Our Gingerbread Village

The girls and I usually buy one of those gingerbread house kits to do every year. But this year when they saw this little gingerbread village, they wanted to do it instead. It came with five tiny little houses, so we each got our own little house to decorate, except the girls and I did John's of course. We actually started this project on Christmas Eve by "gluing" the houses together, but we didn't finish decorating them until tonight. They were a little tedious, but fun. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Dear Santa, Wii've Been Good This Year!

We woke up Christmas morning to find this............



Santa left us a letter telling us that he left us some family gifts that we could all enjoy together. So the girls opened up the three family gifts first.



We got a Wii! And some super fun games too! Super Mario Brothers is soooo much fun, and reminds Aaron and I of our younger days when Nintendo 64 was the coolest gaming system. Aaron got a Cabelas hunting game, which is just perfect for him. And just for the record, I beat him in the duck hunting game and still hold the high score! And I got "The Biggest Loser" game, which we didn't get a picture of, but it's way cool too. Katie loves it too, which I didn't expect, but I think is great.



We told the girls that if they asked Santa for a Wii, that it would be all he would bring them. But Santa decided that they would love the Nintendo hand held game system too for the long ride to North Carolina. And no matter how much Mrs. Clause tried to get Santa to wait on that present, it was no use. So the girls were thrilled (to say the least) when they opened them up.

John David wasn't much interested in opening his presents, so the girls helped him a little. And then he got interested. He was so excited that he didn't know what to play with. He got a cute little lawn mower (we gotta get him ready to work with Daddy), an activity table, and a discovery ball. He loved them all, and it was so fun to watch him. Especially with the ball, which he would lay his head on top and look into. So cute! And at one point while he was playing with his lawn mower, he had it turned over like he was working on it. It was so funny! Like father, like son.

Kent and Johnice came over around 8:30am and I made some pancakes and bacon and sausage for breakfast. We just hung out and played the Wii for a little while. Maw Maw also came over to visit. Then I got busy cooking a turkey and dressing for a dinner at church with some families in the ward that don't have families here.



John loved all of the space in the gym, and enjoyed chasing this little cutie around. We had a delicious Christmas dinner, and a fun time visiting together. It was a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas

From the Youngs!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds......

........but before that happened, this is what we did.

After hanging out, watching movies, and doing crafts all day, we headed over to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house for dinner tonight. Then we all loaded up in the van and went out in search of Christmas lights.



We went to a few different neighborhoods, but our favorite place that we go every year is out to the Lawton's in Carlyss. It is just beautiful, and we usually ride through at least two times. Sarah made Santa's good list, as you can see. We're hoping the rest of our names are further down on that list somewhere. The girls had a blast in the back seat cutting up with Maw Maw and Paw Paw.



After checking out all of the lights, we headed home, and got the kids dressed in their Christmas PJ's. Then the girls went outside to sprinkle reindeer food and reindeer dust (to help them find our house easier) out on the driveway. They absolutely love doing this!



Then we came inside and they opened one gift from Aaron and me.

After watching a Christmas movie, we put treats and a letter out for Santa, and then read our favorite Santa book. It is seriously the coolest Santa book on the planet. The girls love it, and who am I kidding......so do I! Then we said prayers, brushed teeth, and got everyone all tucked into bed. And now we wait.........

Merry Christmas to all!

A Christmas Story

When we were kids, we loved for my Daddy to tell us the story about one Christmas Eve when he was about six years old. He and his younger brother, Joe, were in bed and supposed to be going to sleep. But as most kids are on Christmas Eve, they were too excited, and having a hard time settling down. When all of a sudden they heard a knock at the door. They heard their mom go to the door and say, "Hey Santa. Let me go check and see if the boys are asleep." They hear their mom coming, and my Dad said, "Joe, make out (pretend) like you're asleep." She opens their bedroom door and asks, "Russell, are you asleep?" Dad doesn't make a sound. Then she asks, "Joe, are you asleep?" "YEP!" he proudly proclaims. So she goes back and tells Santa that he'll have to come back later. We laughed every time he would tell us that story, and now we are sharing it with our children and they get a kick out of it too.

Things I Love--Christmas Edition

1. I LOVE decorating for Christmas, and can hardly wait to get our decorations up each year. Ideally (which didn't happen this year) I like to put them up the day after Thanksgiving so we can get the maximum amount of time to enjoy them. My mom is a firm believer in celebrating each holiday, but not before the present one is over. So we never put Christmas stuff out before Thanksgiving as a kid, and I believe she has a great point and I follow her rule on decorating for the holidays.

