Midland Stake Holiday Ball

We've been here 3 Christmas's now, and this was my first experience attending the "Ball".  Maryn and Avery went last year...we dropped them off and ran for the hills!  Haha! Obviously, Mark and I have other ideas of what a "good time" entails. :) 

Anyway, they came home after last year's "Ball" and said it was so much more than just a dance.  There were floor shows with music and dance.  It sounded interesting enough.  Plus, Parker got wind of the fancy dance where she could wear her fanciest dress and it was all over after that. We. Were. Going.

So we went.  The girls got fancied up.  They looked so pretty. 

Mark and I wore festive-looking Church clothes.  Haha.  No pictures required!

It was fun.  There was a great crowd (stake event) and the floor shows did not disappoint.  Parker had a blast, running around, and dancing her little hiney off with her friends.  She even asked a couple "older boys" to dance!  That girl!  The older two boogied with their buddies too.  Classic Stake Dance style.  These are important experiences in the life of a teenage girl. 

Would I go again next year?  Eh.  Still on the fence.

Christmas Morn

My theme for Christmas this year comes from a poem written by Christina Rossetti:
"What can I give him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I'd bring him a lamb.
If I were a Wiseman, I'd do my part. What can I give him? I'll give him my heart."

This has been an especially spiritual Christmas for me this year.  Early on this month, we decided as a family to give someone the gift of us this year.  It made it that much more special for me, and I think everyone had a really positive experience with it. 

I am so grateful for my Savior, who was born into the world to save all of mankind. He was meek and humble, but mighty and powerful to save us all. The least I can do to show my gratitude and love for Him and my Heavenly Father who was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son, is to love and serve their children. 

I can start with the people in my own home.  I love them all so much.

The magic is real.

Christmas Eve

We drove down to Jeff and Amy's for Christmas Eve.  We met up with the Griswolds and Grandpa for our traditional dinner of lasagna with all the trimmings.  It was delightful!

The weather was so mellow that the drive was a cinch.  No ice, no snow, just dry roads there and back!  I'll take it!

We ate dinner and then did a little program with Christmas carols done on the jingle bells, a little musical concert with Grandpa, Maryn, and Ian on instruments, a white elephant gift exchange, a live Nativity (Parker was Mary!), and then opening some gifts for one another at the end.  It was so nice.  I'm just sad that I didn't get any pictures.

After we got back to Midland, the girls jumped into their own Christmas jammies, sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, put out cookies and milk for Santa, and headed to bed.

Hopefully for a LONGer winter's nap!

Parker's Christmas Party

My girls had to go to school the week of Christmas!  I don't know what kind of racket Midland is pulling this year, but it's not good!  We actually don't get out of school until 6/16/16 this year to boot!  It's a crime, I tell ya!  It's definitely thrown us off our schedule of making things festive before Christmas, that's for sure.

Anyway, I was able to help out in Parker's classroom for the Christmas party.  It was fun!  I just love her teacher, Mrs. Burks.  She always has fun activities for the kids and healthy snacks, which I think is hilarious!  My assignment was cheese and crackers, someone else brought carrots and ranch.  I think the only sugary treat were powdered sugar donut hole "snowballs".  :)

So many fun memories!

Christmas Church

The tradition continues...

Pretty little Parker Faye, 6 years old

Beautiful and smart, Maryn Elizabeth, 15 years old

Gorgeous and tall, Avery Jane, 13 years old

My pretty Christmas girls!

Sassy and silly, too!

Can't wait for Christmas!!

#17

Breakfast in bed brought to us by our loving daughters.  (Well at least one of them that cooks!)  The others were there in spirit, I hope!

We took them all out to the museum that afternoon where we tried to take a couple pics, but it was kind of a bust.

Too silly

Too wasted...don't we look tired?!?

After that, Mark and I went to Bay City for a scrumptious steak dinner at Lucky's.  It was divine.  After that, we finished up some miscellaneous Christmas shopping and headed home.

Mark also gave me a beautiful hand-made book of poetry.  So thoughtful and full of so many memories...I absolutely loved it.  Being married to a poet really does have it's advantages.

Lucky me.

Star Wars Nerd Tradition Continues: The Force Awakens with the NEXT Generation

After waiting and waiting and waiting, the wait is over! 

We had tickets to the premier event the night before the movie officially opened in theaters nation-wide.  We all wore our Star Wars tshirts to made sure we were truly "nerding" it up.

There were actual cosplayers there in full effect, so cool!  Totally added to the experience!

The force truly awakens!! It was everything we had hoped for and MORE! Seriously, the other movies suck in comparison...it was THAT good! Loved it, but loved the fact we could take the next generation with us even more! 

May the NERD tradition continue!

The Midland Santa House 2015

The 6 year old insisted that this tradition continue this year, and we all went along with it.  I fear that this tradition may be in jeopardy in the next few years however, due to the epic lines, icky weather, and older (bored) sisters.  We shall see...

Anyway, after FINALLY getting inside, we all softened up because it's just such a winter wonderland in that place!  It's unreal.

Holiday madness is setting in, I think.

She got to talk to Santa and explain how good of a girl she has been this year, and how much she would love to be the new owner of a Sven carriage. Totally worth it.

Until next year!

Dow Gardens Christmas Walk

This was a new tradition that we added to our repertoire this year.  I'm glad we did! It was a great night!  The weather here has been unrecognizable for this time of year in Michigan, but for this event it was actually pretty ideal.  It was only in the forties or so, and there was no ice or snow on the ground to contend with, so our walk was very enjoyable. 

 They light up the pathways with candle-lit lanterns, and hang lights in the trees.  There are choirs singing on the lawns throughout the gardens, and it's just magical.  They had some reindeer out by the actual Dow house, and then hot chocolate and cookies in the barn.  In the butterfly house/arboretum they had a pretty poinsetta display that was so festive. 


Like I said, it was a great new tradition to add to our Midland Christmas list for years to come!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

A trip to the Midland Mall to see Santa and get the first, preliminary list off her chest.

Seeing the billboard for this beauty, due out in a couple weeks...it's a Christmas miracle!

Helping to set up for the annual Midland Nativity Exhibit, as well as hosting my favorite "white room" collection. This definitely is the best thing to get me in the Christmas spirit.

At the end of the weekend, the exhibit ends with watching the Christmas Devotional from the First Presidency.  It was wonderful. 

Then we spend the next week cleaning it all up.  Definitely less enchanting, but still feeling the blessings of service brighten my Christmas mood.

Love is spelled T-I-M-E

I love when I get to spend time with my family. I especially love it when it involves sister time. Melanie was able to make a trip to spend some time with Dad and process the grief she has been experiencing since Mom's passing, and it turned out to be an uplifting and therapeutic process for me too.  I'm so glad I was able to get away for a couple days to just be together and talk through things.  It was like old times, stayin' up till 3 am, eating lots of yummy food, and making a shopping trip to the Town Peddler!  It was perfect!

I just wish it happened more...sigh.  I just love these people so much.