Christmas Day!

Christmas Day came bright and early! Actually it wasn't too bad. We told the kids we weren't going to do Christmas until 7:00. So at exactly 7:00 I had three little ones jump into my bed!
Here are the kids with their stocking "surprises!" They always get socks and under ware, and toothbrush and gum.

Our Christmas Tree!

Oh my GOODNESS! Santa Came!

Abby asked for an American Girl Doll Horse (My Generation Doll Horse works just as well too!)

Cameron got an "Official Red Ryder BB Gun…" No he has not shot his eye out… yet!

McKenzie wanted an iHome.

Our Christmas- though small and meager to some people- was just perfect. They all got exactly what they had asked for. They were beyond happy to get what they got. And to make it all worth it- they really remembered the meaning of the holiday. The birth, the life, the death and the resurrection of our Savior!

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve we get to open one present. It just so happens that one present is Christmas PJs. Almost every year they are pajamas that Mom has made. There were a few years when they were store bought, but not very often. This year, my original plan (the one made back in September as we were going through Mom's things) was that I was going to make them. Normally that would be just fine. But this hasn't been a normal year. As Christmas drew closer I realized that I wouldn't be able to make ANYTHING this year. So, I bought our PJs this year. Maybe next year will be a little more normal and I can get them done!
Here we are opening our Christmas pajamas.

Then afterwards we all watched A Christmas Story- another great tradition!

And of course our annual picture in our Christmas Jamies!

Visiting Mom's Grave

The Saturday before Christmas my little family and I drove up to the Salt Lake City Cemetery to see Mom's grave. There was almost two feet of snow in some places. Luckily we all wore our snow boots. Mom would have loved it! She loved snow, winter was her favorite season. We dusted the snow off her wreath that Pug put up a few weeks ago, and straightened it out. I miss her so much. Most days I am just fine- yes I miss her and will miss her everyday until I can see her again. There are a few sad moments that happen, but I am lucky in that my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know where she is, what she is probably doing, and I know she will be with me and my family in every moment that I need her.
Here are my kiddos tromping through the snow to her grave.

Mom's Christmas Wreath.

My cute kids at Mom's grave.

Just looking around at the cemetery.

Christmas Day marked four months since she passed away. I find it fitting that it happened on Christmas Day (her favorite holiday). It was great to be able to go up there with Heather and BJ and their families. We did miss Dad and Annie. Someday I am sure we will all be back there as a family again.

Notice there was considerably less snow this time around

The whole group.

Disneyland

We were able to take an amazing trip to Disneyland with all of Stoddart side of the family. My amazing in-laws paid for everyones tickets and hotels. It was so fun to get together with all of the siblings and cousins and enjoy four days in the Happiest place on earth. I won't post all my pictures here- I actually made another book just for the Disneyland trip.

Thanks again Glen and Margaret for the memories! We love you!

Reflections! Again!

McKenzie is once again moving on in reflections. Last year she made it all the way to state. So far this year she has gone from the school level, to the Westlake Council and is now on to the Regional level. She is so talented!
This is this years photo.

Here she is with her medal from the school level.

And this is her getting her trophy from the Westlake Council.

Halloween

Halloween came a little bit sooner than I was expecting (what with all I was trying to deal with it shouldn't be too surprising!) So there were no homemade costumes this year- oh well. But we were able to pull together 3 nice costumes at the last minute!
Cameron was a gangster. Complete with mustache and marshmallow shooter.

Abby was a cheerleader. She wore McKenzie's uniform from last year. All I had to do was pin the skirt so it wouldn't fall off.

McKenzie was a cute devil.

Cheer

This year McKenzie has worked really hard with her cheer squad. She was able to finally get her roundoff back handspring. They competed in four different competitions and placed 1st in one, second in 2 and third in another. I am so proud of all her hard work, dedication and determination. Good job Kenz!!

Family Pictures

Every year I try to take my family's picture- for Christmas cards, presents and because I refuse to pay $$$ for someone else to take pictures. So this year we took them while we were up in Bear Lake for the weekend. Most of them turned out okay. McKenzie is 12 years old, Cameron is 10 and Abby is 7.