Don we now our Ugly Sweaters...

Fa La La La Laaa La La La Laaaaaaaa!!!!!  Christmas has come and gone and I realize that it is now February and I'm just getting around to updating the past couple of months.  Luckily in the blogging world, you can go back and add posts to previous calendar dates without anyone ever knowing I am months behind on my updates.  Shhhhh.....I still say better late than never, right?!  Christmas this year was perfect.  The actual holiday was laid back, we were all healthy, we had snow outside, and I was able to spend some quality time with my little family.  What more could I ask for?

We had a very busy month, but I'll try to be brief because really, pictures are always better than words anyway.  Plus, I am typing this as I am sitting next to Jack while he does his homework and it is very hard to focus on what I'm trying to type, when I get interrupted every 18 seconds.  Literally.  Ha!  Homework.  I'm NOT a big fan.  At all.  And apparently his teacher is, seeing as Jack has at least 2 hours a night.  Especially math....I want to rip my hair out.  Speaking of hair...I have discovered a couple of gray hairs mysteriously growing out of my scalp this year.  Seriously, I'm NOT old enough for gray hair...right?!? "Squirrel!!!!"

Okay, back to Christmas! 

It was a whirlwind month.  We had a lot of fun.  I threw a few parties.  I was exhausted and blessed and reminded once again that I have so much to be grateful for. 

I am Olivia's classroom 'room-mom', which means I was in charge of her class party.  We had a great time.  I wasn't able to take many pictures because I was busy keeping 24 kids busy! I was glad when that was over.

*As a side note - Mom's with kids...if you volunteer to help or bring something to a class party, please follow thru and actually BRING it or even just show up.  Really...it helps all those in charge.  End rant.*

KJ was pretty excited about his school party T-shirt.

We also went to Santa's workshop and made little Gingerbread houses for FHE one night.  We usually buy those pre-made kits and those are always fun.  This year we went old-school and used milk cartons and graham crackers and the kids had more fun getting creative than ever.  Who needs fancy schmancy?!  Ho Ho Ho!  Jolly Fun.

I had all the YW come to my house for a Christmas pajama and white elephant party.  What. A. Blast.  I really love being their leader.  We always have a grand time!  We were also able to go caroling with all the youth.  It was 13 degrees outside and we were frozen to the core, but still managed to have a blast and I think we spread Christmas Cheer for all the neighborhood to hear!  

Christmas Sunday we all wore our plaid.  How cute are my kiddos?  I really, really can't get over how much I adore them.  Doug included.  He is THE best dog in the history of dogs.  Currently, he's laying on my feet and keeping them toasty warm on this cold and dreary day!

Christmas Eve was wonderful!  We had my mom's traditional Christmas Eve Party complete with a feast and talents and ugly sweaters and of course the reading of the Christmas Story as a reminder of the real reason for the season!  Santa even stopped by to visit the kiddos!  Oh what fun!

Christmas Day was awesome!  The kids let us sleep until about 8:00!  We opened gifts, stockings, had some breakfast and headed to my mom's for a bit and then to Nana Raine's for a bit.  The kids were anxious to get back home to play with all their new 'loot'!  I always feel like the most blessed woman on earth when I sit back and watch my littles and see real joy on their faces.

 Jester left shortly after Christmas to go back to College.  *sniff sniff*  We were able to sneak in a night of sledding!  It's always a good time when Jess is around!

We had a Holly Jolly Christmas and hope you all did as well!!

As a side note, I was actually prepared this year when it came to making neighbor/teacher/friend gifts this year. Shocker!  Way back in October I started brewing my own Vanilla.  The real stuff.  The kind you have to go stock up on Bacardi Rum and wonder if the cashier at the liquor store thinks you have a drinking problem.  :)  It was really yummy and it was a fun treat to make and experiment with!  

We packaged it up cute with a wooden spoon and bag of chocolate chips and I made my kids dress as elves as they delivered the goodies.  KJ was so NOT into that idea.  The other two made the cutest little elves.  I wish I would have taken a picture! 

Reading over this blog post, it seems like I was on crack or had an overload of caffeine.  Neither of those statements are true.  Just scatter-brained I guess.  Sorry for the extremely unorganized thinking. And maybe a lack of sleep last night.  

There are so many things that will just have to be cut short because time seems to fly much too quickly when I'm typing and loading pictures.  Time to get dinner on the table...

SEVEN...

