End of the Year Musings- We loved you 2014!!!

2014 was a good year.

To go through and pick top highlights would just be too hard. Of course, having our Sweet Ella come was the best part of the year. As the times flies, it is such a privilege to watch the children grow and develop. We have a fine bunch, yes we do!! Ella is a mommy's girl. It's so amazing and rich to think of the bond I have with my babies. I'm grateful to breastfeed and be there for them. It's like they are a part of my soul and being. Happiness is holding my babies. Giving them kisses. Talking to them and seeing them smile and discover birds and butterflies!

Confucious said, "Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous."

I feel like it was  year full of new learning. One big thing that happened toward the end of year was our choice to go Vegetarian. The girls and I have now been meat free for almost 3 weeks. We want to make healthy choices. I still want the girls to be flexible and not feel any pressure, however we all have empathy toward these beautiful animals that aren't being treated right. How can we be a part of something so wrong and cruel? I'm hoping to continue educating myself about where food comes from and eventually see if I can go Vegan.

I almost finished the Doctrine and Covenants this year. I'm in the hundreds and have found the Institute student manual invaluable. I've really felt the spirit as I have read and developed a new love for the early saints and all they had to endure. I did finish Jesus the Christ. My understanding of His life has definitely grown and my appreciation for Him is beyond verbalizing.

The girls were in Gifted and Talented classes this year. Christina is being challenged nicely. Maria is still way advanced and continues to do work under her level. We compensate at home as much as possible. Their memory is wonderful. I was quizzing them about authors and was proud of all they could remember! Watch out Jeopardy!! Most important, I'm proud of their gospel knowledge. They know all the articles of faith, main points of scripture stories.... they read scriptures nightly and continue to ask thoughtful questions or make insightful comments.

Elijah! Oh dear. This boy!!! 3 years old and reading. He definitely is learning differently from the girls. Much more energy required for concentration! However, he teaches himself and he does so quickly. He is the funniest little thing EVER! He is so well behaved and nice. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He really is just the coolest. He is UPTOWN FUNK!!!!!!!!!

Family, as always, is my greatest treasure. Not a day goes by, that I don't have joy because of my wonderful family.

Our talents in art seem to be growing. I am so grateful for the internet and the sharing of ideas. Our home definitely benefits from all that is out there and is strengthened by the knowledge of others.

Good friends fill our lives too. A comfortable home. Cars that run and a job that Joe excels in.

Yes, 2014 was a good year and we are always so blessed.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

Snow time!!

 

It finally snowed!! The kids enjoyed playing outside for about 20 minutes, then were done. It was bitterly cold with the wind!

Figured out the stairs! Gate UP!

 

She figured it out!! Promptly our gate has gone up!

 

She's quite pleased with herself though, as she should be!!

Werk it....

Pose means really werrrrrrking it. Loving the hips.

 

The girls got some new clothes from family for Christmas. I thought they looked beautiful so I had to document!

Sewing Machines!

 

The girls request to sew everyday, hourly. So far they have made pillows!

 

Maria sews straighter than I do!

 

Here's to discovering new talents!!

Christmas at Papa and Yaya's

 

We had a lovely afternoon and evening spending time with family!

Papa cooked a wonderful meal with plenty of vegetarian sides, which was really thoughtful.

 

Papa's lights went out on the tree but he was able to fix them just in time for Christmas!

 

Love this shot of Aunt Valerie and Theo Speedo.

 

Santa brought stockings to Papa and Yaya's too! They were loaded with sweets and toys.

 

Theo Speedo and Aunt Valerie gave great homemade wood signs. They worked very hard on them and we love them!!! They are so thoughtful!!!

 

Yaya!!!!!

 

I was so excited to give my dad a full body blue suit. I hope one day he randomly wears it to Wal-Mart or starts dressing in it daily for work at the Post Office.

 

The kiddos were thoroughly overindulged!!! It was present after present of marvelous toys!!! 

 

SEWING MACHINES!!! I think their face says it all!!!!

Thank you Papa and Yaya!!! Such a perfect gift for our little creators!

 

 

This was the coolest Monster Truck carrier!!!

 

But Eli's favorite... what he asked Santa for, but Santa knew Papa and Yaya wouldn't disappoint....

 

A DIGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ella loved her instruments!! Remember when Christina got a set for her first Christmas??

 

Yaya Sofia and her fun dolls!! This doll winks too!

 

It was so thoughtful of Grandmama and Grandpapa to send some gifts with Tobi! The kids loved them!!

 

Dessert!

 

It was a lovely time together! We are so blessed to have such wonderful and considerate family. The children certainly were well provided for this Christmas with an assortment of amazing toys!! But more importantly, it's just so lovely to have such supportive and kind family!!!

 

This year I wrote letters to everyone. I don't know why, but I was feeling sentimental. I wish I could better express all the gratitude I feel for those around me. I am so happy. I am so completely filled. I know that God is good and that I have been surrounded by the most loving people. I was so touched at everyone's responses. I guess I should express myself more often to my family!!! Christina even glued her note in her journal.

 

Afterwards it took forever unloading and organizing!! The kids played dress up and after 15 pages of Harry Potter....we all slept very soundly!!!

 

And I did catch them sneak reading with their new lights!!!

 

CHRISTMAS 2014!!!!!!!!! Warning: Total Picture Overload

 

I was surprised. We weren't up too early! 7AM the kiddos gathered around at the top of the stairs. On GO! they raced down to a magical morning of flying paper and shiny new goodies! Everyone was very excited and the morning was perfect!

 

Maria's favorite gift. She wrote in her lock journal ALL DAY!!!

 

All the children got new jammies. Eli and Ella got new jammies from cousin Jay and Rachael!!

 

The kids wrapped us and each other a bunch of presents. They were fun! It's always so precious to hear Eli's sincere "thank yoooooou!!!!"

 

We were really excited to hit the black Friday sales for movies!

 

Aunt Pam and Uncle Bob got the kids NEW SHOES!!!! I think out of all the gifts those are always MY favorite!! They also got Ella the cutest pajamas, which she'll be pictured in later!

We are always so spoiled by our family!!

 

Christina got me a nightlight that she fixed.

 

 

I had hit the after Halloween sale and got the cutest dress up for Eli. He loves being a cop!!!

 

I just love how the floor is covered!!!!!!!

 

Joe got me the PERFECT gift this year. Not too expensive, not too random.

A beautiful card and lotion!!! Thank you Jaime. I got him a trip to the allergist to find out what he is allergic too and a treatment. He takes Zyrtec everyday, so really.... we need to find out what's going on.

 

For breakfast we had wreath bagels, reindeer and snowman doughnuts, potatoes, veggie sausage patties, egg whites with spinach, and orange juice. It was healthy and yummy!

 

Ella especially liked breakfast!! This is my favorite face she makes.... her kissy face!!

We're so proud of her learning how to use her cup!!

 

Here's those gorgeous pajamas!

 

I know Nana is proud of Aunty Pam in heaven. Maria got the funnest shoes that just completely match her personality!!

 

The girls finished this book within 2 hours. They were so excited for it!

 

Finally... they got their own night lights so they can sneak read at bed time without going blind.

 

I had forgotten Ella's toy in the garage! She loves her new little walker stroller and does excellent with it! Eli also loved it and desperately wanted to play with it.

 

We were spoiled with tons of fun games too! It was very enjoyable spending our morning playing together!!

 

Thanks everyone for such an enchanted and enjoyable Christmas!!