Christmas 2013!

This past week has been awesome!  I love the Spirit of the Season.  Everyone is happy, generous, and we were lucky to be surrounded by such great family and friends.  Here are some pictures~ 

Christmas Eve: 

We had a delicious dinner of homemade rolls, ham, potatoes, salad, stuffed mushrooms, yum...   My friend Amy M dropped by with a delicious plate of cookies- just in time for dessert and to leave some for Santa.

My sister Melissa and her family had us for Christmas this year.  She gave us some awesome Oklahoma BBQ sauce, an ice cream scoop, Scentsy BYU candle warmer, a Willow Tree for me, a cool picture of New York, and SKYLANDER SWAPFORCE!!!  The kids were super excited.

 Christmas morning stair picture:

 James was happy: 

Kate was happy: 

 

 Bruce was happy:

 And Jane was happy (mainly because Andy was here:) 

They each got a marshmallow gun:

 My parents sent us this beautiful frame with our wedding invitation and picture in it: 

 Brad's parents gave us their favorite gift from their wedding- this wonderful cheese knife: 

We spent most of the day watching movies, playing games, and relaxing in the foot spa:

 We LOVE books from Grandparents too:

We had 2 fabulous families over for Christmas dinner:

 Cards from so many amazing friends and family-  we REALLY love them and love seeing your smiling faces:

 We hope you also had a Very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

Ice Storm Pictures for Lissa and More Holiday Celebrations..

Yesterday I was talking with my sister in OK about the ice storm there and I said that I don't think we've ever had one.  This morning I woke up to this: 

 It's beautiful:

 

We had a busy week of school and church and piano and dance celebrations.  Here are some highlights:

 Bruce had a piano recital yesterday afternoon:

We love his teacher!

 James had a fun party at his preschool: 

 Kate got to have a party at school also.     Last week she had a dance recital:

On Monday night we went with Jane and her violin teacher and one other student to a nursing home for her recital: 

 

 We got LOTS and LOTS of snow last week and then on Thursday is rained and rained and melted it all away.  I did get this picture of the boys and Susie Q playing- love it!

 At our ward Christmas party Bruce invited his friends and they got to meet Santa:

 * Kate got to decorate 3 Gingerbread houses this year:

Lunch With Santa

Last Saturday I took the kids to B's work for the fabulous Lunch With Santa!  

He arrived on a firetruck- an awesome tradition:

We got our faces painted 

and lots of balloon creations.

I also found these pictures on my camera...

 

 

Right now these cuties are painting and listening to the "Frozen" soundtrack.  We love having them here! 

When the Kids Get the Camera... & Malcolm Gadwell..

I just took the pictures off of my camera and I found lots of these kinds of pictures:
 

Yesterday afternoon these 2 worked really hard on puzzles:

Last Wednesday evening I took B out on a date (early b-day present.)  

We went to hear Malcolm Gladwell and he was a wonderful storyteller!  He talked a lot about his new book, here,  but did bring in parts of his other books too.  At the end there was a question/answer period with him.  It was an awesome time. 

Bruce is in the Friend!

My friend told me today that she saw Bruce in the "Friend" magazine.  He's on page 47: 

We think it's pretty cool.  

If you want to read the rest of "The Friend" click here: http://www.lds.org/friend/2013/11?lang=eng

Make Weak Things Become Strong...

   

  About five years ago I was pretty weak.  I was happy, faithful, willing to serve, and was called to be the Relief Society President in the Amherst Ward.  I was excited.  I had been president before and I was the 2nd Counselor for a while in the ward before we moved here.  

      The sisters here are amazing, talented, kind, and I learn so much from them every day.  I stayed busy.  I had a lot of phone calls to answer, visits to make, meetings to attend, and lots of lots of prayers.  But- I was blessed.  I have a wonderful husband and family that support me so much.  James wasn't even born when I was called so it's all he's known.  There were extremely hard moments when we had dear friends of ours pass away, but again I was supported with such wonderful friends who would give me hugs and cry with me.   

     

Yesterday I was released from the calling.  No more visiting teaching "re-arranging,"  no more order forms, no more monthly meeting and newsletters, no more "Welcome to the Ward" visits,  not until the next time at least :)

     I am stronger.  My testimony is stronger.  I still have a ways to go, but I am so happy that the Lord has molded me into who I am today. 

 I love to serve and I'm excited for what will come next.  I am REALLY excited about the flowers my mom and dad sent to me today.

The card read, "Your euphoria is well earned. Congratulations on the 5 years of remarkable and exemplary service to so many! Love Mom and Dad"