For this first post I will try to allow the pictures to tell the story, though you can plan on me interjecting a bit of commentary:) Oh, and I promise most entries will not be this horrifically long.
We couldn't resist with this picture. It just had to be taken.
Talmage went to his very first boy/girl party (can this really be
happening?)!! Each of the kids brought an old sweater and they
decorated them to create "ugly" sweaters for their class Christmas
party. So my son looked like a Dr. Seuss character for a day.
Upon my request, we went bowling for my birthday. Not because I
particularly love bowling (I think I bowled about a 69. Its sad how awful I am), but because the
boys had been begging to go and Seth and I needed a re-do from our last
experience bowling with them (February 2009. FatCats Provo. Seth's
first "activity" with the boys. It didn't go well). This time it was a
fantastic success!
My favorite thing about my birthday is receiving my children's special offerings. I treasure them:).
And of course, Seth's cards<3. Letters and notes from my guys--its really all I ever want:).
Me and Seth by "our" tree. Poor man was so sick, but still made my day special. He's definitely my favorite:).
December 23, 2012. The boys favorite thing: our annual after-church-picture-by-the-tree.
On to Christmas Eve! Seth and the boys worked on creating their gingerbread masterpieces while I prepared for our Christmas Eve international feast.
Joseph's creation.
Seth's cute little Christmas cottage:
Talmage's. Of course.
And Ashton's:)
Deliciousness: Japanese Gyosa, Swedish meatballs, Finnish Marja Purro, English lemon spread with scones, and some very American bacon wrapped mini sausages...and veggies:). Its our favorite meal of the year.
We were lucky to have Devin with us for Christmas this year. Not only was it nice to have an in-house photographer, but his presence always seems to add en extra element of fun for the boys that can't be duplicated.
Pajamas...And Emery's first gift opening!
Disclaimer: the footie pj's for Talmage were his idea. mostly;)
Our glorious Christmas tree...at 2:00a.m.
The start of a new tradition: our hiding hippo:)
Christmas morning!
Merry Christmas, sweet baby!!
And one final surprise after breakfast: a room full of game tables!
Talmage was a little overcome by his excitment.
Christmas day was wonderful and lovely. It was extra special for us to have Grandma and Grandpa Barrus and Devin with us for Christmas dinner.
And of course, what would a seemingly endless selection of Christmas photos be without a picture of a ham?
Christmas is always the most special time of year for me. There is a sacredness to Christmas Eve and Christmas day for me that is simply unmatched. And this year it seemed that my heart was even more full than ever before. With the heartbreaking events in Connecticut occurring just days before, I felt enormous sorrow for the families who would be without their most precious gifts, and so grateful and humbled to be able to have mine close. Somehow the gifts I unwrapped meant so little compared to the looks on my children's faces as they watched in anticipation for my reaction to them, the squeals of delight as they opened their own presents, and the noise and laughter that filled our home throughout the day. How incredible to think about that most precious Gift our loving Heavenly Father gave when He sent His Son to earth that we might have real and lasting peace. I cannot express the gratitude I feel when I think about how the wounds of our hearts can be healed when we allow the Savior to enter in and replace our sadness with joy. I have not lost my children to tragedy, but I have felt loneliness and heartache and I have felt the love of Jesus Christ heal my heart. I love Him for it and pray that the families of the sweet angels in Connecticut who lost their lives can find that same love and peace.
