December

I have little to no recollection of December, just that it felt very chaotic and stressful. I was still adjusting to life with 4 kids, and trying to keep my head straight for shopping, wrapping, fun holiday crafts and treats for the kids to enjoy making, a houseful of guests, a sudden influx of STUFF and then going out of town right afterward. Stuff got overcooked, broken, forgotten, and I was kinda bitchy. But here's some happy thoughts.

My kids love each other, and peanut butter toast.

Katie was proud of herself for climbing into the tree by herself.

Thora needed a picture to go on our "Count Your Blessings" wall. Holy cow, she had hardly any hair!

2 months old.

Tom and Katie had breakfast one morning while they let me sleep in. Breakfast of champions.

Thora officially became my first baby to like bath time. Though that has since changed now that she doesn't fit in the sink.

All month long they wanted to go see Santa, and when we finally did, they were super awkward.

The hay ride was better.

Christmas week: We got to meet Ruth's boyfriend, Will! Pris, Levi, Ruth and Will arrived on Monday. Vern arrived on Wednesday. Christmas was on Thursday, and Jimmy and Kerry came up for the day, Dan and Ryan arrived before dinner. Everyone went home on Saturday. We left on Wednesday to go to Colorado to see Lori who arrived home from her mission on December 10. Holy cow, it was a bit hectic. Pris was wonderful and helped keep my kitchen clean. Ruth and Will partnered with Tom and Katie, respectively, to make...oh, I think 8 dozen gingerbread cookies. I got all of my Christmas baking done. We had an awesome wrapping party after the kids went to bed on Christmas Eve. And then we were insane and woke up at 6 to open stockings. As in WE woke our kids up. Crazy people.

But at least breakfast had been made the night before and cooked in the oven while we opened presents.

Brittany and Ryan gave these to Tom and Katie. Nobody needed to explain them. They instinctively knew what to do. By the way, I'm pretty sure Katie is wearing her Batman pajamas over her Superman shirt.

Dancy was in heaven the whole week with her best friend, Levi.

Proof that Thora was there. Believe it or not, I didn't take pictures the whole week. These all exist because Pris used my camera.

Katie discussing X-Men with Will.

Elder Hammond's mom sent us a package of Sunny D and Cootie. She figured the game would be fun for us; the Sunny D is symbolic of Elder Hammond's nickname for Sundance.

Our little Sunny D :)

More loves for Levi.

And Bumpa.

We never got any pictures of everybody, but here's most. Tom took the picture.

Ruthie and Tommy

Ryan's grandma sent hats and gloves for the kids.

Oh! And before everyone left, Dan and Vern helped Shad install our new dishwasher! The one that we shopped for online during Black Friday sales, had Dan buy in Denver for us and deliver it when he came for Christmas. It's fantastic. No more corroded metal, and it washes off dried on food.