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.