Playing with New Toys

Mason and his friend Dylan playing with one of the new games we got for Christmas

Emma and Landon playing with his new sink that can really pump water. You've probably noticed how much he LOVES to play in the kitchen sink bubbles whenever I do dishes, so when I saw this realistic sink I couldn't pass it up. You fill the bottom red container with water and then you can pump it into the sink on top. The kids have played with it for hours, which to me justifies the big mess it makes! 

Temple Date

We haven't done very well this year at going to the temple every month, but we have been trying to improve and we'll continue to make it our goal for the coming year. 

Our morning started off busy getting everyone ready and out the door by 8:20 so that we could meet our realtor to look at house we've been interested in. This was actually my third time seeing it and Steven's second. The house has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a lot of space, but needs some major renovations, up-dates inside and lots of yard work in the back yard. We've gone back and forth about if we'd be willing to take this house on or not, and ultimately took it to the Lord today. 

When we were done seeing the house we dropped the kids off with Josie and we headed to the temple. My parents had sent us family names they'd gotten ready for endowments, and I was excited to be able to take our own family names for once. We got there plenty early and had time to sit quietly in the chapel prior to our session which started at 10. During the session thoughts about the house kept coming to mind, but every time I thought about us buying it I would feel anxious and uneasy. I finally determined in my head that we would not go for this house and I felt very calm and at peace with that decision. I know the Lord's hand was there helping to guide my decision. When our session had ended and we sat holding hands in the celestial room we quietly discussed our feelings and impressions about the house and we had received the same answer. It felt so good to be able to make a decision and feel good about it. I love the feeling of peace, serenity, and clarity of mind we can feel at the temple, and I'm so grateful for answered prayers. 

Upon leaving the temple we headed to lunch at Stuft burger and even though we had both decided we would not buy that house, we found ourselves still going over the different pros and cons it had. Lunch was delicious and we enjoyed our one-on-one time together. It was about 1:30 when we picked up the kids and headed home. When we got home we looked at some of the comp houses our realtor had sent us and after looking at several we again had confirmation that it would not be worth it to buy that house. Again, very grateful for personal revelation from the Lord and his guidance in our lives.  

We spent the remainder of the day hanging out at home as a family and in the evening Steven and I discussed what our personal, family, and couple goals would be for the coming year. I'll post the goals we've decided on at the beginning of the year. 

Bath Time Fun

Landon got a package of colored bath tablets in his stocking for Christmas and he and Emma have been dying to try them out. Tonight we finally gave it a go with the a blue tablet and they thought it was the coolest thing. Love how something so simple can make them so happy. 

Visit with Dan and Deb

12/27

I was supposed to work today, but thankfully I was able to trade shifts with another coworker so that I could be off today and get to see Dan and Deb. They drove into Colorado last night and are staying with a friend in Greeley, but we made plans to see them later today and have them over for dinner. 

Emma passing the time this afternoon playing Legos, and I had to get a picture of her cute hair today. 

We decided to meet up at The Summit at 2 pm to go bowling before having them come here. We got there right about 2, but they were running a little late and just leaving Greeley so we wondered around the arcade with the kids for a little bit until they got there. 

We then had to wait a little bit for a couple lanes to open up and then we were finally off to bowl close to 3. It was so good to see Dan, Deb and their two younger boys. Dylan wasn't able to come with them since he had to work, so we missed seeing him. I love how it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen them last, it always feel like it was just yesterday. They are always so easy to talk to and so much fun to be around. 

Our kids latched on to their cousins right away and had fun playing with them while we were bowling. 

I think Emma had them all eating out of her hands and convinced the boys to give her piggy back rides everywhere.

It made me so happy to see them all getting along so well and it made for a very fun day. When our hour and a half bowling was up the boys really wanted to play a game of lazer tag so Steven and Mason decided to stay and play with them while Deb rode with me and we headed home to get dinner ready. We were only home for about 15 minutes before the boys showed up and the house got a little crazy. I was very impressed with how well Preston and Satchel played with our littles and never seemed to get frustrated with them. Preston also let the kids play with his super cool Batman mask and the boys loved taking turns scaring us all with it. The kids played while we got dinner all ready and then we sat down to eat about 6 o'clock. 

When we were finished eating and cleaning up the kids returned to playing while us adults got some time to talk. It felt like such a quick visit with them and I was sad when it was time for them to leave for the night around 8 pm. We've decided that we definitely need to go visit them this coming summer and take the kids to the Black Hills.

