Progress

Today I took Sonny to the vet. Turns out he has a crazy bad ear infection. We were given some medication for him to take orally, and some other stuff to spray in his ear a few times each day. I made sure to enter all of the times into my phone calendar so I wouldn't forget!

Things are coming along nicely next door! I love that we are able to stay close by and keep a close eye on the projects. Today the fireplace got plywood!

The boys took Lily out to sled down the hill with them in the afternoon. I listened to her giggle from inside and watched how they let her sit on the GT while they pulled her back up the hill each time. It was so nice to see everyone getting along so well!

They tired her out!

 

Hanging at the Rink

We've been spending a fair amount of time hanging out at the Hockey rink. 

Grateful for this girl and the JOY she has while waiting on her big brothers to finish practices and Games.

 

The Outdoor Rink

The children are busy soaking up the last week of Christmas break! If the weather is even mildly warm for Winter, you can find the boys up at the out door rink with the neighborhood kids. They spend hours and hours there! They walk if it's super warm, or sometimes I offer to drive them the two minutes up the road so their toes aren't cold by the time they get there. They wear their oilers jerseys, join teams, and enjoy skating until the sun goes down!

 

Hyrum is a Deacon

Today was pure chaos as we got ready for church. Sharing a bathroom between eleven people often means that the boys pee outside if it's occupied. Today one of them came in upset, "Sonny made me pee on my TIE!" Many tears were shed as we tried to get out the door on time between the fighting.

After church, Hyrum received the Aaronic Priesthood from his Dad. This means that one of his duties each Sunday is passing the Sacrament to the congregation. It was a pretty special day. I am so proud of this boy and the decisions he is making to become like Christ. He is a great example to his younger brothers. Mike wrote this to share with others on his social media page:

"This New Years Day, my son Hyrum received the Aaronic Priesthood. As we start a new year, he'll begin a life of service dedicating himself to lifting the hands that hang low and finding the lost sheep. I'm proud of his humble, kind young man, who inherits many of his Christlike attributes from his mother."

 

Heavy Frost

The frost was breathtakingly gorgeous this morning, hanging heavy from the trees and fences. We are in full relax mode over here and the children have even mastered sleeping in. The big boys have spent almost every day at the "ODR", and the littles can be found playing or napping all over the house. We are enjoying having Daddy home too!

 

Christmas Day Recap

 

Merry Christmas!

This morning I was so impressed with how gracious and patient the children were as we opened gifts. They were genuinely happy for each other. Afterwards, we dressed and got ready for church where we were uplifted by the music and the talks that were prepared. How grateful I am for the hope and peace this season brings as we celebrate Christ. 

"We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions....when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies...When a wrong wants righting, or a work wants doing, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants opening, God sends a baby into the world to do it. That is why, long, long ago, a babe was born at Bethlehem."

~F.W. Boreham

 

Christmas Eve

This afternoon Daddy made us up a triple batch of Grampy's Tacos to enjoy. This has become one of our favorite traditions to do on Christmas Eve. Today he added his Grinch onesie to the festivities and flipped tacos wearing all green. This meal is a labor of love, which is perhaps why I enjoy it so much, everyone working together in the kitchen to make these yummy tacos come to life.

Once they're fried for the second time, we gather everyone to the table to eat!

This year we enjoyed having Nana join us for our Christmas festivities.

 

When their bellies were full and dinner was tidied, we opened our Christmas jammies and snuggled up to a movie.

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

 

Christmas Adam

On Christmas Adam, Mr. Stannix and I went to town and braved the crowds at the grocery store. When we got home we snuggled our babies and played some settlers with everyone while the snow gently fell outside. We are so excited to be together for Christmas break!

 

German Carousel

This afternoon I was able to find some table space for one of my German carousels. I think it will become a center piece for Christmases to come.

It makes me happy watching it glow and spin.

Sonny joined us in the "dormitory" for a little while before bed. He enjoyed peeking under the tree for presents and hanging out with the tiny children. I love how good natured he is.