Christmas Morning 2014

Atreyu asked Santa for Ninja Turtles and their Shellraiser van for Christmas and Cambria asked for a pink bike.  I guess they were good enough this year because Santa delivered.  I love seeing the looks on my kids faces on Christmas morning.  It is just pure joy and excitement and I don't think I will ever tire of it.

Santa also brought Atreyu some new super heroes which he seemed almost more excited for than the Ninja Turtles and Cambria got some new earrings.  I had just clipped my nails the day before and I wasn't much help with earrings so Daddy helped her and she loved them. It was pretty sweet watching Jesse help her with such a girly task.

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday.  I love all the anticipation the whole month long and I love that people seem to focus more on Christ during the month and try to serve others more than usual.  I want to teach my kids the importance of service.  We delivered some plates of goodies to different people this year and I'm hoping that's a good, small start to teaching them about service.  I love that family gets together at Christmas time and I love that it's not about the gifts you receive but the people you are with.  I am so thankful for my Savior, for His humble birth, the life he led, the example he set and the sacrifice he made for each of us. I am thankful we are able to remember Him at Christmas and I hope that I will always remember and strive to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2014

My parents and Tim came for Christmas this year along with Jesse's sisters and their families.  There was a lot of people but it was so much fun and there was always something to do.  On Christmas Eve the family acted out the Nativity.  Bernie has so many fun things for everyone to dress up in and Janell and Jenny did great getting everyone ready.  Jesse got roped in to dressing up so he made his own costume.  I guess when they were growing up, he and the McCort boys wore lamp shades so he had to bring it back.

Cambria and Kylee are at the age where they fight over just about everything including Grandpa.  I think Cambria initiated most of the quarrels but I don't really expect anything different with kids this age. I hope they grow out of it soon.

Bern Ward Christmas Party

Our ward Christmas party was two days before Christmas so we were able to attend it with cousins. We ate dinner and then all the kids were able to dress up for the Nativity.  They all had so much fun and did such a wonderful job.  It was nice having all the visitors since we only have around thirteen kids in our primary.

After the nativity, Santa came for a visit.

Mid Decemeber

This year the kids were able to see Santa four different times.  They were so excited every time and Atreyu (the smarty pants) knew to ask Santa for something different each time.  This was Santa at the library and the same day they saw Santa at Atreyu's school.  

Cambria sat really still one day and let me fix her hair.  I usually am able to get one little piggy in the front to keep the hair out of her eyes but this day she let me do more.  I love how the piggies turned out and I wish she would let me fix her hair like this more often.  I also had to showcase Atreyu here with his awesome comfy pants that he loves to wear.

I always get my kids new Sunday clothes for Christmas and Easter. Trying to get a picture of both of them at the same time proves to be a bit difficult but I got one that looked pretty cute.  These to love and hate each other.  Typical siblings, I guess.

Dressing Up

As I have said before, my kids love to dress up.  Atreyu has for years and Cambria just recently started getting into it.  Last week while Atreyu was at school, Cambria, Cindie and I went to the Harper's and Cambria and Cindie were able to dress up.  They both loved it and Cindie was so excited that she was able to be one of the kids and dress up as well.

Last night and this morning Atreyu has been dressing up as a "witch" and Cambria has been Mario. They both think it's so funny!  I got a picture this morning and Atreyu posed just perfectly.  What funny kids I have!

Christmas Quilts

I have been saving old jeans and pants for a few years and earlier this year I decided I would make jean quilts for the kiddos for Christmas.  I traced, cut, pieced, sewed, tied and bound the quilts all on my own and it was a lot more work than I expected.  Personally, I think they turned out just darling and I am excited to give them to the kids.  Atreyu naturally wanted super heroes on his.  I asked Cambria if she wanted princess or Tinkerbell and she chose Tinkerbell.  I found some sheet sets online and just used those as the quilt backs.  I love them!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

A couple days after Thanksgiving Santa and Mrs. Claus came to Montpelier so Cam, Janell and I took the kiddos to see them.  Atreyu remembers who Santa is so naturally he was pretty excited. Cambria doesn't really understand yet but that didn't stop her from being excited and wanting to sit on his lap.  Much different from last year. Atreyu told Santa that he wanted two Ninja Turtles and their van and Cambria said she wanted a pink bike.

I love Christmas time and the whole feeling that comes with it.  I love watching my kids light up with joy to see Santa and I love that belief they have in him.  I love that we are able to celebrate our Savior's birth and remember what he did for us.  I hope that I can teach my children that even though getting presents and having Santa come are all fun parts of Christmas, the real reason is our Savior and we need to remember Him.

Cousins and Friends

My kids absolutely love spending time with other kids.  They love playing and interacting with them so much and it's fun for me to watch them play and learn.  In November the kids and I went to the Brower's so us girls could have a craft weekend.  We made these cute Christmas trees and the kids (and Diesel) had fun playing.  We all really love spending time with the Browers.

In November we also got out first snowfall of the season which has pretty much all melted.  Atreyu and Cambria both love the snow, so we went to the Harper's here in Bern and they all played in the snow together and then enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa.  I am really hoping it starts snowing a whole bunch soon but it has been nice not having as cold of temperatures.

Cameron and Janell came up with their family for Thanksgiving this year.  Neither Atreyu or Cambria came home the whole time cousins were here.  They had such a blast and they are always sad whenever the cousins have to go home.  I got a few pictures of Cambria and Kylee dancing together.  Cambria loves ABBA and makes Grandpa play it over and over anytime we're there.

I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life whom I love and who love me and my family.  Family and good friends are so important and I am so grateful that I have both in my life.

Just Playing and Having Fun

Atreyu and Cambria can play so well with each other sometimes and I am so happy whenever it happens.  They love to make believe with each other and they both love to help me bake.  They usually both help me whenever I make anything so it usually ends up taking twice as long but it's worth it.

Cambria will spend any time she can with Grandpa even if that means being outside in the cold.  We spent some time with Grandpa in the quonset and Cambria had so much fun just being with him.

Atreyu still loves to dress up.  He will wear just about any costume and he has a wonderful imagination.  I love listening to him play and hearing the fun scenarios he comes up with.

Cambria loves Diesel!  She plays with him and loves on him just about everyday.  He sometimes seems to enjoy it and other times seems to just put up with it but either way I think he is glad for the attention.

The kids and I went to Costco a few weeks ago and they thought it was so cool that the cart had a spot for both of them to sit.  They insisted I take a picture and then neither of them would look at the camera.

What a blessing these two sillys are to me.