End of December

Reed is a lean muscle machine. From hours and hours of building fences and youth, he is a forceful person. Older and in a different skill set is his older brother Harold. Someday I think Reed will be of similar height. Nonetheless, all my guys are pretty strong. 

We got an unusual amount of Rain in the days before and after Christmas. .58 inches in 24 hours and almost 3" for the month. I'm sure we were well over 3" by the end of the month probably closer to 4". And with so little coldness it's deep mud everywhere. 

We stole a few hours maybe two and painted together. This was really enjoyable. And I love the confidence and ability Millie and Livy share in answering questions and giving instructions to the rest of us who don't paint as often. 

I painted bubbles. Not difficult really but I stopped scrolling and trying to decide and just whipped this out. I'm pleased with the result. I haven't painted for a long time but really enjoy spending that time with my daughters. This was only possible because the younger children were playing at grandma's. 

The finsihed products. Livy helped Anna get the proportions and details correct. 

We ate dinner together often. 

Uncle Matt said good by getting a round of hugs from the nieces. 

and nephews. 

A wheelbarrow full of rain water. 

MY lettuce is doing well in the mild wet climate. I dug out the leaves and was surprised at how hardy it is. NOtice the bare feet in the picture obviously not that cold as I loathe cold feet. 

Merle enjoys the funny Christmas socks. These chicken legs are silly. And then he resumed wrestling Bruce who had finally come home from working with Reed. 

Bruce is grew up a lot in December. The daily grind of helping Reed gave him maturity and confidence that only comes by doing hard things day after day. I'm thankful for the opportunity to grow strong. I'm thankful for siblings who teach. I don't always approve of their methods but the end results are good. IT was a tough month and a lot happened due to the weather, and now we move onto January. Life is good and we are blessed. 
 

Christmas day

Christmas morning the girls were showing off their new crowns. I thought that would be a unique stocking stuffer for the year. I did not figure out something interesting for the boys. Gift-giving is so hard. I'm a repeat year-after-year giver. So to come up with a new idea is pretty big. 

The boys were happy just to be together and looking forward to the turnovers. 

Beautiful Millie and Lia. Millie got her expander off she is enjoying just having teeth in her mouth right now no metal. We need to change that soon. 

I had lots of helpers and we worked fast this year. The kids made deviled eggs with Addie. 

Harold has enjoyed playing with the younger kids, tickling and teasing them. 

Mark put together his Lego set. That's the boys' gift a lego set to assemble Christmas day as hopefully, we don't do too many chores and outside stuff. With the rain this year they did have to go out for a while. 

Mark also played a bit with Merle showing him how to manage his new combine and grain cart toy tractors. 

Mark got bogs to keep him going on the cow handling. 

The youngest girls in grandma-inspired Christmas costumes. Dolls from great grandma Lasley. 

Afton with her pile. She has a birthday coming up. She may have been the child that was hard to shop for this year. I plan on doing some one one-on-one with her to show some attention to her. I knew and dreaded one child being short,  but at the unwrapping event it is what it is. 

Millie and Afton got furbies from Grandma Lasley. 

It's just a lot in our small space but Addie and Reed manage the excess well. I only lost my special card from Anna. I sincerely hope to find it later in the month when the transition from Christmas and college students settles. Anna had all the kids write a thank you Christmas morning. I was touched by their thoughtful comments. 

Several of the kids got new water boots. 

Andrea is just a sweetie. I'm so thankful for the gift of motherhood and the blessing it is to have her joy and happiness in our home. 

Making turnovers before gifts. Addie was the photographer. 

Aunt Deanne brought special friendship necklaces. I had not seen 3-way splits. The girls had so much fun with these special cousins. 

Christmas was a nice day of giving, receiving, rest, and special traditions. We are thankful for the abundance that is ours. Life is good. 
 

Christmas eve

Christmas Eve was the annual family Christmas Party. This year Mary was played by Beth. It was a delight to accompany the family singing Christmas Carols on my parent's reliable very nice-sounding piano. While that piano is over 100 years old the touch is still strong and the sound still clear. It was a joy to play it for a few minutes. It was a greater joy to hear the united voices of the family singing the story of the birth of Jesus so long ago. 

Uncle Dan loves to razz the children. He plays with them and they cover him with arms legs and attention. He took on 2-6 six at a time. 

A highlight is visiting with each other. 

Grandma rested a lot as she is still recovering her arch from injuring it stepping through a stool in Hawaii.

We played Kahoot with questions on Christmas trivia. 

A room full of smarties made this a challenging experience. Uncle Justen was kind to spend the time making the games and monitoring the answers. The winners got to draw prizes. 

This gift was made by Justen and his 3-D printer. It's a mistle toad! so fun and clever.

We enjoyed good food and a nice evening together. I'm thankful for these times to reflect and be together. It's a nice way to start the holiday run. 
 

Christmas Season of celebrating

These are the rewards of older chidlren. Them recognizing you had their best interest in mind as you raised them. I'm thankful for the great young man Harold has become. He is a leader and so capable at fixing and figuring out solutions. We have really appreciated his work for us this month. 

For Christmas Neighbor gifts we used over 50 lbs of flour and made over 600 donuts int he month of December. Bruce and Reed helped with the last two cooking. They are pretty efficient and great quality control guys. 

Bruce fried and Reed dipped and managed. H's preparing glaze here. 

Plated and ready to go. 

I was asked recently what my scripture study looks like. This is part of it. All squished together relaxing or the last item before bedtime. 

I like how close everyone is. I like that it's our wind down. I love that I get all these people in my life. 

We miss this lady and are so thankful for the wonderful fulfilling experience mission life has been for her. Please excuse the poor picture. 

A sweet lady worked to make Christmas special for her. This is her personalized pillowcase. We love the color selection that is so Aliza. 

Christmas is so much more than one day here. It is the month of anticipation, of thinking of others, of singing songs of joy and praise of JEsus Birth. It is loving our neighbors and reaching out to them. It's taking time to be together enjoying rest. There is much about the gospel of Jesus Christ but those things, rest from the work of the days, love for others, joy are prime words describing my thoughts of Christmas this year. We are thankful for the Christmas Season. Life is good.