Trimming the Tree

 Typically we set up Christmas the first Sunday of December along with The First Presidency Christmas Devotional, but this year we broke tradition, or rather started a new tradition of setting it up the Saturday before! We have a few people in our house that are so excited about Christmas that they can hardly wait! Mr. Stannix even let me play Christmas music BEFORE his birthday this year (it's kind of a running joke between us). 

This morning we all pitched in and tidied up the house and bedrooms. Mr. Stannix did my dishes twice today which was such a treat! Once our jobs were all done we ventured out into the cold and picked up some new Christmas decorations for our new tree! After we arrived home we got busy setting up Christmas. Be prepared for a shwack of photos on this post!

 To kick off setting up the tree Joseph hit Finley over the head with the candy cane he was sucking on. It shattered and pieces of wet candy cane stuck in Finley's hair. Joseph started crying, and Mr. Stannix was trying his best to contain his laughter as he watched the whole thing unfold. Finley cried as I pulled pieces of sticky candy cane from his long toddler hair. It was quite the scene!

 This year we had the pleasure of fluffing the branches on our new tree! The kids were pretty good at it! I made this hat for Hyrum when he was a chubby eight month old baby. He excitedly put it on today and exclaimed that it still fit!

 Once it was all set up the littles eagerly grabbed the big Christmas balls and began decorating. For every ball that went on, two fell off. We quickly discovered they weren't glass like we had thought and thanked our lucky stars!

 This girly wasn't feeling too well, but wanted to join in on the fun of course! I can't believe how big she is getting.

 Joe's favorite part was climbing the ladder!

 Mr. Stannix was looking pretty handsome. Man, are we grateful for him! 

 I couldn't get over these chubby toddler toes as he sat and concentrated on getting the decoration on just right.

 Ollie sat beneath the tree mesmerized by the lights and commotion as we danced around to Christmas music.

 I really wish these kids would quite growing up already!

 Hyrum dug the Christmas star out of the box very early on in the decorating. He hugged it and waited so patiently to put it on at the end. He was sick last year when it was his turn and Camilla did it. This year he asked if it could be his turn again and was so excited all day! He LOVES Christmas and kept saying how beautiful everything looked and how good he felt inside. 

 We attempted a few family pictures with the camera timer.

 Mr. Stannix looked at it after and said, "That's one BIG family!"

 We adore every single one of these little blessings!

 This girl is such a helper! Her brothers adore here.

 After peeling Finley away from a tantrum on the floor he managed to show us his teeth for a quick picture!

 Finding this mistletoe to hang was a dream come true for me! 

 We spent the rest of our evening drinking hot chocolate, admiring the lights, and soaking in the magic of the season.

 Joseph was most enthralled with the newly decorated tree and stayed upstairs the longest to enjoy it.

 "Daddy can I please sit on your lap?" These two were so sweet together!

 Inside this house is a whole bunch of people that I love and adore! We are so excited to celebrate the birth of our Savior and spend some extra time together over the Holidays!

Lights Aglow

Last weekend Mr. Stannix went to work stringing lights. This is the first time in our entire marriage that we have put up outdoor Christmas lights and I was so excited about it! Luckily we've had some amazing weather so it wasn't too cold. Joseph helped his Daddy for the afternoon. I think it turned out simply beautiful! I am so grateful for that Mr. Stannix of mine!

Welcome December

 The snow began gently falling shortly after I tucked the last Little into bed. And it kept falling, slow and steady all night long as we slept cozy and warm beneath our blankets. When we woke there was no grass left for the eye to see. Daddy had a long and crazy commute into the city watching a couple of cars spin into the ditch right in front of him. I decided not to make the trip to the grocery store that I was planning today and instead hunkered down with the Littles for a day of play. I turned on some Christmas music and tried my hand at some crochet snowflakes for our Christmas tree while the boys played and ran around the basement enthralled in their make-believe world. 

While the baby napped I snuck out to shovel the walks and breathe in the fresh, cold Winter's air. I looked up when I was halfway done to see Fin standing just inside the big garage door in his moose footie jammies, blonde hair askew.  As he surveyed the magical white world a giant smile formed across his face and wonder filled his eyes. I scooped him up and carried him inside to get his snow gear on. He happily shoveled right along side me until one by one the little boys suited up and emerged out the front door to enjoy the fresh snow.

The big boys ran ahead to the park while I dressed Ollie in his warm clothes. We dug out the sled and made our way over to play for a short while. I soaked in their smiles and wonder and excitement for the Season filled my soul. I looked up at the sky as tiny flakes swirled down and sprinkled the world with magic. Winter is here, and we are so ready! Welcome December!

