Two Weeks w/ Christmas Love... and LOVE for this weather!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.  There's a tree in the Grand hotel, one in the park as well, it's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.... "
.... except that there isn't any snow. Not even close. And I have no complaints.
Don't get me wrong, I am one that LOVES and DESIRES a beautiful white Christmas; however, if the Lord is choosing to give us the most gorgeous weather, then I'm just going to enjoy that too. We're supposed to be 68degrees Christmas morning. It's been such a blessing getting to keep the boys outside longer, drive to and from the airport every week in good weather, etc.

So our past two weeks: 

We've had Travis here, but mostly he is gone. 

We have days where Christmas doesn't consume our every though, but most days it does.

We have all our Christmas traditions mostly done: our service tree, candy canes to the firefighters, we had our ward Christmas party, hot chocolate bar, gingerbread house decorating, holiday pancakes, Many of the major Christmas movies watched, the presents are trickling in from family, Gpa Vaughn/Gma Lori read their annual Christmas story via FaceTime, and our door is slowly being covered in Christmas cards (which I love). 

Travis had his friends over for the first time with their dog (didn't snap a photo) and we took the dogs and the boys out back and played in the heavy rain/puddles. Travis was gone for 5 days for an interview circuit. He flew into Denver, drove to Wyoming -interviewed-. Went to Utah where he visited his friend who's wife just had a baby. He worked with his dad to fix the jeep for Garett who arrived home from Madagascar a few days ago. He went out for dinner. And just enjoyed some (short) time at home. Then he drove to Arizona -Loved his interview-. He got a new phone (but is for Christmas really). He was not a fan of the BYU game yesterday. He was feeling congested and took NyQuil the other night and was KNOCKED out and loopy and hilarious. He is now currently on a plane to Wisconsin for his next interview and when he gets back he works 12's every day except Christmas.

He's so good and hardworking. 

Lacey- Yesterday I got to go clean the church with a friend and not our kids; it was pleasant:) I've finally found motivation to work out again and love starting the early mornings with a workout and shower before the boys are even awake! Today I'm singing a duet and choir number at church. Yesterday I finally got to build a gingerbread house without having to take care of my boys... because we have finally it that stage of self sufficiency!  

Maddix has been, well, seriously struggling the past few weeks. Blame it on boredom. Probably it's a stage, but jealousy, anger, sarcasm, broken ears, selfishness, the gimmies, and whininess "are strong in this one." (honor of star wars). Oh my. He did build an awesome Paw Patrol Palace/cruiser/dog gingerbread decoration. He decided to stand and fall off the couch onto the concrete floor and nearly got a concussion while Trav was gone. He constantly says, "Best. Day. Ever!" Then follows with (when he doesn't get it way) "This is the worst day of my life!!!" He constantly talks about how at nights he works at his agency for secret agents animals (Phineas & Ferb) so that's why he's tired and can't control his anger... he's a good helper, has a big heart, smarter than smart, and has a real love for God and a desire to be like Jesus, so it really does get him down when he believes he's made Jesus sad with his words or actions; he's a good boy. Just tired too from all the odd hour airport trips.

Aaron has been a little under the weather, we think from some germs Travis picked up on all these flights. Last night as we walked our neighborhood admiring the lights, he tripped and smashed his face into the sidewalk. He now has a giant split lip that is swollen and it's sad looking. He says funny things like, "sdgusting, gross." "Nuggle me mom?" "I miss dahtd; he cahnt hear me, he not in his seat" as we left the airport. He's loved shopping and running errands. He is so aware of all that's going on, and learning so much. His speech has jumped another level. First thing he said to U. Garett when he arrived at the airport was, "Gahett, guess whut? Nuffin'!" He loves Christmas also! 

As previously mentioned, our dear Garett made it home this week from his two year mission in Madagascar! I don't know if I mentioned it, but my awesome cousin Kara made it home from her mission in Spain last week, and now all that's left is my brother out in South Carolina! 

We love missionary work. I can't wait to serve missions with Travis someday!! 

Happy Sunday

~Merry Joyous Christmas Holiday~

"... sure it's Christmas, once more."

Miss these cute nieces!!!

Movie night with the Christmas lights, Christmas Micky,
and beds why the dog curled up in between them. 

Beating the monster/cleaning
the rug ;) 

Italian Christmas treat from
Maria, our neighbor

"La-papaya!" Minions with a hide-out and popcorn!

Delivered the candy canes then stayed out to play

 ~Christmas Party~

puppet show for the kids

I loved his reaction to Santa! 

Playing in the boxes from the gifts Gpa Jeff/Gma Wendy sent

Then Daddy came home and we went to the park! Ate lunch at Olive Garden. Then continued our holiday traditions that were on hold until he came home!! 

~Park~

Reading our Christmas book at bedtime

 ~Welcome Home Elder Garett Johnson~

Hot Chocolate bar/ The Santa Claus movie Night

Watching The Santa Claus; they smiled like this the
Whole movie! 

Reading with Grandparents 

 Annual Decorating day results: 

Left: Travis & Aaron, Middle: Lacey, Right: Maddix's Paw Patrol Palace and cruiser.

BYU Game... boo. 

Then after taking Travis BACK to the airport we came home made pancakes (using my Christmas apron from my grandma Janet), bathed and got all ready for church, and watched some bible cartoons all by 9:00am... church is at 1:00. Travis is gone. What do I do with all this time?!