Christmas

Our Christmas Traditions.... So far!! 

•Buy a tree the day after Thanksgiving

•Open a new ornament on December 1st to put on the tree 

•Open a book each night every day in December 

•Do a service and fill the manger with straw every day in December

•Go see Christmas lights 

•Ginger bread house on Christmas Adam

•Christmas Movies all Christmas Eve, while in our pajamas, while making cinnamon rolls and Christmas Eve dinner 

•new Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve and new book for mommy and daddy 

•Christmas Eve Snacks: Caprese toothpicks, shrimp cocktail, cheese ball

•Christmas Eve Dinner: Flank Steak, Twiced baked potatoes, Cranberry sparkle punch, rolls, raspberry cheesecake 

•Christmas morning starts with Breakfast and saying one thing we learned about Christ that year. Then stockings. Then Presents.

•After all the presents Daddy makes a scavenger hunt for one last big Christmas present

•Most Christmas's we've gone to a movie 

•Leftovers all day 

•Afer dinner leftovers, we open on last present--a game--to play as a family! 

This is only our second Christmas as our little family. Being far from family is hard. We really have to pick between having our own Christmas and traditions with our little family or spending time with our big family!! I so wish we didn't have to pick. Our first five Christmas' were spent in one our parents homes. We loved those so so much!! But the older Jax gets the more anxious we are for him and us to experience Christmas as our little family. But that makes it so hard because we aren't close enough to have Christmas morning at home then drive to grandma and grandpas. Maybe one day. 

I don't know if it's a mom thing, but thinking about and carrying out traditions are so important to me. My Christmas's were always so magical and special. I know Landon's were too. And I know that is in large part because of the time our moms (and our dads) put into making it so special! Thank you moms!! We so love you!! 

All and all our Christmas was extremely magical and happy and spirit fillled. My favorite part was when Jax told his grandma and grandpa the story of Christs birth with such detail(over FaceTime)! Oh how I wish I had that moment recorded. But I personally won't forget it. It was his first little testimony! 

And with that, I am so grateful for my Savior who has made all of my Christmas' possible. I love focusing on his birth in December! I'm inspired by Mary's bravery and faith, Josephs goodness and loyalty, the shepherds stillness and action, the wise men's grace and generosity. As I ponder the moment when Mary and Joseph and Christ were in the stable together, I see a family spending very special tender moments together. No tree, no stores, no fluff. Just time and love and sacrifice! I know Christ was born in very humble circumstances and I know that was part of the plan. He descended below all things so that me and my family could home one day! 

This amazing family came and Caroled Christmas to us!! They are amazing and will stay in my heart forever!! 

We sure missed our family!! One day we will be close enough to not have to miss so much. 

Tys 7 month picture

He's Home!!!

Soooo so much to say, so little time. Landon is finally home from his interviewing and BYU game time. 

He's been gone all but one night in December. And I'm so glad we can finally all be together at home just in time for Christmas. 

That's all. The pictures say more anyway. 

We were in Utah til Wednesday for Landon's interviews out west. 

Then me and the boys came home by ourselves and Landon stayed for research and the BYU game with my family. 

Boys were saints traveling. 

My dear friend Diane was baptized! The first person I ever met in Indiana!! Jax and I were able to speak at her baptism. Love her dearly!! 

This is how I felt during those 8 dreadful minutes of the BYU game. 

But Landon's home and I miss him. So I'm out. Ta ta!