Christmas Time

We had such a great Christmas. Christmas is a special time of year, but this year was harder for our family, we were missing one person, Harrison. But it made it special to know that we celebrate Christmas for the birth of our Savior who then died for us so we can all live together again. So that gives us peace. We are grateful for all our blessings and we have been so blessed this year.

Here's just a few pictures from the past few days.

Trents mom this year made all the grandkids, 14 in all, the cutest fleece pillows with pockets that had a blanket inside. The kids loved them. Here's Grandpa and Grandma Maw with all the grandkids.

Hudson with some of his loot.

Ruby trying out Hudson's scooter. She loved his toys just as much as hers.

Everytime anyone asked Hudson what he wanted he said, "a scooter with blue wheels." Well luckily Santa found one. He was so excited when he saw it. Too bad the snow dumped on us, he can at least ride it a bit in the house.

Ruby our little chef. She got the cutest kitchen from Santa. She screamed when she saw it. She stirred in her pots and pans all day making us dinner with her play dishes and food. She was in heaven.

The kids in their Christmas jammies. Kind of a funny picture. Our tradition is to open the jammies and then watch the living scriptures DVD of the nativity on Christmas Eve. The kids loved it and it helped them see the true meaning of Christmas.

Well, we never got a Christmas tree this year. I know sad, but we moved in 4 days before Christmas and so by the time we got settled to put one up they were all gone. We had the tree stand out just in case and Ruby used it as a seat.

Ruby opening her nightgown. Everytime she opened a present she would say, "WOW! Oh my gosh." What a funny little girl.

Our family tradition, opening jammies on Christmas Eve.

The Speechly side of the family gets together every Christmas Eve and have dinner, games, and songs. We are getting so big that I don't know how much longer we will get together.

Here we are with my Grandpa Roy and Grandma Ruby Speechly. We love them.

We got to hear Aunt Susan say "The Gringe." She says it every year, and yes its memorized. And my Uncle Richard and cousin Shannon every year sing a Christmas song my uncle wrote. I got it on camera so if I can get it to work I will post it. We have been begging for years for him to record it, it is just beautiful. I told him if he doesn't I will post it to youtube.

This year the Bruce Family was in charge and Aunt Susan had a reindeer pinata for all the little kids.

Bingham trying to break it open.

Hudson trying to hit it with the blind fold. We ended up taking it off, too hard for the little ones.

I had to show off my master piece. While staying at my moms house for a few weeks, we got busy sewing. I learned how to sew the cutest apron, it was so fun to give away as gifts. I just had to model one of them.

Isn't it the cutest thing ever? I think the next one I make, which will be for me, I will add a pocket. So those of you out there that got one, if you want a pocket, just let me know. It wasn't as hard as I thought. My favorite part was picking out the fabric. Thanks mom for all your help.

Here's a picture of the one place I got to decorate this year. With moving in right before Christmas I only decorated the mantel but it made it feel a bit like Christmas. This is our sitting room by the kitchen. Its a bit empty but we're still not completely finished unpacking and setting things up. I keep telling Trent this room needs a nice lazy boy, don't you think? Buts its so nice to just sit by the fire and sip our hot cocoa. And yes we are painting, the blue tape is up, the orange faux paint job just isn't me. I am probably painting the top half a pretty tan, the chair rail back to white, and the bottom half probably a sage green. I wanted to paint the bottom half a deep red but then we'd have to do new curtains or blinds so we'll see. I'll show you when I finish, hopefully next week.

Here is the view from our new house. We are the first ones at the top of the hill before it flattens out so we get the best view off our deak. I wish my camera did it justice, but let me just tell you, it was beautiful. Can't wair for this summer, we'll get to see every firework show in town.