The First Snow...

Don't you ever wish you could jump in a time machine and travel back to your childhood?

 The first snow brings back those fun childhood memories of  building forts, having snowball fights, drinking way too much hot chocolate, daring each other to lick something that will most likely end badly, building snowmen, saying a prayer that the snow machine will start, sledding on Iona Hill, making snow angels, the smell of a wood burning stove, doubling, and sometimes tripling up your socks to stay warm, staying out until you can no longer feel your hands or toes, and the list goes on and on. Although my enthusiasm for the snow no longer exists, there is something so magical about the very, first, snow fall. I love the beautiful blank canvas it creates,  the way the sun and snow sparkle when they meet, & the huge snow flakes that land perfectly on my tongue. It's these small things that seem to make the cold disappear, and make it all worth it. 

I am so thankful for my children, and for the excitement the first snow fall brings to their sweet little spirits.

I guess the neighborhood kids were equally excited about the drastic change in the forecast, and to share in their excitement, I put my trusty mug collection to good use and served them each hot cocoa in the snow.

Uh....I dunno, but I think I pretty much deserve the "Snow Princess/ Coolest Mom EVER" award. Don't you? Teehee!

Back left: Conner, Saige, Chandler, Allysa, Cyrus, Cambell.

Front Left: Gabe, Weston, Bailey, Emery, Wyatt, Piper, Catcher.

Cheers to a delicious Winter!

Carving Pumpkins....

The kids have been begging to carve pumpkins, so we decided to make an FHE out of it.

Chris saw an episode of EXTREME Pumpkin Carving (Yes it is an actual TV show!), and  he was so excited to try out the jigsaw on the pumpkins this year! I had my doubts, but It worked famously and will forever be a tradition in our household. After we cut open and cleaned the pumpkins, we all made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies  for our treat. While the cookies were baking, we had a lesson on Planting Seeds of Faith. Then, we carved our pumpkins. I love Monday nights, teaching my children important principles, and spending time together as a family. I feel so blessed with a wonderful husband and three bright and beautiful kiddo's!

 

 

 

I give this recipe 5 stars. They are even better the next few days! * I used Chocolate chip Chunks instead of small chocolate chips. 



Finley chose a Cat in a witch boot.

Chandler chose the owl in a tree. ♥ her owl impersonation!

Gabe chose The wolf & was howling all night. 

 Finally his costume fetish seems normal around this time of year!

I chose the spider in a web. I was nice and let Chand have the owl.

And Chris chose three skulls. His was my favorite!

Here are our creations!

Happy Home Evening!

Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

The Month of December was packed full of fun. When It finally snowed, we couldn't keep the kids inside!

Sissy, on their early Christmas gift!

 My dad got this in trade, and I've never seen Chris so excited to give the kids something! They have had so much fun on it!

Gabe tells us that he wishes it was Winter all year round. (He does not get that from his mother.) He could stay outside in the cold for hours and hours. He says that his favorite thing about Christmas was the presents, and the snow!

Finley, of coarse, loves anything and everything about her big brother Gabe, and shares his enthusiasm for the snow! She wears her hat and coat all day in the house, and tries to sneak out the door whenever daddy goes to work.

Chris is such a good daddy. He is always willing to play with the kids, no matter what the temperature. I just love him so much, and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband.

Chandlers favorite thing about the holidays is Hot Cocoa before bed every night. She can't get enough of it!

We all love it!

Ginger bread houses and cookies are an annual event in our home. We used some of our left over Halloween candy for the finishing touches.

Don't you just love the skull on the house? Hahaha, such a boy!

We feel so blessed to have all of our family so close. We were able to spend time with each family during Christmas break, and I am just so glad that our kids get to have that.

Finley's favorite thing about Christmas is definitely all of the sweets! All of the gingerbread men on the tree were missing legs and arms and all of their m&m buttons.

We Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and an even better New Year!