What a wonderful Christmas!

We had such an amazing holiday season this year! I love Christmas and the wonderful spirit that it brings. It seems like everyone is a little merrier this time of year! This year we were able to go with some of our friends to this incredible live nativity scene in Alpine. It was awesome and the kids had a really good time. We were also able to visit Santa and his reindeer, see some lights, and all the other really fun stuff that comes around this time of year. I love the stage that my kids are in and how excited they get about things, I know it won't last forever but a part of me wishes that it will!


all of "the gang" at the nativity scene. So cold but well worth it!


The Nativity scene had lots of live animals. I'd never seen a real camel before. They're huge!


Visiting with Santa. Mckell asked for baby dolls and Brigham asked for a race set. Both of them just lit up when they saw Santa!


After visiting with Santa we got to see some of his reindeer


Taking a break and giving dad a workout! Jeremy could do a lot of push ups with the kids on his back. I won't tell you what happened when I jumped on.


Mckell showing off some of her dance moves


On Christmas Eve Jeremy and some of his brothers took the boys to Utah Lake to do some dry ice bombs,lot's of fun but no pictures sorry. Mckell stayed home with me and we made some cookies for Santa


My little baker!


These are the cookies that Mckell made for Santa all by herself! Believe me if you know her then you know that she likes to do things by herself and doesn't like any help! Don't they look yummy!? Well Santa liked them, he ate them all gone!


Opening up presents at Grandmas on Christmas Eve. We had such a great time! I just love our family!


All the grandkids (and Cailey) with their new jammies.


Grandma and Grandpa gave everyone Wii's for Christmas. We are all super excited about it!


OK this was a funny one. My mom gave Mckell this life size doll and she loves it! The car ride home was a little awkward. It reminded me of junior high stag dances.


We spent Christmas Day opening presents, visiting with my mom and then we went to Jeremy's parents for a huge Christmas brunch. We all ate way to much but we had so much fun together. I think the traditions that we have are so important and I look forward to them every year. On Christmas we were surrounded by the ones that we love and it doesn't get any better than that! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

So many things to be grateful for!

With Thanksgiving just last week we have had a lot of time to reflect on what we are grateful for. I think it is so easy to sit and dwell on the things that we don't have in our lives (most of them are totally unnecessary of course). Our family is so blessed and I would be totally wrong to say that we aren't.
I am grateful for my wonderful husband who I love so much! We have been head over heels for each other since we were sixteen and I am grateful to have such an awesome guy in my life. I am grateful for my children. I still can't believe that Heavenly Father trusts me to take care of these two beautiful children but I am doing my best. They make me a better person. I am grateful for my friends. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that my friends show me. They always lift me up and keep me going! I am grateful for our house. I complain a lot that it isn't as big as I'd like it but frankly I'm just glad we have a roof over our head! There are so many people out there with NOTHING that would give anything to have my house. I am so grateful for my testimony. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and cares about me. He hears my prayers and answers them. I could go on and on but I'll spare you.

Here are some pics from Thanksgiving, seeing Santa and Temple Square


The kids helped me make over 60 rolls for our Thanksgiving feast!


Waiting for Santa


Yeah! He's here! The kids were so excited to see him. I love it when they get excited about things!


Remember when you were little and the simplest things made you so happy? Thank goodness for glow sticks.


The lights at Temple Square were gorgeous!


Simply amazing!


Decorating the tree. The kids had so much fun!


Tadaah! It's done! (well at least until the kids go to bed so mom can re-do it all!)