Photoshoot Request.

Clariana and Bella wanted to do a photoshoot. Cecily came along too. 

Coraline and Nephi were not interested and already in the van to go. 

 

These two have become such great buddies this past year. 

Grandma Moni & Ken

Spent the morning with Grandma Moni and Ken on the Sunday before Christmas. 

They traveled from Pennsylvania to bring all sorts of magical gifts. 

 

Christmas!

We were gifted money from Levi's grandparents for Christmas to use how we would like so Levi and I decided to go away for a two day adventure. 

I bought Clairana a new bathing suit (she was the only one who needed one - dang growing lady) and everyone watched her open it. 

Then we told them we were leaving for a water park in a few hours! It was exciting for everyone including me. 

Nephi with Benji and Buddy

Night before Christmas. Trashy cereal for all! Less wrappers for parents. 

This was in my stocking from Clairana  - she wrote out one of her great grandmother's poems with a few adjustments to make it about Christmas.

Zona loves Christmas. She needs to be in all the action.

Dolls. Lots of Dolls.

She stayed there the whole time the kids opened presents.

Elfie said BYE.

Nephi hung up lights inside.

My sweet girlfriend, Anne, made these beautiful mittens for me. I love them so much. Her talents amaze and inspire me.

Aunt Ashli sent all the kids guns for Christmas after Levi had bought the same one for Tyson when he was in Arizona in October. We prayed, talked, and thought about the Bell family all Christmas. 

I dug out all the pictures I had of Tyrone and laid them out on my office floor and sat with the kids sharing memories - I even ended up framing a few for the house as sweet reminders.

Cabella made this card for my mom and Randy - she forgot to give it to them on Christmas Eve but I had to take a picture of it because it made my heart so happy.

 

Clairana's Concert

 

Here is the performance from the Tippecanoe Youth Choir. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OleC8guw8Q

Ashby Family

We missed our Ashby family SO MUCH. Aunt Emily got Covid just days before the holiday so we dropped off their gifts on the doorstep and waved and shouted love you over and over again. 

We missed them for all the holidays this year due to sickness. Cousins at family get togethers are so important. Children are so important and make the magic.

Clairana made Emily a headband that she so kindly wore and took pictures for us to see. 

I told Emily have the kids open their gifts right away so you can go rest and let Nick entertain them. We got them all guns too. (It was a gun kind of year!)

I also got Kreed a book we have read that has his middle name as the title.

 

Grandpa Rick & Uncle Tanner Visit.

Well, I didn't get any pictures of the visitors but Grandpa Rick and Tanner came over on the 23rd and 

We may have started a new tradition of homemade eggnog. 

We borrowed a secret recipe from our friends in Washington which we had with them about 12 years ago. It was amazing. The kids even loved it too. 

Grandpa Rick brought the kids a present that was a night of entertainment. Laser guns and vest for all. Even the adults wanted to play.

Pretty standard night time/room time picture. Clairana playing and Coraline drawing. 

LASER GUNS!

**Levi's sister also got everyone guns so we have been having lots of war around here. 

 

Christmas Tree

For the past couple years, we have just cut down a tree off of our property. 

We planted these trees when we were going to build a wedding venue 

(then two were built down the road instead and Covid hit so blessing in disguise)

So they make for really cheap Christmas trees! 

Plus we can squeeze in the activity once Levi gets home from work on a weekday.

It wasn't as late as the pictures make it seem.