a great time and it was very literally a "break" from real life for all of us. It was nice to slow down and just enjoy home and family. I am grateful for these two sisters and their love for my kids. They don't come to be entertained or to see the sights, they simply want to play with my kids, and play they do! Thanks Lindsey and Anna for making our Christmas one of the best! We love and appreciate you and your example for all of us!


Here is what we did while they were here.
We played in cabins!Built huts!
Took pictures!
Played games!
Checked our tonsils!
Took more pictures!

Made John uncomfortable!
Played more games!
And even more games!
Built huts and had sword fights!
Played legos!

And more legos!

Played outside!

Did hair and nails!
Cuddled!
Watched movies!
Dressed up!
Had rides!
Played in more tents and tunnels!
Went to the zoo!

Opened lots of presents!

Most of all we we had a fun and CRAY time!
Happy Holidays!

Christmas

We had a fantastic Christmas this year. We all agree it is at the top of the list for great Christmases.

We had our usual Christmas eve of sloppy joes, root beer floats and spreading reindeer food! We read the Christmas story and watched it on a movie. Then we wrote notes to Santa and left him some homemade banana muffins and egg nog! Then the kids each opened a present which were games so we played them for the rest of the evening. This year for Christmas Zak and Lantz both got trains from Santa and Makelle got girl legos! They were very excited with their presents. We had a great morning just hanging out!


Here is how the morning ended with Zak and Dad working to build a cabin for real!

The kids each got a homemade pieced blanket from LaDonna and her kids.
Lantz mostly enjoyed candy.




It was a Merry Christmas indeed!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We had a fun filled December as we prepared for Christmas. My memory card in my camera wasn't work, and then my batteries were dead, so that's why the long delay in blog updating! Here are a few of the fun things I captured.


Christmas Eve we always have to put reindeer food on the roof and grass for all of Santa's reindeer!

John was off from school and was missing the gym so this is how his exercise looked.
All of the kids got letters from Santa and they were thrilled. They were all excited to hear they had made the nice list. Santa gave them some good advice and told them he knew of the great things they had done throughout the year.


We made one gingerbread house together this year and it was TASTY and beautiful!


Lantz was in heaven because he LOVES candy!


In December we did our branch's annual "Joy To The World" . I had to play the part of Mary the sister of Martha and tell first hand about Christ's power to raise my brother from the dead. The whole evening was very powerful as we had people from Christ's life tell of him. My testimony was strengthened that he is the master potter and if I put him as the center he can make me who is nothing into something amazing. I just have to put him at the center and allow him to shape my life. I was also reminded that he is the living water and that if I drink of his water I shall thirst no more. He has all power he can heal and he has compassion. He also has power over death and can restore life. He was born, He lived, and He died for me because He loves me. For that knowledge, I am very grateful. This night of Joy To The World was a great kickoff for our Christmas season. Zak and Makelle were asked to be Mary and Joseph both nights. They had to sit quietly while people experienced the life of Christ. It was a long time and I was proud that they did such a great job! Zak also was a great example of a missionary as he invited several friends and teachers to come to this program. We also enjoyed a carriage ride around the park as we enjoyed Christmas lights. We visited an elderly woman we didn't know and took her a care basket and my kids got to experience the joy of serving others even when it might not sound fun at first. We had some snow so we played in it and the kids took advantage of the ice storm and tried to skate around on it. We did lots of fun things but most of all we spent time together and tried to remember the reason for the season!

Thanksgiving

We had such a nice relaxing Thanksgiving. It is always nice when everyone is home for a few days and we aren't all running different directions. We didn't do anything special or accomplish much but we had tons of family time. We went to the Fielding's again for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful day. It is nice to have friends that fill in the gap of being with family. Once again it was surprisingly one of the best holidays ever. It was probably because of all of the butter!!! John got to play in the branch Turkey Bowl which consisted of lots of people falling down in the mud. It rained for two days straight so it was quite the game! The night before Thanksgiving we went to an underground cave and drove around to look at Christmas lights. It reminded me of Utah and doing that with family. We missed having family but it was super cool to be driving under Louisville. We had a great time. After Thanksgiving we also went to Charlestown and looked at lights and went for a horse and carriage ride. It was freezing but the kids had fun. It is almost December and I am ready for the Christmas festivities to continue!!!

I love this time of year and the opportunity to ponder on the many things to be grateful for. When I start to think of all of my blessings I am overwhelmed by the love of my Father in Heaven. I ask myself all of the time why am I so blessed? I don't fully know why Heavenly Father placed me on the earth at this time in this land with my family and a knowledge of the gospel. I am grateful he did. Those blessings and that of a healthy family come to me simply because he saw fit to bless me with them. When I think of other blessings I enjoy I can directly see that it was because I obeyed a commandment. The Lord truly does bless us when we do what he asks. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that directs my life. He is mindful of me. He wants me to be happy and he shows me the way. I am grateful for my Savior. He is real. He died for me so that I can experience peace, happiness and eternal life. I too have been born of goodly parents. I don't know why I was so blessed but I will be eternally grateful for their example, influence and teachings. I am blessed with a worthy priesthood holder who presides in our home. He is thoughtful and kind and is always teaching our kids gospel truths. I am amazed and humbled to have found such a man to spend eternity with. I have three healthy happy kids who call me mom. This blessing is one I don't take lightly as I know it truly is a privilege, one I am grateful for. I am grateful for freedoms and opportunities that I have had in my life. I am grateful to be on this journey here in Indiana with my family. To live near a temple, to meet with other saints, and to have friends I consider family who help me and make me want to be better. I have extended family that continues to inspire and amaze me by there testimonies and examples. I am blessed. When I think of my life the resounding theme is this "Where much is given, must is expected". I know that in my life much has been given and I need to be one that Lord can expect much from. My life is rich and I am humbled to be so blessed.

Makelle is 4

It is crazy to think that it has been four years since we got this girlie girl in the family. She makes us laugh and smile everyday and she is starting to get so big!!! Here are some photo's of her big day. She had Granpa David and Grandma Valynn here to celebrate and that made the day perfect. She got to do lots of shopping which is her favorite thing!


She loves her sparkly light up sneakers from Lindsey!


She bought new princess sheets with her money from Gramps and Granny. She also got a new bedspread with money from Becca!

Emily got her this stylish hat and she loves it and actually wears it lots! She is sporting a new fancy dress from David and Valynn. Her birthday was the primary program so she got to wear all of her new stuff minus the hat and sneakers!

John did Makelle's cake this year. She wanted a girl frog with ear rings and nail polish. I was going to do it but at the last minute he pulled thru and we got this fabulous cake!!! It sure is great that kids are easy to impress!We love you pretty girl!

Picture Time

Our talented friend, Amanda, was nice enough to take some family pictures. It was a bad day and I was about to cancel but at the last minute everyone put on their happy face and we threw some clothes together. It turned out to be super quick , easy and very successful. Thanks, Amanda! To the rest of you, Enjoy!


















That is it! As you can see Makelle had to have at least one wardrobe change!