Goodbye 2013... Hello 2014!

I just wanted to end the year with some thoughts I have had recently.  A lot happened in our family this year, mostly really great things.  I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who does everything in his power to make sure that I and our girls are safe, provided for, loved and cared for.  He is an amazing man, husband and father.  Dave made the decision this year to stop working for the University of North Texas, Dallas... to stop being a professor altogether, because he had an offer to work for Provident Metals that would allow him to provide more for our family.  Since moving to Texas, our finances have been a struggle for many reasons, and this job change will provide the necessary resources or us to change that.  It also allows for me to be able to stay at home again, which is such a blessing.  I love him so much for living his life so carefully and doing what he knows the Lord wants for our family.  I know that the Lord has a plan for each of us and that He knows us all individually.  Sometimes we are going down a certain path for reasons we think we know, and then find out that we are on that path for completely different reasons.  The great thing about following the path that you feel is right is that, for whatever the reason, you are going to be blessed and helped along the way.  I know that Dave and I have been blessed so much since coming to Texas.  We knew that this was the right path for us, even though we didn't like it at first.  We did what we felt was right after much prayer and meditation.  Now we see part of why we were supposed to come here.  Being obedient to God's will is such a blessing!
I am so grateful to know that I have a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and my struggles, my needs, and my desires.  I know that I have a Savior who suffered for me... He knows me personally and loves me.  I feel comforted in my trials and strengthened in my weaknesses.  I find such comfort in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I find such joy in knowing that my family can be eternal.  I have such hope for my sweet girls to grow up to be strong, confident, virtuous, compassionate, righteous women with the gospel of Jesus Christ to guide them.  I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It fills my life with meaning and direction.  I love my sweet family and I look forward to a wonderful 2014 together!

New Year's Eve

To celebrate New Year's, we were invited over to our friend's house (the Denny family) along with some others for a fun filled evening.  We hung around chatting, eating and playing games.  One of the games we did they called "poppers".  We went outside (it gets really messy), one person put some reddy-whip in the palm of their hand and tossed it into the air, and the kids each tried to catch the balls of reddy-whip in their mouths.  It was pretty fun to watch.  They had it in their eyes, hair, noses, and all over their faces.  (I didn't get a picture of Brooke before she got herself all cleaned up... shucks!)  It was really cold that night, so as soon as all the kids had a chance, we went back inside!  My girls all stayed awake until midnight, when we went outside with pots and spoons and made a ruckus, and watched the dads light a few fireworks.  It was a fun time, and a great end to 2013.  I am really looking forward to what 2014 has to bring!

Hamblin's Visit Part 2

Wednesday was Christmas and Santa came with a lot of presents!  With all of the prople here, it was really crazy and fun.  Chloe wanted a Guinea Pig... and got it.  (We went and picked it out on Christmas Eve.)  It took us about 2 hours to get everything opened, and then the moms and dads went back to sleep for a bit... then it was "game on!" for the afternoon.  We had an Italian themed dinner with lasagna... it was yummy!

Thursday we went into Dallas and visited the Perot museum and then walked through the historic district and saw the place where JFK was killed 50 years ago.  It was pretty cool to see that part of Dallas, since we had never been there.  Friday, we hung around in Wylie and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and went to downtown Wylie.  Dave and I took Scott and Amy out for BBQ.  Saturday, we went and played at Pirate Park in Wylie and had Whataburger for dinner.  I think we gave Scott and Amy a good taste of Texas.  We are so glad they were able to come for a visit, and can't wait until the next time we get together!

We had a wonderful Christmas, full of friends and fun... but we are really grateful for the gift of the Savior, and the time we can celebrate his birth and life.  We are truly thankful for Him and hope that we can carry the Spirit of Christmas all year!

Hamblin Visit 2013

For our Christmas break,  the Hamblins came all the way from Logan to visit us.  They arrived on Sunday, the 22nd, and stayed through Saturday the 28th!  We had 10 of us living together in our little house for the week, but it was so fun.  We had a blast playing games and staying up late, seeing the sights and eating treats... It was an awesome week.

