The end of a Year

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012



Temple Square

Christmas Time is never complete without a visit to the famous Temple square...

there is a lot of BUNDLING UP of course as you can see above, and time with family. 

This year we went with "Grandma morraine" (my mom....it's Lorraine, but Alyda calles her morraine)

and my sister Jennie and her fam.  We had a great time out in the cold and visiting

the Christus (that is Alyda's favorite part) and seeing the oh so many lights (that was Zaylin's favorite part).

it really just puts Christmas time into true perspective and gives such a sense of peace.  I love going there,

even when it is not Christmas.

 

Christmas Morning

Oh man I always have loved Christmas morning, especially as a kid, but when you have your

own kids to share it with and surprise them......well let's just say it's the best!  We decided this year that

we would start a tradition of giving  only one present from Santa and the rest would be from each other, so that

our kids can experience the feeling of giving. Alyda was so excited to give Zaylin the gift she picked out on her own. They both had such a wonderful Christmas and we were so blessed to be able to share it with family and enjoy

our time together.



New Year's Eve

Ok so last year I was a week away from having Zaylin and of course Alyda was only 2 1/2, and we are not huge group partyers, so we stayed home and Grandma Lorraine brought over confetti and balloons and we all stayed up, including Alyda till midnight eating and playing.  This Year that was the plan as well, except for Zaylin even with naps, was ready for bed at his normal 8'0 Clock hour, so we threw some confetti for him and he was done....then Alyda just wanted more and more and after constant asking till about 10PM we threw more confetti and she was off to bed.  Zach, my mom and I had started a 750 piece puzzle and stayed up till 2 working on that.  It was actually quite fun and again just relaxing and being with loved ones is what it it's really about.  

I really have learned so much this year, through many trials and experiences and to sum it all up I really just am glad I live a simple life.  We are not ones to have a lot and we don't care to. We love that we are surrounded by family and good friends.  I have 2 beautiful, great children that I adore, I have my husband as my best friend who is indeed so unselfish and loving to the kids and I.  I have the gospel which keeps me grounded and reminds me that I don't need to be perfect, and I have the Lord on my side through all things.  I am just so grateful for so much and through it all, I again just plan on continuing the motto in my house and that is to "SIMPLIFY".  A small sign I have sitting on my shelf that I recieved from a friend years ago, and it has changed my life for the better and it is a constant reminder of what I want in my life!

Here is to 2012!