New Year's Eve

James & I rang in the New Year with some neighbors, but before we headed off to our party, we had a little New Year's celebration with the girls. We had a dance party, played a couple games, and just had fun.

December Instagrams

12.1.2014

Jack and his 4th Mommy.

12.11.2014

Happy Thursday!

12.12.2014

I just can't help it...he's soooooo cute!!!

12.17.2014

Today James finished finals (one semester before rotations to go!) 

and Avri & Emery had their school Christmas program. 

We took them out of school early and celebrated with ice cream! Yay for family time!

12.17.2014

Jack thinks his dad is pretty great!

 

12.21.2014

Oh how I love these cuties!

12.23.2014

Breaking News! All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth!

12.30.2014

Never a dull moment with these goofs!

12.31.2014

Ringing in 2015 with my favorite part of 2014.

Christmas 2014

Oh how I love Christmastime. The girls are at such fun ages where everything is so magical, and they also understand what the season is truly about. Having a newborn son this time of year gave me greater love and appreciation for Mary. I admire her willingness to carry and give birth to the Son of God in the humblest of circumstances. Her faith never wavered as she knew the part she played in God's great plan. The Church released a beautiful video that taught how the first gift of Christmas was not wrapped or bought in a store, but it was a gift from a Father to all His children. It is a gift of love, hope, peace, and joy. The end of the video encourages us to discover the gift, embrace the gift, and share the gift. We loved watching this several times and trying to remember where our focus should be during the holiday season. I have to add that when the girls saw the video, they asked if the sweet baby Jesus was Jack. They do look a lot alike. :)

As usual, it was a busy time of year! Me with extra Relief Society responsibilities, and James with finals, but we enjoyed lots of time reading, talking, giving service, making, eating, and delivering treats, shopping, wrapping, and reflecting on the joy of the season, and our many blessings.

Buddy was back again, and the girls loved finding him each morning, telling him about their day, and hoping he would observe them doing good deeds. He was not up to as many shenanigans this year...he must've been more tired this year. ;)

Two nights before Christmas, the girls had a sleepover in front of the Christmas tree. Claire ended up in her own bed, but the other two had fun in their sleeping bags.

On Christmas Eve, we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights after dinner. Right before bedtime, there was a knock at the door, and a special gift was delivered from "Santa's Elf". The girls were so excited and the box was full of fun gifts like colorful striped and polka dot socks, books, blankets for Jack, pancake mix and buttermilk syrup, hot chocolate, and a couple other things. It was such a fun surprise that made us feel so special.

Super early on Christmas morning (I think around 3 a.m.) Avri came in and said she couldn't sleep, she also told me that the wrapping paper we hang across the hallway entrance to hide the tree and Santa's visit had fallen down. I asked her if Santa came and if she caught a peek. She told me what she saw and then helped me tape the wrapping back up before heading back for a bit more sleep. I was sad her big Christmas morning surprise had been ruined a bit, but oh well, she was still excited.

We enjoyed giving and opening gifts, playing, and then we headed down to brunch. As usual it was wonderful and delicious. Of course we missed Grandma and the special touches she adds, but we all loved being together. We ate, shared gifts, visited, played games, and the cousins acted out the Nativity. That evening we headed to my Mom's for dinner. We had a nice dinner, shared more gifts, played games, and visited. We spent the night enjoyed the next morning and part of the afternoon together the next day.

Sleeping by the tree

Christmas stories, and Christmas fingernails! :)

Christmas morning!! (Jack was still asleep)

Santa brought bikes!!

I secretly love the chaos and mess of Christmas morning!

 

Claire & Live were angels, Ave and Emmy were shepherds, Sawyer was a wise man, Bridge was Joseph, Grace was Mary, and Jack was baby Jesus.

Grandpa Myron & Grandma Sherry gave Jack these ADORABLE cowboy boots!! 

November Instagrams

11.4.2014

Never a shortage of helpers around here... :)

11.6.2014

Apparently we use a mold for our babies. ;)

11.7.2014

Just a little walk to the park with my babes.

11.14.2014

Good Morning!

11.20.2014

No more cast! Yay!! #clairebear

11.25.2014

This little boy is full of smiles when he's sleeping. #sweetdreams

11.26.2014

I just survived Costco and the mall with four kids by myself! Have I showered today? No. But that's beside the point! ;) I'm gonna go ahead and claim a victory!!

 

11.28.2014

Daddy-daughter date for the Parade of Lights downtown.

11.30.2014

You better believe I kiss this adorable little face all day long!!! #6weeksold

{Thanksgiving 2014}

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Sherry's. Plenty of delicious food and quality time with our family that we are so grateful for. We truly have been blessed with such a supportive, inspiring family that we love so much. We continued the tradition of our "Thankful" poster for Family Home Evening earlier in the month--here is the 2014 edition as well as a few pictures from Thanksgiving Day.

The Dads took their girls down to Laura & Brandon's property to feed and ride the horses.

Claire & Emery, Avri & Sawyer

 

Apple turkeys for craft time!

Of course we played games (and watched football)!

Grandpa Jones and Emmy were on a team, and Grandma helped Claire.

 

October Instagrams

10.6.2014

This little sweetheart was such a champ today. She had her elbow pinned to fix the fracture from last week's chair jump. #clairebear #neveradullmoment

10.8.2014

Most adorable and enjoyable load of laundry I've ever done! #babyprep

 

10.17.2014

I really had no intention of posting my bathroom prego selfie, but Claire was just too cute sneaking into the pic. Hallelujah for only one more week of this BUMP! 

#kissesforbabybrother

10.18.2014

Family date to an ISU football game. #gobengals

10.19.2014

So this happened today!! Baby boy didn't want to wait until Friday for my c-section, he wanted to come today!! We are in love! 

10.21.2014

My new boyfriend Jack

10.23.2014

I have FOUR kids!!! :)

10.24.2014

Today is the day we were supposed to have our baby boy... Instead, we have been blessed with five extra days to love and cuddle this sweetheart! #babyjack

10.27.2014

This girl just adores her baby brother!

10.31.2014

Happy Halloween!!