Happy birthday, Libby!

Dear Libby,

Today, you turn 5! You bring so much sunshine into our lives, and we are grateful each day that you are part of our family.

You are affectionate, imaginative, confident, big-hearted, and enthusiastic. You absolutely adore everyone you meet and are always eager to make a new friend.

 When a person or animal is hurting, your heart hurts, and you want to help in every way that you can... especially if that involves kisses! You are so very tender and so very strong. 

And also really silly.

At 5, you love drawing, writing books, talking, helping out, feeding ducks (especially Olaf, the white duck at North Lake), playing with your brothers, swimming, dancing, going on walks, singing, cuddling up for storytime, baking, building blocks, and digging for bugs.

Happy birthday, sweet girl! Thank you for the beautiful light you bring to our home.

Cocoa & Cookies & Caroling

First grade singers:  

 Waiting for another group of carolers:

 

 Third grade singers (Ben's hiding in the back; he gets pretty nervous performing in front of crowds):

 

 We met at the outdoor amphitheater next, where all the grades danced to "Ay, Ay, Ay, It's Christmas." That was hilarious! My phone won't let me post videos, and the file is too large to email. Hopefully I can figure it out eventually... and also add videos of the kids' caroling. They really did a great job!

Anyway, we heard sleighbells, then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived! We headed to the gym for cookies, cocoa, an art display, and photo ops with the Clauses.

Ben's piece is the yellow hand with the green & black striped background:

 

 Santa and the missus:

 What a fun night at Estrella Mountain Elementary!

Ward Christmas party

Ben's gift ideas

When changing the boys' sheets the other day, I found this gift idea chart stashed away in Ben's bed. So thoughtful... and also pretty funny.

"It's Leo's favorite!"

Libby watched Lady and the Tramp and insisted that Leo needed to sit on her lap the whole time.

"Look, Leo! The doggies are falling in love! Oh!"

"Those dogs are in the pound, just like you lived there. Don't worry! They'll find homes."

"Ooh! They had puppies! Aren't they so, so, so cute? I love you, Leo!"

Trav's Primary talk

Travis gave a talk in church on Sunday. He spoke about how loving others strengthens himself and our family. I love looking at his outline-- that boy has one tender heart.

Ringing in the season