Christmas crafts...

 I feel like this time in life is going by too quickly. I wish it could just slow down but I know it won't. I have been trying to capture these wonderful memories of our little family. 

This month is so busy with primary calling, Derek's calling, dance recital, gymnastics, school Christmas performances, and just the everyday. 

We were excited to have Emma's friend, Reagan come over to do a craft with us. 

The three of them made these felt snow men. They stitched and stuffed the snowmen and added buttons, eyes, carrot nose, and stick arms. It took quite some time to get all the stitching done, but WE DID IT! 

I think they turned out cute.

 (photo taken on December 2, 2013)

 

Can you handle the cuteness? The older kids and Daddy cut out snow flakes. We didn't cut out nearly as many as we did last year but they did a great job. I was proud how quickly Thomas and Emma caught on to cutting them this year. 

(Photo taken December 8th, 2013)

 Still cutting

For Emma's first grade class, they were assigned to be a Secret Elf to someone in class. Emma had a boy named Mckai. She made him an ornament with lots of glitter, colored picture, pom poms, feathers, etc... I forgot to take the final picture of her ornament before giving it to him, but it was adorable. 

(Photo taken December 11, 2013)

 The next morning, Thomas wanted in on the ornament making so he made himself one. 

We ended up having so much fun making them that they ended up making them for some other friends and Grandmas' and Grandpas'.

Snowy and good days...

It was a good day..a very good day.

The primary Presidency was in charge of our ward Christmas Party breakfast. It was A LOT of work but it turned out beautifully and the children sang like angels. It was SO great. It's also SO great that it's all done. :)

 There was a snow storm when leaving the church, so the kids wanted to make the most of it and enjoy a good day out in the snow. 

Lucky for us, Derek ended up not going into the office because there wasn't going to be much business going on during the snow storm.

The older kids enjoyed lots of fun Daddy time playing in the snow. They did snow angels...

 ...TRIED building a snow man but the snow was too powdery. 

The went sledding up and down our sidewalk,

 Our neighbor dog, Eli joined in the fun.

 Emma LOVES riding on the A.T.V. Derek has been taking her up to the bus stop almost every morning since we got it. Thomas on the other hand, doesn't enjoy it as much which is surprising to us. Maybe he'll warm up to it soon.

 Derek then took the kids to a fun slowy hill to go sledding. This is what they looked like after a fun, long, and cold afternoon.

 And as for me and this little fella, we played inside the warm house. He entertained me while I was cleaning up Christmas Party decorations from earlier this morning. 

Good, good, day.

 

our days...

 I am so far behind in updating our family blog. I'm far behind on everything in life, let's be honest. It's been non-stop carazy over here! 

I've taken SO many photos and keep thinking, "I have to document that. I have to blog that." Aaaand now I'm WAAAAY far behind. So let's start here, shall we?

(Please excuse the gross ring in the kids toilet. Darn hard water.)

This is a picture taken at about midnight on November 4th. Derek and I were ready to go to bed and we heard Thomas in the bathroom. Derek went and checked on him and VOILA, there was his underwear in the toilet. He was so sleepy and SO confused. Nobody really knows why he threw that one in there, just after peeing. Derek asked him why he put his underwear in the toilet and Thomas said with such a concerned face and squealed voice, "I DON'T  KNOOOW!"

Of course I went and grabbed the camera.

(Photo taken November 4th, 2013)

 Emma has been learning pirouettes in her dance class and has been working hard on them. After dinner, Daddy agreed to let her teach him pirouettes. It was the cutest, darndest thing.  Look at Thomas looking at Daddy thinking, "What are you doing Dad?"

(Photo taken November 5th, 2013)

 I love when Emma dresses herself with accessories. I'm really holding onto this sweet age of hers and I don't want her to grow up. Just stay little; all of my kids.

(Photo taken November 6th, 2013)

What's that you see? You got it. He's got a tooth! Now, two more are coming in. :)

(photo taken November 19th, 2013)

Look who turned ONE!!

One year ago today, a miracle happened to our family when this beautiful baby boy came. He had rough beginnings being born two months early. I remember I was in SUCH denial that morning that this was actually happening. "He couldn't come, he just couldn't come. The doctor will stop it."I waited at home a little too long before actually leaving for the hospital. I arrived at the hospital. I was in total denial all morning until the second I started pushing. He entered this world, quiet and purple but quickly gained color. I remember the peace that poured over me. "Everything is going to be ok." I felt peace when I had to say goodbye to him just before he was transported to the NICU. I had to wait two days until I could be released from the hospital to go with him. He is a FIGHTER. His little body, his strong spirit and a loving and mindful Heavenly Father are what got me through those first couple months, and the whole year. I also couldn't have gotten through it without loving family and friends. Joseph has the sweetest and strongest spirit about him. You can see his strength through his bright eyes. Happy Birthday Joseph boy!

 Here are Joseph's morning greeters. He wasn't quite sure what was going on. :)

 As part of tradition for first birthdays, we take the boys to the Provo Library for story time. We sure love and miss that library.

After the library, we went to one of our favorite restaurants "Cubby's" in Provo.

 After singing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy, he dove into his cupcake.

 "Face to Face!"

 He ate THE WHOLE CUPCAKE! Amazing.

 The following Sunday we had family over for a little birthday party for our little guy.

Happy 1st Birthday Joseph boy! We love you!