Christmas Eve

What a wonderful day it was. We spent the whole day as a family. In the morning we worked a little on the kids playhouse. Then we went for a drive to see the new donut shop and its progress. Then we went to the Brick Oven to eat. We came home and baked pies and just hang out all evening. The kids opened presents from each other, it was cute. Nash is all Rescue bots right now. He was so happy his sissy got him "heatwave, with a trailer". I wish I could just record and remember how he talks and how they treat each other. Its priceless. 

So Santa has come, I am sitting her thinking how I am going to get to sleep tonight. Its just so exciting. The kids are awesome, they went to sleep at 8. They just go to bed so well. 

I am grateful for this month that we have had to spend some extra time learning of the saviors life. Kylee and I finished the Book of Mormon and  have been doing the Light the World program each night. It has been an awesome reminder. There was no frantic christmas shopping, or running around. I can say that we spent the month of December enjoying the season. This is a great start to the "simplicity" I will bring this year. My goal is creating peace in the home. I want to cook more, read more, and laugh more. 

Today, Derek made me and the kids laugh so  hard as we drove around. What a blissful day.

Temple square

We met Adam, Allison, Aunt Jenni and Uncle Brian at temple square last week. It was cold, busy and beautiful. I love any time my kids get to spend time with their cousins.

wrapping

Nashers helped us wrap presents the other day. Turns out, he LOVES tape. He was so proud of his wrapping job and spent a lot of time on it. Tonight we then wrapped ourselves. It was so much fun, lots of giggling and belly laughing. After ripping it off, he ended up being a transformer. All nash plays and talks about right now are rescue bots. So he was a transformer the rest of the night and asked to leave the wrapping paper out for tomorrow.
Today we went to target and the only present he wants for christmas is "heat wave rescue bot". Today he knew he wasn't getting it, but wanted to "just look at it" so throughout all of target he sat and inspected heat wave until he had to put him back at the check out. We can't wait for christmas.

Kylee and I finished the book of mormon last week. It has been so awesome reading together each night. I feel like it has been a life changing thing for us. I just want to keep doing it, she's so smart and has such an amazing memory.

Temple square lights with cousins

We went to temple square last night. On the way there I  had emi and coop in the car with us. We danced and sang our hearts out to Michael Jacksons "beat it". Temple square ended up being very very cold and very very crowded. When I asked kylee what her favorite part of the day was, she said the car ride there when we were singing. Its the little things my kids enjoy. That was my favorite part too.

these kids....

I love their unity. It is so touching to go in and see them sound asleep next to each other.

Basement, playhouse

D built this playhouse for the kids. It was his idea for the fun slide. He made it higher and faster so the kids won't tire of it too quickly. But the kids love it, especially when their friends are over. He's such a good dad! 

dentist

Nash went to Dr. Harmon for the first time and did awesome. Kylee had a cavity and handled it like a champ as always. She's such a tough girl! 

D's eye surgery

D got another surgery on his eye a while back. His eyes are finally better! He is grateful for his sight for sure. 

chelsey and sisi

We sure love these two women in our lives. We know they would do anything for us, and they have. Chelsey came down to give derek an hour or so while I was gone in new york. She is helps us out and  we are so happy to have them close, they are like family to us here in utah.

renting tractors, working on the house

One of the highlights of this fall was being able to rent a few tractors. Derek never ceases to amaze me how he can just pick something up and be determined to figure it out. He moved our rock wall over, played around on the tractor with nash, and spread the dirt around. Shaun and him poured a concrete pad, the yard kept us super busy this fall. we are hoping to have grass this spring.

D and I have done the majority of the basement work ourselves. It has been fun to learn and do together. 

My friend Gena

So one of the perks of being back in utah is connecting with old friends. I have really enjoyed this. My friend Gena in particular, She is such a joy to be around and we joke that we lead very similar lives. We don't live the normal 9 to 5 lifestyle with the luxury of having our hubby home and such. But it has been so fun to get together and grow, and enjoy each others company. I am so grateful for her in my life, she's one the kindest people i know.

While moms gone...

So I have never gone anywhere alone without my kids or derek. If I have left the kids, its with my mom and I am with Derek. Well I flew out to the funeral and Derek was so supportive. I got on the plane and as I was taking off I received an alert on my phone. Our credit card sends us alerts when we spend. So one alert popped up for "insta care, american fork". I panicked for a minute inside and texted derek real quick. In response he said "dang credit card, nash cut his finger but he's ok"
I then didn't receive anything else until I landed. Derek felt so bad and said "you are one an hour and I am at the insta care". Well they were at home depot getting some of that metal duct work for our basement. Nash grabbed a piece of it and it cut the tip of two of his fingers. D said he stayed calm and drove as fast as he could to the nearest intsta care. Nash got three stitches and for the rest of that day felt pretty crummy. I think they had a long day. But in the end I think they bonded more than ever. It killed me not to be there. But everyone survived the 3 days I was gone. Kylee sprained her ankle but just needed a little brace. I was so happy to get home to my babies. D did a really good job holding down he fort.