words cannot express

The hub is now another year older. A lot of things have changed this past year for him. New weight, new job, new calling, a new baby girl. All of these things have brought an incredible amount of joy into our lives. I am so very thankful for this hard working dedicated man I married. We often give each other grief over who's day was more difficult or stressful. Honestly, I am so thankful that he busts his rear end every day so I can stay home with our kids and be the mom I have always wanted to be. It has been so fun watching him with Cali, he sure does love his little girl. His new calling has strengthened our family in more ways than I can count. He amazes me every day. 

Christmas vacation

Some one is getting married!

 Here is everyone all geared up at Octane Raceway. It was quite funny watching everyone walk down the hallway together in their blue gear. Reminded me of the movies when the astronauts are walking out and it plays in slow motion.

My special guy. 

 The entire Spencer clan went to the cabin together, oh my it was fun! Here is Jax with Crew and Elizabeth.

 We built a campfire in a wheel barrow to roast marshmallows. Poor Codee gets so cold. She is not built for cold weather. She loved running around in the snow and did not want to come inside. Whenever she stopped moving you could see her little body shivering. Her poor paws did not do so well either, red and raw from the crunchy snow.

 Cali loved all the extra attention, the only time she got put down was to go to sleep. She was a trooper!

The ladies were able to escape for a bit and do some shopping.

 It would not be a cabin trip if we did not sled off the roof.

We found a great place to go sledding! This jump is where we spent most of our time and why most of the kids now have sore backs. One time Tyden was clear over on the right side and not anywhere near the jump, but for some reason that is the direction his sled was heading. He hit the jump perfectly and caught major air. I did manage to get it on video, barely. He was a little teary for a minute, but from then on he kept trying to recreate his super jump.

All in all we had a great time! We ate a lot of yummy food, played really hard and didn't sleep enough. 

Isn't that what you do on vacations?

Christmas Eve

 This was the best "present" face this year!

This year Santa surprised the boys and came Christmas Eve. It was so funny because they were very confused when they woke up. After we opened the gifts we threw our stuff on the car and headed to Mesa to surprise the Spencer's, they weren't expecting us until Christmas day. 

We are very ready for a BIGGER family ride, Medium Red has been good to us but it's pretty squishy in there.

We believe!

For some reason this year, "to believe" or "not to believe" was a very common topic. People said that if they taught their kids about Santa then they would forget the real meaning of Christmas. Here is what I would like to say about that...

The Monday before Christmas I gave the lesson for family home evening. This was my lesson.

Pretty soon we might have a special guest visit our house. You never know! I'm going to give you some clues that describe this person and you guess who it is.

He sees you when your sleeping, He knows when your awake, He knows if you've been bad or good.

He has a beard and a kind face.

He spent his life giving to others.

He's often pictures in red or white clothes.

He loves little children.

He gives the very best gifts.

You never see Him, but you can feel Him.

He gives us a wonderful, special warm feeling.

He can get into our homes even if the door is locked.

He has special, wonderful powers.

We want to give gifts back to him, but he doesn't need anything money can buy. He just wants us to give to others.

He encourages us to be good so we will be ready when he comes.

Now, I asked the boys not to say anything until I was done with all of the clues, ha ha yah right. They mostly knew early on that I was talking about our Savior Jesus Christ, not Santa.

We are not perfect, but I do believe you can both teach your kids the true meaning of Christmas and let them believe in the magic of Santa Claus.

 

One of the neatest moments this Christmas season was listening to Great Grandma Spencer tell the story "The six brown eggs."