Snow Days

The boys were very excited that we finally got some snow in December.  The first snow wasn't a lot but it was just enough for the boys to play in and they loved it.  Anders was a little unsure at first but quickly warmed up to the snow.  Alden had fun attempting to make snowballs, even though the snow wasnt great for that, and then throwing them at rocks and trees.  Anders quickly learned how to pick up snow and throw it like his brother.  The boys were both upset when they had to come inside but since it was less than 10 degrees outside I had to make them come in before they froze.  They were both very excited when it snowed again a couple days later and they got to play in it with Daddy.

The boys starting to explore outside. 

 Anders was slow to start moving around but Alden was happy to run around right away.

 Anders trying to decide if he wants to start throwing snow with his brother.

  Anders had a ton of fun once he started throwing snow at trees with Alden.

 The boys had so much fun!

 A couple days later it snowed quite a bit more and it happened to be on the weekend so the boys got to play with Dad and they loved it.  It was still freezing outside but they really wanted to be out there and they had an awesome time even though they were cold.  They all had a snowball fight together and had a great time!

 The boys loved playing in the pile of snow that Dad had shoveled off the patio.

 Anders and Alden digging in the snow.

The boys had a great time playing outside and were sad to come inside but at least they got to go play outside in the snow again the next day.

Christmas Cooking Baking

Over the last two days Alden and I have had a lot of fun making and decorating cookies together.  I love baking cookies every year for Christmas and I love that Alden is getting old enough to actually be a big a help!  We had a ton of fun making over 200 hundred cookies and treats.  Here is an inventory of what we made this year.

Spritz Cookies - 120
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies - 53
Peanut Butter Blossoms - 52
Rice Krispy Treats - 24
Snickerdoodles - 56
Grasshopper Bars - 1 8x8 pan
Sugar Cookies - 40

We had so much fun, even if I was absolutely exhausted by the end and had a huge mess to clean up!  It was worth it for all the treats and fun experiences that I got to have with Alden.  Plus, I just love baking and sharing it with others!

 Alden loved using the cookie press to make the Spritz cookies.

 I think that Alden had the most fun decorating the Spritz cookies!  He spent over an hour helping me decorate the cookies with sprinkles and chocolate.

 We put the different sprinkles in various muffin tins and then Alden would dip the cookies in the sprinkles to decorate.  He thought it was so much fun and loved using the green sprinkles.

 He did so well helping with the cookies and then was very vigilant about washing his hands.  He hates having sticky fingers!

 Making all of the Snickerdoodles and then Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

 Here are all of the Spritz cookies after they were decorated.  Alden and I had a lot of fun.

 Using the muffin tins to hold sprinkles worked really well!

 Alden loved helping make the peanut butter blossoms!  He helped unwrap the chocolate kisses, roll the cookie dough into balls, roll it in sugar and then put the chocolates on after they were baked.  He really was very helpful and he was so excited to get to eat one at the end.

 Alden putting the chocolates on the cookies.

 We also frosted and decorated some sugar cookies with some friends and Anders got to help.  He didn't want to touch the frosting but he was happy to put sprinkles on the top of the cookies.

 While we were with friends, Alden decorated 2 cookies and then just wanted to eat them.

The last thing I did was make these sugar cookies for a cookie exchange at a Relief Society party.  I had a lot of fun making them and I thought they came out pretty nicely this time.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We had so much fun putting up our new Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving!  We actually got a 9 foot Christmas tree this year, since we have a house that it will fit in, and we love it!  The boys were so excited to see the Christmas tree go up and then get to put all of the ornaments on it!  Alden was really good at putting ornaments on, although he did not understand the concept of spacing them out around the whole tree.  Anders just liked to carry ornaments around for awhile and then either set them on a random branch (he couldn't figure out how to hang them) or hand them to someone else to put on the tree for him.  It was fun to see the boys get so excited about the Christmas season!  It is my favorite time of the year and I have always loved decorating the tree with family so this is always a special event for me!

 Alden was so excited about the first ornaments!

 I unwrapped all of the ornaments while the boys put them on the tree.

 Alden did all the low branches and then Daddy had to use the step stool to do the high branches.

 Alden was so proud of the tree and really loved helping!

I love our tree and I am so excited for Christmas time and that I get to celebrate Christmas with so much family this year!

Thanksgiving and Reflections

So, I know I have not posted on here in a few months and I have been feeling bad about it.  Not because I am failing to update other people on my fairly normal life, but because I am letting myself down. One of the main reasons I put up these posts is so that as my kids get older, and I get older I have something to look back at and remind me (and hopefully our kids) of all of the wonderful experiences that we have had as a family!  I also love that family and friends can enjoy our pictures and experiences with us here too, but I selfishly do these posts mostly for me.  So, I have been going through pictures today and I have been realizing that I have not posted or written about any our experiences in recent months and we have had so much happen and we have so much to be grateful for, therefore I got inspired to get back on here and put up a post, and then start catching up on all of the previous posts that I have missed.  It is going to take me a long time to catch up, but at least I am getting a start.

So, last week we had Thanksgiving and I was really excited to get to celebrate in our new home.  I am so grateful for the time that Drew got off work and I am really grateful that my sister got to come out and visit for a few days!  I always love any excuse that I have for family to visit me or for me to visit family.  We had a fun, but still relaxing few days where we enjoyed the holiday and just enjoyed each others' company.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and enjoyed a little (very cold) time outside at parks or on walks.

 Alden and Anders both love the slide!

 Anders loved being pushed by Aunt Katrina in the swing.

 All three of my boys enjoying some swing time!

 Before we left the boys wanted to go down the slides again!

 Drew carving our Thanksgiving turkey!

 I love doing family meals at the holidays!  It is one of my favorite parts.

 And my boys ate watermelon and rolls....

At least Anders ate three servings of watermelon.

I feel like around Thanksgiving people often start thinking about everything that they are grateful for, and I am no exception to that.  I love taking time around Thanksgiving to reflect on the last year and what has changed, but what is the same and how many wonderful things I have been blessed with in that year.  This year has brought so much change and so many moments when the future was a little unclear.  In this past year we have moved across the country twice after learning where we were moving only a few months before we had to leave.  That alone has brought a lot of stress and uneasiness as I tried to prepare for a future two months out when I had no idea where we were going to be. Many other changes have come into our lives this year whether it be things like selling the car I have had since I was 16, or having to say goodbye to some of the best friends I have ever known, I never find change easy.   But, through it all I have learned that the Lord is always by your side, he doesn't abandon you and even when you feel your problems are small and insignificant he knows them and is still willing to help.

Even with all the change and upheaval we have gone through, the important things in our lives are still the same.  I have an amazing husband who is always by my side and I know that we will always be a team through everything.  I have two amazing children, who can always make me smile, even on the worst day.  I have an extended family that will always be there for me.  I have a house to live in, Drew has a job to support us and we have everything we need to live comfortably.  These things alone are enough to make my heart filled with joy.  I am so grateful for this last year and all the wonderful experiences I have had, even if some were rather difficult, and I am looking forward to another year of experiences, learning and joy.