December 7th

Monday morning was radiant!  We baked pecan/oatmeal cookies, played in a pile of leaves, and read Christmas stories.


I had scouts in the afternoon, made dinner and we attempted an FHE lesson of music and the spoken word, put on by us.  Austin was our audience and not very entertained at that.  OH, well.  At lease he was animated when Maisie snapped this shot!  (I am wearing gloves because my fingers are cracked and bleeding.)

December 6th

Sunday came and already went.  Today I was on the stand awaiting my turn to bear my testimony, wben Eddie started throwing punches.  I walked off the stand and took him to the hall where I spent the remainder of the hour in the hall with two little boys that are not reverent.  Come to find out, the older children weren't either.  Ah.  We did spend an hour or so decorating their gingerbread house.  I gave each child and side and Maddie and Eddie each took yard decorations.  It was so peacerful while they worked together creating.

Then the Christmas Devotional filled the evening.  We ate popcorn and listened as hard as we could.

December 5th

I should have spent the day cleaning my house.  Instead, I spent it decorating my candy house.  I leanred a lot, and can't wait to give it another try next year.

December 4th

Friday and we are well-ish!  It was a balmy 68 degrees and we actaully made it outside to ride scooter and swing.  Austin and I went and saw Mannheim Steamroller with our friends.  I did my hair and wore a killer outfit.  He was a bit stressed about church, so he didn't notice.  Oh, well.  A couple of strangers did.

December 3rd

With our health on the mend and a total need to get out, I took the boys to the store to buy two little trees to decorate the doll house.  Ryan kept telling me, "Preeeeetttty!"  They really are.

It was also pack meeting and I was in charge of the reverence game.  I also scoured my bathroom, changed sick bed sheets, and vacuumed my room.

Decmeber 1st

The Christmas countdown begins, with sick babies and school projects. I spent the entire day with the a very sick baby in my arms -- he would awaken if I moved.  So I stayed put -- the absolute answer to my holiday bustle.  Nestled in a warm bed with two babies to keep me toasty we just what the mother needed to begin her season.

Nick's explorer project -- it had to be hand written and drawn.  Good thing for tracing paper and sharpies.

I also managed to bake the first gingerbread chateau of the season (because Ryan slept for 60 mintues straight -- a record of the week).  Isn't it lovely?

FHE

We watched the new Christmas movie on lds.org and felt the love we share as a family.  We then decided that we would fill our advent calendar backwards -- putting papers in the calendar when we serve everyday, instead of simply taking.  I hope we can be givers this year.

Thanksgiving 2015

The Guymon and Standifird cousins came for Thanksgiving! Two boys from each family.

We decided to hike Bell Rock.

 They all went up.  We four went around.

Then onto Budha Beach.  (Pictures to come.)

 Home for a pasta buffet.

After dinner pie making.  Tyler made his secret family pumpkin pie recipe.

Meg received extra credit in biology to brine the turkey.

Then Grandpa and Grandma B. came!  We were all so glad!

 Thursday morning foodies.

 Kitchen queens.

These girls were the best friends.

These boys are darling.

The feast.

The feasters.

Sibbies. (Don't mind Austin stretching his back out -- he worked hard today!)

Friday we went bowling.

Saturday we found some holiday cheer.

 This week was certainly easy to be thankful -- family laughter, amazing eats, and togetherness.  Now onto a continued life being grateful in all circumstances.