Warm Hearts

 This morning I glanced at my cookie jar while making breakfast. Empty. I then looked out the window at the frosted trees and dark clouds and knew some baking was in order. We were gifted our glass cookie jar for our wedding over eight years ago and to this day it is probably our most used wedding gift (thanks Sister Ellingson)! Cookies make our house a home and help brighten any day. After lunch the boys pulled some chairs up to the counter and helped me make a double batch of Big Soft Ginger Cookies. 

I portioned out the balls and they rolled them all! I try to make them a bit on the smaller side since I know my littles are cookie monsters. Today Hyrum asked me why, and I explained to him that they last a little longer this way. He smiled.

 Finley happily joined his brothers at the counter and watched them roll and dip them in sugar with a big grin on his face.

 Baking is something special that we love to do together. By the time we are finished their toes, the chairs, and my floor is usually dusted with sugar. I smile as I sweep it up.

 The littles cheer when the first pan comes out of the oven. They are too hot to eat, so they satisfy their tummies by smelling the steaming hot cookies and impatiently wait for them to cool down.

 Finley grabs the first cookie and shoves it in his mouth. After eating one or two more, I tuck him into bed for an overdue nap.

 Oliver happily kicks and plays under our newest house plant until all of the cookies are rolled.

 After a nice long nursing session he drifts off to sleep at my feet while another child climbs on my lap.

We rock together while I crochet a few dishcloths for Christmas gifts. Though the weather is cold, our hearts are warm.

Baby Wearing 101

There's a few things I wish I'd known about when I had my older kids, but one of the biggest things I wish I'd known was how fabulous baby wearing was! I love being able to nurse hands-free when we are out and about. I love that I can still chase after my toddlers while keeping my baby close. I had no idea about woven wraps and how awesome they could be. It wasn't until Finley that I ever invested in a good buckle carrier that got used daily almost out of necessity. We loved our Ergo and I used it to piggy back Finley everywhere until my pregnant belly got too big to use it. I started researching woven wraps and asked my dear hubby for one as a birthday gift. They range in price anywhere from one to eight hundred dollars. Many baby wearing mamma's collect them in different brands and styles for their colors, softness, and versatility. Because I could tie it anyway I wanted I could carry Finley when we were out and about and do a lot of things hands (and stress) free. 

I've practiced a lot since getting it, but today was my first time doing a back carry with a babe this little and I loved it so much!! Sometimes it's hard to get things done around here with Ollie crying for attention from his bassinet or bouncy chair. When I would wear him on the front, I was still limited to how much I could do with a baby in the way. This morning I wrapped him onto my back and cleaned the mountain of dishes on my counter. While I moved around the kitchen he eventually fell asleep. I was happy and he was happy. 

I have also found that when I wear him, carry him, and keep him close often in a day, he is more inclined to sleep longer stretches at night because he feels content and safe. I am really enjoying reading "The Five Love Languages of Children" and one of the quotes that stood out to me last night is "Physical touch is one of love's strongest voices." I totally believe this and I have come to find that there is no greater feeling than having my babes snuggled up close, resting their heads next to my heart.

Baby wearing is such a special thing and I am so grateful to have discovered it for these last two babies of mine. 
 

"Food spoils, baby's don't. 

Hold him. Wear him. 

Breathe him in. 

Keep him close. 

It goes too fast."

Silent Night

 This happy little boy slept for EIGHT hours in a row last night! It's been the best gift of the season so far! I love this little chub-a-lub!

Golf & Country Club

Tonight Mr. Stannix and I attended his work Christmas party at the Golf & Country club. My sister was sweet enough to babysit for us and brave enough to take a semi-bottle taking Ollie for the evening. When we pulled up to the venue we admired the Christmas lights strung around big tall pine trees all over the grounds. It was so beautiful! We entered the building, all decked out in holiday cheer and joined the hundreds of people mingling upstairs. They had tables of food set out on each end of the venue and a dj/live band switching off in the middle room. We enjoyed some perogies, lamb, unique pizza, spring rolls, roast beef, and sea food. There was an entire table devoted to different kinds of cheese and crackers. Dessert was divine and I may have gone back for a few more of those pudding cups. Lemon pudding, chocolate cheesecake pudding. It was so rich and yummy! We eventually found a few people to chat with and stayed as long as we could. Emma did a fabulous job with the littles and we came home to a happy house and a chubby baby who finally decided to suck back his bottle moments before our arrival.

(Me & my handsome steed ;) )