Christmas Eve (Nativity)

This Christmas Eve we had dinner at Nicholas' parents house.  We were missing a few this year, but Aunt Chelsea & Matt, Aunt Hannah & Uncle Caiden, and Aunt Emily were all there.  This year it was a seafood menu.  After dinner it's tradition to reenact the nativity.  It's Grandma Lyn's rule that once you have a baby to take your place, you no longer have to choose a role.  Nicholas is the only one so far to give her grand babies, so it's fun to see the older kids still dressing up.  Lexi & Adam always have fun picking which role to play.  They usually try on all the outfits before they decide.  Here are a few pictures of everyone dressed up.

Lexi: Angel     Adam: Donkey

Adam: Roman Soldier     Alex: Wise Man

Lexi: Shepherd

Adam: Shepherd

Chelsea: Angel

Matt: Roman Soldier

Emily, Lexi & Adam: Shepherds

Matt: Roman Soldier, Lexi/Adam/Emily: Shepherds, Clancey/Alex: Wise men,  Andrew: Donkey, Alizabeth: Mary, Chelsea: Angel

I enjoy this Christmas tradition.  It's a reminder of why we celebrate this season.  It's not the presents, lights, or food.  It's the birth of Our Savior & a time to remember all he sacrificed for us.  We have been very blessed, & I am so thankful.

Christmas w/Papa Marty

This Christmas was really perfect.  Nicholas had vacation left from this year, so he took 2 weeks off.  That made things a lot less stressful for me & the kids were able to spend some quality time with him.  He works so hard it's nice for him to be able to take it easy.  Although I admit I had a honey do list for him!

Monday the 23rd we had Christmas dinner at our house with Papa Marty, Uncle Jeff & his family, Aunt Jessica and her family, & Aunt Katie with her boyfriend Matt.  We were supposed to have the missionaries over as well, but they got held up and didn't make it.  The kids were so excited for this first day of Christmas & opening presents.  It's nice to be able to spread it out a few days and not have to rush family time.  We were very happy that Uncle Jeff, Aunt Hailey & the boys were able to come over for a few days from Montana.

I seem to always forget to take pictures when I'm hosting a get together, but I managed a couple.  Adam got a Power Rangers mask & sword.  He's all about Power Rangers lately.  Lexi got an Easy Bake Oven.  It's fun to make things with her remembering having one when I was younger.  Sophia got a piano Lego's guy.  We're impressed with how well she is able to play with it! All the big kids (adults) got spoiled with gift cards.

The cousins always have fun when they get together, and they all love their Papa Marty.  It was a really fun start to our Christmas celebration!

Catch Up!

One of my goals for the new year is to blog regularly so hopefully I'll make the time to stick to it!    

We want to be able to share our stories, adventures, & even every day joys with our friends and family through our blog!  We also like the idea of chronicling these things for ourselves as well.  Sort of a family journal.  Something to read back on & see where we've been, what we've done together.  Here's a quick summation of us - - - - We married in February of 2008 & in May we were blessed with our daughter, Alexis Lynn.  January of 2010 we learned we would be having another baby, & in August our son, Adam Drake, joined us!  Our third addition was this last year.  Sophia Rose was born June 8, 2013.  She had a rough start, but she's making up for it now!  Nicholas works hard to provide for his family, which allows me to stay home with our children.  It's an amazing blessing to be able to spend my days with them & see them always growing & learning!  

We built our first home in Post Falls, Idaho, which we currently rent out, but have plans of finishing the basement & then selling.  We bought a second home farther north near Spirit Lake.  It's a serious project house, like full renovation type.  It's certainly been interesting making it our home, but it's coming along!  

Lexi has started Kindergarten & loves it.  She's so smart and does really well.  She is a busy bee & was in basketball this fall.  Dad had a lot of fun helping her learn some drills & the basics.  She's also in tap/ballet and is a natural.  It's so fun to see her find things she loves to do & then put the time in to do them well.  Adam will be starting preschool next year.  In the meantime he keeps us laughing with his antics.  That little boy really makes us laugh.  We're crazy about our little ones.  

Together really is our favorite place to be!