TEN

January 3, 2004

 

 

Here's what I know: I can live in the desert of west Texas, a remote village in Scotland, or the frozen tundra of Montana...and I'm happy. He's all I need.

 

Ironwood hill

There is a great hill for sledding at the entrance to our neighborhood, Ironwood. It was pretty busy the week after Christmas and was so much fun.

 

Fortunately almost everyone in Montana has a fourwheeler. Our neighbor was there giving lifts to the girls up the mountain :)

 

 

 

 

Scarlett was a joy to watch. She was fearless, and going so fast down the hill!

I was so proud of her for not crying when she crashed or fell off her sled. She just dusted herself off and waited for the ride back up the hill. Love it!

Christmas morning 2013

How much I love these girls.

Christmas morning was perfect. The girls woke up about 6, and waited patiently while mom and dad got ready and came downstairs to escort them up to the living room, where "Santa's sleigh had tipped over!"

They are at the age where they are overly excited about every gift, and excited for their sisters and their gifts too. It was a Christmas of American Girl, snow gear, My Little Pony, and Disney Dress-ups. We love that these girls take ALL DAY to get through the presents, because they want to open and play with each one before they pick another one under the tree. The last presents weren't opened until lunchtime. Then our house was a beautiful mess..

 For most of the day Doc McStuffins, Belle, and Elsa (from Frozen) spent  time playing in their new teepee, racing their RC cars, and riding Scarlett's 4-wheeler. Then at night we all went to the basement and competed in Just Dance 2014 on the Wii. Lydia was always the victor. And the next few days were just some of the same. Just our family, our mess, and lots of fun.

 

Merry Christmas 2013!

A crazy busy December

 December was a blur. It's my favorite month of the year, but it is so busy...especially when you are a mom.

 

To start off, Scarlett's preschool did a cooking class and invited parents over for lunch. We had homemade pizzas and fruit salad. Scarlett piled on the cheese!

 

Our church had a Christmas party and a wonderful program "The Forgotten Carols". The party was an ugly sweater party, so everyone was dressed pretty crazy.

 

Lydia's school had a Christmas program and each grade performed 3 musical numbers. I didn't get any great pics to share, but I remember her and her best friend Sari were front and center! Claire's school didn't have a Christmas program, but her Kindergarten teacher put together a show just for her class. They performed at least 10 songs! All the parents were amazed at how well these kids learned the songs.

 

 

As Christmas got closer, it was time to make treats in the kitchen. We made salsas for some and cookies for others.

I wish we had time to do more, but unfortunately a great loss occurred in our family and Josh & I were travelling to Kansas for Debbie. My mom was kind enough to fly up to Billings to look after the kids for their last few days of school. She went to Scarlett's Christmas party and Lydia's Christmas party. I wish I could have been there, but I'm so glad they at least had grandma there.

 

 

 

And when grandma's here, that means trips to McDonald's.

 

 

Josh and I were back in town just before Christmas Eve, and our dear friends the Thomas's invited us over. We had a lovely dinner, then dressed up and acted out the Nativity story - complete with stable animals :)

 

This was a month to remind us how blessed we are to have good friends and good family to help us through difficult times, and to reflect on the greatest gift - that of our Savior Jesus Christ and His great Plan of Salvation.