Christmas Break & Stuff

So to keep up with my awesome mom title so graciously given by my incredible son I decided to fill up our Christmas break with things to do everyday. But before I embark on that long winded and exhausting blog I thought I would catch up on the things we have done already and I have neglected to blog about. A little glitch in my awesomeness. We love being in Utah for many reasons but one being that there is so much for families to do here (hmmm, wonder why). We haven't experienced Temple Square during Christmas in a long time and we couldn't wait to get there and see the lights. Let's just say it was absolutely beautiful but FREEZING!!! What a great place to go and learn of Christ during the holiday season. It was a great way to start the season off and although we walked away with mild frost bite I am glad we went!

As school was letting out we were greatly entertained with an array of song and dance by our children and their friends... First, we got to listen to Carson sing his heart out and wear an adorable bow tie! Love it! And especially love the girl sitting next to him, she is the epitome of the Christmas Spirit . I hope that I am never on the receiving end of a glare like that, Oh wait, I think I am!

Then we got to watch Rylie dance, hear Rylie sing, and catch her defensive moves during her preschool Christmas performance.

As the performances came to a close the Christmas break came to a beginning. And so far, what a fun break it has been...details to come as soon as I can locate the techie hubby and upload the photos from his phone. Love this season and love having the kids home with nothing pressing on the agenda. Fun times to be had by all. We are grateful for the fun we can provide our children but also that we are healthy enough to have it. We are richly blessed in countless ways.

Thanksgiving

I can't even remember the last time I was home for Thanksgiving. Although I miss my home in Virginia everyday, there is nothing in this world that can compete with being around family during the holidays. This year we were able to bring some of our own family traditions we have acquired over the years of doing Thanksgiving on our own and combine them with extended family traditions. Harvey deep fried the turkey, something we learned how to do with our Southern friends the Manning's...

Mom cooked her little heart out all day in the kitchen.

And afterwards, we were able to play with cousins and Papa, and snuggle with Grandma. Play board games, do some midnight black Friday shopping, and do some pretty fantastic acrobatics with Harv. The best thing of all, is we got to have it at the family cabin.

Not a baby anymore...

We are officially out of the baby zone in this house. Although I am ready for the next phase of life, I am finding it hard to let go. Emma unfortunately will always be my baby no matter how big she gets but she is resisting. She wants to be big and has started to prove it.

We went to a 3-D movie, "Puss in Boots" and it was cute. She, for the very first time, sat through it and wore her glasses for about 50% of it, well more like 25%.

She is also becoming quite the little rascal. No longer is she that sweet baby that coos and smiles all day. She no longer sits around contently watching her siblings,... wait, let's get real. I have never had a baby that contently sits around and watches. She cried a lot, fussed a lot, but now she can at least voice why. She loves the bathroom where she can get into prescription pills, hair gels, suck on toothpaste and nearly commit some fatal mishap. But most of all she loves mommy's makeup. I had no idea she could twist off lids until she came out of the bathroom looking like this: (Waterproof mind you)

She can now tell me when she's "pooped." She can play along with her siblings, imagination and all. She loves to dress up in tutus and high heels. And as I find myself mourning the baby years, I do look forward with excitement for the approaching toddler years. I love the toddler years because they experiment, investigate and discover the world around them but they still take the time for the snuggles, the kisses and the loves. As the day comes to an end they too long for the baby years and take a few steps back in time for only a moment to be a "baby"once again. To rock in the chair, read a book, sing the lullaby's and snuggle with mommy.

Emma will always be my baby no matter how big she gets. And my how I love this baby!

Day 27,28,29 30

Hey, I have been getting better at being consistent just not in my blog, but that doesn't mean I am not thinking of my gratitudes as I go throughout my day. In fact, I find that I am thinking of my gratitudes as often as I am thinking of quotes for my facebook status! Isn't it silly how often something happens and I think in "facebook." Immediately a phrase comes to my mind "Lindsay is..." It is a self confession I hate to admit and I actually post those quotes that run through my mind about as often as I blog but they still run through my mind and thankfully now so does my gratitude list.

So for Day 27: I am grateful that we can provide our children with a decent Christmas. My kids have never really wanted for anything, well other than a horse, a four wheeler, a boat, and a water slide for the awesome pool in the backyard that we dont have. But other than that they have everything they NEED and it is a great thing to be able to provide 5 children with that. So I guess another shout out to the hubby for being an awesome provider. I'm so grateful he works diligently and hard to be successful in his career and provide for the NEEDS of our family.

Day 28: I am grateful for my parents. It can't be easy in any way whatsoever to relinquish your home over to a family of 7. Their quiet solitude as been ambushed by screaming, fighting children and I am so grateful for their unselfishness. They are awesomely patient and I hope my promises of and end in sight and the hugs and laughter of their grandkids keep them happy during the chaotic mayhem.

Day 29: I am grateful for online shopping. I HATE shopping more than anything during this holiday season. I can't stand the crowds, the attitude of the consumers, and the commercialized christmas scene that lay before me each and every time I go out the door. Don't get me wrong I LOVE christmas but I HATE what it does to people who forget what it is truly all about. And I feel when I go out shopping is when it is most evident. So I will sit at my computer and search for the best deals, the free shipping, I don't have to make any rash decisions, I don't have to feel the pressure of a good buy and then I anxiously get to wait for that fun little brown package to end up at my door. It is like receiving a present everyday. There is much fun to be had in that!

Day 30: I am grateful for the month of November. Not only does it host the birthday of my first born...but it provides us with a chance to reconnect with family. November opens up the window of gratitude as we contemplate the things that truly matter most. Thanksgiving is a holiday that is unique to Americans. It is our special holiday and what an amazing holiday it is. A day to be thankful, oh and a day to stuff our faces full of fattening but delicious food and not feel guilty about it!