Emma Riding her Bike

Emma took her brand new bike out for the first time today! She had a little trouble at first getting the pedals going, but once she got the hang of it she was going really well. She loved having her little dolly in the carrier with her too. Now I can't wait for the weather to get warmer so we can get out and do this more!

Bye Bye Christmas

I had to work this morning at 6 and while I was away Steven was busy taking down all the Christmas decorations and putting everything away. He told me that he gave the kids 3 minutes to eat whatever candy they wanted off their gingerbread houses and then he threw them away!

It felt so nice to come home and have all the Christmas stuff put away, and I really appreciated him doing all of it especially since I came home just exhausted. I didn't sleep all that well the last couple of nights and I think getting up so early this morning just did me in. I was falling asleep on the couch this afternoon and feel like I can barely keep my eyes open today. It's a good thing Steven is home to watch out for our kiddos.

Christmas Sunday

We made sure we were all ready early so that we could take some family pictures in front of our tree before heading to church. 

Emma showing off her new jewelry before church

We only had Sacrament meeting today due to it being Christmas day and there were a couple good talks given about the Savior's life, but the best part was the many musical numbers that were done by the choir. They had several string instruments there being played and their singing really brought the spirit and tears to my eyes. What a special thing to be able to attend Sacrament meeting and celebrate the Saviors birth on the day of his birth. After church the kids skyped with Steven's parents and all of his family before getting changed into our pajamas for another lazy night cuddled up on the couch watching Finding Dory.

Christmas Day

I thought the kids would for sure be up by 6 o'clock this morning so when I woke up at 5 I had a hard time going back to sleep. By 5:30 I decided I'd just get up and get ready cause I was just sure they'd be up soon, and I couldn't go back to sleep. By 6 they still weren't up so I climbed back into bed with Steven who laughed at how anxious I was for the kids to wake up. Finally at 6:30 I heard knocking on the door and it was Mason needing to go potty. I was so excited that they were finally up and went in to check on Emma and Landon who were still lying under their covers. I got Landon's diaper changed, and had Emma go potty so we were ready to go upstairs and see what Santa brought them.

All of their present set out and waiting for them. 

Steven and I got new feather pillows

Mason's

Emma's and Landon's new bikes and helmets

Santa's cookies all gone. 

I went up first to turn on lights and get the camera ready while Steven patrolled the stairs and sent them up one at a time starting with Landon. He came up and wasn't quite sure which stocking was his, but eventually he found his with his new bike and quickly started pulling stuff out of the stocking.

 Emma was next and she was convinced that Santa was bringing her a scooter so she kept looking around for it and asking where it was. Steven had to tell her that maybe Santa could only give her one thing she asked for. She was happy with her bike and was also excited to start digging through her stocking to see what else he'd left her.

Next came Mason who we were expecting to through a huge fit as soon as he saw the coal, but really he didn't give much reaction at all. 

Steven read Santa's letter to him and tried to get out of him what he was feeling, but he really didn't show to much emotion about it all. In fact it was rather anti-climatic for Steven and I. Once he got to the bottom of the letter that told him he had still left presents in his room for him he just took off to go see what it was. He was pretty excited about his punching bag, mine-craft Xbox game, and his new bronco's hat! 

Once the kids all had a chance to look through their stockings, Steven and I took turns going through ours before we moved on to opening presents.

Steven also gave Rosco his stuff. 

Mason and Emma both got quite bit of new clothes, cause they were both needing new winter clothes which they weren't all that thrilled about getting, but they also each got a few other toys too. Landon has all Mason's hand-me down clothes so he got more toys than clothes, but I think he just loved unwrapping presents and didn't really care what was inside. 

When all the kids had unwrapped their gifts Steven and I again took our turns opening gifts from each other and from the kids. 

As Steven warmed up cinnamon rolls for everyone and got the kids eating I set out all our stuff to take pictures so that when the kids were done they could play with all their stuff. 

It wasn't until I was all done taking pictures of everything that Steven remembered we'd never pulled out the rocking chair from the garage that he'd made for Landon! 

So we had all the kids sit down while he brought it in and showed Landon who of course loved it instantly and got right on to ride.

 Of course this made both of the other two very jealous and start whining about where theirs were! Landon was nice and let them each have a turn on his horse.

The rest of the morning the kids played with their new toys until it was time for lunch and time to get ready for church.