Elf on the shelf, My style

I wanted something magical and exciting to help the Christmas season in this year but I wanted to help keep our focus on Christ too.  This was just a way I have tried to do that.  Nothing fancy.  but something magical.  This is what Eli did while the boys were sleeping last night.  It sure helped them get out of bed in the morning to go look for him.  LOVE THE MAGIC IN BELIEVING!  

Dear Gideon and Bridger,

Well, Well, Well, 2 of my favorite children…..  How are you on this Beautiful day?

First off, I am writing to you to let you know how much I think you are amazing, wonderful, good little people and I love you so much.

 I wanted to tell you something important.  You know all about my naughty or nice list right?  Well, the truth is, it’s not really true.  (I know it’s a shocker right?!!!) I don’t have a naughty or nice list.

 I know Jesus and Heavenly Father and I know they love us regardless of the choices we make.  It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are able to repent and do better and that we are able to return to Heavenly Father and Jesus in heaven again someday.   I know you know about this too.  Like when you make a bad choice, your father in Heaven and Your brother Jesus Christ Love you still and your parents love you too and give you a second chance to make things right.  It is through love that we are given so much.

 So if you believe I will come to your house on Christmas Eve and leave you some special surprises, then I will come!!  That is all you need…. is to Believe!!!

To help you remember the atonement and remember to love one another this Christmas Season I am sending you a special friend of mine to visit and stay with you during this magical season.

This is Eli the Elf…….

He is a dear friend of mine, but he tends to be a bit naughty.  I have taught him about love and the atonement and how we can become better when we make mistakes but sometimes he forgets. He is beginning to learn but I thought if he stayed with you during the Christmas season, then you might be able to teach him some more about the way Jesus loves us even when we make bad choices.  We want to become more like Christ and make good choices so we can return to him again.  Can you help Eli and teach him how to be good?  I hope so.

One important thing about Eli …he is an elf and elves are not the same as humans.  Eli stays still all during the day and comes alive at night.  You can talk with him and play with him just like you do with leopard seal and wolfy, they are not alive like you, but they can still hear you and play with you and love you.   Eli is quiet during the day, but loves to play at night time when everyone is sleeping.  That is usually when he can get into some trouble so you’ll have to watch him carefully!

When I told Eli he was going to be staying with you he jumped up and down with Excitement.  He loves you two and thinks you are so fun.  He also can’t wait to meet your baby sister.  Take Care of him and have fun.  Maybe take a picture of Eli with you and send me a picture.  I will be back on Christmas Eve to pick him up.  I love you very much.  Enjoy the Christmas season!

Love,

  SANTA

Family pictures 2012

These are all scanned into my computer or I took a picture of them so the quality isn't the best but here they are. 

 

The photographer captured Arya's cute smiles

 

Arya in her blessing outfit

6weeks old

Me and my Man

Our cute little family (well big for Europe)

Our family!!!

 

Spooky and Thankful Times

This was at our Halloween Pre-school swap I do with a few moms

this is William the ninja 

Sadie, Joseph, Daxlee, London, Alyssa, and Bridger

A spooky cake

goodies

Sabrina and Pippa

Joseph

the crew

Bridger pinning the nose on the Pumpkin

Arya, our little skeleton girl :)

Alyssa

The girls

Watching a Halloween flick

Doughnut eating contest

The cattle rustler and her prize

Booooooooo and Rooooaaaar!

My little Cow :)

My cute boys reading one of their favorite stories we found at the library, 'Blueberries for Sal'

Our Thankful Tree we made for November.  We put something we are grateful for on each finger.

I love Arya's hands.  So cute!

A Beautiful Sunset the other night

Arya is smiling more and starting to get nice round cheeks.  She is sleeping for longer stretches in the night but still thinks bedtime is at 12:30am

I went to parent/teacher conferences yesterday for Gideon and he is a great student.  He was tested in Reading and has a third grade reading level, but the teacher told me, "That was as high as my resources went, so I think he might be even higher."  Wow!!  Go Gideon.  He is taking a writing class called the 'six traits of Writing' to help his writing skills be brought up to his reading level.  

 He loves school and loves learning and making friends.

Bridger is starting to write really well and identifies his letters well.  He loves his baby sister, literally.  THe other day he said, "Mom I am so in love with Arya, I want to marry her when I grow up"  I thought that was cute.  He adores her and always 'smothers' her in hugs and kisses.   Both boys love making videos with my camera.  I am pretty lucky to have them in my life.  

Joseph has been working a lot lately.  He was working his regular schedule for a couple of days 7-5 and then a couple of night shifts then a couple of regular shifts with a weekend of night shifts after working a full week.  He is 2nd in command in the armory so he picks up the slack when needed.  It has been really nice to have him go to church with us every Sunday lately.  I love it.  

I am exhausted and seem to never be able to catch up with my house but I sure love my kiddos and being a mom, I am just a more tired, a little more cranky, less productive, but still in the end happy mommy :) 

Lov'n Life

Taking a walk with Grandma and Grandpa before they left Germany

Our little Arya Girl.  She loves napping and chilling on her tummy

 Bridger giving Arya a kiss

Chilling in her swing

Gideon, the.....Cowboy

Oh this melts my heart :)

Playing some tunes with grandpa on the guitar and the drums

My parents are back home now but it was so wonderful to have them here with us for a month.  We were so lucky and blessed to have them for the amount of time that we did.

The other morning when I took Gideon to school Bridger told me, "When Grandma and grandpa were here it was the best day of my life."  It meant so much for our family to have family here.  They still very much remember their uncle Ryan coming and visiting and loved that as well.  When your away from family and do not have the means to see them very often, you take advantage of the moments you are blessed with them in your home.  Thank you so much Mom and Dad for coming here to Germany and spending some much needed time with us.  Love you very much!!

More of our little Arya

Arya at 1 month old!!

It snowed!!!

Make your own free digital slideshow

Here is some snow flakes on my lavender 

We did a fun experiment.  We got a lot of items and guessed which ones would float or sink.  We were surprised with certain ones too.  Always learning and having fun!