January

 We started out the month spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and cousins. 

Chet was thrilled to get in some hockey time with everyone

Mariah and Annalie have been looking forward to going to the temple for months and they were finally able to. Asa and Vivi were sick and Tanner and I hadn't gotten much sleep but we felt like if we didn't go then, it may not happen for a while. Asa slept the whole way to the temple and Vivi's fever broke before we left. Grandma was wonderful and watched the younger kids so that we could be with our girls in the temple. Chet and Miri were also amazing help for Grandma; Chet kept the older kids entertained with games and Miri held Asa. 

Mariah and Anni were able to use some family names and even learned a little about some of the people they were baptized for. Many of them were from the Pittsburgh area which was fun. After getting dressed in her white jumpsuit, I asked Mariah if she knew what the safety pin on her key was for. She responded "to pick the lock if I lose the key?". She was a good sport when I laughed and showed her how to pin it on her jumpsuit. I still can't believe that I have a daughter old enough to do baptisms. It was so special to see her doing that work for those who weren't baptized in this life, giving them a chance to enter the Baptismal covenant if they choose. 

Tanner got to baptize his dad as well which was special. Grandpa showed the girls the special hallway filled with old temple artifacts and he seemed to be happy in his ol' stomping grounds. Now if only we can get them to come back and work in the Nauvoo temple again. 

I'm pretty sure it was just yesterday that we were sitting in our "special tree" up in Rexburg, Idaho; only to find out that it was also Brittany and Baydon's "special tree". I can remember my first time in the temple...how do I have a daughter that age?! 

The next day we said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa. It was such a tender mercy having them for that week. Asa hadn't been sleeping well and they helped so much. Grandpa made breakfast every morning and Grandma helped with school. They organized our garage, storage room, furnace room, and under the stairs. I'm so grateful for them and all that they do for us. 

 Tanner got home from taking them to the airport in time for Austin's birthday party. The cousins stayed long enough to get a piece of cake and then had to head out. 

Austin wanted a volcano cake: we used rice krispies and the volcano ended up a lot bigger than I thought it would be. Austin did the decorating himself and knew exactly how he wanted it. Tanner picked up dry ice and even though I probably should have used a little more water with the dry ice, the kids still seemed to think it was cool. 

Mariah had to leave early with Tanner for some basketball games and then Chet had to go soon after for his games. Tanner was their chauffeur/cheerleader. They both played well and felt good about the games. Austin had fun playing party games with his friends and opening presents. I was just happy to finally be able to have his party. 

And then we had snowmageddon! After sick kids I was perfectly ok with staying at home for a week, even though I was starting to get some cabin fever by the end. 

The kids had lots of fun trying to build a fort in the yard and on the porch. Once our drive and the neighbor's drive had been plowed they enjoyed digging tunnels in the piles. 

Doodles in the snow...the worst. Poor Josie hates being toweled off, but loves sticking her nose in snow banks...so she does it to herself. 

And then it got really cold, and it wasn't fun anymore. The kids would bundle up to feed the chickens but that was all the outside time we got. 

After a few days of being cooped up...the oldest three stayed out for a few minutes longer, they really wanted to to see this big chunk of snow. But they didn't last long. 

Tanner got to shovel a lot of snow and grumble about how a tractor would have made this all a lot easier. (In the past I have said that we didn't need a tractor, but this snow storm must be on Tanner's side.)

I taught the kids how to make s'mores over the stove one day. 

I told Mariah if she read Pride and Prejudice she could watch the movie. It was so fun watching her reactions: giggling during the dinner scene with Mister Collins and getting so sad when Elizabeth reams poor Mister Darcy. Now I'm hoping she'll read Sense and Sensibility and Emma so we can watch those too. It's fun having your kids grow up. 

It finally warmed up and the kids had fun sledding in the warmer weather. 

Tanner took Mariah to a Wild Hockey game one night and she enjoyed her one on one time with dad.

