A Little Christmas Cheer

We really didnt get any pics of Christmas this year! The camera is still broken, its sad but luckily BJ got a few pics from his phone! We spent Christmas with Bj's parents in St George and had a great time playing outside and being around all our family.

We had a simple Christmas this year. I was worried the boys would feel sad that they didnt get any BIG impressive gifts. But they didnt even notice! Cooper got a few puzzles and of course some Star Wars action figures. And he played and played with those puzzles!

Spencer was so excited because he got a set of Army guys and Star Wars action figures. I loved watching him put those different army men all over the trees and under rocks. He set up so many detailed "battles!"

There wasnt crazy present mania because they got just enough to play and enjoy each toy.

Graham would have been happy with one thing. He just wanted to sit with Papa and hold his fire truck!!

I really learned something this year. It truly doesn't matter whether you spend 50 (that what we spent on each kid this year) or 500. They are so excited that Santa came and that they have a few new things. I want to remember this in the years to come When we arent in school and (hopefully) have a little more to spend.

When you over do it Christmas becomes about the THINGS and the AMOUNT. And gosh thats so fun to get things but I want my boys to remember moments like this....

And find joy in simple things. Be grateful for each gift and appreciate what really matters.

Merry Christmas!

Our First House

SO here it is! Our first house! Itsnt it just the cutest place you've EVER seen? (I love it, can you tell?) If you look close the boys are smiling at the door!

Here is our front door and the new amazing storm door we just had put on! Its also good to note our shout out to our stay in Hong Kong with our Chinese Lions!

Step inside please! Here is the entry way and a very excited Spencer to greet you! He is standing on the stairs and looking into the living room!

Here is what he is looking at! Our living room! And some cute little guys watching Backyardigans!

The living room doubles as the place I do consultations for weddings so we wanted it to look professional and comfortable!

I just found some end tables on KSL so I am excited to refinish them and get them next to the coach! It will help finish it off! The kids do love to hide behind the chairs though so that will put a damper on their Star Wars battles :)

Here is Bjs favorite thing in the whole house... our dying house plant! hahaha

Not the TV silly! He is in love with it! And my Dad and BJ did a beautiful job of taking all the wires and hiding them through the wall into the closet under the stairs!

The walk way there goes into the kitchen and dinning room

I had to take a shot of the TV turned because while my dad was visiting he worked so hard on the TV mount! But it is SO nice to have the kids keep the food in the kitchen and still get to watch TV!

We use our island SO much! I LOVE LOVE LOVE having one! The boys always eat here, color and do homework here and help me cook and make cookies here!

The door back by the coats goes to the garage and the door framed by the wreath and picture is the downstairs bathroom!

And these lovely bar stools I need to recognize because yours truly refinished them! It was my first big refinish job and I kinda love them!

A couple views of the kitchen and dining room! I painted in here one day when BJ was a school and surprised him when he got home! It was a lot of work but I like the way it turned out! And I love that I did it myself!

This window and back door go out to the backyard. Its covered in snow so I didn't get any pics for you!

I made these wall hangings! I needed something big and I had some fabric I wanted to use in the kitchen! It was a fun project because I got to use some big power tools and it makes a big splash in the room!

We inherited this piano from my parents when we moved, its the piano I played as kid! And I hope we can have the boys all learn on it too!

Now lets head upstairs to the toy room!

Graham is still in the crib, he loves it still, I love that he takes great naps and goes right to bed! For now its sill a win- win! (and all the frames on the dresser are evidence I havent hung up all the pics and shelves in here yet...

Toy room closet and our new toy shelves! We are still missing he biggest bin because they were out of stock.. but those 2 bins will hold all the duplo legos! YIPPIE

These organizers are amazing! The boys actually play with one to two bins at a time and are motiviated to help me pick up and put things a way in the right place! ITS A LIFE SAVER!

Thank you Gramzie and Grandad its the best Christmas present EVER!

Graham just didnt want to get dressed .... silly droopy diaper!

Now into the big boys room! The only toys we have inhere are the geo trax and their books!

Here are their bunk beds, dresser, and the foot ball holds all their dress up costumes!

And those two boards are there picture boards! They have close pins on them and they hold all their pictures! It works so much nicer then smiling at them and then throwing them away!

SO I didnt get pics of my room because I am still organizing it! (its a never ending battle!) I also didnt get pics of the bathrooms , backyard or garage... so maybe we can have a round 2 of the home tour!

We love our new house and I am glad I got to show it off a little bit!

Now we just need some visitors......

Counting My Many Blessing

The little boys reading together on my bed! Enjoying the time while Spencer is at school!!

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

We had a warm spell between snow storms and the boys got out in the backyard to play together!

Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.

This is a tradition we started last year with Gramzie and the kids love it! Its our Christmas Candy train!

So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

This year it was almost 100% mom free design! The boys took turns and designed it together!

Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Some days amid the messes and the fights I feel overwhelmed. But I love this song, because I tryley do feel the storm tossing me around. And sometimes my mind and my heart have a hurt that they carry around.. and its hard to shake it!

But all I have to do is look around me and see all the many many blessing all around me! I have a little board in the living room that says

"Give me the patience to appreciate my Blessings"

My beautiful boys, my hard working husband and the family we created are such a blessing! Not to mention yummy treats, fun notes from friends, crafty ideas, laughing and playing with the kids...

the list goes on and on!

But this song helps me remember to look up and see whats all around me and let the sad feelings go!

Graham is 2 Already!

Christmas time also means its Birthday time at our house! Graham turned 2 this December! We had his little Birthday party in St George with all the cousins!

He LOVES dogs right now so we made some Doggy hats for all the kids and played a few games!

I made a few doggy cupcakes! And Nana and Papa helped blow out the candles!

We played "Doggy Says" and then hunted for bones on our hands and knees!

Graham wasnt a huge fan of his Doggy hat! :)

But he sure loved being a dog!

And playing with Coltons dog!

We opened presents and had cupcakes at our house with Grandad!

And Graham and the big boys LOVE their Cars Geo Trax! THANK YOU Grandad and Gramzie

I am in shock that Graham is 2 already! When he wakes up in the morning I look forward to that ear to ear grin as I walk into the room and hear "Hi mama, wheres dada" EVERY MORNING! He is so funny! Its hard to except he isnt a baby anymore! He loves trucks, "Moo Cows" (and cows are anything with 4 legs), Dogs he wants one SO bad, and action figures! He calls them "that guy" and he wants EVERY guy! His favorites are the ones with hats, he loves to put hats on guys!

He is a big helper, he loves to take his diaper to the garbage and just started putting his bowl in the sink! He is always excited to go on trips so when he sees me getting ready to go he runs and grabs his shoes and coat and hat!

He defiantly wants to be a big boy! He wrestles and plays with his brothers like he is just as big as they are! Which leads to lots of bumps and falls, and usually he hops right back up and is back in the game!

I have to say my favorite thing about Graham is how affectionate he is! He LOVES to cuddle! When he needs a break he walks right up to me and jumps in my lap, nestles his head into my arms and rests! It is one of the best parts of my day! He is such a tender little boy! I am so glad he is here in our family... he completes us!

I am having a world of trouble because there are way too many cute pictures of Graham!