2. I LOVE Christmas music. I also can hardly wait to break out my Christmas music, but also firmly believe in waiting until after Thanksgiving for that too. I love to listen to it while I get things done around the house and while I'm driving around town. I also love to dance around the living room with my girls while blaring our favorite Christmas songs. I think this is because I remember it 'officially' feeling like Christmas when my Daddy would blare his Andy Williams record while we would put up the Christmas decorations when I was a kid. That would also explain why one of my favorite Christmas tunes is "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". So love that song! Good times.

3. I LOVE making Christmas treats with my girls to bring to our friends.

4. I LOVE snuggling up with my husband and kids with a bowl of popcorn, a cup of hot chocolate, and watching a Christmas movie. My most favorite Christmas movie is "It's A Wonderful Life". Such a good movie. I haven't even watched it this year yet. I need to put that on my to-do list for tomorrow.

5. I LOVE wrapping presents and making packages look pretty. I am picky about what the wrapping paper looks like, and I like to use wired ribbon on my packages because it just looks prettier.

6. I LOVE that my girls believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas.

7. But most of all, I LOVE the good feelings that seem to abound in the world during this season. I LOVE that hearts seem to be turned toward others and their needs. And I LOVE that we are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives to guide us, give us peace, hope, and faith in things that we cannot see.

Christmas with the Camerons

Since Amy and Shane are spending Christmas in Baton Rouge with his family, we went over to their house last night to celebrate Christmas with them. First we had some delicious BBQ from Wrights BBQ. Did I mention how divine it was? So good! After visiting for a little bit, then we gathered around the Christmas tree to open presents. We had a great time as usual hanging out with everyone. We are so grateful to be blessed with such a wonderful family. We love you Camerons!



See those smiles on my girls' faces? They could not be more excited about their gifts from Maw Maw and Paw Paw. And yes, that is exactly what they asked them for while they were staying at their house a couple of weeks ago. Too cute!

Pictures with Santa

One of our favorite traditions is to go take a picture with Santa. We have been so busy that we almost forgot to do it. So this afternoon I took the kids to the mall to visit Santa and get a picture with him. I wasn't sure how John David would do, but he just sat there and looked up at him, like he was trying to figure out who he was. It was so cute! And then the girl rang a bell, and he looked at her and she snapped the picture. I think it turned out so cute! After the picture, the girls told Santa what they wanted, and then as we were leaving, he said, "And don't forget to leave out my favorite cookies--CHOCOLATE CHIP!" Don't you worry Santa. We're on it!

Louisiana Snowman

It actually snowed here a couple of weeks ago, which is a very rare occurrence in these parts. It was too wet to stick and it didn't snow long enough to accumulate at all. But even if it did snow enough to build a snowman here, this is what he would look like before too long.



So when I saw the recipe for "Defrosty the Snowman" in Family Fun, I fell in love with him. Sarah and I made these for her Girlscout Christmas Party tonight and they were a huge hit. The girls and the moms loved them, and so did we!

Activity Days

Tonight I went to Activity Days to teach the girls how to decorate a cake.



I taught them how to ice the cake--first the crumb layer, and then the pile it on layer.



And then I taught them how to use the #21 star tip. We made Christmas trees with the star tip, then decorated the tree with M & Ms, and then did a star border.



They all did a great job.



It was a fun night hanging out with these sweet, silly girls.

Happy Birthday.......

.........to one of the most kind, generous, thoughtful, and absolutely amazing people we know. We love you so much and are so grateful to have you in our lives!

Tight Spot

John David happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time the other night when he lost his balance. He fell right into one of his little toy storage containers and got stuck. It was so funny that I couldn't resist taking a picture, but I don't think he appreciated it too much.

Discovering Christmas

We thought we had it made when we first put up the tree and John David hardly even noticed it. And when he did notice and try to touch it, he would quickly pull his hand back because it must have felt prickly to him. But he is slowly getting more comfortable with it. He now pulls ornaments off of it, and the other day he even crawled under it to get to the window. Luckily he didn't disturb it too much. Then I wrapped some gifts and put one under the tree to see what he would do. He didn't touch it. So I thought it would be okay to put more under the tree. It wasn't until I put these twelve wrapped books under the tree for our "Twelve Nights of Christmas Stories" countdown that he finally noticed the presents and had to check them out. It just never gets old watching him discover new things. Such a cute and sweet little guy!

