Family Swim

Last week I promised the kids I would take them to public swim. Tonight was the night! They were all super helpful as I dressed the little people. We are in a sweet spot right now where most of them are independent and can help others as well. Camilla did a great job watching Lily for a little while so that I could pay attention to Sawyer and Ollie. We all had a lot of fun!!

 

A Fresh Snowfall

A few nights ago she fell asleep in a moonlit room to the sound of a January rain. 

This afternoon she slowly closed her eyes while the snow quietly fell outside.

Sonny thoroughly enjoyed the fresh powder and rolled around in it while we shoveled and played before heading out to hockey. When the kids arrived home, I fed them all a snack and then loaded all seven of them up in the cold while wiping off the vehicle. We barely got Hyrum there on time, and then I had to brave the roads once more to come home for Joe's forgotten helmet before his practice began. 

I loved sitting and cheering on Joe as he scored his goals, despite the crazy preschooler and toddler wiggling on the bench beside me. The boys lugged their bags out to the van and we wiped all of the snow off yet again and went to pick up Camilla. I ended up taking the kids for fast food and finally arrived back home over four hours later after all was said and done.

The railings were completed today! They just have to stain them now. I am so happy with how this turned out and glad we made the switch from a pony wall. It feels so much more open breathable in this middle space now. 

 

Piano Lessons

This is how we survive an hour and a half of piano lessons in the car. 

This girl is a trooper!

A January Rain

I don't know why, but I always find myself taking pictures of my babies and toddlers as they nap. 

Perhaps it is the way their lashes fall on their cheeks, or the stillness making them easy to admire.

Either way, I am holding onto these naptime moments.

Tonight we celebrated my mamma's birthday.

 I made her a chocolate cake, with chocolate icing and skor bits. 

And the stairs are coming along! 

They've started working on the railings finally.

As I tucked Lily into my bed tonight, I could see her legs dangling off the edge as she began to slide down. "Dares Mom!" she exclaimed. I passed her her newly warmed heat bag and snuggled her under the blankets. She ended up falling asleep to the sound of a January rain.

 

Hockey Tourney

Last night we drove to Canmore for the boys hockey tournament. We arrived after dark and couldn't see the gorgeous mountains that surrounded us as we checked into our hotel. The boys were super pumped by the view out our window when they woke! We spent our entire day cheering them on as they played. They've gotten really good this year. Fin is a way more confident skater and always dances on the ice while the music is playing before puck drop. He had us laughing pretty good! Joe is the speediest defenceman I've ever seen and is always on it. Hyrum likes to strategize and rocks at getting the puck to the net. It was fun to watch them! We got home late, but enjoyed the sunsetting over the mountains as we drove!

 

Jumping for Joy

This afternoon we slipped outside for a bit to get some sunshine and fresh air. Lily asked to go on the trampoline for a few minutes and she spent the entire time jumping and bum dropping with the biggest grin on her face. We are jumping for JOY this afternoon!

 

 

The National Music Centre

Today I was able to attend Hyrum's band field trip to the Studio Bell building in Calgary. It is a non-profit museum and performance venue. The grade six students enjoyed trying out all of the different instruments and stations, reading up on music history, and listening to the Kimball Theatre Organ. The parents who attended just got to walk around and supervise the students as they went to the various stations throughout the building. I learned a lot and enjoyed seeing everything there as well! It was fun to see Hyrum hanging out with his friends, and he even played his Lord of the Rings piano song on the big baby grand.

 

A Frosty Morning

Today we woke to a blanket of fog settled all around us. The spruce needles were white with glittering frost. 

Lily couldn't help but pull on her boots and find her favourite kitty, Opal. She chased her around the yard for quite a while before she finally caught her!

Sawyer, Lily and Sonny played outside together for quite sometime, doubling on the GT and sliding down the driveway together. They were so cute! At one point while I was watching out the window, they attempted the big drop at the bottom of the stairs. My heart skipped a beat while Lily shrieked with delight. 

Life is an adventure when you're two!

Sunday Snapshots

Today as we sang the Sacrament Hymn at church I was struck by the end of the last verse of "As Now we Take the Sacrament". 

And silently we pray

For courage to accept thy will,

To listen and obey.

