Our first Christmas at home...

This is our 10th year of being married...yet we've never spent Christmas night at home with just our family.
What can I say?  We both have really fun extended families that we usually bunk up with.
But our family is growing bigger.  And let's face it...presents are a bit of a pain to haul around.
So we thought we would try it out this year.  And it was great.

The night before Christmas. 

Christmas Morning.  When we were young we'd wake up at 5:00!!

What's up with this 7:00-8:00 stuff?

 We never dreamed that this little boy would love this car so much.  

If we did, I would've bought it months ago!  It is our entertainment.

 Grant asked diligently for a Skylander.  Good ol' Santa came through.

Yes...2 hours later and he still wouldn't get out of the car.

 Lego's were the theme of the year.  The boys loved putting them all together.

It was so nice being together.  Jeff made his family's famous breakfast casserole for Christmas morning.  We played games, assembled Ninjago's and Chima's, and had a great Christmas break.

Love this woman!

Don't you just love Marjorie Hinckley?  I was passing this quote on my fridge this morning and just had the urge to share it.  It is hands down one of my favorites.

I've felt so blessed this week.  Maybe it's the hint of good weather ahead.  Maybe it's the fact that my darn old cold has finally left! But as I sat in church in Ward Council, I felt so blessed to be among such strong, good people who are trying to make a real difference in the world.  I love this church.

A couple years back, Jeff and I weren't the best at attending chuch.  We were tired and made excuses.  When we moved to Minnesota, we knew that we had to make a decision.  Were we in or were we out?  Ever since then we do our darndest to show up, and make a difference.  The results?  Pure joy.

Sure there are still hard times...plenty of them.  But our own testimonies are growing.  And we know that all we gotta do is rely on the Lord during those tough times.  He'll always be there.

So thank you Sister Hinckley for keeping me focused on what matters most!!

Family Pictures

I didn't want family pictures this year.
I kicked and screamed the whole way there.  Which was across the street.
But my sweet friend Tonya had offered to take them free of charge and we couldn't pass it up.  She did such a great job.  I love even more that these photos are taken within a short distance from the farm.  Next time I would love to get some on the farm!!  So sorry they are about 6 months late posting, but here they are.  Thank you my dear friend.  You are amazing!