December

This post is super long and all over the place, but this was our December...

DECORATING THE TREE

I tried to explain that we needed to spread ornaments that were the same all over the tree, and the kids seemed to understand that and were doing it. After a few minutes though, the ornaments became more like dolls to them and they began to make them talk and to put the ornaments into "families" as Mila said. So we had a family of silver stars all grouped together, a family of glittery blue bulbs, etc. It was cute to see their ornament families, so we left them.

Mila the unicorn.

Emmitt put a couple of the stockings on and ran around the room.

DECEMBER 3RD was one of the strangest days ever. Long story short, my grandmother died in the morning and Sam's brother died in the evening. The next week and a half was spent traveling and attending funerals. We drove to Ohio to attend my grandma's funeral. She was 95 and had been suffering from demensia. Her funeral was kind of a sweet experience actually. I was able to help dress her with my mom and sisters, and over our visit we talked about the faithful life she lived and our experiences with her. The Gospel truly gives us such a wonderful perspective on death. It doesn't make it not hurt, but what a comfort to know that the ones we love aren't lost to us forever, that the separation is just for a time. We were able to feel happy for grandma because she is herself again and is reunited with her sweetheart. 

The night she died my little family and I prepared mugs of extra rich homemade hot cocoa in tribute to grandma. Chocolate was her very favorite thing. It helped keep her alive in her final years for sure. She wouldn't eat most things anymore, but she never refused chocolate. She had lots of chocolate Ensure and her fair share of Nutella sandwiches. During our toast to grandma we each said something we loved about her and sang her favorite song ("In the Hills of Old Kentucky" which in her state of dementia, she sang constantly and often at inappropriate times like in the middle of prayer). Then we clinked glasses and said, "To great-grandma!" I still laugh when I think about it because the kids wanted to do it over and over and Emmitt pronounced the 'g's like 'd's so it was, "To dreat-drandma!" 
Saying goodbye to "dreat-drandma" on a very cold December day.

Mila was so happy to be reunited with her dress up buddy, Brennae.

The first time all six sisters had been together in years. Five years maybe? I don't remember. So happy that I could be pregnant and wearing an ill-fitting dress for this rare photo op! We all wore a bit of grandma's very favorite color--pink!

Mila loved holding Maggie. Maggie looks a little unsure. Mila can't wait to hold our new baby!

Sam went to Utah by himself to his brother's funeral. Since we had literally just gotten back from Utah just over a week before, we couldn't afford to turn around and fly us all back with expensive, short-notice tickets. I think it was good for Sam to be able to go without us though so he could focus on spending time with his parents and other siblings without worrying about keeping the kids and I entertained. Once again though, what a blessing the Gospel has been to Sam and his family as they've dealt with the sudden loss of his brother, who was only 34. We have been so grateful for the peace and understanding provided by a loving Heavenly Father.

SNOW DAY

Mila's school was canceled one day because of bad weather, but she had a dentist appointment so we were out and about in the wintry world anyway. I was so glad we were because it was so beautiful out! It was the kind of snow that stuck to everything and made me feel like I had been transported into a snow globe. After Mila's appointment the children were patient enough to let me drive around and take some photos of the incredible beauty.  

It was a happy snow day.

THE NUTCRACKER

Mila and I were able to attend a performance of the The Nutcracker by the Moscow Ballet. We went with our dear friends, Mary and Abby Pinegar. Mila and Abby have been cute little playmates ever since we moved here. Mary is Mila's piano teacher so Mila loves to go to lessons because she gets to play with Abby for a little bit afterwards. But anyways, the show was amazing! The costumes were breathtaking! The whole thing was just captivating!

My cute date and I. She cried quietly almost the entire second act though because I wouldn't let her sit on my lap (I don't have enough of one anymore) and then once she'd gotten over that disappointment, she continued to cry because she was worried that I was upset with her for crying. I was very patient, but a little irritated just because I wanted her to enjoy this amazing experience and she wouldn't stop crying. And that's life with our emotional Mila.

The theater was gorgeous too.

