December 2012 - Joy

This month has been one filled with

JOY.

Joy in our family, 

joy in our Savior, Jesus Christ and His gospel,
joy in our friends, neighbors, and loves ones,

and joy in the celebration of Christmas.

Looking through the pictures of this month, the joy is evident.

We're so glad when daddy comes home!

Snow, snow, snow!

Watching classic Christmas movies!

Blake learned to walk this month! And Katelee got a HUGE kick out of it, as you can see in this video:

 Here is a better video of him actually walking.

Daddy buried me in laundry!

Visiting the gingerbread house exhibits.

This looks yummy!

 Decorating sugar cookies

 

 

Delicious, dad!

 

 

We had a Christmas Piano Recital.  Katelee played 'Frosty the Snowman' and 'Away in a Manger,' and did a wonderful job!

Katelee really got into the joy of giving this year, and was super excited about what she chose for Blake for Christmas!  Bet you can't guess what it is!

Blake, just playing in his room after breakfast.

Happy times!

Gerald and I had the opportunity to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  This is one of my very favorite traditions, and an experience that always leaves me filled with joy and gratitude.  This year was no exception; the program was beautiful and filled with hope.

Speaking of musical concerts, Katelee's school has an annual Jingle Jam Christmas program.

Katelee is front row, center, wearing a white shirt with a green scarf.

Here is Katelee's grade, performing 'The Chipmunk Song.' 

And here they are performing 'I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.'

Visiting Great Grandma Reynolds in Provo for Christmas.

Blake loves kisses . . . especially when sister sneaks him a chocolate one!

Katelee's school Christmas party was super fun!

Christmas Eve jammies

 

Blake wouldn't hold still long enough to get a decent picture of his . . . or even get them all the way on!  ;)

Opening gifts to each other - Blake loves his ball!

So glad my mom could spend Christmas with us this year!  That made it extra special.

Our gingerbread house village.

What Santa brought Katelee:

What Santa brought Blake:

Video of the kids seeing what Santa brought for the first time.

Playing Christmas morning:

All tired out already!

He loves the toothbrush Santa brought him!

What a gorgeous Rapunzel bride!

Blake playing baseball:

Reading new Christmas books, using Perry as a pillow.

Thanks for the bubble bath, Santa!

All this Christmas food looks good, but how do I get out of here?!?

 

 We enjoyed a fun visit to southern Idaho to visit the Rowe family and their extended Anderson family.  We are so blessed to have this family in our lives!  (For those who don't know, Aurianna is Blake's birthmom, and her family has adopted us fully into their hearts and lives.  We love them!!!)  Being included in their family traditions brings us great joy!  Wish I had taken more pictures of our fun-filled weekend, but here is a cute one of Aurianna and Katelee getting pedicures.

 

I can't blog about this past month without mentioning the joy our family finds in music, particularly in the Christmas season.  Gerald had the opportunity to sing in a couple performances of The Messiah in Draper this season, as well as perform in a concert entitled Noel, Noel.  We both sang in our church ward choir, and as the current ward organist I had a lot of fun playing the Christmas hymns this past month and even getting out of my comfort zone a little by adding chimes and an organ/piano duet performance. 

 We ended the year surrounded by long-time and true friends, good food and conversation, and laughter.

Thank you, December for the many joyous memories!