Our Very Merry Christmas

What an end to a crazy year!  The first week of December brought a wonderful getaway for Ry and me.  We were able to escape to Texas for some of Ry's interviews, thanks to my wonderful and amazing parents who took care of the naughties for us.  It was so nice to finally have some alone time with the man of my dreams, and get a look at our maybe future home!  I fell in love with Temple, TX… it was so cute!  Houston, not so much.  :)  

Ry was home for about 24 hours before he had to fly off again to other parts of the US for more interviews.  During those 24 hours we drove back to Ely to retrieve our littles, decorated a Christmas tree, and basically tried to squeeze in as much family time as possible before we had to drop him off at the airport again. 

She's a rockstar.

Such good helpers!

While Ry was interviewing in a whole bunch of really cold states, we kept ourselves as busy as possible...

Logan made lots of "inventions"

We also attempted a new ornament recipe..

The kids found new hiding places

and discovered new ways to drive their mom crazy.

Logan tapped into his artistic side...

and so did Mia. :)

We hung out with family for one of our lonely weekends...

and the kids attached themselves to their Uncle Aydan.

We made gingerbread houses...

and the kids discovered that they can double as vacuum cleaners.

Cookies were made...

And we played lots of "Find the Mia"

She is very tricky...

:)

Finally, after two long weeks away from me, and three away from the kids, Ry came home!  And he is never allowed to leave me for that long ever, ever again. 

Daddy pulling Meezy on the sled

The only thing this boy wanted to do was eat the snow

and crush our baby snowman.  Mia protected him though.

Not too long after Ry got home we took off for Ely!

Grandma and Grandpa Beckwith treated all of the grandkids to a ride on the Polar Express!  

Cute little things, aren't they?

When we got to Ely, Ryley became obsessed with the idea of a giant snowman and used up all the snow in my parents' backyard to complete his project. 

Mia was the prettiest/scariest angel anyone has ever seen in the Nativity play.

The Cast

Christmas morning just gets more magical as the kids get older.  It was so fun to watch Logan set out cookies on Christmas Eve, and run up the stairs in the morning.  Mia still didn't really get it, but she loved all the presents she received!

Logan and his Leap Pad

Mia and her baby & stroller

But, really, who needs presents?

Love this kid.  Love him.

Sledding!

New Years Eve was so much fun, and involved old home movies, lots of cousins, great food and running around like crazy in a school gym.  

Grandma and Mia playing on Aydan's Christmas present.

Cammi and Kassi being the best Aunts ever.

And of course, to end the post, a cute Mia bath time shot. :)

We are so extremely blessed.  Always, but we especially feel it at this time of the year.  Surrounded by a healthy, loving family, we realize that life really doesn't get any better than this.  We are so thankful for the love that surrounds us, this beautiful country, the many opportunities we have been afforded, and most especially, our Father in Heaven who has given us all that we have.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.  We hope that your days are as merry and bright as ours.