Ringing in the New Year

This New Year's Eve we did a progressive dinner with Jared's family. There were 28 of us! We did appetizers at his grandma's, salad at our house, main course at his parent's. We put the kids in pajamas and rang in the New Year at 9. We got them settled down with a movie and then headed to Jared's brother's house for desserts and games. It was fun!

Peace

This is one of my very favorite places. Jared had the day off, so I was able to go early. It was dark when I went in and the sun was shining when I came out. I thought that was perfect- my heart always feels much lighter when I leave the temple.

Lava

If they had to choose just one favorite activity that they can all agree on, it is swimming.  We actually went twice this week.  Once with a few of our neighbors, the second time we decided last minute to meet up with my brother and his kids.  I have taken the kids to lava during the winter a few times this year and last, but we have never been able to go with Jared, and we were all so excited that he could go with us on Friday.  We spent some time over in the regular pool, and Emma is now swimming completely by herself!  Very exciting!  The only pictures I have are from the first time we went, before our friends got there.

Anderson had no fear of the water, and never has.  He would dive under or walk into the water and just wipe his face off after like it was just no big deal.

Briggs thought it was so fun to shoot water with his foot.

Madelyn could usually be found doing her own thing.

Pure joy.

The best part?  They were exhausted.

My Dad

My parents stopped by for a couple of hours and my kids were thrilled. The older I get, the more I appreciate my parents. I enjoy watching them interact with my kids, and wish I took more and better pictures of them.  I have amazing parents.

Sledding

It started snowing Christmas Eve as we were driving around looking at lights, and Christmas morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. SO beautiful! The day after Christmas we went sledding and had a blast. Jared had to work, but our nephews, niece, and Jared's sister helped the kids up and down the hill. We even rigged a rope to help climb up because it was so powdery and hard to climb up at the very top.

Anderson is hard core and never cried. Instead he just kept going and going.  He even tried to go down by himself.

Briggs is also fearless. Once he rolled and was completely covered from head to toe. To lighten the mood and applauded him on his "ninja roll" and then that was all he wanted to do.

Maddie absolutely loved it. She liked to ride with someone, but was up for anything other than that. Stomach, back, backward, trains, etc.

Emma is ever cautious. She was careful about who she rode down with and where they went down. She was the most grateful for the rope to climb back up as she was dramatically slipping and sliding without it. She said her toes were cold, otherwise she didn't want to leave.

Jesus is Real

One of my favorite parts of Christmas this year is that each of the kids picked out a picture of Jesus they liked. That was their very first gift on Christmas morning. Then they opened their gift for Jesus. It was sweet. These pictures blew me away because they look like Jesus with Emma, Maddie, Briggs and a baby Anderson. The kids really think it's them with Him.

Madelyn gave a talk in primary yesterday with pictures of Jesus and His life and basically bore testimony of Him. "I know He was born, I know He was baptized, etc." She included the picture of Jesus with the children and said, "I know He is real." I didn't expect that but it was a tender moment from our little analyzer who often doubts things like the Holy Ghost and answers to prayers. It was a big deal to her.

Polar Bearing

While I was wrapping gifts with my friend Jill, our kids played in their hot tub. They would sit in the snow and then run and jump into the hot tub. A couple of them even got brave enough to do snow angels. I think they are crazy. Jill said she did that at her aunt's house when she was younger and they called it polar bearing. I just might have to try it...