Addy's new Haircut

Addy was in MAJOR need of a new do, and this was just the "hairdo" for her! It looks beyond cute on her, I am in love with it, and her too for course! (the pictures are not great but at least it gives you and idea! 

BEFORE 

AFTER

Give a LIttle Love

It tried to incorporate some "meaningful" things with Valentines this year and it actually was a success. I had a jar of hearts with various scriptures on them and each morning before Brynlee went to school we would read our "love" scripture and talk about how we could incorporate it through out the day. I tried to remember to ask the girls at dinner how they were able to follow the scripture. It set a great mood for our mornings that 14 days before Valentines! The idea came form here, this Lady is incredibly talented!

Brynlee wrote this all on here own, I think I will keep it forever, it melted my heart when I saw what she put, and wow is she coming a long way with her writing.

We did our usual Valentine heart attack at the first of the month. Each family member writes something they love about each person and we have it to remind us of each others love all month long. It is simple but I got the idea here.

The Girls really enjoyed doing their Valentines this year. It was Addyson's first time and great practice with writing.

We did a Valentine breakfast which the girls were super excited about. Their favorite part of the whole breakfast was the whip cream I put on top of the berry smoothies. They thought they were eating dessert for breakfast. Ethan was post-call and unfortunately did not make it in that morning.

Trey could not get enough smoothie as well! I love that my kids like smoothies almost as much as I do!

These kids NEVER get tired of balloons!

This was with extent of my creativity for dinner, they were delicious with spaghetti.

I have been going crazy these days with all things bread. I love to work with yeast and wheat flour.

The candy which came home from school was ridiculous! Awesome for the kids, but it quickly disappeared as mom's had when from candy bag to trash can a few pieces a night (did I just say that, yes girls you will thank me one day). Believe me they had their fair share of sweets!

I really enjoyed Valentines this year!

What January was filled with

Snow has been sparse but we made the most with what we have had. We really hope to have more, knowing that this would be a lot for Texas. Last year we had several fun Maryland snow plays!

I am addicted to making pizza these days, we eat it every Friday and I have not problems with that what so ever. All week I crave my pizza and big green salad, it really hits the spot! We also all watch a movie together and it is great great times!!

A visit from Grandma was for sure the highlight of the month. We are so thankful to have her come so often, we is great to have around.

She took the girls to see the new Beauty and the Besast is 3-D they were jumping out of their skin excited to do this with her!

2nd time that mess was made this month.

Guess that means I need to keep things picked up better!

It was originally a bigger goose egg! But what a cute spike he's got going on!

Trey Finally gave this up right before his 2nd birthday in November. I didn't want to forget why he ended up giving it up the picture says it all... (yes he did bite the whole nipple off)

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!!!