The next day Mariah and Chet finally got to have some basketball games again. Chet was sad that it was his last day of games for the season, but he played well and had fun. Vivi really wanted to sit by Mariah during her first game and snuck down to the bench when I wasn't paying attention. Asa was done by the fourth game, Vivi was crawling around like a puppy, and Eliza asked a stranger for candy...so Tanner and I weren't too sad about the basketball season wrapping up. 

We got to go down at the end of the month to celebrate Anni's birthday. She and Mariah were excited to have matching dresses. Our own little Anne Shirley and Diana. 

Five Months with Asa

 Asa had quite the month and for the most part, was happy to tag along on our adventures. 

Here he is rockin' his outfit from Aunt Mandy...spit up shows up real good on black, but that doesn't seem to bug the Ace-man.  

He got two teeth at the beginning of the month! That is the earliest my babies have gotten teeth by a couple months! He had been so fussy and sleeping horribly at night and at one point I asked Tanner if he thought it could be teething but then dismissed the thought as ridiculous. A few days later what did I see in his mouth but two tiny toofers...crazy. 

Speaking of sleep, after the teeth popped through we got a few nights of somewhat decent sleep...and then he got sick. So we're back to restless nights and tiny naps. This boy just doesn't like to sleep, unless he's in my arms, but he is pretty happy considering how little he sleeps. 

See that one eye cracked open, thats when I know he's fakin'. But he was the cutest Christmas baby. Having an infant during the Christmas season is a real trip. It's hard to feel festive when you're exhausted, so Asa forced me to slow down and try to focus on what mattered most. And that made for a simpler, but just as special Christmas season. 

He got a rash just before Christmas so that led me to overthink what could be causing his sleeping problems/rash...overthinking, it's what I do best. But both Drs. Crossley and Hilton promised me it wasn't anything to worry about. So I just worried enough for the two of them...ha! But it eventually cleared up. Maybe the Doctors in the family know what they're talking about...

Asa got to spend time with family. His cousins loved carrying him around and he loved having Grandma and Grandpa hold him. 

He's starting to realize that I'm the best. He gets so excited when I come walking towards him. He loves to grab on to my hair or neck and dig his fingernails in, then he shoves his face on my shoulder or neck and gives me kisses. It's painful but so so sweet. 

He got to hang out with our good friends Larry and JK at the church party and enjoyed watching football with Larry. 

He enjoys baths, as long as his sister doesn't dump water on his head...ahem. 

He spent a lot of time sleeping in his carseat because it was the only place we could get him to sleep longer than twenty minutes. And he also is wearing his outfit from Aunt Tiffy here. My kids' heads never fit in baby beanies, but we tried. 

Asa is starting to notice Josie every once in a while. Just a few more months and she'll be avoiding him like the plague.

He has quite the fan club celebrating every milestone and adoring his cuteness each and every day. 

Austie Boy

Another trip around the sun for this boy. In case you were wondering, December is the worst time to have a birthday. But don't tell Austin, because he thinks it's pretty great. 

1. What do you like about yourself? 

I like everything that I like about me. (I knew this interview with Austin wouldn't be the easiest, he's not much of a talker, but I didn't realize how hard it could be.)

2. What do you think your future job will be?

Engineering

Austin spent a day brainstorming how to make a car that is fueled by water. He finally decided that he would use geothermal water to create steam to propel the car. These are his sketches. 

He also informed me that he and his cousin Brigston had solved the Russian/Ukrainian war. They used marbles as models. 

3. What do you love to eat? 

Hawaiian Haystacks and Chet's carrot cake (He was very specific about his birthday cake request: he wanted the exact same cake that Chet had. No layers, and not too much frosting.)

And apparently brownie crumbs...our friend caught him in the act with some friends. 

4. How do you like to spend your time?

Play with my brothers and sisters

5. What are you good at?

Soccer, thinking and being a peacemaker. 

Austin loved soccer this year. His favorite thing to yell when he didn't have the ball was "pass! pass!". 

6. Who are your best friends and why do you like each other?

My family because I was born with them. 

7. Who is someone you look up to? 

My dad because of all the things he does. 