We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full.

We'll walk thy chosen way.

It felt like a prayer I could have prayed. With life being what it has been lately and the trials I am silently suffering, it was a sweet reminder just when I needed! I live my life constantly trying to accept His will, but lately it has been hard for me and my mind has been filled with doubts and whys. And so I will continue to silently pray for courage, and hope, and the ability to accept His will for my life.

 

My Joe

I got to steal a few moments with my Joe as the sun went down. 

I sure love this kid and the person he is becoming!

 

Fire in the Sky

We have made it mid-week! The children have been waking and back into routine for a few days now. We are back to our morning "Come Follow Me" study as well which is nice. Lily will often be sleeping on the couch while we quietly eat breakfast in the dimly lit kitchen. Today it was doughnuts that I picked up for a steal at the grocery store. The bakery often sets out left overs in boxes late at night for a crazy discount. By the time they had finished there was glaze all over the table cloth and under the chairs as they licked their fingers with jelly on their faces. 

Shortly after the children left for the bus, the sky caught fire and we were blessed with the most beautiful sunrise! It was breathtaking!

The house is coming along nicely and we are so excited to move in! The doors and trim are in the works and we are glad to be at the "finishing" part of this adventure. With all of us crammed over at my parents two bedroom in-law suite, I think they will be glad when they have their space back.

Naptimes are sometimes a fight these days and I end up lying with her for a very long time before she finally falls asleep. Once I got her, Sawyer and I snuck out to the playroom (where six other beds currently reside). The afternoon sun was pouring in the West facing window and I couldn't help but cozy up on the couch and soak it in. Sawyer whispered quietly as he built with magnets and diggers. I love his imagination! Listening to him made me smile as I lazily closed my eyes and enjoyed the peaceful moment.

After school we went to watch Hyrum play his first ever basketball game. He did so well! They only lost by three points. He made over five baskets and knew how to play his position. I love watching our kids play sports! 

Fin's Baptism

Finley made the choice to be baptized! We are so proud of him for following Christ and accomplishing his goals and desires. I spoke on Baptism and his Grampa Hudkins spoke on the Holy Ghost. 

He was baptized and confirmed by his Dad. 

I also played piano while Auntie Naomi conducted the music. Camilla was able to do a beautiful musical number as well. 

It was slightly chaotic with 13 cousins, but we made it through! Uncle Arland ran Zoom so that Great Gramma and Grampa could take part virtually. 

Hyrum and Joe were both able to share their testimonies and said, "Fin, I want you to know..." and it melted my heart seeing their sincerity.  

Fin is a pretty great kid and we are glad he's a part of our family!

 

Violin by Moonlight

Tonight while the littles slept and the full moon blessed us with its light, Camilla and I snuck into the new house with a candle. She brought her violin over to fill the emptiness and played near a moonlit window. She played by ear the song "I'll count the days" from the show Downton Abbey. She has such a beautiful touch. There is something about music by candlelight that I adore and I'm so grateful this girl loves relishing in it with me!

 

Family Ski trip

Today we woke up super early to head to the ski hill! We took the oldest five to Canyon and taught them how to ski. Camilla was the only one who had been skiing before, so I was a little bit nervous!

 The sunrise was beautiful and the children were all super excited!

Excitement turned to discouragement as they struggled to get their skis on, and then get to the crazy carpet. But with some encouragement and perseverance, we managed to get everyone going down the bunny hill. 

Oliver caught on super quickly and was so brave! He would practically ski straight down the bunny hill! One time as he was going down the steep part at the top of the T Bar, he flew over the edge and into a bunch of trees. By the time I was able to get down to him a kind man skiing by had popped off his skis and made his way through the trees to check on him. Thankfully nothing broken or hurt, but he was definitely a little more cautious the next time.

I hardly saw the older three once they got going. They took the chair lift and explored the big hills. Every once and a while they would come find us and tell us of their adventures. Once or twice, Camilla offered to keep an eye on Fin and Ollie while Mr. Stannix and I took the lift and did the big hills. 

It was so fun to spend the day together on the ski hill! We are super grateful to Gramma and Grampa for watching Sawyer and Lily for the day so that we could have this experience together! Hopefully this can become something we do every year!