Holidays and Family Time

Happy Holidays from all of us to you!

This was a very special Christmas for us this year as it was Lucas's first christmas. Alex and I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks remembering what we were doing at this same time last year. We had just recieved a phone call from our caseworker that Lucas's birth mom wanted to meet us. We were so excited and very anxious & couldn't wait to meet this special young lady. She was so wonderful and after spending hours talking & getting to know one another, she announced to Alex and I that she knew we were to be his parents. We were overjoyed and couldn't wait for his arrival. Lucas would be born a week after Christmas, and here we are, almost an entire year later, and we feel ever so blessed.

Alex and I have several Christmas traditions, many that we have carried over from our childhood Christmases. Some of these include driving around to look at the lights; reading the story of the Savior's birth from the scriptures; watching the cartoon version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"; drinking hot cocoa & delivering goodies to neighbors and family. We also give each other a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve- Lucas got his first pair this year & I have to say, they fit him like a glove :) Most importantly, Christmastime is about family time for us. My Mom , sisters, and sweet nephew Ethan spent a week here with us and as always, the time went by waaay too fast! I had a tender moment take place the day after my Mom and nephew arrived; it was snowing pretty steadily outside and it looked so beautiful. My mom was in the kitchen with my son and nephew baking her famous treats, and I found myself holding back happy tears. I had imagined that type of moment, where my mom's baking smells would fill my home & I would hear the laughter of my kids around her. It was my best Christmas gift. We loved having my 4-yr old nephew with us too! He found so much joy in the simple things, like making a snowman in the front yard or looking at the neighbor's lights. My two sisters were here as well, and they spoiled Lucas with so much love!

Thank you, to all of our loved ones near and far, for making this another wonderful Christmas to remember!

Check out some fun family videos below!

A Time for Thanks

We love the holiday season! It's always filled with good food, good friends, and great family company! Each year, Alex and I rotate spending Thanksgiving with one family and Christmas with the other. This year, we were able to spend Thanksgiving with both! Before taking off to visit my family out-of-state, we held a Thanksgiving dinner at our house for Alex's family. I feel extremely proud to say that I took care of the star of the show-the turkey-and I mean from start to finish! My mom was on speakerphone while Lucas looked on from his high chair as I cleaned, both inside and out, the turkey & prepped it for the main course. My mom grew up on a farm & is one tough lady, so she had quite the laughs listening to me (via the phone) prepare the turkey. I can honestly say though that there is nothing more fulfilling then accomplishing something you have never done before or thought you could handle. My mom has always empowered myself, along with my sisters, to embrace the "scary stuff" and confront it head on. She has always taught us that if we want things to get done, she's there always to help, but we've got to do it ourselves in order to recieve the real reward- the feeling of accomplishment. We also made mashed potatoes, candied yams, stuffing, and were blessed with the other great dishes brought by Alex's family. After the meal, we played games & enjoyed some amazing desserts.

The next morning, Lauren met us at our house & we took off on our road trip home. We played "Would You Rather" in the car to pass the time & it turned in to some pretty hilarious conversations! We were greeted by my Mom and older sister Nicole who were anxiously awaiting our safe arrival. My Mom couldn't wait to get her hands on Lucas! He was a little overwhelmed at first by all the hugs & kisses, but he and my mom quickly became inseparable (as always)! During our time home, we enjoyed another wonderful Thanksgiving meal, tried out some new dishes by my Mom such as bacon-wrapped lil' smokies (sooooo good), and enjoyed some Black Friday shopping. It was also my nephews' birthdays, so we were so grateful to be able to share in their Toy Story party, along with seeing Jalen & his family for his birthday. We love you guys! It was such a wonderful trip and as always, goes by wayyy too fast!


(Mom and the boys)


(Alex and I on Thanksgiving morning)

(Just one of the many naps for father & son. Don't you love how Lucas sleeps with his mouth wide open sometimes!)

(Lucas with his cousin Nathan-and his crazy mohawk-!)



(Some funny faces from Lucas!)

Alex and I are greatly anticipating Lucas's first Christmas AND birthday in the upcoming weeks. Judging by his "paper-shredding" abilities in the video below, I don't think he'll have any trouble with his presents :)