Funess... Is that a word?

Okay there are a ton of pictures so I won't be going through each one... After Addison's birthday we went up to Idaho to visit family. We got lots of pictures with the T. side not so much with the W. side.  Tyler took pictures of Paul and Kellie's family, Joe and ours. Nathan and Emily didn't have Tim until Christmas eve so we missed their family. We had a great time doing crafts that Grandma had prepared, going bowling, having Santa come, acting out the Nativity, and just being together. All of Paul's kids loved holding Emma.  We came home on the 23rd to get ready for Christmas. Tyler's parents and sister came for Christmas. We went to Hilary's for Christmas Eve and had yummy pizza and acted out the Nativity again. It was very chaotic both times we did it but also fun! Christmas morning it was so fun to have Tyler's parents here.  Hopefully they enjoyed it too. Then Hilary's family came for Christmas dinner around 3.  After dinner the Dads and Grandpa took the older kids sledding while the ladies relaxed with the babies... :) It was a very nice Christmas.  That was only the second time I've made a Christmas dinner although Hilary did the hard work of making cheesy potatoes and a salad.  I just did the rolls and ham in the crockpot which is amazing!!! So easy and tasty. 

 Kellie holding Emma

 Foooooooood! I always eat to much at my parents...

 bowling

 Thoughtful Joe...

 Santa... He made Mom cry.  He asked her what she wanted for Christmas and of course this was it! Everyone together (minus Tim we missed him:(

 Joe holding Emma

 Joe noticed that Emma's veins on one of her eyes forms a heart! I have looked at her for longer then him yet he is the one that notices!

 Kaylee fell asleep eating dinner. Emily was so sweet to hold her so Tyler and I could eat.

 Being silly...

 Nate holding Emma... Emily still holding Kaylee

 Cousins with the favorite Uncle! (He's single... let's face it the single aunts and uncles always rule...)

 Stockings from G and G

 Isaac holding emma

 Grandma and Ian

 Kellie holding Emma

 Cousins! Addison and Mercedes

 Clark being silly!

 Grandma holding Emma

 Dad gave me an awesome back massage... I think he bruised my shoulder... It probably needed it :)

 McKennzie

 Isaac

 Mercedes

 Ian

 All together

 Addison

 Clark

 Joe

 Kaylee

 All together

 Connor with Santa

 Trying to act out the nativity.. Addison was Joseph, Mercedes was Mary, Isaac was baby Jesus, Connor was an animal.. donkey or camel I think... Ian was a wiseman I think, I can't remember, McKennzie was an angel. Clark and Kaylee watched... Grandpa was the narator. Oh Tyler was Harod.

 Opening gifts from G and G

 Hilary's house and nativity

 Clark was Joseph, Addison Mary, Tyler was a donkey, the a shepherd then a wiseman...

 hanging out

 G, Kevin and Tyler as shepherds. Hallie and Amy as angels

 Now the men are wise men

 G reading the story of the 3 bad little boys... they scare santa away because they don't go to sleep on Christmas eve. The story is a W tradition. I think Great Grandma would read it to Grandpa...

 Christmas morning waiting to go out!

 Emma the youngest got to go out first...

 See me with one of my new Christmas presents on! Minky pjs... Tyler saw them and that they matched the girls pjs and got them for me. He had me open them on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed being with family.  I loved watching the children's faces light up. Kaylee was so excited about every present even if they weren't hers. She couldn't get enough of it.  Addison got a hamster and couldn't leave the poor thing alone all day. Clark got a scooter which when he opened it said. "that's not what I wanted" well.... it's made more circles around our house then I can count! He absolutely loves it! Not to mention dolls and octonauts, minnie mouse things etc. that have all been a hit too!

I hope that over the years our kids will feel the true meaning of Christmas. It didn't come wrapped up.  He came as a little baby in the most humble circumstance. He came because we each make mistakes and we can not make it back to our Father in Heaven without Him. He saved us from our sins if we will but turn unto Him and seek for forgiveness. He came as a baby, but is our King. He came in humble circumstance but now reigns over all with the Father.I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have. I pray my children will know. The reason we celebrate Christmas. God gave His son to us. Christ is the greatest gift. Santa comes as a symbol of giving and love but he is not the reason we celebrate.

Addison turns Seven!

Addison is now seven!  I feel like it was just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital.  It's been a good journey so far.  I'm so grateful for Addison.  She is a great helper around the house and is usually very patient with her siblings. She is a great big sister. She loves loves to draw and color and create anything really! She started out not enjoying school this year but now enjoys it a lot.  She is reading now too. She is a great example to me.  Earlier this year on a Sunday I asked Clark if he wanted to play a game on the tablet.  Addison responded by saying, "Mom that isn't a very Sunday appropriate activity."  She is truly a blessing to have in our family and is most definitely from a choice generation. It's fun to watch her grow and learn. I feel like I am just realizing that she really is her own person. She has thoughts and feelings of her own and has to experience life and those experiences will mold her. I can only hope and pray that I can teach her what is most important. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 We love you Addison!

 We got about 18 inches of snow the Monday before Addison's birthday... This is just one of the pictures of the first part of the snow storm. We lost power twice in one day because the snow was so heavy.

 Addison had a winter program at school on Dec 17th. This is a reindeer she made that helped to decorate the gym where they had their program. In the program she sang "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" it's fitting since she has 4 missing! :)

 Happy Birthday!

 She got the Mall on the wall for Polly Pockets. It is what she has wanted for over a year now.

 Our sweet neighbor Jannette who is like the kids Grandma here gave Addison her own snack container with pistachios. She is good at remembering what the kids like.

 Tyler made Addison a sketch book.

 A drawing book...

 more sweatshirts because she complains about being cold all day at school

 Chubby puppy from G and G W.

 G and G T surprised her by coming the evening of her birthday and stayed through the weekend.  Then we followed them back to their home for a few days before Christmas.

 G and G T gave Addison a lalalopsy easy bake oven. (Addison made cookies for Santa with it!) Addison, Clark and Kaylee all have suitcases now that they can use when they go visit Grandmas and Grandpas!

Tis the season...

I've been having a hard time this year getting into the spirit of Christmas this year. Tis the season to be jolly has been a lot harder to come by being sick, lack of sleep, laundry, cooking, cleaning etc... but I think it's finally coming around as I've tried to just enjoy doing things with the kids and focus on them and having fun rather than what needs to be done. We have made sugar cookies and fudge, delivered neighbor gifts, looked at Christmas lights, and driven around the beautiful temple (they have Jesus' birth story and beautiful paintings around) I know that the spirit of Christmas is really the love that comes from our father above. He sent His only begotten son as an infant to this earth knowing that Jesus would have to suffer for all of the rest of his imperfect children. Both our Father in heaven and our elder brother Jesus Christ loved us enough to do what needed to be done. I'm so grateful for that. Christmas isn't about the presents, the lights, the tree... The real magic of Christmas comes from a loving heavenly Father. Merry Christmas!