How we spent the Christmas Holiday

Sorry...these are all hopelessly out of order...kinda like my brain these days! As you can see we were busy with family and projects, presents, laughter, melt downs, video gaming and just

be together! Kim having the whole week off was probably the most magically part of Christmas! Thank you to all who help make our first Christmas in this house so memorable. Love to all of you.

Rebuilding

I must confess, I still haven't come down off my Christmas high-just ask my still-up Christmas tree. We had such a great holiday with family from both sides. Now, with most of you my thoughts are on renewal and rebuilding my self and my home. Watching Marinn with these blocks was comical...so proud of herself in one second.....and then so frustrated with herself in the next. Sadly, I saw the parallels--how often to I embark on a new adventure excited and then immediately frustrated when I don't get the results that I want! I need to take my own motherly advice to Marinny and "don't give up...try it again..." . I mean sometimes you just have to say"Uh-oh" and take a step back and laugh at yourself. Thanks for the lesson, Marinn. I needed that.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

With this being our first year as home owners I thought I would document an important rite of passage...hanging Christmas lights. I gotta say I didn't think it would get done, but, thanks to an inspiring and helpful neighbor things are a lot more festive around here! Thanks for humoring me , Hon!

Kim's effort on the roof turned into...

This! Not too bad! Don't tell him that I already have more elaborate plans for next year! In fact, I feel like watching Christmas Vacation right now!

I have been trying to stay busy too decorating the inside:) Which brings me to a hotly debated question: Do you prefer colored or white lights? I am finding that I am in the MINORITY here! Hmmmm...

Just for Mimi

The following video is not anything special: just wanted Mimi to get a little glimpse!

You might consider this your Christmas Card

Depending on how this next week goes-this may be our only shot at getting cards out:(

I don't love love any of these but I realize that I am running out of time! To all our friends and family-please know that our love and well wishes go with you especially this season...whether we get cards out or not!

Meet Miss Olivia Kate

This tiny beauty is our newest niece Olivia Kate...look at all that hair! Very excited for this addition and looking forward to cuddling her again soon! So sweet!

I just had to post this picture of the two girlies who suddenly don't look so little anymore:(

Brady with B and Jordyn holding little livie! I think she has already got her daddy wrapped around her finger! Truly, every child born is a miracle.

It's All Hallow's Eve

WARNING: not only is this a picture overload...it is highly unorganized and tells no story except that I am too tired to fix it. you have been warned!

The Stinson cousins...why can't we take just one picture that turns out? This is the closest that I could come! That's Mario and Luigi with an owl, Harry and a bumble bee...just in case your couldn't tell! Missing a little raccoon (I think?!).

The whole Stinson crew..thanks Mimi:) you worked your magic yet again!




Despite that downpour at the ward trunk or treat, the Jackson crew were able to go trick or treating!




After a long day of Halloween mischief...even Mario "gets a tired"

Miss Elizabeth and Cap't Jack aka Carrie Sue and Sean...giving a very pirate-ish look here!


"I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee..." Kim was loving his bumble bee girls!

Loving the belly bump of the Mario Bros! They were both psyched that this day had FINALLY come!

It'sa Mario Time! Can you see his smile behind his 'stach?



Jackson Cousins: Mario with his little bee and Vampire Princess with her little lion! Of course missing our little Alexa too! Boo!

The one Halloween of memory where it was too cold to wear this! But it was just too cute to not get a pic of...proud of me, mom?

The Harry Potter Crew (and Luigi--sometimes you just have to spice it up, right J?)


I'll look back on this Halloween with a clear memory of how much THIS girl enjoy it! Not only did she say "trick or treat" and "thank you" she insisted on walking through the entire neighborhood by herself with a heavy candy bucket! She literally wore out all the adults and did NOT want the evening to end!

Catching our breath with Carrie Sue and Papa!

This is a picture that Brady insisted on taking with his old friend Mr. Bear who actually managed to get dress up for the occasion too! Jordyn's make up is eerie good:)



It's so fun to see the kiddos interact with each other and have such a fun day. It almost makes the inevitable tantrums/sugar overload that will happen tomorrow worth it!