Thursday December 31 (add pictures)

And just like that, the year is over!

It sure has been a crazy one for the Matthews family.

The most trying so far, for sure!

But also the most blessed one :)

Guess blessings usually come hand in hand with trials.

So there wasn't anything to get up for today.

We got some of our luggage put away and rooms clean.

I took the garland down off the stairs.

Christmas still needs to be put away.....but I think I will wait for when the kids are in school.

The kids went and played at the church with the Morgans for a little bit.

Brent and I were supposed to go play too, but we noticed some shingles had blown off the roof and he wanted to get them fixed, and I wasn't about to leave him while he was up on the roof!

We got to the church when the Morgan's just left.

But we stayed and played for a little bit.

Then Dad, Port and I went to the store to get some stuff.

Madi had a 'mysterious' delivery of a goldfish on our doorstop last night.

(It was from Kyler.....)

So we needed to get some fish food, a fish bowl and other stuff.

I got some screaming deals on some Christmas stuff!

.....for next year :)

Port was kinda confused why I was buying Christmas stuff!

We got some fun stuff for tonight.

We all stayed home tonight.

Both Cassi and Madi were invited to parties....

Madi was just coughing so much, she didn't want to go

I wish she could get rid of that cough.

She has ALWAYS held onto her cough forever whenever she has had one!

Stinks!

But we had fun together making pigs in a blanket, watching a movie, and eating popcorn.

We made a geyser out of diet coke and mentos that the Zanella family brought to us.

Then we rang in the new year about 10 with some bubbly and confetti fireworks :)

Dad has to work tomorrow, so no late night partying around here!

Fun pictures........but they are taking forever to upload!

Maybe tomorrow will be my 'add pictures to the blog day'.

If not tomorrow. maybe Saturday.

If not then, I am sure Sunday will be the day ;)

Wednesday December 30 (add pictures)

We decided to cut the short trip even shorter and we just got home tonight.

It was a nice trip and we got some good visiting in.

We just didn't want to wear Grandma out too much.

So a little after 3, we left for home.

But it was a fun day.

The kiddos slept in then after breakfast, Cassi, Elsie and Porter got bundled up to play in the snow.

Dad got a sled and pulled Cassi and Porter on it for a little bit.

Then Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dave invited us over for some hot cocoa and Aunt Nance stopped by with Heather and Lauren and we all chatted for a while and that was a lot of fun.

When we left there, we stopped at Aunt Sandra's house to see them there.

Morgan and Taylor are visiting from Montana so that was fun to see them.

And Lexi was there too.

And of course Dussy boy :)

Then we went back to Grams and Gramps and packed up and cleaned up the place before we were off.

But of course we had to make a stop at the Buffalos!

The ride home was pretty nice.

As long as big girls have books to listen to, and little ones have movies or kindles to play on, and lots of snacks.....it makes for a trouble free (almost) trip :)

It sure is good to be home!

It was a crazy fast trip, but we were able to see a good chunk of family and that always makes for a great trip!

Yes, I do have lots of photos to add.

And Dussy boy does not believe I will EVER get caught up on pictures!!!!

But i will!

Oh I will!!!

Have some faith Dussy boy!!!

So there will be more to add.....but I had to put the pictures of Dussy trying to squirm his way put of getting pictures taken by me!

When you can take a million shots, I am bound to get a good one!!!!

I need to make a flip book with the 10+ shots I took to get this good one!

But I always get it Dustin....I always do!

So stop trying to get out of it!

Tuesday December 29 (add pictures)

It has been such a nice day today.

We woke up and got ready and our stuff all packed back up in the car.

We had plans to meet at the church at 10.

We had to make a stop at the store for some white elephant gifts for a Christmas exchange..

We got there about 10:30.

People started tickling in before and after us.

We got started with stuff about 11ish.

We did a gift exchange for those who didn't get their Christmas gifts.

And then we had some fun white elephant gifts exchange.

Aunt Kay was driving through and stopped by the church to see us.

Sp that was a lot of fun for the kids to get to see her :)

Papa had to leave early, but it was fun to get to spend some time with him.

We had a yummy lunch.

Then the kids did some gingerbread houses.

We got cleaned up after while and headed towards Evanston about 4:30.

It wasn't a bad drive.

It was nice to get here and send some time with Grams and Gramps :)

We have had some fun stories and laughs together tonight.

We sure love spending time with family!

(I have lots of pictures to share.....but that will happen when we get back home :)

Monday December 28

We made the trip to Utah safely.

It was a pretty good drive.

We got to Em's and unloaded our stuff.

Then we went to Ariel's house and met up with a lot more family and had pizza and played some games and hung out.

So that was fun.

Tomorrow we will do some more hanging out too :)

Family time is best!!!!!

Sunday December 27

Everyone slept in today, which was nice.

Except for Elsie.

She got up twice during the night and was up for the day at 6.

Water was working just fine this morning.

Whew!

