We love missionaries

 Our family loves missionaries.
Our own missionaries, and the ones that come into our home
while they are out serving, away from their own families.
We have been very blessed by them and their willingness to serve,
and for their example to our family as they serve.

Here are just two in a long line of missionaries that have touched our family.
It's always hard to say goodbye when it's time to send them off...
It's also fun to keep in touch with them after their missions.
We have watched so many of them come and go,
and then go home and start families of their own.
I have been so grateful for the families that have taken care of our missionaries,
and we always try to make sure that our local missionaries are taken care of too!
We even named Nate after two of our favorite Elders.

It seems so hard to think that they give up 2 years of their lives to serve so completely,
and so unselfishly.
But I am grateful for the parents who encourage them and support them as they go...
and even more grateful for how they bless our lives while they are here!

The count down is on....

Have I mention lately how adorable
Caitlyn is looking and how excited we all are
about the upcoming birth of
Maelynn???

Caitlyn worked so hard at school
and has not complained one bit about the
pregnancy...
She is finished with finals,
and here for Christmas...
and we are anxiously awaiting
Maelynn's arrival!

I can't wait to see Jace and Caitlyn
as parants.
They are going to be amazing!

Sledding

I think the best part about living in a 'hole' is when winter finally hits and some of the best sledding around is right outside our front door!  Nate and Gabe were excited for the opportunity to get out in the snow.  In fact Nate had started watching the weather reports to see if and when to expect snow and more than once he was very upset over the fact that the weathermen 'lied'... demanding to know WHEN the snow was coming.  Noah also wanted to get outside every time the door opens.  It isn't unusual to see Noah walking around the house all day long in his coat and often a hat and some random glove or boot.  Once he was out in the freezing temps he usually wanted to go back inside, only to forget and want to go back out.  It keeps them busy for hours sometimes... they handle the cold a whole lot better than I do anymore!

Christmas stuff we did...

We went and got all crafty this Christmas.
Okay, well, not really... we aren't exactly crafty in this house.
But we managed to have some fun and make some messes along the way!

We got some new decorations for our tree this year
and decided to decorate some pinecones with glitter.
All of the little kids were really excited about it...
Even our sweet little 'sensory challenged" Nate.
He managed to do exactly 1/2 of ONE before he realized that glue
would be on his hands. 
That was when he handed up off to me and was content to shake the bag
of glitter for me, and give me directions on how he wanted
the glue and glitter to go.

He was not impressed when I teased him that I would touch him
with my dirty hands. 
Poor boy really has issues!  haha

 

And we had some fun decorating Snoopy's dog house and his sleigh...

And this picture only because it is typical Tallin and Kassi at our house...
it's all fun and games until somebody is on the floor being tickled!



Last but not least,  we decided to make some snowmen!
They had fun between licking our fingers and eating some of the candy!

It was fun doing some little things with the younger kids.
It's amazing how quiet things get around the house
when the older kids get jobs and lives...
The little kids really had fun and that was the purpose anyway!

Merry Christmas to my younger kids.  Because of you,
I get to really appreciate the 'look' of Christmas,
through their eyes.
Love you guys!

Festival of Trees

We managed to get to the festival of trees this year....
I love going to see all of the beautiful trees and feel the Christmas spirit.
I think I finally had to come to terms with the fact that I will likely never again
be able to plan a night when all of the kids could be home for an activity,

and this year I decided I wouldn't put it off hoping...
but just plan it and whoever can go, can go!
The kids had a good time and everyone enjoyed going.
Garrett, Tiffany and the boys met us there also. 
I got lots of ideas for trees if I ever get brave enough to branch out...
I think I am boring and resist change!

Noah love hanging out with his big sister...

 

Gabe checking out the trees...

 

Gabe!





 

The line to see Santa was ridiculously long so we skipped that part
and just stalked him from above! ;)

Gabe was punishing me by giving me a grumpy face
because I had been taking pictures of Isaac.
Gabe is kind of grandma's boy and isn't exactly sure that
I should share my affection, and my camera, with someone else!
Although he gave me a smile after I assured him that he still had my heart...
The heart reserved only for him.
It's not that you just grow a new heart for every child,
It happens when you have a grandchild also!

Isaac was mad except when I would take a picture of him.
The instant he saw the camera he would start cheesing it up for me!

 

Grandpa loves his Newt...
He loves to call him Newton, or Newt
(as in Isaac Newton)
He tells him he is going to be a brilliant man...
and Newt loves his grandpa!

 

I got to see our friend's brand new baby girl...
Which only left me more excited to meet our own little granddaughter!