{Christmas 2016}

This Christmas Eve Mike took care of getting the boys ready for bed.  While he went through the evening rituals,  I washed out a few of the dirty bottles laying around & picked up some scattered toys.  I gathered the boxes we had picked out for Calvin and Wesley and was starting to set them up and then stopped... this was not something I should be doing by myself! It was definitely a moment that needed to be shared with Mike, so I patiently waited for him to finish tucking the boys in bed. 

When he emerged from a quiet room with two little guys all snug in their beds he saw the boxes on the living room floor and said, "Man, I really feel like a dad now - putting the kids in bed and then coming to assemble Christmas presents."  I have to admit it was a pretty special evening as we got the toys put together and imagined how happy Calvin and Wesley would  be in the morning!  

This year we selected a special tool set for Calvin since he can't walk in from the car without stopping to admire his Dad's tools and occasionally trying to grab them when he thinks we aren't looking! Wesley got a little walker with loud obnoxious toys on it so I imagine it will be more of a bedroom away-from-mom-and-dad type of toy (we have to protect our sanity).

Christmas morning Calvin walked out of his little room and rushed over to his tool set and proudly proclaimed his one word he always yells in excitement - DAGNA!!  (Don't ask me what it means, it's his word, and he loves it).  He immediately set to tearing it apart, figuring out the gears, and gently handling his favorite tool of all - the screwdriver.  It was pretty cute! 

Wesley mostly just laughed when Calvin laughed and ate the wrapping paper off of his gifts.  

After the boys played with their new toys we headed over to Julie and Erik's for cousin exchange and lunch.  SO SO SO fun to see all the kids running around like their skin is on fire because they are so filled with excitement they can't contain themselves! 

All of the cousins prior to the crazy gift exchange beginning!  We figured we better try to get the picture BEFORE they got gifts because ... attention spans can't handle pictures when there are so many exciting new toys! 

Calvin REALLY loves Uncle Grant!

Quincy modeling his new shirt.  He watches out for and loves Calvin so much - it is one of the sweetest relationships I have ever witnessed.  

Marie opening Mike's gift for her, with a photobomb by Carter - hahaha! 

Julie and Lola watching the festivities unfold

Beautiful Aunt Jana models some of her new Christmas bling! 

Molly in her darling Christmas PJs.  This year she learned how to play "Joy to the World" on the piano and performed it at our cousin Christmas program.  What a sweetie!

Cute little Carter!  He was acting super cool for this picture ;)

Calvin's gift for Isaac was this Marine helicopter set (nothing Air Force in the store, I checked - I'd like to believe it was all sold out).  Isaac was a SWAT team man for Halloween and has been pretty into 'tough guy' kind of stuff so this set was right up his alley.  I hear him tell his Mom later, "Mom, I got all the cool gifts this year, I am the LUCKIEST" :)

Isaac got Wesley this light up instrument toy which he ADORES!  He smiles so big when it lights up and plays the songs.

Gracie was pleased with Calvin's selection for her - Anna & Hans from Frozen - a stamp kit and stamp pads with all sorts of colors.  She was the sweetest in her little Elf costume!

You can't see Calvin's face in the picture but he was belly laughing at Uncle Grant's trick with the basketball! 

Two sweet brothers who genuinely love each other to pieces.  May this relationship continue to grow and stay as sweet as it is FOREVER <3

Calvin was generous with the kisses on Christmas day - no doubt he felt the love and spirit behind the holiday.

I can't believe how grown up he looks in this picture.  What happened to my baby!!??

Had to get a few shots off Wes and Lola Belle together - both of them enjoying their first Christmas.  Fresh new babies and both are as sweet as can be.  Only a few weeks apart! 

I sure love this sweet little nugget!

Our first Christmas as a family of FOUR!!  

 Because of these handsome boys my heart is so incredibly full this year.  I hope I can raise these kids to always remember the real reason we have Christmas and to live their best life for HIM - all year long.

Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship. 

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Joy to the World!

This is absolutely the best time of the year!  With so many people focused on the Savior, the world becomes a softer place to land.  I also have to say I love the social media challenge the church has put out this year to #LIGHTtheWORLD.  It's been inspiring to see so many people in their own small way add to the light that the gospel brings to this earth.  

There are so many times I have felt the spirit of Christ this season ... in so many little ways everyday!  Here are a few of the special moments we've experienced as a family this season.

Our first moment was our excursion to see the Christmas lights at the Mesa temple!  This was extra special because we were able to go with Dan and Krystal.  We went the day after Thanksgiving so there was an extra special feeling since it ushered in the beginning of the Christmas season for us! 

LOVE this picture of Calvin and Saffron just soaking in the magic of Christmas.  Seeing the beautiful temple all lit up reminded me that we are blessed to feel this joy all year! 

"Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, everytime we forgive someone or ask forgiveness, we can feel joy.  Everyday that you and I choose to live celestial laws, everyday that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same JOY will be ours."

When we returned to Utah our next Christmas festivity was our Acacia Ward Party!  I would try to put into words how much I love my ward but there aren't words to explain it.  I'll just say these folks I see every Sunday and throughout the week make a great family.  I am surrounded by the best of the best.  We loved being edified with our friends, hearing the primary children sing songs, and a visit from Santa Clause!  (No pictures because Calvin was done with the celebrations by the time he arrived, sadly!)

