New Years

2018 has been a rough one ... 

And to end the year with a bang we (well Shea, Piper, Sydney and Connor) spent the whole night puking! So much for watching the ball drop... it was so sad. We did our best to have a redo the next day as best we could. But this was definitely a worst New Years Eve to remember, or hopefully to forget. 

We’ve been stretched this year financially, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically! I try to tell myself it’s making us stronger but we don’t exactly feel it. In truth it’s reaffirmed our commitment and love for each other and our devotion to our family and our needs. We have felt truly loved within our own. Stitched together through it all. Enjoying all the little things. We’ve gotten a lot more active as a whole and relish our family walks as everyone gawks at our wild crew. Those are my favorite moments. 

I’ve felt more grateful for my amazing people more this year than ever. 

I mean overwhelmingly so, like my heart will burst.

But I do hope 2019 is a little easier on us.

Temple Lights

With all the construction the temple wasn't quite as lovely as usual, but we still enjoyed the lights and this year our stake had a Christmas tree with a whole bunch of the kids from the stake on it. I had emailed pictures of the kids a while back and was excited to find the tree and search for the kids pictures. And we found them!

We liked picking out our favorite trees, searching for all the pictures of Jesus, enjoying their new digital coloring tree, and exploring all the other little parts of the visitors center. 

We talked a lot about Jesus and all the things he was doing in all the different artwork. It was a special time as we are constantly looking for ways to remember the reason for the season. 

My favorite part of the temple lights is the around the world nativity scenes, in the visitor center.

We didn't see a show this year, as much as I love them I didn't want to deal with the parking/traffic rush that was a little crazy this year with the construction and limited parking. Fortunately, I think this was a much better kid focused trip and they had a lot of fun.

Listening to the Nativity Story 

My Dad helped with lighting and we marveled at his work! 

We are supremely blessed to be living in the Latter Days with the truth of the gospel in our hearts and this time of year it is hard not to recognize how lucky we are to be members of Christ's true church today.  

Christmas 2018

Merry Christmas! 
We are loving being with family as we share in this sweet time of year. Excited faces and giddy laughter have filled our days lately and we can't really capture it all. We sure love this family of ours.

FIRST TIME MEETING BABY HENRY!

Gingerbread House Contesting,
Eating, and Decorating!

Winners!

Baby Henry Snuggles
(+ finding ugly homemade ornaments
from when I was a kid)

Can't get enough of Uncle Ryan!

Baby Henry we are obsessed!

 Christmas Eve
We did our own family thing, and I have really made it more of our own family tradition. We had our special Bethlehem dinner. And discussed the gift of the Savior and the gifts we want to give the Savior this year. It is so sweet hearing them talk about Jesus, it will never get old. 
Afterwards the kids got new ornaments to place on the tree. Then we snuggled up with hot cocoa and watched the Santa Claus movie before bed.

Christmas Morning

We didn't really take many pictures because it was all a little bit of a blur. With the unwrapping, laughing, fighting, scolding, making up, jealous pouting and crying. 

That is what all good Christmas mornings are made of right?

Next year, Santa forget it, lets just do stockings. 

This child! I love her, but was she our punk
ALL day. We did find out the next day she was
sick with a cold so maybe that was the origin
of her Christmas woes. 

Christmas is so stressful as a parent. We tried so hard but still it was a little overdone and next year I hope we can minimize even more and enjoy the spirit of true joy more. 

We work really hard keeping the center of Christmas all season long on Christ. I remind and we tell the story over and over. But I don't think with little ones especially Christmas morning anything can really keep the focus straight. Every year I hope I get better and better at teaching the kids to let go of the greed of the season and focus on the Savior. Little by little. Am I right?

I know it all starts in the home, and I know that as they watch Shea and I they continually grow, for better or worse. I can only hope that we are grounding them in the true Church of Jesus Christ and that their testimonies are being built as we try to center ourselves, our home and them on the Savior. 

Happiness from things is fleeting and superficial; but the happiness we find in following and coming unto Christ is true, everlasting, and unstoppable. 

It is the happiness that will determine our eternities, and I know we can all do more as we strive for thee.

Tradition

Nutcracker Ballet

Long ago as a little girl my Dad started a tradition of taking me to the Nutcracker Ballet. We went every year till I wasn't home anymore and even went a couple years after that if I was in town. 

(Amberlee photo bomber)

This year we decided Bella was old enough and interested enough that it would be a fun tradition to continue with her. So Bella and I went with the Martins to the Nutcracker. And she LOVED it!

And look how big this kid is getting !?!

Museums of Candlelight

Well it isn't really by candlelight anymore but years ago when my family started going it was. When it first started there were many historical places in Frederick to go to for treats, ornament making and a little historical lesson. Fortunately there are a few really fun ones left but who knows for how long. Sadly I don't think there is a ton of following, people are really missing out. We enjoyed playing the drums and watching bread bake and made several ornaments, had a few treats and LOVED learning about the amazing history in this city of ours. 

Sugar Cookies

Shea loves keeping the Stanger tradition alive and every year the kids help make sugar cookies. That we can devour and share with our neighbors and friends. It is one of the kids favorite Christmas activities and yummiest!

Shea and I love making our own traditions around the holidays but keeping our families traditions alive is something we never want to forget. 

Turn up the Christmas Music

I got to pick the Christmas Tree this year since it is my year to be the Christmas decision maker. Shea and I take turns. White lights, small tree, new stockings (which Shea seriously is stoked about), I run Christmas eve and morning; all that kind of stuff is managed by me. 

And we actually did Christmas lists early this year. Connor apparently is getting a little old for it and told me just to write his... so I asked Santa to bring him a whole bunch of obedience and honesty. HA! Actually he just didn't know what to ask for, and just a couple weeks before Bella and Connor both said they didn't want anymore toys because they don't play with them and they have to clean them up ALL the time. So keeping with the season we decided it is a perfect year to ask Santa to start bringing us a little less, and give other kids who need it a lot more. He has really been overdoing it in the past.

Once the tree was up we couldn't help decorating it. So with Christmas Music blaring and a Hallmark Movie playing...

Piper quite enjoyed decorating, with quite determination...

We even went out a bit early this year for family Christmas shopping at Kohl's and as luck would have it...

It has been a perfect start to this beloved season.