Christmas craziness

What a Merry Christmas. Though we couldn't be with extended family this year we were able to talk to most of our family and had a nice, relaxing day with minimal arguing if any. I felt the Spirit and had so much fun watching the kids open gifts. They had so much fun.

Here they are opening the gift they gave each other. They were so cute. Hannah handed the gift to Richard and said, "Merry Christmas, Richard."

I love her face on this one!

Chris bought me these adorable Tinker Bell jams and the blinking tiara. He knows me so well. :)

Our darling friend Callie gave the kids coloring books and paints. They had so much fun making a mess.

My little clown driving his remote control truck.

Hannah wanted a bum shot, too.

Merry Christmas

I just want to share my feelings of Christmas and my gratitude for all the wonderful blessings in my life and a bit of an wrap-up of our year.

First of all I'm so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The gospel has brought so much joy to my life along with amazing experiences and terrific friends. No matter where you move there are incredible people waiting to welcome and serve you and you have a ready made family. We have been so welcomed in our new ward the last few months and we could never repay them.

Chris was just called to be the first counselor in the Elders Quorum and I the first counselor in the Young Women's presidency. So we are being giving an opportunity to serve the wonderful people of the Scottsbluff Ward. I'm loving every minute of it. The kids have fantastic leaders and teachers in nursery and primary and have made some great friends.

Chris's job in going really well. He enjoys it and works with some very nice people. I'm so thankful for this opportunity. Chris is also going to school. He has had a bit of a break since he was in the hospital with pneumonia, but will begin again shortly after the first of the year. This schooling will open up new opportunities in his field, though we plan to stay here for many more years.

I am thrilled to be able to stay home with my beautiful children. Richard and Hannah keep me busy and I love it. They make me laugh all day and we have fun learning, playing, exercising, and working together. Richard is always full of so many questions. Usually it is cute, but after about 100 questions a day I have to start exercising my patience. :)

Hannah is growing and learning so fast. She is taller than all of her friends and has outgrown most of her tops in the last 2 months. She has a good sense of humor and is very adventurous. Hannah loves pigs and has a puppet pig that she and Chris play a game with and she has so much fun.

I am thankful for my eternal companion. Chris is truly my best friend. We can and do share everything with each other and I'm so grateful for his love for me, our children, and the gospel. He is a good man that will do anything for us. I love him dearly.

I am so glad to be celebrating the birth and life our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and loves each of us. Despite the cold, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I adore the music, giving gifts, being with loved ones, the lights, the trees and other decorations, and the amazing Spirit of giving, sharing, joy, love, and happiness. I love my Savior so much and am deeply thankful for his Atoning sacrifice.

This has been a special Christmas as the kids are getting older and understanding to give and share and remember the birth of Jesus. Richard helped me pick out a special gift for a 5 year old boy for the giving tree our ward has. He was so happy to pick a cool toy for this "new friend" that we may never meet. I hope to continue this tradition.

May we all have an amazing, spiritual Christmas and remember the gifts that the Savior has given us and we give to each other. And dedicate our lives to Him.

Chris's work party

Seeing as how Chris is the boss-man, we had his employees over for some treats and appetizers Sunday. The kids were the entertainment as they sang, danced, and were just their silly selves. The food was really good and the company was fun.

I hope to continue the new tradition and make it bigger and better next year.

This is Richard with Brother Burmeister, he is in the ward and his wife works for Chris. They are really cool and we have a lot of fun with them and their 6 awesome kids!

Sister Burmeister, Marcie, Hannah and Sue

Richard was showing off the nativity ornament that his teacher (Bro Burmeister's daughter) gave him for Christmas. So sweet.

Jen, Hannah, and Marcie playing catch with doggie.

We want to thank all who came and for the sweet and thoughtful gifts. It was a blast and I love getting to know everyone better. The kids we kept busy for a couple of hours and had so much fun with their new friends. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

After church fun

 

Cupboard kids

I was working in the kitchen yesterday when Richard decided he would play "house" in the cupboard. Hannah came in and wanted to as well. They had a lot of fun being neighbors.

Garbage man

Richard has been taking the garbage out for me for a few weeks now. If he does it all week he gets .50 paydays on Saturday. Today there was extra garbage since we had pizza last night and bought new kitchen appliances so he really made his money this week.

He loves to use his dump truck as the garbage truck. So Richard keeps it outside and it is always ready for a trip to the garbage dumpster.