I helped to make those giant snowflakes in the background - they looked awesome!  And the tree decoration in the middle was our Relief Society president, Sis Parry's, idea!  It was so festive and I think people enjoyed the food, decorations and overall spirit that was there.

A dear friend of mine shared on facebook a special photo from ten years ago (TEN YEARS - WHAT?!?)  when as a high school choir we were able to sing Christmas music at the church administration building.  We were able to sing for President Hinckley who briefly stopped at spoke with us.  I'll never forget as he walked away and shook his cane in the air and said "Sing on, Sing on!"  What a sweet and special experience that I loved to remember.  Here is the facebook post: 

"One of my favorite ways to celebrate this time of year has always been singing Christmas music. Songs about Jesus Christ have a special spirit and meaning that allow you to bear testimony and feel of His Spirit as you sing or listen. Although I know it doesn't matter who is listening when you sing, ten years ago this morning I had the opportunity to sing at the LDS Church Administration Building for some very special people whom I consider special witnesses of Jesus Christ, and it is an experience I will never forget. There is no sweeter music than a carol to our Heavenly King. #LightTheWorld"

Of course decorating our own tree while we listened to Christmas tunes was another tradition I love!  Calvin loves to get the soft ornaments off the bottom of the tree and carry them around the house.  He also enjoys looking at the bright twinkly lights before bedtime!

Last week we had an extra special opportunity to do a Play-a-thon at the Galleria mall with my piano students!  They all worked hard to prepare Christmas music to share.  They also collected pledges to give to the School of the Blind for the play-a-thon.  It was a great service opportunity and a unique venue to perform as well! 

Michael brought the boys and pushed them around the mall in the double stroller - which they enjoyed.  Mike said Calvin loved grabbing displays and being an overall whirlwind of destruction.. but what a CUTE whirlwind of destruction, right!?!

Here are some of the kids who performed 2 or 3 of their favorite Christmas carols! 

There is something quite special about the Christmas music and the spirit that it brings!  I really hope the kids got to feel that special feeling as they shared their music.

"JOY comes from and because of Him.  We feel it at Christmastime when we sing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come." And we can feel it all year round.  For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"

-President Russell M. Nelson

{Thanksgiving 2016}

Our first Thanksgiving with Wesley as part of the family was a success! 

This year was extra special because, once again, we had two new baby cousins on the Reynolds side who got to meet each other.  Their sweet spirits made the holiday even more special - 

Wesley James and Golda Loy - born 6 months apart - are the newest additions to the family!  It was fun to see these new cousins interact and reminisce on just a few Christmases ago in 2014 when we had Calvin and Saffron meeting each other for the first time! 

We drove down to Arizona Thanksgiving morning - pulled up just in time to eat dinner with Dan and Krystal and all of the Reber family.  It was fun to relax and meet several of the siblings from Krystal's family.

It was a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving afternoon (especially after the road trip with kids in the car for 5 hours - the huge backyard was perfect for them to run around in)!

Calvin and Saffron tentatively hugging each other - it took awhile for them to warm up to each other!

The perfectly timed booger picking picture!  hahaha!  

The boys engaging in a "friendly" game of badminton ;)

Wes examining his new surroundings on his first Thanksgiving!

Saffron getting loves from her Dad and watching the crazy boy cousins fight over her popular roller coaster toy.

Calvin LOVED this toy!  

My little sidekick and best friend.  He possesses a unique skill set which allows him to lead me close to the brink of insanity - then pull me back in with a well timed fart.  This kid is my greatest adventure.

Sweet Wesley had huge smiles for his Aunt Krystal!

After all the festivities Saffron serenaded us on her beautiful "baby grand" :)

Other highlights of the trip included -

• Calvin meeting the goat "Jezebel" and being very nervous.  He pet the goat but was very relieved when Uncle Dan picked him up.  He preferred to see the animals from a distance.

Lots of pictures with the new babes together!  Calvin joined in for a couple also... Golda has two Reynolds boys who will definitely watch out for her as they grow up!

• Meeting up with Justin at Famous Daves for some food!  It was fun to catch up with him & hear how the Mulders are doing.

• A trip to see the Mesa Temple lights was wonderful to kick off the Christmas spirit this season!

• Golda sat with me one morning and showed me some of her sweetest expressions, because obviously I'm her favorite aunt :)

• Calvin also enjoyed serenading us with music on Saffron's little piano!

• A walk by the canal was fun for all the cousins

• The highlight of Calvin's trip was when Austin let him hold the screwdriver and watch him fix the disposal.   Calvin loves screwdrivers SO much and he usually doesn't get to play with them... so he was entranced.  We may have a little handy man on our hands!

• We had a birthday celebration for Saffron since we were only one week away from her turning two!  I love the picture where she is clapping for herself blowing out the candles! 

• A fun double date night - "Organ Stop" ... I LOVED this place!  Live organ music while you ate was pretty dang cool!

• Of course the highlight of the trip was Golda's blessing day.  The spirit was strong and Dan gave her a wonderful blessing.  

It was fun to re-connect with Dan and Krystal & see Golda!  I hope the cousins grow up feeling close to one another <3

Happy Thanksgiving!