Leaving the show. This little alleyway was so quaint and the girls were so adorable!

AND ANOTHER SNOW DAY

We've had quite a bit of snow around here lately, but we've had a lot of fun in it too.

Building a snowman together.

Our snowman had some pretty sweet eyebrows.

WINTER CONCERT

Mila had a "winter" concert at school. It's sad how nothing can be "Christmas" anymore, but it's also very culturally diverse here. Mila got school off for Rosh Hashanah in September! This picture isn't very good, but it's the only one I took because I was trying to record it. I could hear her singing over everyone, and she did all the motions too! She told me later that she was nervous, which made me even prouder of her performance.

CHRISTMAS

The Pinegars were kind enough to host us for Christmas Eve dinner. We listened to the Nativity story from the Bible while the kids reenacted it. I didn't get any good pictures of it because I only brought my point-and-shoot, and it doesn't know how to take a decent picture without the flash. Then we sang Christmas songs and read a Christmas book together. We always have such an enjoyable time with them!

New jammies!

Our tree stand hadn't been working too well, and the tree fell over one afternoon when Emmitt and I were finishing the ornaments. It got worse and worse until the stand wouldn't really hold it up at all, so our tree leaned against the wall most of the month. I got a new stand on clearance so we'll be good for next year.
Our tree all ready for Christmas morning!

The kids didn't wake us up until 8:30!

Coming down the stairs Christmas morning.

The goods have been spotted!

Although this picture doesn't show it, Emmitt was so excited about getting this bow. The whole family has had a lot of fun with it in fact. Emmitt and I made a target the other day to practice with.

 Mila loved this set of Barbie ballerinas. They have a little stage that they spin on to music from "The Nutcracker." We mostly gave them clothes and books this year. They were both in desperate need of pants that actually reach their ankles.

PAPA, GRANDMA, AND TORI VISIT

My parents and youngest sister, Tori, came to visit after Christmas and the kids couldn't have been happier. It was so nice having them here! The kids wanted to be around them constantly.

Emmitt wouldn't even let poor Papa take a break from sword fighting to go to the bathroom.

While they were here we took a trip to NYC. I think being pregnant has ruined the city for me. I went this summer when I was just starting to feel sick, and I still continue to have a sensitive sense of smell and New York City smells so bad. Plain and simple.

First we went to see the Statue of Liberty. We didn't ride the ferry to it, so we saw it from across the water, but it was still so exciting. I've always wanted to see it.

The kids loved riding the subway!

We stopped at a pizza place where I had the pleasure of standing in line for a pee-soaked bathroom while worrying that the lady standing behind me, whose head was almost leaning on my shoulder, was about to vomit all over me. I'm pretty sure she was drunk. It was 6 o'clock. 
The pizza was good though, and the children always enjoy any occasion that involves pop.

Times Square.

I've always wanted to see the tree at the Rockefeller Center, but I had no idea what a madhouse that place is when the tree is up! It was ridiculous! I was glad we got to see it though. The kids were amazing! They walked around the city for hours staring at the torsos of thousands of strangers. 

Mila wanted to see the tree up close, so Grandma led the way through the madness right up to the fence.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Since my family was leaving on New Year's Day, we had our traditional New Year's Day meal of pork, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes the night before. It's supposed to bring luck and prosperity, and I look forward to it all year! Nothing like a delicious pile of mashed potatoes, pork, and sauerkraut all mixed together. After eating this meal every year for most of our marriage, Sam finally this year said that the sauerkraut actually tasted kind of good to him.

Playing a NYE game of hide-and-seek with Tori. 

We wanted a dessert that included Oreos, so we had dirt cake. Super fancy.

Once the kids were in bed, we watched some James Bond and turned on the New Year's show just minutes before the ball dropped. From what I saw in those few minutes, I'm glad I didn't waste any time watching it. It gets worse every year. I definitely miss Dick Clark. Oh, and a country with a shred of class. I miss that too.

And finally we toasted to the New Year with Shirley Temples. We are a wild bunch.

Happy 2014! 

It's gonna be a big one for us!