Christmas Holiday

The last few weeks have been a lot of fun.  We haven't been the healthiest and we have done a lot of traveling which I don't always love, but dispite that it has been a wonderful holiday.  We spent a few days before Christmas in Evanston helping Jess unpack.  While we were there, Molly spiked a fever and was pretty sick.  The next day we headed home and Molly got worse.  We stayed in for a day and last Sunday we headed to Eagle Mountain to hear Ali and Jeremy sing in the ward choir and then Kims kids sang in their sacrament meeting.  Then off to Aunt Camilles for a yummy dinner and visit with family.  It all went well considering we were all still sick.  The next day we spent visiting Nick's family and headed home in the snow for Christmas at home.  It was so fun to have our first Christmas with just our own little family.  Molly was excited about Santa coming, but most excited about her dream lite.  We ate bread wreath rolls for breakfast and then went to John's house to visit and back out to the Sidwells.

On the 26th I took down all the Christmas and cleaned before heading to Price.  (The reason Nick thinks I don't like Christmas. ;))  It was nice to spend a few days in Price with my family.  We were missing Sherstin and Josephs families, but it was nice to be with John and Jessicas families and with my parents.  We also visited the Richardsons and Behunins which was fun too.

Tonight was are going to have a houseful as John and Jessicas families are coming over for games and food.  Should be fun.  As I say goodbye to 2012 it seems like I can do so easily.  This has been a HARD YEAR!  But also a year of blessings.  The biggest blessing was a healthy baby girl.  Excited for a new year and a new beginning.

Christmas at Home

I wanted to remember what Christmas looked like this year.  Dispite what Nick might think, I love Christmas decor, lights, music and basically everything Christmas.  (Nick thinks I don't like to decorate because as soon as Christmas is over I take it all down quickly...ready to have my house back.)

To remember Cherish

Molly's first Christmas


Reminds me of Nauvoo

An old ornament



















One from our Disneyland trip


















One from my childhood

Winter fun!

Winter is here!  Last Saturday we woke early and headed to Evanston to help my sister move into her house. Then drove home in a bit of snow.  Sunday we woke up to a little snow and Molly was convinced that she needed to go play in the snow before nine o'clock church.  We didn't really let her play much in it on Sunday so Monday morning after breakfast she put on her boots and simply walked around the backyard in all directions making tracks...or as she calls them "feets".  That night we took the kids to go ice skating. A first for both of them. I'm not a great skater, so Nick took Molly while I held Avey.  Molly loved it!!  She had a hard time even standing, but luckily Nick is a great skater so she got to go pretty fast around the rink.  It was nice for Avey and I as well because they had an outdoor heater and a children's choir performing outside that we listened to.

On Thursday Nick finally went to the doctors. He has had a cold for about a month and it has just gotten worse. Bronchitis is what the doctor thought it sounded like, so he was sent home with an antibiotic, couch med, and inhaler.  He is already feeling better for which I am thankful but tonight Avey started acting sick and has been congested. Her first cold.  Yuck.

Last night we had the Bodilys over for soup, games and a movie. It was so nice and relaxing and the kids played great. SO thankful to have some friends here. It definantly helps with the transition.

And then today, more snow. Once again Molly was ready to go out as soon as she saw there was snow. After breakfast her and Nick built a Molly and Avenley snowman.  I took Molly shopping for her to buy a present for her dad and Avey with her own money. She was so cute looking for the perfect gift and it was fun to have some one on one time with her.

PS. Why am I so tired all day and at night I can't sleep?!?  Drives me crazy!

A week in Review

Last Thursday we got together with the Mickels, Bodily's, and Moons for an after Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a lot of fun to be all together again....after several years.  The Bods and Micks have been there for our family at such important parts of our lives.  We love them so much.

Friday we went to Salt Lake to meet my parents, grandpa Echer, Jessicas family and Jessica Beth and Joelle for dinner.  Jessica Beth was in town for a family funeral and we got to snatch her up for a night. We miss her already but it was fun to visit for a while.

Then Saturday we came down with...food poisoning we think.  Nick and I were both SO sick.  It practically lasted for 2 full days!  By Monday Nick was better and I was mostly better.

Monday we went to temple square with Nicks family.  It was so beautiful and peaceful there.  I have to admit that even driving downtown stresses me out, but this trip was nice.  Saw City Creek for the first time.  Enjoyed being together as a whole family.  I love how esay going my kids are.  They were both so good while we were there.

The rest of the week has been spent cleaning up doing laundry and household stuff.  I am hoping to get a quick trip to the temple today before heading to Evinston to help the Jensen's move.