I had the most wonderful Christmas..ever! I think this was the BEST for so many reasons. I did not do "my normal" things this year. In fact, I NEVER did a family photo in early December. I normally do this and this is our Christmas card photo. I NEVER sent out Christmas cards. Nope, not one. I felt so bad about it and then I realized that I needed to enjoy the Season and the MEANING/ SPIRIT of Christmas and not worry if I got to the cards. Well, this way...maybe I can send out New Year's Cards. MAYBE... wink! I so love getting cards and love and thank my family and friends for sending them.
I put a lot of thought into what we did in our home this year. We had a much smaller and meaningful Christmas. I know it made EACH of us more appreciative and thankful. I can't articulate but the feeling in our home was just different. I tried to think of things that had meaning. I did over do it on the STOCKING candy and am regretting that. Next time, I am going to do MORE fruit...( I am not kidding...plus they love FRUIT...next year, KIWI, PINEAPPLE and more healthy treats!!!)
We had all the kids at our home for Christmas this year. I cherish these times... if you have a situation like Ty and I- well, you know you have to SHARE the holiday's. This year we had the kid's on Christmas Eve. We played games all night and finally went to bed around midnight.
The next morning, Taylor and Spencer came over early. We opened gifts and played MORE games. Zach has created a crazy WEREWOLF game and it is hysterical because he KEEPS recreating the rules...the rules do not make sense and we laugh so hard that we are crying. So between games, and too much candy...well, it was a great day.
I kept thinking about our Savior and the gift of the atonement. I can't think of a greater gift, then to think of HIM and how Jesus died for us. Celebrating HIS birth for WE are all so blessed. I realize that the BEST gift's are those that we cannot buy.
In the afternoon, we ALL went to Matt and Kayla's new house.
Cute Kayla is 21 weeks pregnant now. She is such a sweetheart and we love her so much. She will be the BEST mother. Can I admit, she is so much better than me as a cook????? She made the best pot roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole...well, she is blessed with the talent of a great homemaker. Here we are arriving at their home. My kid's are always hungry!!!!!
They once once again playing games..BOOGLE this time! (ty, taylor, spencer, mckay)
Matt and Kayla's FIRST Christmas TREE...
They are so happy and well, it felt so good to be in a home where GREAT LOVE is felt and shown.
THIS is the best...ALL of my kid's TOGETHER in ONE photo. I love that this represents so much. I love photos and it was DARK so I had to kick up the ISO to about 1200. It's not the best but wow...it's PERFECT to me.
This one was it was REALLY dark... I took it at 2000 ISO...ha! We were watching a MOVIE together and I wanted to REMEMBER this.
Okay, so I've been so HAPPY and so THANKFUL that I was with my family this Christmas....so I had the CRAZIEST dream last night...
PROMISE not to laugh????
CRAZY...I was teaching a scrapbook class to a group of people in a home. I dreamed I was hired to come and do a private class. There was a group of about 30 MEN and WOMAN and I was giving a LECTURE on WHY we scrapbook and the purpose. Well, I look about the room and TIGER WOODS is in the room. He came with his cousin. I told him.... "FAMILY is everything and we must PROTECT our memories, create new ones and at all times do the right thing and put our family first." Then he got up and walked out on me. I know CRAZY...and I dreamed about SHARING a message to the world about HOW wonderful and meaningful SCRAP BOOKING is. I realize MORE than ever that I put my heart into THIS and it's so much MORE than a pretty page or project.
Does anyone else dream about scrap booking? I have for years...ha!