December Daze

Maybe it's because I feel like I somehow missed out on Halloween and Thanksgiving. Maybe it's because we don't have all of our Christmas lights up this year. Maybe it's because we haven't done hardly any of the usual Christmas things that we normally do. Or maybe it's because of the emptiness that I feel inside that makes it seem like it shouldn't be Christmas. Whatever the reason, it just hasn't seemed like Christmas to me............until tonight. Katie and I went to Vidor tonight with Kent and Johnice for the Stake Christmas Devotional. It was all music, and I wasn't sure if it was even a good idea for me to go since lots of music these days is just hard for me to make it through. But I went and I am so glad that I did. I was truly touched by all of the songs, but especially the song "Breath of Heaven".

I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I've done.
Holy father you have come,
And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven

The lyrics are just beautiful, and this song was quickly added to my list of favorite Christmas songs. I am grateful for the breath of heaven that is "holding me together" and "lighting my darkness" during this hard time. My most favorite Christmas song of all time--"O Holy Night"--was sung by my amazing sister-in-law, Amy, and her husband, Shane. They did a wonderful job. It was absolutely beautiful. I am so glad that I went and that the Spirit of Christmas touched me and has finally found it's way in my heart this Christmas season. I am so grateful for my Savior, and His healing power, and for this season that we have to celebrate His birth.

Ten Months

This month our sweet little boy had a little procedure done on his right eye to unclog his tear duct. And so far, it has worked beautifully. Hopefully, we're done with the goopy eye.



He's still just taking a few steps at a time. I think five is the most he's taken at one time so far. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to walk, I quite honestly, I'm not in a hurry for him to walk either, because he is just growing up too fast, and because.................



.............he is sooooooo busy and already gets into enough stuff as it is.



He had finally decided to hold his own bottle, but still lets me do it sometimes.



And he started waving this month. It is just so cute. It just never gets old watching the "firsts", even though he is our third baby. Here he is doing the "touchdown" sign. Just kidding. One day that's what it will mean to him, but right now it means either "throw 'em in the pan" (Pat-A-Cake) or please pick me up. It's the cutest thing ever too.



He thinks my camera is a toy, so I have to be sneaky when I want to take a picture, or else this happens.







He also loves wrestling with Daddy.



He wasn't sure what to think about the Christmas tree when we first put it up.



When he would try to touch it, he would quickly pull his hand back.



But now he's starting to try to get the ornaments.



And he's having fun getting into the other Christmas decorations.



He is still just soooooo sweet and we just can't help but smooch on him every chance we get.



His little onesie says "HERE COMES TROUBLE" and that seems to be getting truer by the second.



But despite that fact, we don't know what we would do without this little guy!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Today was my honey's birthday. We celebrated both of our birthdays last night. We went out to eat at Kyoto's, a Japanese restaurant that we went to for the first time a few months ago. It's one of those cool places where they do the little show and cook your food in front of you. Not only was it entertaining, but the food was delicious. Even Aaron thought so. We have both been wanting to go back and figured our birthdays were a good excuse to pay them another visit. Last time, Erin and Bobby got us to try a little sushi, and we both liked it. And this time, we went with the Zachary's and they let us to try some of their sushi too. But this time, it was the real deal, and I was not impressed. However, much to my surprise, Aaron actually liked it. And to think the last ten years we have avoided such restaurants because he "hates sushi". Kinda funny.

Today we went to our Ward Christmas Brunch and someone had found out it was his birthday. So they embarrassed him and made him come up front, put a sticker on him that said, "It's my birthday, and I'm an incredibly smart, exciting, and good-looking person!"(which I 100% agree with!), and sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He turned all kinds of shades of red. It was great. Then tonight, after we finally decorated the Christmas tree, the girls and I sang to him and made him blow out 37 candles, and set off the smoke detector! :)



We sure love you honey!

Hole in my Heart

I knew I would miss my Daddy, but I didn't know it would be like this. I know--without a doubt--that he is in a better place, and that he is no longer suffering, which is a wonderful blessing. I know that he is happy, and that he would want me to be happy too, but I just miss him terribly. The words of the John Michael Montgomery song "I Miss You A Little" keep going through my head.

I miss you a little since you've been gone
A few little memories keep hangin' on
I miss you a little, I guess you could say
A little too much, a little too often
A little more every day

I didn't see or even talk to him everyday, so why is it so hard? I guess just knowing that I can't see him or talk to him if I wanted to right now. I can only hope that time will heal my wounds. Oh, how I miss him! I am grateful for the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's perfect plan, and that I will see him again someday. Right now, it just seems like someday can't come fast enough.