Christmas Eve/Day

It was a memorable Christmas with the Simons! Christmas Eve we gathered for grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, had a nativity put on by G&G and the grandkids, karaoke singing, family gift exchange, and a devotional by G&G.

Christmas morning we spent as a family, and then met up with the Simons after naps for Christmas dinner and more playing. We love our family so much. Christmas with little kids couldn't be more magical!

'Tis the Season

My favorite time of the year! We had so many fun things in the month of December.

Lights On: This year at our house, we gathered familiar Christmas smells and everyone took turns guessing. 

Making Christmas cookies with the Ray family at the Spiel's home:

Bowen Family Party and Nativity:

Hug or Strangle?

Maddie's First Haircut

Earlier this week, we left our home to head to Sound Beginnings. It had been snowing all morning, but I figured we'd at least try the roads and see how they were. Before even getting out of our neighborhood, we had slipped around so much I decided to turn the car right back around. However, after  a few failed attempts to get up different streets in our neighborhood, our car just could not get up the hill. Megan Reeves' had been in her car and passed us earlier (as we were trying for the 10th time to make it up the street...so silly). She told us to park in her driveway and come in. We had previously talked about her cutting Madelyn's hair, so we seized the opportunity! Megan is such a good friend. Not only did she welcome us in, but she cut my daughter's hair, got toys for the twins to play with, and made sure we were completely taken care of. 

Sound Beginnings with Ashlyn

We've been lucky to have done three semesters of Sound Beginnings with Ms. Ashlyn and this past semester was the last before baby boy comes. She truly is the best of the best and we'll miss her so much!

Rachel Turns 29

Happy 29th Birthday to me! Thankful for my beautiful life.

Maddie's Foot Casting

Madelyn had her first foot casting November 8, and went back every week for 3 weeks to get another cast put on, each on stretching her foot a little more than the previous. Each week she was excited to go back and try a new color. She did so well each time and it took her half a day to get used to it. This girl is unstoppable and so resilient. How we love her. We couldn't get the cast wet, she she had a bath once a week. After casting, they fitted her for a brace she will wear indefinitely. We'll do physical therapy for a while to strengthen that left leg and the new muscles she's learning to use.

The day we got her last cast taken off (November 30):

Thanksgiving with the Beans

Thanksgiving week 2018 was an eventful one! I wish I had taken more pictures! Mark & Elissa came into town the Tuesday before and the women threw me a little baby shower. It was a small group, just the way I like it. So thankful for such supportive, loving women in my life.
Wednesday we gathered to make pies and Dave introduced the girls to video games:

Thursday we had our big feast and a beautiful devotional/talent show for the littles.
Friday we gathered at the cultural hall in the morning for games, and then the women went to lunch at Olive Garden together:

Saturday we finished things off with temple sealings at the Mount Timpanogos temple, the perfect ending to the best week. We love these people so much.

Halloween 2018

Happy Halloween from the cutest witch, kitty, and butterfly you've ever seen in your life. We had a fun trunk-or-treat with the ward, got to celebrate with our Joy School class, and enjoyed dinner with the Simons, some trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and a visit from G&G Bean!

A few days before Halloween, the girlies decorated their own pumpkin:

Madelyn's EMG Test

Yesterday, we took Madelyn down to Primary Children's to have an EMG test done to check for any neuromuscular abnormalities in her left leg. At the same time, Dr. Green gave her botox injections to prep for her casting in about 10 days to stretch out her leg/foot. It's never easy to watch your child be put down, but we're so thankful she was in such good hands and we love these doctors! What a brave little girl. When we went to see her as she was waking up, the doctor was able to tell us the test came back normal. So thankful!

Happy Birthday, Madelyn! TWO!

Happy Birthday to our sunshine girl! She is light, this one. Madelyn is determined, strong-willed, independent, silly, and sweet as can be. How we love her. Her 2nd birthday fell on a Sunday, so we celebrated with the Beans. The following week, we took her to the zoo to celebrate her, which she absolutely loved. We can't get enough of our Maddie.

ZOO:

Madelyn summed up in two pictures: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet girl.