Welcome Home Uncle Brayden!

Last week my little brother Brayden returned from his mission in London, England. I made the kids a countdown the last couple weeks. They were able to rip a chain link off each day. It helped them get really excited. My kids haven't been able to really get to know my brothers because of missions and since we lived in Nebraska. Lily had only met Brayden once.

I got in my craft mode and made a few things for his homecoming. We were able to re-use some signs from Matt returning last summer. I made a poster with the England flag. I had to do most of it free hand and it made for an interesting night. I was able to use my Cricut Explore for the rest. I recently got the the new one. It made my cutting out flow so much better. I am in love with the new machine. Good bye to reseting my machine after every cut! :) I also made a burlap bunting and found England burlap. I was so excited!

Back to my brother, my dad got a text from a random guy at one of Braydens layovers.  He saw my brother and another missionary, took a picture and then sent it to the parents! It was fun to get a picture of him on his way home.  His flight didn't get in until 7:10. Bryson stayed back for mutual, so my sister rode in my car. We were able to fit 6 carseats and two double strollers in my minivan. I loved it! We were notified that his flight was landing early. We were hurrying so fast. After running it, we sat and waited. Everyone made it on time. It was so fun to watch him come down the escalator. My mom ran up and gave him a hung. All the grandkids quickly followed. While Brayden was gone, he had 5 more nieces and nephews! 5! Our family is growing like crazy. Lots of new people to meet. My sister in law Rachael (who didn't have a kid while he was gone) was holding Graham. My brother Brett convinced Brayden that Graham was theirs. Brayden {in his english accent} said "Did I miss something?" It was funny. Lily wouldn't give Brayden a hug because he was "Akoy's Uncle Brayden" not hers....??? After the airport we went and got ice cream. Unfortunately the flu was going around ALL the family and Lily started throwing up on the way home. Luckily, Brooke was able to catch most of it so it didn't get all over the car. (most spread flu. Seriously 95% of my family {31 people!}  all got it. Bryson and I rarely catch bugs like that and it is now working its way around brysons family)

Through out the rest of the week, we just spent lots of time with the family. My little brother Bryson was supposed to go through the temple. So he was ordained an Elder and got his recommend. Since Brooke is in town, we wanted everyone to do a session together. Who knows when we will all be together again. We had something going on every day. Saturday came for the temple and everyone had babysitters. Apparently, he can't go through the temple because he is still in High School! He even had temple prep and a recommend with the stake presidency. So after being bummed out and my mom throwing away all Bryson's undershirts and underwear  we decided to go to lunch. It was so nice to have most the family together with out any kids! (Brandon and Margot were sick and Bryson Gregory was camping for Young Mens). During lunch, a guy was trying to figure out why we were all dressed up. He manages a lot of the Cold Stones and told us all to go get free ice cream afterwards. Yummy!

Brayden had his homecoming the following Sunday and it was delightful. His talk was amazing. We had family pictures later that night. We have had a few family pictures taken in our family room or back yard, but this is our first professional one. I'm so excited to get them back. My sister in law, Amanda was so sweet to work with a big group and lots of crazy, cold kids.

The kids countdown

During his layover

When you have 3 brothers close together, then you just laminate the sign and reuse it

I know you can't tell, but my brothers are really tall. Range from 6'2'' to 6'7'' 

These boys LOVED riding together! 

The next day, my brother Bryson was ordained an elder

Matt Comes Home!

One of the two brothers came home from their mission. Matt flew in from Argentina on July 31st. It was sooo good to see him! I was 8 months pregnant with Lily when he left, and now 7 months with this little guy on the way. Pretty much- I haven't changed. He didn't realize I was pregnant again. Matt served a great mission and was such a good missionary. I'm so glad he chose to go out, even if he was 22. We had lots of family at the airport to greet him. Everyone (especially my little brother bryson) was excited to see him. Welcome home Matt! We love you!

classic older brother 

First one to give him hugs

This pretty much describes these girls relationship. Its a love hate kinda thing

Most of the famliy 

Christmas Devotional

This weekend I have had a lot of time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.


First, we had our ward Christmas Party last night. The girls who planned it did a wonderful job and put a lot of time and effort into it. We went to different rooms and each had a way to find Christ in Christmas. Each room had 'presents' that we collected with a scripture that we could reference to. I know the true meaning of Christmas, but it is always a good reminder about what Christmas is REALLY about.


President Monson tonight at the Christmas Devotional talked about Christmas.


"I'm saddened to see Christmas becoming less and less about Christ and more and more about marketing, and sales, parties, and presents, and yet, Christmas is what we make of it."


