Christmas 2015

Having children just makes Christmas so much fun! This year, Christmastime just seemed so busy!! Too busy. I need to find how to simplify it more. I went into the Season with goals and visions of how I wanted it to be more Christ-centered and giving-focused. And, part of it was. but, I found myself more stressed than I would have likes. And, not being able to get to all that I wanted to do. Next year, my plan is to start getting Christmas "stuff" accomplished starting in November! Maybe that will help. 

I am learning as I go.

Anyway, I LOVED to see the kids so excited!!  Their joy and excitement is contagious! 

On Christmas Eve we went over to Aunt Monica's house for Dinner. Great Grandma Rolfson was there. It was so good to see her!!! Each of us brought appetizers. Monica made the traditional French Onion soup. Everything was delicious! 

We had a fun ornament exchange and acted out the Nativity. Aubrey was a Shepard, Olivia was the Angel, Wes was a Wiseman, I was the Narrator, Aunt and Uncle Bob were Mary and Joseph. The rest of the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins watched the production! I love to take time during the Christmas Season to act out the special story of our Savior entering the world. It always brings such a sweet spirit and strengthens my testimony each and every time. 

We drove home for the evening slowly in very "winter-y" roads, made a few delivers on the way, gave the kids their "Christmas Jammies" present, and made sure to leave out cookies, carrots, and egg nog for Santa. Aubrey made sure that all 9 reindeer had their very own carrot. So cute! 

'Twas the night before Christmas.... 

1:30 AM: Not a creature was stirring (except for the mom, even dad was fast asleep on the couch!)

As cute as our kids are, they have all really been acting out lately! I told (threatened) them many times that Santa would not be coming. (I figured I may as well use that tactic while I can! ha!...sort of felt bad about it, but not really! ;) ) Aubrey claimed into our bed around 7:00 am Christmas morning. Shortly after, she was if it was "morning time". I looked at the clock, figured it was OK to get up, and told her, 'yes'. I asked her if she thought Santa came. She thought about it silently for a minute and responded, "It's OK it he didn't come, it will still be a good day." 

Bless her heart.

She ran to go wake up Olivia. She said, "Olivia, let's go see if Santa came!! But, if he didn't come it will still be a good day!".  Olivia happily agreed, "yes, it will still be a good day"

Love my kids!! 

They ran down stairs. Olivia happily exclaimed: OH!! HE CAME!!! 

Simon hugging is Beenie-Boo Frog

Olivia hugging her clothes! haha! 

SHOPKINS!! Can you tell she was excited?1 haha!

Aubrey giving her gift to Olivia. 

Olivia giving her gift to Aubrey

Cars: All Simon needs.

We announced to the girls the Destination of our up-coming Vacation! (they've been working really hard delivering Flyers every week to 215 houses! So, they are actually paying for most of it!)

Wes making Lefsa so Christmas Dinner!

In the late afternoon we all met at Aunt Monica's for another Dinner! it was delicious of course! We missed those who were not there with us. 

Pumpkin Carving

We love carving pumpkins at Halloween! It's neat to see the girls' different reactions every year based on their ages! This year, Aubrey was really excited at first! Couldn't wait to get going. BUT, once she saw the "guts" she wanted no part of it! ha! Olivia loved every minute of it!  

And, it was so fun to do this with Grandma, Aunty and cousins!

 Aubrey trying to be very brave. A little too close for comfort!

Love Aubrey's pictures! THIS is as close as she got! haha!. She just told me, "mommy, I can't". She couldn't bring herself to stick her hand in there. I have a feeling next year she'll be all over it!

 

As you can see, Olivia loved this part!!!

 LOVED. IT.

 

When were were done getting all the insides out, I told the girls to go draw what they want their pumpkin to look like! So cute!!! 

 

But, it didn't go further than this! haha. 

We'll have to pick up on this activity another day and carve out the faces!

To be continued....

Our BIG Girl!

 Our sweet little angel girl, Olivia, is now 5 years old!!

WE CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!

When I asked her what sort of cake she wanted, she replied, "a spider cake!". Olivia and Aubrey had fun helping me put the spiders on.

For her birthday, we decided to head on down to grandma's to celebrate. We had such a fun time!

Half way down to Grandma's, we stopped at a CANDY store! As you can see, the girls LOVED it!!!

We all picked out one treat.

Crafts with her cousins! 

When I asked Olivia what she wanted to do for her birthday, she replied, "make spiders". So, we made some pumpkins AND spiders.

Opening her presents. This lucky girl got clothes, markers, crafts, a bowl with her name on it, a Fancy Nancy puzzle, animal hats, candy, a few little toy spiders....

....and an ART easel!! I  foresee countless hours of creativity happening with this thing! 

Can't wait to to put it in our kitchen!! 

Cake time!

We sure love this little cutie!!! She has grown leaps and bounds since starting Kindergarten. She loves to learn and explore her surroundings. She has a love for life and has an impressive imagination. She loves to help mom out, ride her bike, draw, paint, play with her sister and brother. She loves to read and is starting to read a few words on her own. She is really good at sounding out words and loves to write.  She  is such a great big sister and loves to teach Aubrey about stuff. She loves her little Simon and takes every opportunity she can to hold him or pick him up. She still loves animals more than anything. When she grows up she wants to be an Animal Doctor. 

We love our little Liv. She is such a joy to our family!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was such a nice day! The Pitcher/Rolfson side came over to Brandon and Stephanies to enjoy the feast and games together!

Olivia wanted to draw a picture for Great-grandma Rolfson! So cute!

Aunt Monica made these little Turkeys! So creative!

 

Our usual Turkey-carver!

I wanted to capture this moment:  Great Grandma was sitting on the couch and Aubrey took it upon herself to go sit beside her.  She didn't say anything to her. Great-grandma was talking to Aubrey, but Aubrey didn't respond.  She sat sat there for a few minutes...just wanting to be near her. Precious!

haha! This just makes me laugh! Simon was a bit cranky this day!

 

It was a wonderful day! We are Thankful that we got to share it with such wonderful people!

Corn Maze

Such a fun time! When we first arrived, it was pretty chilly and we weren't really dressed for it! But, soon the sun came out from behind the clouds and it warmed right up!! Simon was a bit cranky... poor boy... but the kids had such a blast!!!

The pictures speak for themselves, but I just had to include the progression of Simon crying. He didn't not feel very well that day. I think he has an adorable face, so I just had to post! 

The corn was very damaged this year due to weather...so, not very tall, but still fun!

 

 

Olivia was in awe!...  real, live TURKEY (her most favorite thing in the whole world!)!!