Why hello, neglected blog. I'm sitting here on Christmas Eve while my two babies take a super long nap and I vaguely watch a super cheesy Christmas Hallmark movie. I'm feeling especially full of love, gratitude, and joy. It's been a good year. A long and busy year. Sometimes a really, really hard year. I'll try to update the blog later on some of the highlights. But overall, I'm still grateful for the ups and downs. Heavenly Father knows me, He knows the desires of my heart. He knows what is right for me, and while it is hard to accept life when it doesn't go the way I think it should, I know somehow, everything will work out. I am grateful for this holiday season and the chance we get to reflect on Him. Amidst the presents, glitter and shine, hustle and bustle, He truly is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to all those who may see this post. Here's to hoping peace, joy, and happiness can be found. 

Christmas Morning!

We spent Christmas morning at my mom's house. It was fun hanging with cousins and siblings and having everyone under one roof! The twins obviously loved getting all of their new fun gifts, but I don't think they quite understood the whole Christmas thing. Either way, we had a very fun day and I'm still a big believer that all holidays are more fun with children! 

Pre-gift yogurt binge! Gotta get that energy. 

These skates from Jace and Bella and super girl/super boy outfits from Grandma were the biggest hit! 

Christmas Eve: North Pole Express

We rode the North Pole Express on Christmas Eve! It was such a fun day. We saw Santa, sang with elves, drank hot chocolate, and enjoyed the company with my side of the family. Holidays are SO much fun with kids!

They really liked the bells. :)

This girl looooooves her grandma!

Be still my heart! Complete with hot chocolate on her sweater and everything! 

So much sass it cannot be contained. 

Jace (my brother) and Bella were in town from Seattle. We sure love them! 

Max sure loved those elves!

Pure magic!

A Halloween in Neverland!

Halloween used to be my least favorite holiday. I just am not one for dressing up! Not surprisingly, having kids has changed my feelings. It is so fun getting these little humans all dressed up and traipsing them around the neighborhood to get candy. They actually really loved trick-or-treating. Max was especially kind as he always gave back a piece of candy for every piece he took. :) 

I sure love my Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.

I love how the lighting makes her wings glow.

Here comes little tink from behind stealing innocent Peter's sword.... 

I really, really love this picture. Never grow up, little boy. Never grow up. 

Yup, he was digging this whole thing.

 

Out on the town!

The Fourth.

I really loved the 4th of July this year.

 I just felt super grateful all day for our freedom, the country we live in, the many amenities we take for granted, the beauty of my surroundings, all of it. I loved spending the day with my little family, and feel even more grateful that I was able to see both sides of our family in the same day. I know this is rare, and I cherish it. 

We started the day at the reservoir that is only 10 minutes away.

After naps we went to a park and then had a bbq with Russ's family.

We came home, put the youngins' to bed, and my family came over for a fun fireworks session in my very own neighborhood. Russ, me, Jace and Bella rode along the trail on our bikes in the dark and watched the fireworks explode overhead. It was magical. 

I love this country! God bless America!

U.S.S. Twindependence had it's successful maiden voyage that even put Max to sleep. 

We stopped at a park before dinner with Russ's family for some quick photos. I love these pictures, but I don't love the fact that Max's Contigo water bottle made it into every. single. one. Haha. Gotta love toddlers and the random objects they will not let go of at the most inopportune times!

I call this "twinlove." 

My little people!

"No you may NOT steal my water bottle, Clara!" 

Max is so incredibly patient with Clara ALWAYS being in his business. It's been this way since they were in my belly, and I'm guessing it will remain the same for life. She just has so much passion and excitement, and he is a calm and loving boy. It works out. 

Mother's Day

I'm a week and half late, but I just wanted to express my gratitude at the chance of being a mother. This last Mother's Day was especially poignant for me. I felt incredibly aware of how precious these little people were and how they have been entrusted in my care. As many of you readers know, motherhood did not come easy for me or in the timeframe I wanted it to. But it did come, and I'm glad I continued to persevere through the battlefield we call infertility. 

I am also still incredibly aware of how Mother's Day can be a little bit of a sting for those who are still in this position. I have a handful of close friends who are in this boat, and I thought of them all weekend long. Don't give up, friends. Don't give up.

I am so grateful for my babies and the chance I have to be their mother. They make me want to be a better person. I am grateful that even after our hardest days they still think I'm the bees knees. I hope that never changes. :)

Happy Easters!

It's true what they say - kids make holidays so much more fun! I was excited to get the twins a few new goodies and toys. The looks on their faces were priceless and everything I was hoping for! The tunnel has been the biggest hit. 

Russ is pretty excited about the tunnel as well :)

We also had a fun easter egg bath session!

My mom hosted a fun Easter dinner and Easter egg hunt. I wasn't sure how the "hunt" would go with two 18 month olds, but they sure were excited about the idea of finding candy in these plastic goldmines! Clara got really into finding eggs, while Max decided to work smarter and not harder by staying in place and letting the eggs come to him! Haha! He sure is a quirky, funny boy and I love him so much.

He's walking! This is a REALLY big deal. It's still not 100%, but every time I see him walk and not shuffle on his knees my heart is so happy.

Eating candy like it's her job. "WHY have you been depriving me of this goodness?!"

Grandpa Brent has a thing for dirt bikes. Max can't wait till he can take one for a ride!

The night ended with a special visit from the Easter Bunny (aka Aunt Natty). Seriously, these babes are super lucky to have such an awesome Aunt. Clara loved it, Max was indifferent. :)

Happy Easter everyone. In all seriousness, the baskets and bunnies are nothing compare to the real reason for the holiday - celebrating our Savior and the miracle of the resurrection. I am so grateful for Him. This video is one of my favorites. Watch if you would like. 

http://www.mormon.org/easter

Christmas, and Lately.

Happy New Year blog friends, if you are still out there. I hope you like the new design - a change was way past due, and no time is better to make a change than the New Year! Speaking of new things in the new year, as of last night I am now committed to running a MARATHON in May. Eek! Even one day later I'm wondering what I have gotten myself into! I never thought I would run a full marathon seeing as every time I finished a half marathon I would say out loud "there is no way I could keep running another 13 miles!" Welp, guess I'll have to get training.

Sigh.

Before I get all intense, let me document some of the recent highlights, first off being Christmas! We had a pretty low-key holiday. We spent Christmas Eve/Christmas at Russ's parents, and later did a late-Christmas celebration at my parents' house. We are so lucky to have both of our parents within 15 minutes of our house. 

We started the festivities with a Nativity. It was the shortest Christmas story ever told, but luckily we got some cute pictures! 

The only way our three wisemen would stay sitting was with a toy record player. Naturally. 

... and then I attempted my double reindeer picture for the second time and ended up with this. Haha! I love this picture so much. It screams "the holidays are wearing me out! I just want to go to bed!"

December was unseasonably warm, so imagine everyone's excitement when we woke up to a snowy white Christmas morning. It really was magical. We took the babies sledding, and they liked it! Those 10 minutes were a blast! (wink wink)

Russ's office shuts down for two whole weeks around Christmas and I get spoiled to have him around for so long. I'm already depressed Christmas break is over! We took the babies to their first BYU basketball game, the aquarium, swimming, to see Santa and Christmas lights, and more! It has been a fun break. 

Most classic Santa picture ever. Clara has some great photo ops, as you can tell. 

Reindeer!

The Tree of Life is in Draper, and really is quite amazing.

My babies are not really babies anymore. Happy/sad about that.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! Here's to 2015!