#39 on the 29th

It was my birthday today!  Austin and Meg made it a 10/10.  A lazy Sunday morning with quinoa power bowls and presents was lovely.

 Brother Keesler is my birthday twin -- I made sure to take a picture with him.  (I did bake him some cinnamon bread this morning.)

 Selfie.

 After church I wanted a picture where we actually looked like I had spent time grooming and cleaning everyone.

 Birthday hugs are the sweetest.

 Eddie gave Ryan a bloody nose, and Ryan wanted me to take a picture with a bloody nostril and a snotty nostril.  You're welcome.

 Journal Edition copies of The Book of Mormon was the perfect party favor. I even got their names put on. I am so excited about personal a family study.  Here it goes!

 Tacos for dinner and birthday cookie cake with 39 candles almost burned the house down.

Austin planned a surprise party that evening.  I was busy making family choir happen when my little choir was joined by an army of friends and their families.  I could barely play, it was all so magical.  I am bless with have such friends.  Everyone brought treats, so we ate, sang primary songs, talked, laughed and loved.  The night was just so magical.  

 At the close of the evening Austin pulled out Meg's bone grafting stitches.  On my bed.  With a flashlight.

39 was a huge year of growth.  I learned how to pardon the unpardonable, partake of the grace of Jesus Christ, and consequently love more deeply than ever before.  I tried to testify each time I left my home, so I made several friends in the community. My husband and my children are still my favorite place, that will never change.

The Days After

We had tons of rain all week, so we couldn't hike until Thursday.  It turns out that it was!

Austin and Molly hiked onto that tiny ledge.

Recreating outside together is a place where you find lots of happy talking, lots of impromptu singing, and lots of stares from the tourists as they count us.

Friday morning we bowled.  Meg won by a landslide. 

Austin's friend gave him an arcade card that was good for 20 minutes as many swipes as he wanted.  He swiped every 30 seconds for the entire 20 minutes. We played all the games.

 Grandma B. rode the motorcycles -- look at the wind blowing in hair.

 Grandpa fought zombies.

 We had such a fun time watching each other and trying all the games without tokens.

 Ryan writes me messages almost everyday.  I love Ryan.  I love that all my kindergarteners do this.

 Molly painted me a portrait.  I love my melting mouth.

We spent Saturday packing and relaxing.  Having Meg home this entire week was certainly our best gift.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning is always magical.  Today was not exception.

Each person opened about five presents from under the tree, 50 presents sure looks like a lot.

 This is our couch filled with stockings.

 These are the basement stairs filled with children.

 Here is our morning.

 Eddie found this rock on our hike and carved it into a heart for me.

 Grandma and Grandpa had us over for buckwheat blueberry pancakes and all the breakfast meat and fixings that filled our bellies and watering mouths. 

 Then we sat.

 Home again for a quiet day of toys and treats.

 The polar bear plunge was a cold one.

Polar Bear Plunge 2019

 We dried off and ate dinner.  Then we played "Telestrations" in such a way that Austin, Grandma, and Grandpa all had tears running down their faces.

 The final moments of our magnificent Christmas day were glinty and shiny and heart warming.

The dreary day which never allowed the sun to peek through the clouds was the perfect atmosphere contrasting our day bright and shiny inside our hearts and home.

Christmas Week

 Christmas Sunday is my favorite day of the year.  Maddie narrated the church musical program, and we sang "Picture a Christmas" together, I accompanied.  I'm just so thrilled that they know how to sing anthems to the Lord.

 He is my favorite, ever.

 We spent the afternoon reading and playing together.  Each night this week Grandma and Grandpa B. came and ate dinner with us.  Because we had no outside influences or responsibilities, each evening was relaxed and beautiful.

 Together.

 Monday we hiked up a perilous cliff.  We always end up bush wacking.

 The views are mostly worth it.

 Sedona really has perfect weather.

 Tuesday was Christmas Eve.  More and games a little more shopping made the morning quickly pass, though that wasn't our intention.

 Austin really did shop like this.  We ran into his mother, and she didn't recognize him. HAHAHA!

 Gaming again.

 Maisie and the girls made Santa cookies for Santa. 

 Dinner folk at the bar.

Dinner folk at the table.

 The ladies.

 Once dinner was cleaned up we gathered to act out the nativity.  How blessed we are that we know the truth of Christmas and the majesty of God's gift to all his children.  Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

 New pajamas and lots of buffalo plaid.

 Hugs and kisses.

 I have no idea how Meg staged this picture so that she looks like an elf, but she did.  And I think it's incredibly hilarious.

The rules of our night include all the children sleeping in the basement and not emerging until morning.  They all obeyed.