December 2021

December is always the busiest month for us.  Between Christmas stuff, end of year stuff, recitals, and plays on top of everything that we already do, we tend to not have much down time.  But we love watching our kids be involved in things and see the magic in their eyes as we celebrate Christmas.  It's a joyful time and we tried really hard to take moments to think and talk about the Savior and His birth.  

Little helper?

Tess recently joined a Cheer team and they had their first performance at the Dickens Festival at the beginning of the month.  It was so great seeing her do what she loves.  Then we had fun looking around the Festival.  She is a joy to be around.  

Quincy decided a few months ago that she wanted to be a part of the school play Rudolph. She was a townsperson and we loved taking the family to see her be a part of this production.  She put alot of time and effort into this performance. 

One day as Coco and I were drawing she showed me her picture.  I couldn't believe that she had written her name all by herself! She is growing too quickly.  And we found several fun things to do during the day. Like meeting Santa!

Addy went to another school dance with her group of friends! I told her she had to take a selfie for me!

Addy also had a choir concert that so fun to watch.  We love seeing her do her thing!

Coco had a new friend move into our neighborhood and they are so cute together.  Definitely living their best lives. 

We took the girls to see Ryan Shupe and Rubberband's Christmas Concert.  It can still be hard to take them to things like this but it was fun nonetheless. 

Then Coco had her very first dance recital.  She is seriously the cutest thing ever and it was the best seeing her dance on stage!

Every year we drive around to see the all the lights around the town.  This year we found this crazy house that won the Best Christmas Lights contest a few years ago.  I will never understand how people do this but I love it!

She loved turning on the lights and laying under the Christmas tree!

Due to driving up north to be with family over Christmas we chose as a family that we would do our own Christmas celebrations early.  So although it wasn't quite Christmas Eve, this was our Christmas Eve tradition of new jammies... 

And the next day we woke up to this...

Then we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa Wayment's for the Christmas Eve party.  This is always so much fun for everyone and we are spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa.  

Christmas Morning has become such a special tradition since we moved.  Since we do our presents early we have a special moment to focus on the birth of the Savior.  We watch the Christmas story and give the girls a small Nativity to help them remember the true reason for celebration.  We are hoping that this will build a deep love of Christ within them.  

Then we head off to the Payne Family for Christmas Dinner.  We always love spending time with this group of people.  

This was such a sweet moment. Devin started playing the piano and Grandma Ruth came over  to listen to him.  

The joys of taking a toddler to the mall...

Playing the games that we got for Christmas!

Over break we went to the skating rink.  Coco had never been before and spent most of the time shuffling on the carpet next to me.  

And before we could blink, we closed out 2021.  We had a fun New Year's Eve with lots of food and time together.  The older girls made it until midnight and were so proud of themselves.  Man I love this crew!

 2021 was another interesting year with COVID still very prevalent.  But we have learned to make the best of it and still find ways to enjoy the life we have.  We are welcoming 2022 with a hope that we will be better disciples of Christ and do more to follow Him.