Christmas

I'm missing many photos of this Christmas! But just believe me, it was a wonderful time. We spent LOTS of time with family, which I have discovered over the years of my life to be THE most important thing in the WORLD. So, even though my pictures don't reflect it, we enjoyed cousins and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas and had a lovely time. I am very blessed to have lots of family, I am very blessed that the family I have consists of solidly good people.

We did our usual traditions of sleeping under the Christmas tree, a Christmas puzzle, going to the Nativity pageant, building gingerbread houses, reading the Night before Christmas on Christmas Eve, getting Santa pictures at the mall, opening pajamas on Christmas Eve, and that was all before the real party began!

 My sister and her family came up from Texas and my Grandma and Granddad came from Pincher Creek. We also had two new babies in our family this Christmas, Christian and Jacob. I will never forget this year's talent show- we had lots of great talents, but I'd have to say my sister Candace's took the cake. I'll just say, glow sticks, dancing and What does the Fox say? My talent was lame for everyone else but pretty dang awesome for me...I have wanted to be able to do a pull-up for years, and I made a goal to do one for the family talent show and I did it. I was SO excited when I finally did one (my body composition makes it very difficult for me). I ran around the house cheering and jumping up and down. My kids were witnesses and they were excited too. Here's a bit of what we did!

Gingerbread Houses

The tree fell down a few times before we finally got a new stand. The first time it fell you would think someone had died with how the kids cried! haha

Breanna and I went to the Nutcracker, yay! I had to post this because I love my outfit and my lipstick (even though you can't see my boots they're awesome)

Sleeping under the Christmas Tree after the Nativity-favorite tradition!

 Christmas Eve night! The excitement builds!

Afton got a new bear. We were a tad worried about her loyalty when she had this conversation with her old bear:

Afton (to old bear): "you're not my favourite anymore"

Old Bear: "Why?"

Afton: "Because"

Old Bear: "oh"

Thankfully, while she loves them both very much, I think she still prefers the old one :)

Sibling Love

One of Jesse's favourite presents came from Breanna-he got to excavate real gems. He loved it. He really is SO into gems and archaeology and mining. I'm so curious to see where this kid ends up in life. I hope his dreams come true!!

 The Christmas puzzle: 1000 pieces-we don't joke around!

After Christmas we all got sick for about 2 weeks-colds and ear infections all around, which brings us to about now.