Goodbye 2016!

The years keep going faster.  This year was a blur more than others ever have been.  I can't say I liked 2016.  It was one of the hardest years of my life.  I hope I'm a better person than I was at the beginning.  I'm grateful for my family.  I'm grateful so many people love me.  And how many I'm blessed to love back.  And mostly, I'm grateful for my Savior.  These things I will never lose.  And for that I am glad.  2017, ready or not: here we go.

Eagles

Every year during the winter, eagles come to The Nooksack River by our house to feast on salmon.  There are hundreds of them.  The day after Christmas, we took the short drive to see them.  Wow!  Really cool experience!

Fun with Mike and Mellaina

See this darling little sleeping guy?  He doesn't snuggle up and love just anyone.  He is very particular.  

 Which is why him asking Uncle Mike to read him a book is epic.  Even if he did sit a safe distance away.  Lol!

 It didn't take him long to snuggle with Mellaina though.  Because she is so easy to love.  I don't think there's a person on earth who wouldn't love her.

 And before long, he was happy as can be with both of them.  All my kids were!  Because Mike and Mellaina are just plain awesome.

Having them come for Christmas made my Christmas magical.  And happy.  And fun.  And really, really good.  They filled our house with excitement and joy and music.  It made my Christmas seem right when I didn't know if it could.  I'm so glad they came!

Christmas

Christmas this year was magical.  There were a few factors that, when put into the equation, made it so.  First, it was a WHITE Christmas.  A small miracle of it's own for where we live.  Next, Christmas was on Sunday.  I LOVE Christmas on Sunday.  I even got to sing in sacrament with Mellaina playing the flute and Randy playing for me.  It did my heart some good, to have church on Christmas.  I wish Christmas was always on Sunday like Easter.  Next, Mike and Mellaina were there and Grandpa and Nana.  These visitors made it feel magical indeed.  And last, I have little children.  It's impossible for it to be Christmas with children and not have it be magical!

 Only two things kept it from being perfect.  First, I was too far away from my family.  And I missed them.  And second, I did not get a picture of my family in our Sunday clothes by the Christmas tree.  I am so mad I forgot.  Especially Madeline in her beautiful Christmas dress made by Nana.  Seriously, what was I thinking?  Or not thinking?!?!

 But other than that, the day could not have been better.  One of my favorite parts of the day was watching everyone open their gifts from Madeline.

 She made homemade gifts for everyone and they were darling.  The book she made Oliver was the best.  I'll have to post it.  He loved it.

 The only picture of Madeline's dress...and the sash isn't even on...

 Cooper's awesome tower crane may have been the favorite toy of the day

 unless you ask Ethan!

 Boots of cuteness!

Fun times.  Merry Christmas 2016.

Our Christmas Eve

To get excited for Christmas Eve, we sang all the Christmas songs the night before.  To warm up.  And make me happy.  It was awesome.

 Besides making the candy houses on Christmas Eve, we also wore Santa hats and spent a lot of time in the kitchen making yummy food.  We enjoyed a turkey dinner and brownies with peppermint ice cream for dessert.

 Then we acted out the Nativity.

 With a construction worker instead of a shepherd...

 Then we sang Christmas songs again.

 Which made me feel like this:

 Then it was time to open our Christmas pjs!

So grateful to have these people in my life!  Merry Christmas.

Candy Houses

One of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions is making candy houses!  We had so much fun this year since Grandpa and Nana went overboard on the candy buying and our choices were amazing for decorating!  What fun!  

Madeline:

 Ethan:

 Oliver:

 Cooper:

 Todd's Seattle Space Needle!:

 Mine (FINALLY different than the same one I've done for years.  yes, everyone was so proud of me...lol):

 Nana:

 Mellaina:

 Mike:

A special thanks to Grandpa for damage control and construction help.  Three cheers for our candy houses!

Merry Christmas!

Kitchen Reno - Phase 1!

Who doesn't love a demo project in the kitchen a few days before Christmas?!  Our help made it fun even though it wasn't quite as easy as we had hoped.  And only a small amount of blood was spilled...

 So exciting! And slightly nerve-wracking!

 Meanwhile in the laundry room...

 The installation went smoothly and what can I say?!?!  I'm in LOVE!  Our new countertops are so beautiful and sparkly.  My countertops sparkle.  I really love them.  I'm spoiled!

 The next two days were dedicated to the backsplash.

 Almost as pretty as the countertops!

 And just as a reminder...BEFORE

 AFTER!  Did I mention how awesome my new sink is too?!?!

 Details:

It is so beautiful.  And the timing worked out wonderfully.  I love my kitchen so much now.  I can't even imagine how much I'll love it when we get to phase 2.  Next on the list: paint the walls, install the awesome vent hood!, build a pantry (yay!!!) and then PAINT THE CABINETS WHITE.  SO exciting.  I kinda feel like I have a show room kitchen already.