Christmas 2016

The entire Smith clan! We somehow managed a group shot with a little chaos, Photoshop & patience.  It's so nice to have the updated yearly shots though especially when 3 new babes join in one year! I still think there is room for more growth even if more complicated...

Connie had us all over for a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner that followed the pictures. We let Lexi open one present that night & I read her the Christmas story from a picture book with scriptures. Dad doesn't like this sort of tradition, but it's not like I'm asking him to dress up. I told him to ask Lexi what Christmas is all about and she said "Presents!" without hesitation AND THAT is why we have to tell the story as much as we can. We all need a reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season and THE GIFT that matters most. I want to keep holidays simple because I don't like added stress, but hopefully next year we can do more to get the kids involved in service. I enjoyed the #lighttheworld theme from this year and hope to make a plan in the years to come on how we can better do that as a family, getting Lexi to give more than she gets. It's important.

Christmas morning started with Dallin in our bed so that Lexi could sleep in hers and that was as amazing as it sounds. I ended up with Lexi in her bed when she started crying early in the morning and I didn't want her to wake her brother who finally went back to sleep. So any way, I still haven't recovered, but Dad came and got us all up. Lexi was so excited, but the first thing she said was " I didn't hear the jingle bells." However, she got to see was the snow out her window. It snowed a ton! 

We tried keeping gifts minimal this year and she wasn't any wiser. Her favorite gift was that Elsa microphone she picked out from a refund on Uncle Lance's gift that broke last year. Dallin got a dump truck, which we had since last Christmas. However, we try to keep it from being toys only for certain children... They also got a car ramp, a light saber play set, princess book collection & her first (probably last) "barbie" dolls along with a superhero cape that I got at that charity auction. The big gift from Gammi was the Magniformers set as well as the mermaid suit that she opened early. It's overwhelming for me to think about what gifts would actually be useful and long lasting, but with this age they really are happy with simple things. She doesn't know what to ask for and I like that.

The picture above is the only true Christmas morning photo. It turns out I have a corrupted card I need to sort out and had to attempt a redo with the shots below, and although they tried, it was torture.

We only had sacrament meeting that morning and then made ham & potatoes for dinner and invited Uncle Troy over before heading back to the Smiths later that night to open presents.  Mr Smith already got his ladder, but we also now get to enjoy a DVD/Blue-ray player & a BlendTec (once we have room for such fancy things) since Uncle Lance starts a new job next year. Lexi got some Star wars figurines & a Princess Anna dress among clothes & books.

Eric showed up for the family photos this year and actually took one for me so we call that his gift. We aren't good at doing exchanges ourselves. But he bought our parents DNA tests. He got some favorite DVD collections (HP, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings). My mom sent me some new kitchen utensils since I decided to rid my nylon collection and Dallin finally has a non-girly bib.

I called her a stink butt and she made that gesture above on the left. On the right is her monster face.

We are so grateful for another great year that brought us a little brother and a lot less sleep. We're still a little surprised to be in Provo still, but are learning to appreciate its blessings. We're about to reach our 2 year marks at our jobs and that's the longest we've committed to an area, which is a good thing for now. We are all learning and growing and trying to become our best selves. This is no easy task. I still don't know how time slips away. I'm not sure what new goals are on the horizon, but I hope growing a family & putting down roots is in the near future, but time & location is not something I can foresee.

We are just so blessed with what God has given us and are truly lucky to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives to guide and direct us. We have a purpose and that purpose is to endure to the end and return to our Heavenly parents. Without a doubt I know my Savior lives and has given me an example to follow because He loves me and wants the best for me. I know He knows my struggles. He also knows how I can become my best self. He is my hope and my will power. I'm grateful to be surrounded by those who encourage me by their examples. We send our love this Christmas season to you all near and far. Merry Christmas.