December Memories

    December has been nothing short of crazy! It started out with me hosting my first Bunco night. We had a few people who couldn't make it so I asked my friend Katie Clark and cousins Liz and Angela to come be subs. It was so much fun! I loved shopping for all the prizes and better yet, I got the highest score of any Bunco night before. I scored FIVE Buncos!! I have no idea how it happened but it's a night that will live in infamy. 

   Lydia made some super cute decorations. Here is her gingerbread cowboy.

The kids have enjoyed playing in the snow.

Jace is five months now! He's working on sitting up and has the most adorable laugh and smile. We'll start solid foods here pretty soon.

Allie has a boy named Ethan that's in her school class and lives down the street. They love playing together and have a lot of fun.

I heard about these huge inflatables that are close to our house so one afternoon I took the kids and we got a picture with them. So crazy!

Allie wrote: I give cookies. I open presents. I put my Christmas tree up. I decorate my Christmas tree.

My Christmas present came early! I'm excited to start cooking more from my pantry and use leftovers in more creative ways. 

Loren spent a lot of time on his present for Jon and it turned out amazing. He made a resin charcuterie board. So pretty! 

Hudson had to have two cavities filled. He did amazing. He did everything the dentist asked of him; sat super still and opened wide. Hudson even thanked the dentist on his own when he finished. I was so proud of him.

The day after the dentist Hudson fevered and it went on for three days. He was so miserable with an awful cough and congestion. I called my dad at nine at night to come help Loren give him a blessing. A few days later Jace got the same cough and congestion. After that the girls got it too. I got to the point of wanting to burn the house down and start over from scratch. It was a pretty miserable few weeks but luckily by Christmas the kids were feeling almost better. 

I signed Lydia up for a baking class with a lady who teaches kids classes in Logan. Lydia loves baking and had a blast making gingerbread cookies, candy popcorn, and decorating cupcakes. 

Allie and Jace have the sweetest bond. She can get Jace giggling and keep him entertained for a long time. It's been so nice having her here in the afternoons after school.

I bought tickets for Loren and I to go to The Johnson Files improv show back in October. I didn't realize at the time it was the same day as the Swan/Griffiths Christmas party. We were so sad to miss it but Lydia and Allie were able to go with Grandma and Grandpa Peck. They had so much fun. Apparently there was a dance off during bingo and Lydia busted moves I'd never seen before. I was so glad they were able to be there. 

Lydia played Mary this year.

Allie was a giraffe? Donkey? Whatever it was she looked cute. 

Allie told Santa she wanted a pogo stick.

Lydia said she didn't care what Santa brought, just not dirt or rocks.

The girls made out really well in Bingo.

Lydia had a big day with a choir concert at school followed by her voice recital. She was really nervous but did amazing, even with a cough. I was so proud of her.

The next day we put on a small concert at the Blacksmith Fork Assisted Living Center. Kim and Mom played Sleighride, Aaron played a song and Lydia sang. I stayed home with the boys but heard it went great. 

We actually made some Christmas cookies this year.

Loren loves having his brothers over for games. It's fun to hear them all playing together.

The girls made an epic block tower.

Every year I'm amazed at how fast Christmas Eve comes. This year was a little different. The Rigby's got together in the morning with breakfast and then played some games. Afterwards we let the kids open one present. We all got matching pj's thanks to Todd's employee discount at Lazy One. The kids thought it was the best thing ever. 

That evening we went to Avon to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's one of our favorite traditions.

Jace loves his Uncle Bubba!

Somehow, Christmas morning always comes as much as the kids never think it will. I'm sure Lydia sent Allie into our room to tell us to get up. She came in at 6:59 am, one minute before we told them we could go down. They were so excited! 

He came! He even finished the milk and cookies Lydia set out! Santa brought one gift and the rest were from mom and dad.

The kids were thrilled with their presents! Allie got a printing calculator and Lydia a cash register. Hudson got a crane and dump truck.

Santa brought Allie "Salad"!

Santa brought Lydia "Spot". She also loved her new book, Amari and the Night Brothers.

Hudson said it was the best Christmas he "never" had! 

Jace loved his new teether!

These bells were a fun gift, the girls have had fun playing different songs.

Lydia made so many fun gifts for us this year. She's at such a fun age and this Christmas was a blast with her. She made me the sweetest gift; hearts with reasons why she loves me. I am seriously the luckiest mom in the world to have the kids that I do.

She made paper vehicles for Hudson. A moving truck, ice cream truck and race cars. She made a paper airplane for Allie. Opening her gifts was one of my favorite parts of Christmas.

A book of landscapes for Loren.

The girls went to work setting up their shop.

I loved spending Christmas at home with our little family. We went to my parents for dinner and it was fun playing games afterwards. Allie and Lydia hardly had any room in their beds with their new friends.

The morning after Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Rigby came to see what the kids got. Here's Jace wearing my dad's hat that he got from my Grandpa Rigby. 

That afternoon we went out to Avon for the meal I dream all year about. Twice baked potatoes, deviled eggs, prime rib, salads and rolls. It was heavenly! Then we opened gifts from each other. Landon made me a pot for an amaryllis. It's amazing because it allows me to see the water level and when I need to water it. I can't wait for it to bloom! It was such a thoughtful gift. Loren was given musical toilet paper, socks and a shirt from Lindsay. So funny! I gave Rachel a stamp for her books. It was such a wonderful day with family and we especially loved having Lindsay, Rachel and Jon with us.

The best surprise happened when all the other gifts had been opened. I couldn't believe my eyes when Loren brought my beautiful rocking chair into the room. I didn't think there was any way he could get it done by Christmas. Turns out there were days when I though he went to work but he really went and worked on the chair. Dad also helped so much and put in so many hours of work into it. It's truly a gift that one only dreams about, a once in a lifetime. I love imagining that it will be passed down to my kids and then to theirs. It will definitely be a priceless family heirloom. When i finally saw it completed, the hundreds of hours Loren spent working on it all became worth it. I can't believe it's finally done! It's even more beautiful than I ever imagined. Such an incredible Christmas surprise. 

The week after Christmas has been a constant party. Tuesday was Loren's birthday and we had his family over to play games and have pizza. It was so fun! Then we ended the day at my parents for dinner and more games. Cam, Mary, Nate and Kiana were there to make it extra fun. It was such a busy day that I only got these pictures but I think Loren had a great day.

On Wednesday we had Nate, Cam and Mary over to play Wingspan and have dinner. I always gripe and moan about playing long games with lots of rules but I found myself actually enjoying this one. It's one of Loren's favorites and was pretty fun even if I came in last. Thursday we went to Avon to play games with everyone since it was Rach and Jon's last day before they went home to Florida. Blokus and Codenames were the games of choice. We had lots of laughs and enjoyed being together. Friday was my mom's birthday and Loren's and I's anniversary. Mary, Mom and I went to Tandoori Oven to celebrate. It was delicious as always and I was happy that mom and Mary tried it for the first time. We ended the day with dinner and, you guessed it, more games! Nate and Kiana got like eight new games for Christmas and I think we played them all. I'm pretty sure I've played more games this past week than this whole year combined. Today, Saturday, was spent moving Em and Tyson into their new home. We're so excited for them to be close! We'll have our family Christmas exchange tomorrow and then will get back to real life on Monday. I can't imagine the holidays without our family. They give meaning and happiness to our life everyday. We are truly blessed with the best.