O Holy Night

Preparing for the Nativity

The Angel Rejoicing



The Shepherd sleeping in the fields

The Magi

The believing young Shepherd


Joseph & Mary

The Magi bringing gold

Emma's new favorite song is "Joy to the World". She knows that we celebrate Christmas because Jesus was born into the world. We rejoice that Jesus Christ was born for us, died for us, and lives for us still as Our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Breakfast Crepes

nutella, raspberries, vanilla bean cream, & crepes= yummy mess

if you're happy & you know it

1. Eat cookies
2. Lick the spatula
3. Kiss your brother
4. Stomp your feet
5. Kiss yourself/elbow

December Happenings

hmmm who is using my camera...

without asking



hmmm...maybe it was Thane!

Going to see the Christmas Ships on one of the coldest days this year...

Emma's pre-school nativity. Cute little lambs and cows!

Feeding Time for "Thanimal"

This 15 month-old couldn't wait the six steps from our kitchen counter to the high chair. He picked up the plate off the counter and dumped it all over himself as he moved it. Then he ate the eggs off of the floor after he stepped in it. Nothing comes between this boy and food when he is hungry.
He is getting more mischievous and inquisitive. He experiments more often now by pulling on his sister's hair just to see if she will laugh or cry. Ugh. Thankfully it isn't a habit, just experimental though he does seem to be tickled with a reaction from Emma. He is a tender boy, but he is all boy!
We love his tackle hugs and his slobbery kisses and effulgent smiles.
Life is good, just messy. We don't expect that will change.

The many faces of sitting on Santa's lap

Santa came to Nana and Papa's house for their Christmas party.
Thank you for a fun night with lots of good food and family.

Christmas zoo-lights in a downpour!

The train ride was the highlight!



Dressing in snow gear kept us warm even if we weren't dry.

Enjoying the lights

and puddles of Christmas.

Spence came home from work and asked me if I had seen the weather...rain...no, I hadn't noticed. He asked if we were still planning on going to the zoo for family night. Yup. No question. Then we got into the car and noticed traffic jamming up and the rain cascading down the windows. Spence thought out loud, "They won't close up because of the rain will they?" I said, "Are you kidding? What else can the zoo expect to have?"

And we all lived soggily and happily ever after.

O Tannenbaum

Decorating the Christmas Tree is a favorite night
Our home transforms with sacred light

the children's angel faces slow,
with all the lights so bright aglow

we love thy branches ever green
warm hope that triumphs cold and mean

the miracles of life renew
and Oneness in our families too


Joy and wonder in each day
Is ours throughout this Hol-y-day


O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum How wonderful each mem'ry!

Corny I know, but that is me. We love Christmas time even in our small space it feels a little more magical when there are lights and reminders of The Savior. O Tannenbaum is a song that reminds me of singing with my Dad in German and so it is a happy song for me.

Watch out Wonderwoman!

Emma said, "Hey mom, look at this!" Next thing I know she is spinning in circles as she zips her coat. I was so surprised she was zipping her sweatshirt by herself--without a toggle to pull on too!

Here is the video. Too bad it is another silent film.

6:1

Emmie, Thane and I went to Karyn's after Thanksgiving to play with all of their kiddos so Andre and Karyn could go away to a work conference together. While I don't look forward to below zero windchill, and single digit temperatures, we found lots of warmth and fun in the new house with lots of excited kids. I can't be bored with Nan, Andy, Logan, Jacob, Emma, and Thane all needing a little bit of me, (or more), but the kids really did quite well playing and helping each other.
Andy and Logan got up at 6am to feed the chickens, sheep, and pigs, while Nan helped get her siblings ready and we ate, read scriptures and rushed her out to school with the whole gang in tow. We did some great (never to be repeated) Dukes of Hazard driving on what used to be a really chunky, bumpy dirt driveway--which is now much smoother thanks to the town of Fort Benton. Andy said, "I didn't have my seat belt on!" To which I replied half nervous half laughing, "I guess you will next time!" (His head hit the ceiling of the Yukon...) Sorry buddy!

No one really whined that much-maybe because there was too much excitement?-Emma thought it was a holiday every day. She even got to go to Carter Country Kindergarten with Jacob all day one day and LOVED it.

The kids already know their routine--chores, school, chores, piano homework, etc. and they really listened quite well. We had fun getting ready for Christmas as Andy and Logan cut back their tree to make it fit, and then all the kids trimmed the tree together.

Emma's new favorite game is "prison". "It's where you chase each other around the house and try to catch someone and keep them inside the prison with a gun...and you run and run..."
Thanks for broadening our horizons Logan, Jake and Andy! Nan thanks for being a big sister who knows about her brothers and her family. You are so fun to be around.

Emma liked Montana so much that on the way home from the airport she asked her Dad
"Can we move to Karyn and Andre's old house when you are done with school Dad?"
" We could make their old house our new house?! "
Of course I was happy because I knew that meant she had a great time with cousins.
Dad Spencer said, " We'll see Em."
Under his breath he said, "There is no way we could support ourselves in that small of a town...hate to burst your bubble."

We missed Daddy Spence for the four days, but we had a great time playing with cousins. We like learning about how other families do daily life and gathering new ideas, games and practices. Thanks for inviting us to come play Uncle Andre!

Feeding the sheep

is hard work even for EnergyBoy Andy!

Did you know sheep are shy?





The other wild things









Can I please have some more COOKIES???