The Tradition Continues

On Sunday we enjoyed our tradition of building gingerbread houses at my brother Mike's place. It was awesome to have everyone together and Mike and Kristen did a lot of work getting the houses ready to build and decorate.

Before we made our way over, Joseph stole some snuggles from Gramma! She put him to sleep for me and cuddled him while I ate lunch.

Auntie Emma and Camilla teamed up to build a house together. It wasn't long before Hyrum climbed up on a chair and started going to town on the Candy.

We were also lucky to have my Grandparents there to join in the festivities with us.

Hyrum just couldn't get enough of the M&M's and kept exclaiming, "Martie! Martie!" as he ate.

He was a big help when Gramma and Grampa started constructing. 

He liked to spread the "mortar". My little construction man.

And of course, a dog is a boy's best friend. We all got a kick out of Saiko resting his chin on the table watching Hyrum work.

Mr. Stannix constructed our house mostly on his own. I just crushed candy canes for the roof. He's definitely come a long way since his first gingerbread house five years ago. He wanted to keep that one for posterity and we weren't even married yet!

Great-Gramma walked with Joseph when he started getting fussy. Her singing and snuggling put him to sleep. So cute those two. I am so grateful to still have my grand-parents. I love that my kiddos will have pictures with them to cherish!

We'll do this again next year shall we?

Perhaps we'll have our own home by then.

Candy Cane Lane

Mr. Stannix came home from work the other night and suggested that we hit up Candy Cane Lane for our Family Home Evening activity. It was a bit chilly, but we bundled up good and drove across the city to check it out! It was cool seeing all of the houses on the street decorated, but having grown up in Rocky, nothing tops Mr. V's place lit up at Christmas time. We parked in front of this place and I got a kick out of Santa on the run way and had to snap a picture.

We walked a good couple of blocks, looking at lights. It was a really great way to help us all get into the Christmas spirit. We were happy to know that our double stroller works with the carseat, so Joe could stay snug and warm for the night. He was sweating in there. Hyrum kept sticking his arms, head or other body parts out the side of the stroller making side walk sharing difficult. He was kind of in his own little world the entire night and by the time we made it back to the car he had slid all the way out of the seat (lets be honest, who uses stroller seat belts in the winter) and curled up into the baggage area down below.

I enjoyed walking with Mr. Stannix and being able to spend the evening with him. With no CASB to do, it's been fun trying to think of things to fill our evenings with! I love that guy.

After a half an hour of herding Camilla along the sidewalk, she jumped on my back for a ride. It made the walk back to the car go much quicker! She was more fascinated with picking up the chunks of plowed snow than looking at the awesome street all lit up! I get a kick outta that girl!

Saint Nick

We went and visited with Santa last Saturday. The kids had a great chat with him. When Camilla was asked what she wanted for Christmas she said, "Just a puppy that walks". Santa might have to wait until we have our own place before he brings that one. It was cute seeing them on his knee. Even Joseph sat nice!

A Special Day

Today was a very special day! Joseph Allen was given a name and a blessing by his Dad. Great Gramma Purdon worked really hard and finished knitting his baby blanket for his special day. I love a baby in white! He looked so handsome, and his special baby blanket added the perfect touch.

When we arrived at the church I wrapped him up tight in his new warm blanket and he snuggled Great Gramma Hudkins while he slept. When it was time for the blessing his Daddy came, took him in his arms, and walked him to the front of the chapel where a circle of other worthy priesthood holders were waiting to help. As soon as his Daddy scooped him up I began to cry tears of joy. The Spirit was so strong. I watched as each priesthood holder put his his hand on each others shoulder, forming a circle around Joseph. Daddy gave him a great blessing!

He was blessed that he would learn quick the importance of his name as it is after two of his great-grandfathers and one who was present there today! He was blessed that when he hears his name he would have a desire to serve in the community. He was blessed with a firm mind and the ability to retain the things which are good. His talent for music was mentioned and should be developed to bless the lives of others. He was blessed with a strong body. He was blessed to feel joy as he spends time with his brother and sister. He was blessed to grow and serve in the church, and stand strong with his brother.

