Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The traditions were all kept! The Jesus dinner by candlelight on Christmas Eve- 

 the puppy in a basket- 

A beautiful, if not slightly irreverent, retelling of the Nativity Story, complete with a flying monkey angel and Stella baby Jesus- 

Reindeer food launched into the yard- 

Cookies set out by the fireplace with care- 

And everyone's favorite tradition of all- the exchanging of siblings gifts on Christmas Eve- 

There is a quiet magic that settles over the house on Christmas Eve, a beautiful and much needed pause in the middle of a crazy holiday season, to remember the reason for the season. And on Christmas Day, we love to put the whole world on pause. 

Laney is so funny- she loves to sniff out her stocking and help herself to her presents just like the rest of us. She tried to bury her treat under the Christmas tree. 

My very favorite Christmas present of all this year was from my sweet girls Emma and Leah- they went shopping and bought me all kinds of surprises, including these beautiful swans! 

I smile and think of them everytime I see these. 

And truly, the greatest gift of Christmas was the gift of being together as a family. We are blessed to be a family that loves each other and enjoys our time together. There is no greater gift than that!

Thanksgiving in Utah

Thanksgiving was the only opportunity for the kids to see Leah in her freshman dorm life this year, so we packed up the car, dropped off the pup, and headed west! There isn't much to love about this drive, but it does seem quite a bit easier with a car full of teenagers who have a concept of time and miles than it was with a car full of toddlers who had neither. Spending the night somewhere in Nebraska or Wyoming helps with the agony too. 

The father had to kiss the dinosaur. 

These rocks in the Little America rest stop never fail to entertain. 

Our trusty guide!

When we got to Grandma and Grandpa's house, Leah was there waiting for us! And the next few days were filled with family, food, and fun! 

Leah took her siblings on a tour of her campus! The father and I trailed behind, content to listen to her stories of life at BYU. It's their turn now!

And just about as quickly as we got there, it was time to pile back in the car and head back home. It was a fun and fast weekend together, and everyone was so happy to see Leah again. It's hard to be so far apart! 

Easter!

 Not unlike Christmas, the Easter holiday has boiled down to the essential traditions in recent years. We are no longer trying out new traditions and seeing what sticks, we are just trying to stay focused on the meaning of the holiday and executing what already works! 

Hands down the best Easter morning surprise was the giant gold egg from Grandma Cathy!

I love this Gorilla Tag chick!

Reading the Happy Easter, Babe card is a longstanding tradition in our house. 

This Easter felt especially joyful because it came in the middle of an absolutely crazy month. Life is full and good and a Sabbath Day of rest is always a beautiful thing. 

Resurrections rolls!

It was a chilly and rainy Easter Sunday this year. 

We had a beautiful Easter program in sacrament meeting. 

It was a much needed, quiet evening that we spent eating, enjoying each other, and playing extreme Hues and Cues! 

Above all, we are so blessed to know that our Savior lives! And that because of Him, we will all live again too!