All Aboard The Polar Express

Destination: The North Pole

We go to the Polar Express every year, another of our favorite holiday traditions!

Yes, we have many traditions and I love it! I think it is traditions the bind families together. Traditions cement happy memories, celebrate family time, and remind us to have joy in the journey. Nothing makes me happier than when we have just done something really fun together and one of my children says: "This should be a new tradition!" :) And so... the list keeps growing :)

It was perfect that our Polar Express Trip up to Williams, AZ was planned the day after Luke's Birthday celebration because it felt like: "Luke's Train Birthday Party: Day 2" :) And who doesn't want a birthday party that last two days?

(Mine usually falls over Fall Break and our Rocky Point trip so I try my best to celebrate for a whole week, like: "It's my birthday week, I think I should visit the spa for a massage - since it's my birthday and all" ;) (that's a wink)

It was also perfect that Tiff and Jason were visiting us with their little cuties (Cole and Chloe) and went up to the Polar Express with us!

We had a great time...
yummy dinner,
fun train ride,
hot chocolate & chocolate chip cookies,
Santa,
silver bells,
Christmas carols,
swimming pool and hot tub,
and playing in the snow :)

My Angel

This year the theme for our ward Christmas party was "A Night in Zarahemla". They had a lovely dinner and a musical program of the Book of Mormon account of the Savior's birth...

Last year they did "A Night in Bethlehem" (the biblical account) and strongly encouraged everyone to dress up - you know... Mary, Joseph, wisemen, shepherds... We dressed up, as did most of those who attended.

Last year
(not sure what's with Zac's face?)

I was sure that I heard them ask that we dress up again this year. So, with much protest from my boys, we dressed up. We arrived to find that, with the exception of those who were performing, we were the only ones that dressed up.

Oops! Sorry guys.

So, of course my boys shed their costumes quicker than you can say "Merry Christmas" :)

But this sweet angel girl decided that she liked her costume and proudly wore it all night.

I love this little angel.

Piano Recital

I know it's not nice to brag, but I am just so proud and amazed with the incredible talent, hard work and dedication of this sweet boy! Zac has taken piano lessons for 3 years now. This year he played a beautiful Christmas medley of Away in a Manger, O Come all ye Faithful, and Joy to the World for his piano recital and again for the Christmas sacrament program (which was very special because my entire family was able to be there). It brought tears to my eyes. He plays with such artistry! His piano teacher jokes that Zac must have been first in line in Heaven when musical talents were being passed out and then snuck back in line for seconds too. That totally sounds like Zac :)

Practice, practice, and more practice
(Does that little girl in front with the baton remind you of anyone?)

These are all of Miss Julie's piano students

Zac and Miss Julie

Temple Lights

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is visiting the temple lights each year. They are spectacular! I love to walk around the temple grounds, listen to the beautiful Christmas music, see the nativity, and feel the true spirit of Christmas in my heart.

Happy Birthday Baby Luke

I could hardly wait to meet this sweet boy and I like to think he was equally anxious to meet me too since his arrival was 3 weeks early. It definitely was love at first sight (well, really long before that). But he had my whole heart the moment I saw this tiny round face with great big eyes. I found myself saying "I am so in love with this baby" over and over, day after day, my heart so full of joy it could burst.

He was such a tiny little peanut! He barely weighed 5 lbs when we brought him home - down just a little from his 5 lb 10 ounce birth weight.

Meeting the rest of his family for the for the first time through the NICU window.

And now...

I can not even believe that my sweet baby Luke
just turned 3 years old!

It doesn't seem possible that the time could go so quickly. I still find myself saying, "I am so in love with this baby," only now he corrects me saying, "I not a baby, I a big boy". He still has stolen my heart and it still almost bursts with joy every time I think of my sweet little Luke.

This boy is pure JOY!

Here are some pictures from Luke's big day:

Luke LOVES, LOVES, LOVES trains

So, naturally we had a train birthday party. It was so much fun to have Tiffany and her family, Mom and Dad O., and Grandma and Grandpa Jensen here to celebrate with us. Tiff and I had fun making this train birthday cake. I think this grumpy face was because I wouldn't let him start eating the candy off... yet :)

Choo -choo!

After pizza, presents and cake, we went to McCormicks Ranch to ride the train and carousel.
We all had a blast, but Luke -- Luke was in heaven :)

Happy Birthday my sweet little Luke!
(You will always be my baby :)