I am so grateful for my husband and the priesthood which he holds. It was a very special morning. We were blessed to have my parents and grandparents present as well as my sister. We snapped a few quick group shots after sacrament.
 

Family present

The grandparents and great-grandparents

The special men in my life!

Our sweet little family

All of the boys

All of the girls

Another thing from the blessing was that Joseph would develop a special relationship with his mother (that's me). I thought that was very special. It made me think of all of the long nights we've spent together these past four weeks and has really changed my outlook on things. I am looking forward to continuing to develop this special relationship with him and feel blessed to be called his mother.

Winter Fun

A few nights ago after Mr. Stannix had finished studying for his big exam, he took the children outside with him while he shoveled the walks. They all had a blast! When Joseph fell asleep I joined them for a few minutes on the back deck to admire the tunnel/slide Mr. Stannix dug out with his own two hands. The knees of his jeans were soaked, but he was pretty proud of it! The kids had a blast!

 My three look-a-likes

When the kids got cold they came in for Hot Chocolate while Daddy finished up the walks. A few minutes later he came in with a giant icicle that he pulled off the roof. So funny! When bed time rolled around they were pretty tired. After I tucked Camilla in I was summoned back to her room to help her take out her hair. She had done her own up-do that day and used about a thousand elastics to make a messy bun, or a ball as she likes to call it. It took a while, and was slightly painful, but we eventually got every last elastic out of her hair.
 

Mr. Stannix is officially done exam writing for a while! Today we celebrated by sleeping in as long as possible (which means 7:30), taking our time getting ready, and spending the afternoon with the children. It was wonderful to do whatever we wanted, and we all enjoyed Daddy! Joseph is officially one month old today and cuter than ever! He is the most serious baby I've ever had and I love his little looks. He's finally big enough to fit into real clothes, but still wears sleepers 90 percent of the time.

Before lunch we ran a bunch of quick errands, picked up our Christmas cards from busy Costco, picked up a sled, and finished up some Christmas shopping. Before going to visit Santa in the afternoon we hit up McDonalds for lunch with the children. I asked Camilla if she wanted a happy meal and she said, "No, I just want a sad meal". She totally cracks me up! We got a nice little booth in the sun and I nursed Joseph while everyone started on their meals. The children surprised us by eating every last bite.

Next it was off to see Santa, they had a blast (more on that later). When we finished up at the mall we headed home and got suited up for an afternoon of sledding! Mr. Stannix looked really hot in his ski pants. We drove over to the ravine where the hills weren't quite so big for the children. As we pulled up to park there was a lady in her electric wheel chair trying to shovel her walks. Before we began sledding Mr. Stannix jumped out and cleaned her walks for her. I felt such pride being married to that man! I love his willingness to serve. Hyrum finished up his nap while Daddy shoveled and Camilla and I chatted and watched people sled down the hill.

 

While they went down the hill, I got to hang out at the top with Joseph. He stayed snuggly warm beneath his carseat cover!

Hyrum squealed with delight each and every time he went down the hill with his Daddy. Camilla went for a few runs, but enjoyed rolling down the hill better.

Hyrum was a little dare-devil and would jump right back on the sled as soon as they got to the top! Daddy tuckered out pretty quick after carrying both Hyrum and the sled up the hill a few times.

I ended up squeezing in a few runs with my little man before we all got too cold. I haven't been sledding forever! I was a little scared to be honest, but we made it to the bottom and avoided almost biffing it. By the time we left the hill, the sun was just starting to set. The orange glow it cast was gorgeous.

Joseph's Photo Shoot

We were lucky this weekend to have Auntie Emma come up and visit us with her new fancy camera. Joseph will be a month old tomorrow and I have been really excited about this photo shoot for a while. Babies are just so precious and I wanted to document his sweet little feet, his wrinkles and rolls, and his other little features. We had a fun afternoon turning the living room into a make-shift studio and snapping away as the other two napped. It was fun to be able to focus some time on just Joseph and put him in the spot light for a while. I love these sweet little moments that we have to spend together and am grateful to my sister for helping me capture them! So without further adieu, here are a million pictures of our sweet Joseph.