8. What makes you sad? 

Getting hurt

9. What is your favorite outfit to wear?

Shorts and short sleeves (I have to beg him to put pants on when we are leaving the house.)

10. What makes you really annoyed?

Nothing (Pretty accurate...it takes a lot to get him worked up.)

11. What makes you feel proud?

When I do something cool

12. What makes you happy?

Playing soccer and playing basketball with Chet

13. Which of your nicknames do you like the most?

Oostie Poostie

14. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you lately?

My Birthday Party

15. What do you do when you feel sad?

It depends how sad I am. 

16. What's your favorite thing to do with Mom? 

Help you when you cook

17. What's your favorite thing to do with Dad? 

Watch basketball, football, and hockey games

18. What's your favorite thing to do with Mariah?

Try and get her to get up when she's reading a book. Really my favorite thing to do with Mariah is play wrestle with her. 

19. What's your favorite thing to do with Chet? 

Play Basketball 

These boys are the best of friends. They love to stay up too late at night doing origami, playing games, or reading to each other.

20. What's your favorite thing to do with Eliza? 

Play with Magnatiles

21. What's your favorite thing to do with Vivi? 

Helping her 

22. What's your favorite thing to do with Asa? 

Try and make him laugh

Josie really loves Austin. She likes to sleep in his bed because he doesn't move very much in the night and he is usually the first awake in the house and he gives her lots of good scratches.  

One day I was teaching him about the Earth's poles. I was trying to get him to guess what the North Pole was called and said "If one is Antarctica, then what is the other one called?" He thought for a little and then said, "Uncle-artica?" 

I came out early one morning and Austin was sitting on the couch and seemed to be in deep thought. He then asked me, "Have you guys been saving for retirement?" 

When my sister Amanda was here they stopped to check the mail. She said, "Maybe there's a million dollars in there." To which Austin replied, "No, that only comes if my dad dies." 

Austin has been working hard reading the Book of Mormon. He likes to tell me about what he has been reading. He also has loved going to Activity Days with Chet.  

He likes to steal my phone and take selfies. He's sporting a busted lip in this one. He got a little too close to a swinging pickleball racket.

Austin is such a champ. He loves to have fun and is up for pretty much anything. We are so grateful for the peace and joy he brings to our family. 

December

 We had quite the December full of Christmas cheer, family, good food, gifts and some sickness to keep us grounded. Wouldn't want to have too good of a time after all. 

We started out the month with the Victorian Stroll. Tanner stayed home with the youngest two. The oldest three played their Christmas songs at their piano studio and they all did pretty well, considering they hadn't practiced the whole week of Thanksgiving. 

After that, the older three wanted to go see the trains and Eliza wanted to visit Santa

When I asked her what she asked for she said, "I asked Santa for a giant teddy bear because I know you won't get one for me." She isn't wrong.

That night I started to feel pretty awful and woke up the next morning even worse. I stayed home with Asa while Tanner took the others to church. Our dear friends the Kooymans sat with our kids at church and besides Vivi being her normal wiggly self, they said the kids did great. 

I think I was the sickest I have ever been. I started to not make sense when I tried to talk to Tanner or text people and Tanner was getting a little worried about me. But the kids were such great helpers and we made it through. 

Tanner took this one morning...which is how most of our mornings have been going lately. I love how Chet is helping Austin with his math here; I am so grateful for the help my kids give. 

I felt better in time to celebrate Hanukkah by making donuts 

One of my dear friends from church brought us dinner that night "just because" and it was so nice to not have to worry about that. 

Vivi was super excited to wake up from her nap to donuts...can't say that I blame her.

We also decorated Christmas Cookies and I stayed relatively calm throughout the whole process. Must have been a good day for me. 

Maybe doing it on a day when Tanner was home helped. 

Eliza was so meticulous and focused decorating her cookies. 

Tanner's cookies

Vivi just wanted to make sure she had a lot of sprinkles on hers. 

We went to the Homeschool Christmas Frolic and the kids had a great time making pizza, singing carols, doing crafts, and playing Bingo. 