The craziest thing happened???  My *not-so-little* baby magically turned '7' YEARS OLD!  How in the world does the time fly by so quickly?  I realize I must sound like a broken record as I tend to say the same thing on each one of my kids birthdays, but it is just so mind-boggling to me.  I still feel like it was just yesterday I saw her for the first time.  My easiest C-Section.  My easiest recovery.  My easiest newborn.  My favorite Christmas gift of all time.  My curly, silver-haired, red lipped instant best friend.  My only GIRL!  One of my biggest blessings.  There is just something special about the bond shared between a mother and her only daughter.  Can't quite explain it, but I can just say it is pure magic.  She still has the ability to melt my heart daily.  I do not think I could possibly love her any more than I do.  I even enjoy her 'spunk' as it makes me chuckle and I see myself in her in so many things that she does.  She is artistic, smart, determined, athletic, stubborn, creative, social, sensitive and my personal shopping buddy, hairstylist, manicurist, sous chef, back scratcher and smile maker! I was watching her walk home from school the other day in her skinny jeans and cowboy boots, long blonde curls, a bounce in her step, and my mind did a fast-forward and I could picture her 10 years down the road, walking home from 11th grade.  I hope I am able to soak up as much of her as I can before she's all grown.  I hope she is as sweet in ten years as she is today.  She's on the right track so far! 

Just last night Olivia had a nightmare, I sent her back to bed and about 30 minutes later, she was back in my room because her nightmare had returned.  It was 2:30am and I was completely exhausted, so I had her curl up in bed next to me.  The whole night she clung to my back, (picture Piggy-Back style - she must have been scared) and although I knew I wasn't going to ever go back in to a deep-sleep, I actually enjoyed my night with her.  I just don't know how many more times that will happen.  I love that she still came to me at a time she was looking for some comfort.  I wouldn't change my sleepless night or stiff neck for anything.  My little princess still needs me, and I still need my little princess.  I wish for her to have an abundance of JOY in her life!  I wish for her to find strength when she needs it.  I wish for her to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she is a Child of God and that she is never truly alone in this world.  I wish for her to have life-long friendships.  I wish for her to be strong.  I wish for her to know that she is loved completely, as BIG AS THE BEACH!  Happy 7th year of life, little peanut!  XOXO

Liv's Classroom party!  I love that her teacher makes the kids feel so special!

For her birthday she chose to go ice-skating and to have dinner at Golden Corral!  Ha!  She just wanted their unlimited cotton candy and chocolate fountains.  It was a fun day! 

I am...

Thankful....I really am.  I am blessed in ways I probably don't even deserve.  We really enjoyed our Thanksgiving day.  I love thanksgiving as it always gives us an extra excuse to be a little extra thankful.    The thing I am MOST thankful for...my family.  Hands down.  No question.  I ((((heart)))) them.  

 I was able to snap some pictures of my little ones.  

The banner they are holding says 'BLESSED' and we truly are! 

Yes, we ate Dinner in the garage. Nana always decorates it nice and with so many people a 4 car garage fits us all just fine at a couple of very long tables!  Always a good time!!! 

Baptism...

Our little 'Jack-attack' was baptized on Saturday and it was practically perfect in every way!  I am so proud of his decision to be baptized and follow in the footsteps of the Savior.  He is such a good boy and he was very excited and a bit nervous for his big day.  He wanted to wait until his Uncle was home from his mission so that he could baptize him and having Uncle Jess baptize him was extra special.  We didn't invite many people from the ward, but it's a good thing because with all our family in town, we filled the whole room.  Almost all of his favorite people were there in support of little Jack, it was really heartwarming.  We wish we could have had all of our family there, but there are some far distances for everyone, and we know they were there with us in spirit!  The only thing I wish I would have done differently is to have taken more pictures.  I wish we could have had a big group picture of everyone who was there!  The program was beautiful and so special.  Jack picked out each and every person he wanted to speak and pray and even picked out the songs that he wanted us to sing.  His Uncle Jason wrote and played a beautiful arrangement of How Great Thou Art especially for Jack. We appreciated him sharing his musical talents for us all.  I couldn't have asked for a better day.  I was overcome with emotion as my sweet little boy was baptized and then confirmed and given a very sweet blessing from his Dad.  He is just one of my favorite people in the whole wide world and I am so proud of him.  Here are some pictures of his special day! 

 As we were walking back to the car after taking pictures, I snapped this quick picture because I couldn't help but think that this could be him in 10 years walking down the path, holding his scriptures,  preaching the gospel as a missionary.  

Guest Book and programs

Since we had his baptism in the middle of the morning, we did milk and cookies.  

 Little donut bags as a thank you for coming!  The donuts made an 8, hence the "It's great to be 8!"

  

 Jack and Uncle Jesse right before the baptism!

Jack's buddy from church and school, Jake. Such cute boys.

 His Program and inside of his Invites! 

