That's a Wrap

We put our tree up before Thanksgiving this year because the way it worked out, there was one less week in-between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always love decorating with the kids. Everyone is so excited and happy! I especially love how much Lydia enjoys it. Jace loves re-decorating the tree several times a day.

Lydia and Hudson were honored with a BRAVE award this month. So proud of them!

Lydia's class

Thanksgiving was spent with the Peck's this year and it was delicious as always. We had a good group there with the Davidsons and some Swan's. 

I won a cookie kit from Bunco and pulled it out to try it with the kids. Turned out great!

Hudson was proud of his creations and wanted a picture taken. 

Lydia and I have been making potpourri jars for the neighbors Christmas gifts and it's become a fun tradition. Maybe next year I'll remember to take a picture of them. 

We went to the Swan/Griffiths Christmas party this year and the kids had a blast. Someone brought peeler beads and it was a hit. 

Lydia and Allie both performed for the talent show. 

Cute nativity! Allie was Mary and Lydia a wise women. 

Then Santa stopped by and asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas. Jace's face was the best. We loved having Greyson with us this year. 

Bingo gifts

The night ended with Bingo which is always crazy. Overall, it was a great night. 

This year because of schedules, we did my family's Christmas party on Christmas Eve. Cam and Mary came up a few days before Christmas and we had a blast enjoying our time together. On Christmas Eve we went to Great Harvest for lunch then over to the Giving Machines. You can purchase many different things like snow clothes or even a chicken to give to those who need it. It was a fun thing to do with the kids. 

 

Mary made this charcuterie board for dinner. It was delicious!

Then we had a special program my mom planned and it turned out so good. We sang Christmas songs and talked about Christ and what we've learned this year. It was beautiful. 

We were so happy Grandma Rigby was able to join us. Sure love this family! 

Loren, Jamie, Cam

Next it was present time! The kids loved opening gifts from each other. We were so excited to get an American West Historical Center membership from my parents. Can't wait to go make some memories with my kids! Nate and Kiana gave us an air fryer which we've used and immediately love. 

Loren and I spent the past month working so hard on a video for dad. I found some old family photos and with Mom Peck's help was able to scan them. Then we interviewed each of my siblings about memories and what dad and mom mean to them. It took an incredible amount of time and effort to put together but I was so grateful to Loren in helping me make this video a reality. There were times when we both wanted to quit, but somehow we kept going. After the interviews we ended up having around four hours of video to edit. We were able to cut it down to an hour and it turned out beautifully. It was so fun to hear everyone's stories and experiences. It was a gift to me as well to be able to have this experience with my siblings. I'm not sure we'll ever do something that long again but I'm grateful for how it turned out and hope my parents were able to feel our love and look back on those memories with fondness. 

Legos for Hudson this year was spot on. He's obsessed. 

If you're wondering what to get Allie, a stuffed animal is always a safe bet. She loved her new cat!

Molding clay for Lydia! She loves being creative. 

The last gift was telling our kids that we're going to Disneyland!! We're planning on going over the 4th of July. Em and Tyson made cute little bags filled with Mickey Mouse stickers, socks, scrunchies and fruit snacks. We're so excited! Though I don't think anyone was more excited than Lydia. She was hyperventilating. I have wonderful memories of going to Disney as a kid and can't wait to experience all the magic with my kids. 

Christmas morning 2024 

Hudson (5) Lydia (11) Jace (2) Allie (8)

Jace made out pretty good! He especially loved his scooter.

Hudson's favorite gifts were his rocket ship and Star Wars XWing.

Allie loved her Perler Beads and roller blades. She's been in them non stop. 

Lydia's favorites were her Star Wars Millennium Falcon and slide puzzle. 

My attempt at a charcuterie board. It's not pretty, but the kids liked it so we'll call it a win. 

Later in the afternoon, my family came to see what we got for Christmas. I remember doing this when I was young. We would go to all four of my uncles's homes and see what my cousins got. It was one of our favorite things to do and was so fun to be able to do it this year. 

We spent the evening at my parents hanging out with the fam. 

Christmas evening recovery. It's quite the day for these littles. 

I didn't get any pictures of Loren's birthday sadly. He and Lydia went to Wicked and then his siblings were able to come over for games. He said he had a great time. Dad Peck was in surgery for his knee that day. The surgery went well and he's now recovering for a few months. 

The next day we had the Peck Christmas gift exchange. Loren made a dirt bike movie for Aaron which turned out awesome. Reiden got me a digital photo frame which I absolutely love! Jon made Loren a bag for his organ shoes. It was fun to be together and see everyone's creativity. 

I was grateful for Rachel's help with this puzzle. It was the hardest I've ever done!

Lydia's last day of primary! She's headed off to experience all the fun of Young Women's. Can't believe how fast she's growing. 

Love my squishy baby. 

We celebrated Livy's birthday at the the Fun Park. The kids all went skating, with the exception of Jace, and had a blast! One of the most fun days we've had in a while. Thanks to Chris for helping Hudson skate while I held a sad Jace. He hated to be left out. It was pretty hilarious watching Hudson and Tessa. You basically had to hold them up while they kicked about wildly. So fun though. 

Allie, Elizabeth, Lydia, Atticus, Livy, Gwen, Hudson, Jace

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We celebrated New Years Eve at my parents with Em and Tyson. We counted down at 8pm, said, "Happy New Year" and went to bed. 

Started out 2025 with a broken dishwasher. Hopefully it's not a bad omen. I spent all day trying to fix it. I unplugged a hose and thought I had plugged it back in tight enough but when I started the dishwasher,  a huge stream of water came gushing out. I panicked and tried to get the hose back on while being sprayed with water. Hudson was sobbing, thinking we needed a new house. I shouted at someone to "grab some towels!" as I hopelessly tried to fit the hose back on. Finally I had the sense to push the cancel button and the water slowed to a trickle. The was a few inches of water all over the floor and I was completely soaked. What an exciting night. Hudson was relived to know we could keep our house. That's a wrap for 2024.

Here's to 2025!