I admit, I have gotten lost in all the things that he mentioned. Making sure all my decorations are up, getting Akoy used to the whole "Santa Claus" idea. But, I haven't really sat down with him and talked about it. I like to use the excuse that he is only two and doesn't get it, but I'm sure he would if I taught him. This is my goal. I want my children to know the meaning and focus on Christ and the other "Christmas" factors afterwards.

As my family is growing and starting out I want to incorporate so many traditions. Traditions I hear other people talk about, traditions I see on Pinterest or other places. Too many traditions to do all at once. I want Akoy and my other children to feel like it is something special and not another thing we have to hurry and squeeze in.


I want to write it here so I will not forget and can continue it next year. In trying to remember Christ in our Christmas season, I thought it would be a good idea to have some 'Christ' type present to have the kids/us open up after each of the First Presidency Christmas Devotionals. It's something that we can talk to them about and make sure they don't forget the real meaning before all the other crazy holiday stuff begins. This year we added a picture of Christ to our house. We have pictures of temples, and the presidency but not of Christ. I want His picture to be in every room. We put one in the kids room and one in ours. Hopefully as the years go on, our house can be surrounded but reminders of our Christ and Reedemer.


I am grateful for this season and the gospel, and the knowledge it brings us. I have so many blessings, and I really need to remember each one of them and forget about the things that bring my spirit down.

A Name and A Blessing for Lily

While we were in Utah last month we blessed Lily. I have hesitated posting this because I thought I had recorded it and would be able to write more sweet things down, however, it has somehow been deleted. I was devastated. I don't know what happened, but it's gone. I hate that feeling. I tried to ignore the fact that it DID happen and I need to move on with it. I also wanted to take better pictures with Lily in her dress because my camera died after the group shot. But, alas, that hasn't happened. So we get iphone pictures mixed in. :)


I am so grateful for the gospel in our lives, and the chance that Lily was to be born into the gospel. I am constantly reminded here in Nebraska about how lucky I was to be born into the church. I am so grateful I can give that to my children. Raise each of them in a home where they are taught right from wrong. Teach them that they can turn to our Heavenly Father for anything.

Lily was blessed in the same blessing dress as I was. Bryson gave her the most wonderful blessing. She was surrounded by most of her uncles (bradley was on tour with ballroom, and matt is on his mission), her grandfathers and even a great grand-dad and a family friend. It was amazing to have many faithful priesthood holders participate in giving Lily her blessing. Lily was blessed by her father with many wonderful blessings. I appreciate everyone who was able to make it on such short notice. I am so grateful that we also had Bryson's grand dad be a part of it. He doesn't make it out of his room a lot, and he came out so he could be a part of her blessing. 

Miss Lily Ann

Her blessing bracelet that I am in love with

The big circle. R to L. Jeremy, Stuart, Grand-dad, Brandon, Brother Bortola (from Gregory's ward), Val, Bryson, Lil, Keith, Brandon (holding Nolen), Gregg, Brayden, Brad, Brett, Bryan.

Rachael, Hannah and Lily

James and Lily

Hannah and Lily

Grand-dad (barely) holding Lily

Our growing family

Amber

Brandon, Amanda, Addi and Bentley

Cutting the cheese cake

Beckett

Lily, Sophie and Beckett

Utah Trip: {Farewell Elder Murdoch}

Matt left last week. He has officially been in the MTC for one week. Today is his birthday, Happy 22nd Birthday! He gave his farewell talk in my parents ward on the 24th. He did an amazing job. He knows what he is doing and where he wants to go. He will make a wonderful missionary to the people of Argentina.  Our last few days with Matt were jammed packed with everyone trying to get our time with him before he left.
Saying our goodbyes were hard. The MTC has curbside drop off so it makes things really quick. We met most of my family across the street in the Provo Temple parking lot. We took a few pictures and said goodbye. Matt lived with my sister Brittany for the last year. They learned to prank each other back and forth. Something was always going on with either a manican head or some gnome dolls. Matt gave one of the two gnome dolls back to her right before he went in. The other doll will be saved for something special. It was pretty funny. Matt also snuck into her apartment that morning and left two beta fish in  decorative vases in her bedroom. Brittany was still at my parents from a sleepover the night before. Matt was supposed to be getting a few more shots before leaving.

I love how my dad is right next to Matt as he got a picture with his girlfriend

 
 
 

We piled as many people we could into my dad's car and drove across the street to the MTC. We had 14 people crammed in the car. Bryson stayed back with Vienna and Akoy who was sleeping in our car. Our car was jammed packed but we wouldn't have had it any other way. It was nice to say goodbye to Matt one last time. He will be missed a lot. He was definitely the jokester of the family. It will also be sad not to get Marriott hotel rooms for a deal. :) We love him and can't wait for him to get out to Argentina and start spreading our gospel!

Goodbye brother! In February we get to have this adventure all over again with my brother Brayden. :)