2013 Ornaments

Every year, the kids each get an ornament that represents them (in some way) that year.  I didn't realize how important this was to them, but this year as we got out the ornament box to decorate the tree, they divided out whose was whose and put their own ornaments up with great pride.  They remembered, and they treasured, each ornament.  It was the sweetest thing.

This year they got their ornaments at our special Christmas dinner.  They opened the gift on their Christmas plate, then went and added it to the already adorned tree.

Maleah got a piano, Layla got a firetruck (to remember her crazy obsession with Rescue Heroes), Charlie got a red 4-wheeler with Santa on it, and Ruby got a first Christmas ornament from Grandma Bonnie. 

'Tis the Season.

I love this time of year.

I adore everything about it; the twinkle in my children's eyes as they marvel at the magic of it all, the yummy treats and hot drinks, the crisp air, the overload of family and friends, and the giving.  (I even love our elf.)

Our annual baking and delivering of goodies.  A favorite tradition of ours!

Maleah gave the most wonderful gift of her beautiful hair to someone this Christmas.  10 inches were cut off, and although she wasn't so sure at first, it looks cute as can be!

Popcorn picnic by mantle/Christmas tree light.

Beautiful morning - white snow, gorgeous sun line, and crisp winter air.

Those three have logged lots and lots of time on that little itty bitty hill.  It's so fun to watch them from the window, as they explore, build, and slide down what seems like a mountain to them.

The ruby girl is eating food!  So far she loves butternut squash.

Layla's project this Christmas was to provide some gifts for a 6 year old boy, Rafael.  We went shopping, just me and her, and picked things out for him off his wish list.  I love the lesson of finding more joy in the giving than the receiving.

Cut out cookie time!

Sweetness.

Our greatest gift this year - Ruby!!

It's been such a joyous month.  Things haven't been perfect, but they have been wonderful.  The celebrating, anticipating, and wonderment as we wait for the birth of our Savior has been an honor to share as a family. 

Ruby - 6 months.

Ruby Joy is six months!  And so very, very cute...

I absolutely adore her demeanor.  She will make anybody's day by her sweet smile that comes so easily, she is incredibly content, giggles so easily, and screams (in a very shrill way) when I leave the room.

With every child I have thought, 'how could I love another person this much?'  

And then, I do.

Christmas jammies.

Every year, I have gotten the kids a family present.  They typically get it the 1st of December, as a kick off to the Christmas season.  The gift consists of winter/Christmas jammies, a game, and a Christmas movie.  This year the game was "Spot It," (been a huge hit!), our movie was "An Elf's Story," (also a big hit!), and here are their jammies...

As you an see, our Christmas festivities are in full swing.  Isn't Christmas season just the best?!

The Nativity.

Another tradition I love is putting up the nativity as a family.  I read the Christmas story, and Dallas helps the kids put up each animal or person as they appear in the story.  It's a big deal to the little ones, and keeps us focused on Jesus as the reason we celebrate Christmas.

(I'm not going to lie.  After they go to bed, I arrange it more "decoratively" like I want it.)  But, when they do it, we let it entirely be their project.  This is a Christmas time favorite.

Traditions.

I love traditions.  I love traditions.  I love traditions.

I can't help but wonder if our family's traditions are what is going to make my college aged children yearn to come home for the holidays.  I can't help but dream about how tattered our Christmas books are going to get in the coming years.  I can't help but imagine what traditions our children will carry on with the generations behind us.  I love traditions.  Because when everything else changes, traditions are what remain the same.

First up; the annual tree hunt...

There's something bonding (and not always in a good way!!) about trudging through a tree farm together.  Is it always magical?  No!  Layla was whining, "Can we just pick one already!"  But, the anticipation and music tunes on the way there, the image of all the neat families out at the tree farm, and the giggles as they hoist the tree on top of the van are so very worth it.

We found the perfect tree!

The girls visited with Santa.  Charlie was hiding behind my leg with a death grip on my pants.

Cutest tree farm ever.  Santa, apple cider, cookies, popcorn, fire and s'mores. 

Getting the tree always kicks off the Christmas season, and beginning of our traditions, for us...

Life happenings.

Life has been rolling right along around here.  A lot of good things have been happening, and we are reminded this season to be thankful.  There is no doubt we have much to be grateful for.

This little man got to go hunting for his very first time with Daddy.  It was a big day; for both of them!  While Dallas has had to majorly scale back on hunting with the nature of his job and the time factor, the love of the outdoors is still so deep in him.  He has been dreaming of this day with his son for years.  And the little boy?  He was beyond the moon.  This is all new to me.  Was I scared?  Totally.  Do I trust his daddy?  More than you know.  I am so excited for them in the years they have coming up of bonding in the tree stand or tripping over corn stalks. 

The girls with their fabulous teacher, Ms. Cara.

The girls and their good friend, Molly.

Maleah and Layla had their first violin recital.  Layla played with a group, and Maleah played a solo.  They did a great job!  Layla was not so sure about being in front of people, while Maleah was confident as can be (opposite their personalities, it seems), but after building Layla up and encouraging her, she did fantastic!  I look forward to many years of music lessons and recitals.  It's a new phase of life for us, and an absolute joy.  (Minus the miles and money; all part of the territory!)

And then there's this little girl; what a gift she is!  She is so easy going, only rolls from front to back, and bounces and bounces all day long.  And, can you believe it, she sucks her thumb!  She likes her pacifier, but if it's not there, she will find her thumb.  I have to admit I think it's the cutest thing ever (but won't be when she is five!).  She goes with the flow of the busy life her brother and sisters lead, and we call her "Smiles."

So, that's what we've been up to.  We are in a great rhythm of being home, as in not even leaving the garage, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I have come to love that!  I need people.  I thrive off of being around people.  My friends fill me up.  But, more than ever before, I am more than okay to just be home.  These days dedicated to intentionally not going anywhere started as a discipline challenge, and has become one of my greatest joys. 

Some days I feel overwhelmed.  Some days I feel lonely.  Some days I feel defeated. 
But, more than those days, I feel really, extremely grateful. 

Bath time.

Ruby has officially graduated into the big bath for tubby time!  While she still loves her little infant bath in the sink, she absolutely drenches everything around with kicking her little legs.  Ruby has always loved bath time, from day one, and her new baths appear to be just as amusing.

Checking things out.  (notice the redish tint in the hair?  ah!!)

This is pretty great, Mama.

           

Before I knew it, big sister was in with you (she couldn't help herself).  

She adores you so much, baby girl.

You are her real life baby doll.

Nice hair!..check out the drool line..cute as can be eyelashes.

And then boom; there's brother too!  He couldn't believe you were in the big bath!  There were lots of giggles.

I'm loving all these "firsts" with you, Ruby.  Even for the fourth time, these moments never get old.