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.

Thankful Holiday

I am thankful that we got to host Thanksgiving this year!  We haven't done it since 2010, and that was in Tonica, and I don't have a lot of super happy memories there, so I was excited to be able to create a new one this year. I felt like I needed to do something different this year, so I thought, what the heck?!? Why not do it here?  I'm glad that the rest of the family was on board to try something new too!  It was a great reason to have everyone come see our place and check out Midland!

This is just the appetizer spread!

The Adults (sometimes, anyway)

The big kids with Grandpa

The little kids

Anyway, I'm sad that I didn't get a ton of pictures and the ones I did get, the lighting is pretty awful.  (Avery got a new camera this year and we haven't been thrilled with the results.)

At the end of the day, I think we all came away feeling uplifted and thankful.  The conversation was nice, the company was even better, and the memories were priceless. 

Thanks for coming, family!!

Throwback Thursday (with waaay too much melancholy)

I came across some of our old family portraits as I was cleaning and organizing the basement the other day.  I decided I needed to scan them and then just get rid of the HUGE prints.  They were literally like 16x20 and what not and I am no longer into storing stuff that isn't serving a purpose!  PURGE, people, PURGE!!

Anyway, I just got so melancholy and nostalgic and misty and sentimental and felt all bittersweet.  My heart!!  I can't take it sometimes!!

This family!  My people!

The little girls!  Now they are big, and I have to remind myself of how little they once were.

That Mark! What a hunk!  We've been through a LOT, but we've come out stronger and better than ever before.  I love him so much.

I have so much to be grateful for.  I am so, so blessed.

Avery, 18 months

Maryn, 18 mos.

I wish I could tell myself to just hold on, be patient, give it time!  Another daughter will bless your life, just trust, have faith!

My family. Gifts from God. Amen.

Halloween 20-Fifteen (It Rhymes!)

We had a fun Halloween this year, but who am I kidding?!?  We always have fun Halloweens.  It's the MOST wonderful time of the year (sung to the tune of famous Christmas tune...ahem.)

Anyways, I got to help out in Parker's classroom for their party.  That was fun. They have a cute parade, play games, and have HEALTHY snacks!  Who is this teacher?!?  haha!

Anyway, LOVE HALLOWEEN!!