Monday, we made chocolates (our second time this year...) and hung around Wylie.  We went to Cici's pizza for dinner (and they forgot to bring out Amy's pizza order, so we got two free buffets... Score!).  Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and we hung around Wylie and played around.  I made clam chowder for dinner, and we did our program.  The Hamblins all participated too.  We went youngest to oldest, so Autumn went first.  She hopped on one foot and sang "Rudolph".  Tyler played "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" on the piano, Brooke read "Santa Mouse", Marylinn played "Silent Night" on her violin accompanied by Amy on the piano.  Chloe sang "Angels we Have Heard on High", and Ciera played "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" on her horn.  I read "The Red Sweater", Scott did push-ups in many varieties and read a poem he wrote, and Dave read us Grandpa's story of life in Magrath and then "The Night Before Christmas".  After that, we read from Luke 2 and watched the Nativity video.  It was a wonderful Christmas Eve Program!

Christmas Around the Clock

Brooke's 3rd Grade Musical was on December 12th... it was called "Christmas around the Clock".  It was really cute.  Brooke had a speaking part in it; she was the clockmaster's assistant.  She had one line and some "acting parts"... which she did really well.  In my opinion, Brookie stole the show!  Way to go Brookie!

Happy Birthday Autumn Susan!

I can't believe that my baby girl is 7 years old!  It seems like yesterday that she was screaming her head off ALL THE TIME.  She was such a hard baby, but has been such a fun girl!  She is spunky, fun, and crazy.  She is sweet, sensitive, and loving.  She is a cuddler, and a great friend to everyone.  I am so happy to have her in our family!  I can't imagine life without her...  Happy Birthday Autumn!  Love you!

For her birthday, we started out opening presents before school.  Then we had caramel pecan sticky buns for breakfast (YUM!).  For lunch, Dave and I were able to go eat with Autumn at school... it was fun!  In the evening, we had our parent/daughter date.  Autumn chose Grand China Buffet.  She told the waitress that it was her birthday, so after we finished eating, they gave Autumn a plate with a little cookie on it and had written "Happy Birthday" in some sort of spicy sauce.  They gave her a Chinese 2014 calendar.  It was a nice gesture...  she loved it!  After dinner, we took her to Barnes & Noble to get her free birthday cupcake, then back to our house for cake and ice cream with the family.  She wanted a Tinkerbell cake this year (which took a while to do... but I think it turned out pretty nice)!  All in all, it was a wonderful day!

Ice-pocalypse 2013

In Texas, we sometimes get ice storms.  It really is much worse than what you are thinking.  It rains and then the temperatures plummet, making everything freeze solid.  It continues to sleet and snow making it impossible to drive on... so everything shuts down.  From Thursday evening (Dec. 5th) through Autumn's birthday (Dec. 10) this is what we were living in.  It was so cold, there were power outages, schools and businesses were closed, and trees were breaking and falling over all over the place.  It was crazy!  We were lucky that we had power the whole time, and were warm and safe.  Our trees were so covered in ice that the branches were drooping and touching the ground, but didn't break.  (Thankfully!)  Because of the icy conditions, the girls had a four day weekend!  They loved it.  They played outside a lot, licked icicles, sledded down our hill in laundry baskets, and had a great time!  Dave went and helped some friends remove fallen trees and got some wood so we were able to have a fire.  Temperatures are rising now, so maybe we are going to thaw out before winter officially starts next week!

Deck the Halls & Bring on the Treats!

Every year, for the Family Home Evening on the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, we decorate our tree.  This year was no exception.  We blasted the Christmas tunes and trimmed our tree!  It is always a lot of fun.  The girls did it all this year, with only a little help.  It turned out fabulous!  We LOVE this time of year!

One of our favorite traditions is holiday baking.  We have incorporated treats from both the Tanner side and the Elvester side of our family... which means we bake A LOT of treats!  We make homemade chocolates (YUM!), fudge, sugar cookies, cream cheese cookies, crumb cookies, ginger cookies, chocolate cereal balls... and probably some I forgot.  The girls favorite part is licking the bowls and table when we are done!  It is always a lot of work, and pretty daunting to begin, but it is such a big part of our Christmas that I just can't NOT do it!  (Maybe in January when I am 10 pounds heavier, I will change my mind!)  Happy Holidays!