Party #4: Soccer party

It's always fun to do this soccer party because the girls are SO excited!! We opted to do Waffles and PJ's for the theme and did crafts, games and of course the secret sister gift. Sadly there were some sick ones but we still made it work. Ashley Merkley graciously offered to help and I was so grateful for her help! These girls pounded waffles like nothing!

I taught them chair soccer and it was a hit!

This is Santa's sleigh ride relay. It was a hoot!

And the antler game. 

It's always fun to watch their faces light up as they open their gifts of things they love. 

There was a special gift given for Macie since they are moving to CA after christmas! We will sure miss them. 

Cute girls and amazing players!

Macie hug!

Ashley helped them paint ornaments and they turned out so cute!

Merry Christmas girls! 

Whoo! I made it through 4 parties in 4 days!

Party #3: CHRISTmas with friends

My good friend, Emily Maughan, suggested at Christmas time that we get some families together and do a progressive dinner and each person would be assigned a name of Christ and would get a chance to discuss what it meant. 

It was such a special night. To hear 20+ testimonies of Christ in 1 night from our friends.

We started at the Maughan's house with an appetizer of chips and dips. They all shared their names of christ. My favorite was the one Emily Shared. It was "I AM." I've heard that name often but not really understood it. She explained that it means that I am __________ (you fill in the blank) meaning He is anything and everything we want or need him to be. I am your friend, I am you confidant, I am your savior....the options are infinite and endless. 

Next was dinner at our house. We served pasta and garlic bread. I was very proud of each of my kids as they stood and shared their name of Christ. Our names assigned were Counselor, Rock, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Only Begotten & Wonderful. 

Next, was dessert at the Farris home! We all enjoyed cookies and cocoa as we heard more testimonies of the Savior. this was such a special night and I hope to do it again!

I'm so grateful for these 2 ladies and our friendship over the last 10 years. God knew I needed them in my life and that our kids would need eachother. Thank you for the beautiful gift of a Christ centered holiday!

 

Party #2: Teen party

December is always busy with parties and somehow I found myself hosting 4 parties within just a few days! It made for some craziness but it was so great. Carter invited some friends over to play some games and do a gift exchange. It was the evening of Brielle's birthday so we had 2 parties in 1 day!!! I tried to stay out of the way and just facilitate the games but it was so fun to watch them interact and laugh and play with each other. 

They played Happy Salmon - loudest game ever with these kids!

Left, Right, Center and unwrapping candy with oven mitts were some other games. 

They also did charades and some air hockey. I'm so grateful for these good kids and the good friends they are to my son. 

Good friends are EVERYTHING! Keep making good choices and having good friends Carter!
 

Brielles' Painting & Pastries birthday

Brielle's 9th birthday was approaching and I noticed The Little Mermaid was playing at the Hale Center Theater. I thought it would be fun to take her and my mom offered to buy her ticket as her gift. I told her yes if she would come along! And she did! We surprised her and picked her up from school and took her to see it. 

It was so fun to just be the three of us and get to focus on Bri all afternoon. 

It's such a good show!! I can't wait to go back! ( I ruined a gift Chad was getting me for Christmas by buying my own ticket to go with Brielle!) But seriously its so good, I was happy to see it again!

Her birthday came and she had a new scooter waiting for her in the morning!

She requested cinnamon rolls for breakfast. 

We had her party on her actual birthday and she wanted a 'painting and pastries' theme. It turned out really cute! She invited new friends from her new school and old friends from our old school and neighborhood. 

I was worried what we'd find to have pastries but I soon realized there were tons of mini options and had fun picking out many. These little donuts were the star of the show and ended up being her birthday cake!

We painted first so they could be drying, then played some art games. Here, they are sculpting with clay. 

These are their paintings that were fun to do. Lots of creativity. 

 Happy Birthday Brielle! You continue to be so sweet and happy and I hope you will always be this way. You are my biggest helper and always so thoughtful. Thank you for bringing so much light with you into this world in the middle of December! Love you girly!

December things

As we gear up for this busy holiday, I wanted that we got to the temple early. The kids have made it to the temple every month this year and I'm so proud of them. 

Our ward always has our Christmas party early, which is nice. It was simple and touching and I was happy to not be in charge of it. 

We hit up the Santa parade. 

And did lots of shopping in preparation. 

We got our tree set up...twice....bought a new one and it didn't work so we undecorated it and took it back for another one. Then re-decorated it! There were so many lights on it! Even Jilly loved laying by it!

Got a new do!

And Carter started a job!! He contacted the owner all on his own, who is in our ward, set up an interview and told me he was going to start working! Ok then! Can't stop determination!

Looking forward to the season and the happiness it brings!