Thank you to everyone for your Love and Support!  Jack had a super-fantastic and very special day!

Also...Dan shared his Birthday with Jack's special day!  Can't forget to mention his special day too! Even with a very humiliating Duck loss, I think he still had a pretty swell day! 

Happy Birthday, Babe!  

Returned with honor.

I feel extra lucky.  My only brother, Jesse, came home safely from his mission this week!  I was able to give him a great-big-giant-bear-hug!!!  I can't really explain how much this meant to me.  As I saw him round the corner to greet us at the airport, my stomach did all kinds of flips and I just couldn't contain my excitement.  I felt like I was a kid again on Christmas morning, but on steroids.  I have missed him so much, although I wouldn't have wanted him to be in any other place.  He was exactly where he needed to be! He sacrificed a lot to go and serve.  He put his life on hold for two years, put his college education on hold, used all of his savings, left the comforts and conveniences of home and America, left his family and friends behind, and although it was often a treacherous and scary road, he always had a willing attitude and was happy to be serving.  He learned the important lesson of putting all of your faith in Jesus Christ and that He will always deliver.  Endurance...a good life lesson.  

I feel lucky because my brother and I have an extra special bond, we always have.  I feel as if he is almost like my own son since there is such a large age gap between us.  I left home and got married when he was just a little pip-squeak and I've been lucky to have watched him stretch and grow through every phase of his life.  He has never, ever, let me down.  He is simply the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Period. Although he is only 21, he is my big example in life.  He is a spiritual GIANT, yet he will still get down on the floor and play legos, video games, or build forts with my kids at the drop of a hat.  They admire him more than he'll ever know.  I am beyond proud of the man he has become.  He has changed lives and he has left an eternal imprint on the people he was able to serve.  It has been so much fun hanging out with him the last few days and hearing all of the stories of his time serving the people of Brazil.  It is fascinating to hear about the culture down there.  Things seem to be night and day from the comforts of America.  It is amazing to see him appreciate the simple act of getting a drink of water out of the faucet, having sturdy walls to sleep inside, taking a hot shower without having to wear sandals, not worrying about getting your watch and wallet stolen at any given minute, listening to music, catching up on the newest and best movies from the past two years, talking on the phone, playing XBox, getting on the computer.  He was even grateful to buy a bag of Dorito's and eat Twinkies at WalMart. The simple joys.  It was fun to see him eat all his favorite foods that he's missed the past two years.  It is amazing to hear him speak Portuguese so fluently.  He speaks the language flawlessly and occasionally he will slip in a word of Portuguese during a conversation without even realizing it or forgetting how to phrase something in English.  The inflection in his voice has changed.  I'm curious how long that will last.  He was completely immersed in the language and culture down there.  He said he was one of them for 2 years.  He didn't feel different from the Brazilian people.  My parents were able to go to Brazil to pick him up and they said the Brazilian people were just crazy about him.  They threw him going away parties with the very little money they had, and they cried as they said their 'Good-byes'.  He touched so many lives and brought light back to so many people who felt lost and alone. 

He spoke in church yesterday and I wish I could have written down every single word he said.  It was the best talk I've ever heard. Phenomenal. The chapel was PACKED. All the way through the chapel, the overflow, and all the way to the very back of the gym.  He spoke with the spirit, he had no talk written out, he just spoke from his heart, yet it was one of the most powerful talks I've ever heard.  He has grown from a boy to a man in two short years.  I hope my children follow in his footsteps because this mission has done wonders for him, mentally and spiritually.  I am in awe.  We love you Elder Jesse Smidt!!!! 

 "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"  

 The welcoming crew! He came home in the middle of the day on a Thursday, so the kids were thrilled to skip out of school early.  Some couldn't leave work and school, but we had a pretty good group of family that could make it there! It was a fun reunion!

He was on the United flight from Denver!

 JESSE!!!!!!!!!!

Tears of joy!

KJ's hero is home!!!

Meeting his newest niece for the first time!

This was a great moment!

The first meal back in the states, he wanted a carne asada burrito!  I thought it was funny that he didn't want pizza or a burger, but he said he missed mexican food the most!  He said the food in Brazil is very bland and he missed salsa the most.  :)  

 Home Sweet Home!

 His truck!!! 

 Even the dogs were excited to see him! 

My mom kept a scrap book of all current events and stuff that he sent home from Brazil.

Jason and Coley gave him this trunk the Christmas before he left.  Over the two years he was gone, people  in the family filled it full of stuff he missed out on while he was gone.  Hunger games, Avengers, Spiderman movies, XBox games, CD's, new chip flavors, etc. It was fun to see him open some of the fun stuff he's missed out on the past couple of years!