Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Program

For a few years now I have wanted to do a reenactment of the Birth of the Savior, and I finally got all my ducks in a row this year to pull it off. I was a simple program seeing that it involved a 6, 4 and 2 year old. We had a great time and as you can see even Trey got into it as well. I look forward to many more years of continuing this new tradition. I have experimented with a few new "possible traditions" this season and look forward to keeping some of them going!

Don't you just want to squeeze him? Believe it or not he is even cuter in real life, but beware he is also as head strong as they come (more on that subject later).

Christmas Eve Dinner

After our family activities were done we met our good friends the Kraffts for a wonderful dinner. We have said it a thousand times and will say it a thousand more, we love this family and are so thankful for how warmly they greeted us to Maryland and really enjoy their company.

No Christmas Eve is complete with out a reading of "The Night Before Christmas"

We had a wonderful evening!

I had to include this. Brynlee went around the tree several days ago and added tags and card to the Christmas gifts. She was so proud of what she had done, and she did an excellent job if I do say so my self. That girl sure is growing fast, I love watching all the creative things she does!

Santa had some excellent cookies this year. In fact here is the recipe to those delicious things! I think the reindeer enjoyed their food as well!

We Love December

Christmas is not complete without Cookies!

We found a new roll out cookie recipe that I think is going to be a keeper! I plan on making this a tradition. The girls absolutely love doing these kind of things with me, which makes me So happy! Addy told me the other day that she wants to do all the stuff I do. (they tell me stuff like this all the time, which makes me happy, but also makes me think...) Oh the recipe is from Clover Lane, its here.

Santa and Ward Christmas Party

Santa showed up to the Church Christmas party. It was the first year Addy was ok with St. Nick and Trey wanted nothing to do with him, which is right in line with the past Dalley Child history with Santa Claus!

Brynlee had a speaking part for the Church program and she did a fabulous job!

Devotionals

It's hard to see the bells in this photo, but they each have one. This year we are starting a new tradition that is a forever and always keeper in this family. This is our 24 days of Christmas Nightly Devotional and it will get it's own post later on.

Gingerbread Houses

It's not Christmas with out Ginger bread house making. Even Trey got into this and loved it. He thought he was is heaven when I put him on the table and let him have at it. I am having so much fun with the kids this year. As a mother this is really what Christmas is about, "enjoying the moments". I am trying to soak it all in and not get too wrapped up in the stress!

Oh and Happy Birthday Meme!

DC Visitors Center

This place brings back many good memories! I love going to Temple Visitors' Centers, they make me feel right at home! It's amazing at how a flood of memories wash through my head when I walk into one. I served for 1 1/2 years at the Los Angeles Temple Visitors' Center and it forever changed my life! Needless to say this is a very special place for me to back and visit and with my family makes it all the more better.

Karen got a good shot of us with the beautiful Washington DC temple in the back!

Most of the Temple grounds are full of lights.

This is part I like the best! The lights and the nativity room are all wonderful but the Christus is like nothing else. The spirit I felt in deep measure on my mission is vividly brought back when I see the Christus and listen to the message. Even though I only heard it in Spanish that night the spirit I felt was no less. I wish I could put into words what kind of peace this brings. I truly am grateful to have this month to focus a little closer on the Savior. I am thankful for His life, which brings each of us life!

Trey Turns Two!

We had a great family day with Trey for his Birthday. I was surprisingly a nice day and we took advantage by going to the park. This boy of mine has a TON of energy and this was the perfect place to let it all out. I loves playing with his sisters and this was a win-win situation. I really do love getting to go on family outings like this (even small ones like this), I love being all together and not having any time factors.

This was by far the favorite activity at the park. They wanted to do this over and over and over, but so did all the other children taking advantage of one of the last beautiful days of the year.

After the park, a quick nap and the Christmas tree pick up we had the monkey cake. I went back and forth with this and was glad I ended up making it. It turned out really cute and Trey thought so too!

He of course loved getting some new "boy" toys (there still are not a lot of those around this house). The girls loved the new toys as much as he did. It's so fun to watch them all play together they have such a good time together!

I had more fun pictures of our Christmas tree find, but in trying to "learn" about the new camera I erased them. At least I didn't erase the birthday pics! (by the way all these photos are on the old camera, I'm slowly learning and getting use to the new one, while it takes much better photos the users has to learn a thing or two for it to be better)

This shirt pretty much sums up Trey!

He is:

1) Head strong (VERY)

2) Loves to help and clean up!

His smile is contagious and is so cute I just can stand it! I love this boy so much, and pray daily that I can keep up with his energy. I'm grateful for the privilege to be your Mother Trey and thankful for what you teach me about our Heavenly Fathers love for each of his children.

I Love You!!!

BOO

We had a fun Chinese Halloween! The girls loved wearing their Chinese get-up and it was really easy for me since we already had all of it, thanks to Mema for outfitting us!

Brynlee thought she was so grown-up looking carrying that fan. "Grown-up" looking is her goal in life, ya know.

She actually looks the part in this shot...

All Trey was interested in was the candy, of course.

I think it's so funny that the girls get so excited about dumping the candy on the floor and picking out the favorites!

Stinky Diaper

I had to add this picture. Trey's diaper was just a little too stinky back there!

The Mill

During our visit with my parents we made a trip up to North Carolina to visit the Jacobi Family. When I was growing up we went to Missouri many summers to visit our dear Aunt Junie and Uncle Bob. These visits bring back wonderful childhood memories. We would pile in the big blue van and make the 10+ hour trip to see some of our most favorite people. We loved spending time with June and Bob, because of their love of life and people. They always made us feel at home and while the vacation was simple it was exciting to be with family.

So we were fortunate enough to visit with Aunt Junie and Uncle Bob's son Wick. Him and his wife Sabrina were excellent hosts and made us feel right at home just as his parents once did. They are restoring a 1800's mill and it was breathtaking to see where they lived. The pictures don't do it justice! It was an amazing place with incredible history.

Wick, Sabrina, Dakota, Parrish, and our crew!

The girls had a great time playing with there "new found" cousin Parrish!

I'm telling you this place was amazing!! I wish I was a good photographer and could have gotten some awesome shots!

I'm grateful that we had a nice relaxing trip with Ethan and my parents. I could get use to having 4 adults around!

Weber's Cider Mill Farm

My parents came to visit and one of the #1 requests from not only the girls but from Grandpa was "the place with the big slide". So down to the farm we went. We had so much fun with them!

Brynlee was trilled to finally go on the big slide!

For Grandma's sake we won't post the picture of what happened right after this (she got a little carried away and right in the mud puddle she went) I have to say it was kinna funny...

Needless to say we LOVE the big slide!

There were several things for the kids to do and this was a favorite. I'm glad Brynlee still enjoys things like this (wagon/tractor) ride with was slower than all get out!

Good times for all!