Finally a Family Tradition!

I've always wanted to come up with a family tradition for Christmas. I wanted to do something more than just matching pajamas, or opening a present on Christmas Eve.I wanted a tradition that would mean more...and highlight Christ. But, over the years, I've kept coming up blank, until this year. YAY! After looking through ideas on the internet, I merged a few ideas together to come up with this.......

25 homemade ornaments (which add a beautiful new texture, shape, and color to our tree) each with a name referring to The Son of God. (There are over 200 names, in case you were wondering.) Each night, the boys will take turns choosing a star off the tree. We'll read the name, ask them "Why they think this would be a name used to refer to Jesus.", then we'll look up a scripture where that particular name is used and talk about how the Savior is that name. I'm so excited! I don't know if I'll make new ornaments with new names, or just use the same one for awhile till the boys really know the names and their meanings.
I am grateful for the inspiration this tradition was. I know it will benefit my boys. I know it will bring the spirit into our home more during the holidays, and I know our focus will be on the right things. I am so excited for December 1st! 

Tree Lighting Ceremony

When trying to think of what we could do for FHE, I found out there was a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony going on in Washington City. Hey, it's still November, but why not. Joe, Aunt Nattie and I loaded up the boys and headed to the park. It was SO much more than I expected it to be, and was so fun, not to mention free.

 There was singing by local school kids, the Grinch walking around, free hot chocolate and donuts, and a "Polar Express" wagon ride to see Santa. It was a lot of fun. I think we did everything in an hour, and the boys were perfect the whole time.

 Santa! and Mrs. Claus. I'm glad we got to see them now. Now, there is NO pressure to find Santa before Christmas. I like getting a jump on the holidays!

Thanks Nat for being there to help with kids and just to share the experience. AND, mostly to take the rare family photo. What a great night! December is looking good already!

Carter's TWO!!!

I'm the proud mama of a two year old again! I can't believe it. He's amazing and funny and just the best little guy around. He is independent and feisty and just so cute. We love our Carter!

 As soon as we all started singing, Carter put his hands up to his mouth and gasped. (Kind of like Miss America would do after hearing she won.) It was too funny. He's so full of personality. What 2yr old does that? Haha.

 YAY! Carter's two!

One of his favorite toys. A big truck!

Grandma and Aunt Nattie came over to help celebrate and it was a great birthday for my awesome BIG boy. I am grateful to know Carter. I am grateful for his sweet smile and his hilarious and ever rolling laugh. He's truly a treasure to our family.

Color Me Rad!

When I found out about a race that was made strictly to be fun and not serious, where the runners would be completely dyed, sprayed and painted with paint and colored powder, I was IN! I singed up months ago, and finally the race day came. Mom, Nat and cousin Kirstin joined me, for an incredibly fun time. It was a blustery day, and we were cold until we started running, and laughing and smiling. Then we forgot the cold.

Just after the race. We were colorful, but not colorful enough. Haha. The after party was where we added the most color to our white clothes.

 

 Party after the race! We all got a packet of colored cornstarch to throw at the signature count down to end the race. It was so fun. We were all then covered in color. They blared dance music and we all danced -even mom! We let ourselves have fun, and get covered in more and more crazy fun colorfulness.

 I felt young! and more myself. I felt great. I loved the whole experience. I'll do this again, for sure. These crazy, different, FUN things are the sorts of things I want to do more of. They make life a little more interesting and more vivid -literally. I want to be reminded, often, that I am young and fun, and not just a responsible adult with adult worries. I need to feed this happy, energetic, youthful side more. These things make me a better person! I love it!

Yay for Our Runners!

Earlier this year, I signed the boys up for the Tuff Kid race. They did a 200m distance. They really enjoyed themselves, so hen I read about another race, I asked them if they wanted to run again. They did. This time they did 1 mile!

 Cute boys ready to run!

 

 Lined up, stretching and they're off!

 They had a very fast start, and got a little tired too soon. They walked and ran. Joe even ran/walked along with them, while Carter and I waited at the finish line.

 Ben finished strong! He ran in and was happy.

 

 Kade had gotten pretty tired and relied on a little support from Dad to finish. But he was happy and a great racer. We'll do more of these for sure. I love getting them out and getting them involved in new, fun and positive things. I want them to grow up and seek out these types of things to do themselves. I'm glad they are outgoing tough boys who are willing to push themselves. Way to go boys! We're proud of you!

Halloween!

Halloween has got to be one of our favorite holidays. The boys LOVE dressing up and being a whole new person! Well, except for Carter. We got him dressed in the same cute lion costume that both Ben and Kade wore at two. SO cute! But, Carter freaked out, and instantly resisted. As the wonderful parents we are, Joe and I stuffed his flailing self into the outfit. Haha. We figured he calm down once he saw what it was all about, in a mirror, but he didn't. We quickly offered him a bribe -the sucker, but he still cried about the costume for another 5 minutes.

By the time we drove down the street to the church trunk or treat, he was perfectly content and no longer a roaring little lion. I love my little one!

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Kade had a preschool party and was more comfortable with his Batman mask off. But, here he is as Batman. He couldn't wait for his turn to wear this costume! He looked very handsome and very cool in it. I think he looks SO big. I can't believe how grown up he is.

 

 

 

 Ben has wanted to be a vampire since just after Halloween last year. He was SO excited to get to dress up for school and for actual Halloween night. I think his favorite part was having his hair painted. He looks like an entirely different kid! He's not scary, but is a very handsome vampire. He looks great!

The best picture we could get of all three boys together. Joe took the boys trick or treating as always (thank you Joe!), and I manned the candy bowl at our house. It was a fun night! I love these three boys!