Rylea is a climber and can get up into the lockers now and loves to go through my purse and turn the lights on and off.
Every morning Jaron usually gets one show to watch while I'm cleaning up the kitchen or something before the household gets crazy. Rylea will sometimes watch with him for a few minutes. :)
We did our annual Christmas Cookie decorating at Jenny's house this past week. She makes the best sugar cookies. We love our holiday cookie tradition.
Rylea still loves to play on her bridge, that's usually how we get the floored swept and mopped and her busy.
She wanted to brush my hair the other day.
Harlee still lets me do her hair in fun ways.
She's a cutie!
The cousins had a blast playing together. We had our big Goodman get together on Christmas Eve Eve. It was a beautiful day for the kids to play outside.
We read Christmas stories by candlelight. The kids actually did really well with all the candles and fire.
Logan was having a rough morning and to try to cheer him up I wrote him a message in a code, he wrote me another message, but then ripped off the key so I couldn't decipher it haha.
Rylea's new reading spot.
Christmas morning was awesome. The boys just started climbing in bed with us one by one until we had the whole crew down there and got ready for presents.
We've started a tradition of 4 gifts + stocking stuffers. Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.
Logan "wanted" a robe, "needed" new church socks, got a stack of books to "read", and a new camelbak backpack to "wear"
Damon "wanted" something remote control and got bumper cars, "needed" new church socks, a stack of books to "read" and a new pair of shoes to "wear"
Tragon "wanted" a Pteranodon switch and go dino, "needed" some pajamas, got some activity books to "read" and a new Pokemon shirt to "wear"
Jaron "wanted" a Heatwave Rescue Bot, "needed" a new pair of shoes, got an activity book to "read" and another pair of shoes to "wear"
Rylea "wanted" a doll, got some books to "read", an outfit to "wear" and "needed" some socks.
It really helps me to focus on what they really want and need and make Christmas more about the Savior than all the toys and gifts.
They also got a box of their favorite cereal with their stockings. :)
Overall, it was a fantastic Christmas. We got lots of family games to play together to work on and build our family relationships.
Grandma & Grandpa Hadlock also sent them a package with a letter explaining their gifts. We let them open it Christmas Eve, I think that will have to be a fun new tradition too!
Grandma Goodman got the kids a karaoke machine. It was really fun and surprising who was enjoying it the most.
"what, is there something wrong"
I made my first batch of divinity by myself. It was awesome, except, it's more fun to make it with my mom, we will definitely keep that tradition alive.
Rylea loves her doll...most of the time, if I notice her baby, she usually tosses it aside.
She loved her books for sure. She's such a little bookworm.
Giant snowman, I wish we could call it our own, but nope.
Fun poem Morgan got as a gift at work.
We went to Sand Cove on Christmas Eve. I got kind of nervous when we hit the 4 wheel drive terrain. Morgan was happy to have his truck so we could finally go. Then we saw big animal tracks and of course I thought, oh no, a cougar or mountain lion is going to come kill us all. We decided in the end it was probably just a coyote, I figured mama bear could take the coyote, so I didn't worry as much after that.
Our kids love exploring and finding new places. Even Rylea girl wouldn't let us hold her, she had to do all the walking and climbing and loved it.
Christmas this year was wonderful. We reflected back on the year and all the challenges trials and experiences we had and felt the growth we have had. I know those struggles have made us better. I'm looking forward to another great year full of many experiences. Until next time.....
