1.4.22 In with the new

We worked a bit in reverse this year cleaning out the old the day before Christmas so we could bring in the new. We started the day removing old worn out furniture from our house. This triggered the need to wash and vacuum our two main living rooms. After that we all piled in the big van to go get the new couches. There is something very final with burning. Addie loves a good fire this was maybe one of her Christmas presents. 

After many hours, book it pizza's, and a lot of lifting we arrived back at home with our new used couches. We washed and dried the furniture. 

Thankfully Uncle Bryce saw our project and offered to help. While we weren't lacking man power we were definitely low on patience and energy by this point. His cheerful can do attitude was just what we needed to finish the project before dark. 

We love having room for everyone and some bigger chairs for the bigger bodies our children have grown since we moved here a lot of years ago. That could be in part from the delicious treats our neighbors shared with us this holiday season. We did not get to as many neighbors as I had hoped but we are forever grateful for the many friends who share their love and concern with our family. 

MAn loved the chocolate covered pretzels. They were really good. 

That night for scriptures everyone agreed the couches were just the right size. We are grateful for those we bought and were gifted them from. We are working to learn new habits like not walking or jumping on the furniture. We have to keep training the next generation to be better behaved. Hopefully this will soak in soon. I'm not sure how good of a police I will be buried deep in my accounting this month and struggling with late pregnancy limitations. We shall see. 
 

1.3.22 Christmas Eve 21

One of the best parts of Christmas is all the boxes. These boys loved the huge box that brought one of my favorite most hoped for presents new laundry baskets. With the amount of laundry we do a set last about 9 months then we manage for the next 3. We definitely use things up.

After many weeks and days of waiting the night was here and we had Christmas Eve Joy at Uncle KEvin's and Aunt Elizabeth's. Their house is the best for parties lots of room and people so there is fun for all. 

A fun new attraction the bouncy gym. 

Plenty of dolls and seating to play in. 

Santa made a special stop. The kids waited patiently for their turn. Parents hoped the wishes were filled at home. 

All photos thanks to this lady who is fantastic at capturing the moments. 

Next the nativity. It's fun and wild each year. This is a fun addition to the festivities each graduating parts and sure in the knowledge of the why of Christmas. 

The adults and teens endulge in the yearly assortment of Christmas yumminess. 

A new addition to the cast Merle man making his debut as a camel.

Visiting with Uncles.

Next step waiting a bit more for dinner to be ready to serve.

Finally to the feast! Plenty for first, seconds, and thirds for more than 40. We are blessed to live so abundantly.

Seating for all and a good time to catch up.

The kids were in a hurry to get to presents. This gift exchange of cold cereal is a highlight. Each gets their own box of cold cereal. Yum yum.

Cousins share lots of similarities and make each holiday and gathering more fun. Though the traditions have changed and evolved it is only becoming better and better. 

Teenagers were the big winners on the Kahoot Uncle Justin created for the White elephant gift exchange. They have fast fingers and good guesses.

We rounded the evening out with a cookie buffet and more visiting. 

 Life is good another year lived and moving into the next. We get bigger in number, wiser, funnier, and hopefully strengthened by each other. We are thankful to be family and for the times we get to be together relaxed and sharing some food and time. We have standard traditions that bind us together through the generations. Happy New Year.

1.2.22 Christmas Day 21

Christmas started with a phone call from our missionary. It was cute when she shared her Christmas horse with her younger siblings who were also so excited with their Christmas horses. We have so many animals these days but the number one game they play and fight over is who has which horse to act out the games with. Greg was of course home, so I got to listen to them share mission stories and advice. The conversation is decidedly different between those that have served and those that have not. 

After the phone call chores were a must. Of course there was a minor cow problem. So cows were put back in pen, new pen was built, and guys came back in from the cold to a hot breakfast. We had the usual deviled eggs, apple or mixed berry turnovers, hot chocolate, eggnog, and sausage. It's always good. 

After clean up we moved on to the Christmas story found in Luke and presents. 

After unwrapping the presents the kids gather their treasures and go play for a few hours. After the playing we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Saunders for dinner and more playing with cousins. 

We came home to enjoy our new TV and a quick movie Mr. Krueger's Christmas. It was so nice to all be able to see and hear. Lia made some ski's.

We were blessed beyond measure this year. Christmas like joy came in many different months. Looking forward to Anna's coming home from college. Celebrating Mark getting off crutches 2x. Harvest being a success. I know those aren't holy events, but sometimes the joy is found in other months that equals the celebration in December. This year we learned a lot about working together, about working above our desired capacity, and blessings. We were abundantly blessed. So the hype of one day of presents and rest while nice was also anti-climatic. I know I'm missing the reason of the season etc., but this year with kids gone and so much under our belt it was just different. We were so thankful for the many prayers that were answered throughout the year, by God's sustaining grace through the many hard days and nights we endured, and the power of a Living Christ advocating and supporting us each day not just the one.