Christmas Day

There was something extra special about Christmas this year. This year I knew that this was the last year all my kids would be under one roof for Christmas. How did I get here, how do I have a daughter old enough to serve a mission?

 It truly was a beautiful Christmas and we had a Christmas miracle when it started to snow in Texas on Christmas Day!!!

The girls loving their Christmas Gadgets

So happy I still have little ones who still love toys.

If you look close you can see the snowflakes.

By the end of the day we had a winter wonderland outside.

Christmas Eve

I LOVE Christmas Eve! 

 The anticipation of Christmas along with our family traditions makes it my favorite day of the whole year.

  What do you do on the longest day of the year?

Ben still does not feel well.

So of course my heart melted when I found Sam peddling him around the kitchen while Ben layed on the pillow.

We found Sam in this cabinet.  He had found the camping light and had his own little set up.

Mickayla gave the boys these hats and gloves, they wore them most of the day.

Mickayla had to work the morning of Christmas Eve. 

She came home and surprised all the kids with shakes.

I cook and bake for most of the day on Christmas Eve.  All the girls help me and we love setting a fancy christmas table.  All of us get new jammies and we wear them while we eat our Crunchy Potatoes, Ham, Rolls, Rasberry Salad, and Green Bean Cassarole. 

Then we eat leftovers for days!

Sunday before Christmas

I love the Sunday before Christmas. We always coordinate our clothing as a family. Our ward always puts on a beautiful Christmas program which my three oldest girls participated in this year. This year was hard though, Ben was sick and I thought maybe we would miss church that day. But I finally decided it was worth going even just for sacrament. So that's what we did and it was a beautiful Christmas program, from the picture you can see Ben does not feel well at all.

Sorting the Presents

You would think my girls are all still 5 years old. They took all the gifts out from under the tree and sorted them so they knew exactly how many gifts they each have. I don't like them messing with them. I was one unhappy mom. Mickayla told me I ruined all they joy by getting upset. Looking back I love that they get so excited for Christmas.

McDonald's

My girls needed to do some Christmas shopping so I took the boys to McDonald's and let them play. They loved this new McDonald's we had never been to before.

Hannah turns 9

I can't believe this girl is 9! I love her so much and was thrilled when she picked dinner and a shopping spree for her birthday activity. She let Mickayla come along and it was a super fun night. Hannah had 50 dollars to spend and she bought so much, she is a great little shopper. The Sunday before her birthday we had our Gandy Christmas/eat yummy roast and exchange Christmas gifts party. Jeni Gandy brought her yummy Texas sheet cake so we couldn't resist but to sing happy birthday to Hannah too. Look at how cute our Gandy family is. :)

Sam

Love this kid.

This bowl was still full of popcorn.

I guess it just wore him out trying to keep up with his sisters.

Our family can eat their weight in popcorn.

Sam still has some training to do!

Region

Haylee tried out for Region and made it.

She placed 13th chair with the first violins.

  Not bad for a freshman.

 This is Haylee and her best friend Madison after the concert.

  It was amazing.

Catching up on my Gratitude...

Day 23: I'm not Grateful that the stores are ruining Thanksgiving by opening at 5:00 on Thanksgiving Day.

Day 24: I'm grateful Dale has some time off.

Day 25: I'm grateful for My sister Kim who turned 18 today!

Day 26: I'm grateful my kids went back to school after being home for 1 week. :)

Day 22: I'm Grateful for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving with the Finan's and Annette was so great. Loved being with loved ones and of course missed the family that we couldn't be with like crazy.

Christmas Tradition

Every year we take the kids to hunt for each of them a new Christmas ornament and to ice cream at our favorite Braums restaurant. This year Annette was here for the fun tradition. Madi's was my favorite, it looks just like her. We also have a tradition to put up all the Christmas decorations on Thanksgiving break. It was fun to do that with Annette too. The tree in the picture use to be my Grandma and Grandpa Moon's tree. They gave it to me years ago. Mickayla at some point has taken it over as her tree. It is so fun to have something that reminds me of my grandparents.

Day 21: Time with Annette

Today Anette arrived at 5:30 AM. Because she flew all night when she got to our house she wen to bed. When Ben woke up at 6:30 he was anxious to see her, he had to wait until noon when she woke up. Just about killed him. He kept telling me, "I just want to know what she looks like.". It was very cute. Mickayla went and got us all drinks, Annette had no idea she was getting a 60 oz. drink, it was fun to see her face when she saw her drink! We had such a great day of visiting and hanging out with the kids. I love having her here.

Day 20: Grandma Jan's Caramel Popcorn

Today I am grateful for Grandma Jan's popcorn. I guess I am grateful for all popcorn in general. I grew up eating popcorn on Sunday nights. I do love my Mom's caramel popcorn best but I only make it about twice a year. Last night my girls begged to have it. So I taught Mickayla how to make it. Having her know how to make it could be dangerous. ;)

Day 19: Annette

Today I am grateful Annette is coming to visit! This will be her first visit to Texas. I'm so looking forward to spending time with her and watching my children fall in love with her. It is going to be a great Thanksgiving.

We spent last night in the ER with Hannah. We were so worried she had a problem with her appendix. They couldn't find anything so we think she just needs to have a bowel movement. ;)

Day 18: Mom and Dad

Today I am grateful for awesome parents. The older I get the more I appreciate who they are. I truly am blessed.

Day 17: Finished Project

Today I am grateful that the my dining room is done. I started on Thursday in the morning thinking we would just give the room a fresh coat of paint. By the end of the day we had painted the walls, made new curtains, covered the chair pads, painted the shelf. I went to bed at 3 in the morning. I am going to redo my little lamp shades on my chandelier and look for some fun accessories but overall it's done!

Day 16: Friends

I have been so blessed with good friends in Texas. When you don't live by family you really need great friends. One of my good friends Kari surprised me today with this.

Day 15: Pilgrims

I'm grateful for Pilgrims.

Day 14 My Dad

Today I am grateful for my Dad. I always think of him whenever I paint so of course I've thought about him a lot these past few days. I grew up painting with him at his rentals. I always loved spending time with my Dad while I would work with him at his different projects and work sites.

Things I love about my Dad...

He is an awesome grandfather.
He is fair.
He is a great listener.
He can fix anything around the house.
He serves others more than anyone I know.
He is quick to give a compliment.
He loves the scriptures.
He loves the Savior and it shows by the way he lives his life.

I LOVE YOU DAD

Mickayla is home!!!

Mickayla is home from Arizona, she gets to spend 2 months with us before she heads to BYUI.

  I am going to enjoy every minute she is home.

 We went to Pei Wei for lunch and this is what her fortune said...I'm pretty sure it will come true.

Day 13: Mickayla's Spunk

I'm grateful for Mickayla and her awesome attitude to jump into a project. My family room is now painted because she inspired me and helped me get it done. Pictures to come....

Day 12: Cheesy Smile

I'm grateful for Sam and his cheesy camera smile. Cracks me up every time!

Day 11: My Girls

Today I am grateful for my 4 girls. They are beautiful, faithful, strong, and I just love being their mom. Yesterday they had a sister date. I wasn't invited, sometimes I wish I was a sister too. :)