Eliza stayed the whole time at the Bingo station, insisting that she wouldn't leave until she won. I was real nervous as it went on, wondering how she would react if she never got a bingo. But on the last game she did! It was a Christmas miracle and she was thrilled with her prize: a candy cane. 

 

Mariah's friend, Stella, came home after the frolic and they helped me decorate cookies for my Relief Society activity that night. I got to spend time with friends and attempt a Nativity painting. 

We were really excited to visit the Giving Machine in Des Moines. This was the first year it was this close to us so we knew we needed to make the trip. 

The kids were really excited to buy a lamb, chickens, meals for refugees that live in Des Moines, and Peanut Butter for another local charity. 

I was able to help with the ward Christmas party. Some of the primary kids acted out the Nativity and it was very simple, but sweet. 

We watched lots of Christmas movies this month, 

had our annual sleepover around the Christmas tree, 

and read lots of Christmas books. 

We had an amazing Christmas Eve program at church. Mariah sang a duet and then she, Chet and I sang in the ward choir. The girls were excited to wear their new dresses and the boys looked dapper in their new suits. 

We were super excited to have dad ride with us to church, but forgot that he is still the Bishop and had to wait in the car for him to finish up after church. Thankfully we had some treats from friends to tide us by. There was a missionary couple in our ward and Chet would often give the sister origami flowers. They came for Christmas Eve and she brought Chet his own chocolates and said that she still had the first flower Chet had made for her. 

We opened our gifts Christmas Eve before we headed down to the cousin's house that night. The kids were so excited to give their gifts to each other that they had worked hard to buy. 

Eliza got her teddy bear! It's not exactly giant, but it was big enough for her...phew.

 

We then headed down to Missouri for Shepherd's Night. 

We had quite the spread. 

The kids spearheaded their own Nativity

I mean, have you seen a cuter holy family? 

Uncle Baydon read from the scriptures and the kids gave a great performance. They even coordinated the lights in the room for the changes in the story. 

The kids went to bed super excited for the next morning. Asa must have been excited too, because he had to be the first one up Christmas morning...and stay up for a while. But seeing him lay under the lights looking up in wonder made me think of that special little baby the first Christmas day. 

We woke up bright and early the next day and the kids were so excited to ring their bells to wake up the whole house. 

Stocking time! 

Because our kids had already opened their gifts we thought we would go and watch a movie while their cousins were opening their presents. But our kids insisted on staying and watching and they did so well. Of course Chet had to help put together Terron's scooter and Vivi decided Porter's new bike was hers, but luckily we brought her new balance bike so that little scuffle was solved quickly. 

The kids had fun playing with their new toys and got to watch a Christmas movie. 

I got hair tinsel for the girls and put it in everyone's hair. Eliza immediately decided that she hated them because "they felt like ticks" and ripped them out. But the other girls were able to last until bedtime. I'm going to call it a success. 

Brittany put together the most beautiful Christmas dinner. We loved eating by candlelight. The next day we relaxed and ate lots of good food and then headed home to get ready for Austin's birthday. 

Eliza was so excited to use her new kitchen set and made this salad all by herself. 

The next morning we celebrated Austin. He wanted crepes for breakfast and to open his presents as soon as possible. He also was adamant that he would not be doing school that day. 

A few days later he was baptized. Austin was looking forward to this day for a very long time. He wanted to make sure that he was ready for his Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also was so excited to send out invitations. 

Besides being baptized, the thing he was looking forward to the most turning 8 was his special baptism blanket from Grandma Crossley. She picked the word meek for Austin and I couldn't think of a better word to describe him. 

We loved having Grandma and Grandpa here for a week. 

Vivi sure loves her Grandpa. 

The cousins came back up to celebrate New Years Eve. The kids dressed up as characters from the New Testament and we had to guess who they were. They then shared how they could see Jesus in their character's stories. It was pretty special. 

This was quite the year. A new baby, a big calling for Tanner, and lots of learning and growth for the kids. We are so grateful for the many blessings we have been given this year and are excited for the new year and all that will come with it.