Cassi started getting ready and then we went over to Michelle Burks house.

We met up with Keira and Hallie to go over the song with Sister Burk playing.

She also gave some great tips and pointers.....and the girls are going to sound so beautiful!

Then we came home and got everyone else ready.

Church was good.

I went with Elsie to class....stinker.

But then during Young Womans, Madi just looked miserable, so I asked her if she was okay, and she said she didn't feel good.

She has had a bit of a cough, but she mostly just looked super tired :(

So I took her and Elsie home for the last hour.

The rest of the day went good.

Now I still need to get some stuff ready to go to Utah tomorrow!

It seems like the weather should be fine for us.

We are excited to go see some family!

Saturday December 26

Today was a very low key day.

Dad had to go to work and I didn't really have any plans except to get some laundry done.

Avery came over and hung out with Cassi this morning and Port spent the morning over at Cannon's.

Later on, Cassi had a couple other friends over, Hallie and Keira.

They will be singing in sacrament meeting on the 10th and we needed to start practicing since Cassi will be gone a lot this next week, and then school is back in session!

They sound so pretty together.

And Elsie had a lot of fun being their 'leader'.

Tomorrow they will practice with Sister Burk playing the piano, and I am excited for what guidance she can give them.....since she is so musically talented :)

Later on, Madi went and hung out with Carley Morgan and they did some sledding behind the 4-wheeler.

And then after dinner, she wanted to go and hang out with Cam and Kaylee.

Good grief she is dragging out this "goodbye to her friend' as much as she can ;)

Just teasing.

I let her go hang out for a little bit.

Then tonight, after I got home from picking Madi up, we saw that the water wasn't working :(

I called Dad.

He talked me through some things.

I got it to build enough pressure for tonight, but will check back tomorrow to see if it is still having trouble.

Not good!

I hope it's nothing too bad :(

Friday December 25

Merry Christmas from the Matthews family!!!!

It has been a pretty great day.

Mostly :)

Besides the fact that the little ones were up at 3!!!!

They watched a movie for a little while, but at about 5, we decided to just get things going before they start fighting.

They were all so excited to get the morning going :)

The sweetest thing was when the little kids all came in, one at a time, they handed me their gift to me.

So sweet.

And Dad, even though he wasn't supposed to, got me a gift.

e decided that the house, and medical bills are our gifts to each other this year ;)

But he went and got my wedding ring fixed.

A few months ago my diamond fell out of the clap thing, that was completely ruined.

But luckily I found the diamond when it fell out!

Well, he went and got it re-set and it is so pretty and shiny and I am so excited to have it back on my finger!

It didn't take long to get the gifts opened.

And they were all so happy with their gifts :)

It was a fun morning.

Well, then we decided to take a little rest, in hopes the kids would go to sleep.....

The big girls got a nap.

I sent Dad to bed, because he works tomorrow, and he needs to have sleep!

But the little ones were too excited to play with their fun new stuff :)

Port kept telling me how he was not tired at all!

But I got him to sit down and watch some Star Wars.

Not too long passed when I looked over and saw him sleeping in his storm trooper costume.

A storm trooper costume, might I add, that Dad put together from dollar store armor and knee pads as shoulder pads :)

It is pretty awesome!

Anyway, that kid looked so darn cute sleeping there.

Later on I started putting together our 2015 family calendar that we got (ourselves) as a family gift.

And Elsie sat by me with her 'art stuff' and made some beautiful pictures :)

Then dad and i decided to take the kids out to the movies.

We went and saw the new Star Wars!

It was a big hit and lots of fun for everyone!

Especially our little mini storm trooper, who got lots of compliments on his costume :)

The rest of the day was dinner and then we finished out 25 Days of Christ and got the kids off to bed early.

Now we hope to get to bed at a good time too!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Thursday December 24

Busy being Santa's helper.....

I will catch up tomorrow :)

Happy Christmas Eve!!!!!
*****

Wednesday December 23

It is really winding down now!

Today we tried to do some family stuff that we haven't gotten a chance to get to yet.

First of all we spent about an hour and a half looking through the 25 days of Christ videos.

I think it was a great way to start the morning.....even though we still had fighting throughout :(

After lunch we hopped in the car and went to go and see if we could find Cassi's wallet that she left at the movie theater yesterday.

Bummer, it wasn't there :(

Then we went to the dollar store.

That is where the kids buy their presents to each other.

I always love how they seem to find the perfect gift for each sibling.

It is just a fun tradition that they all love :)

Then we came home and the kids got the presents wrapped and Mom and Dad went to Lowe's and Walmart for some Christmas stuff and Christmas eve dinner and Christmas dinner etc.

After dinner we hopped back in the car to delver some Christmas treats to the Terry's and Young's.

It was fun to see them and visit with them for a little bit.

We tried to get some Christmas light sighting in......

Then we took Madi to ANOTHER little party.

She didn't stay too long or late tonight.

So tomorrow is Christmas Eve!

Sure hope we have everything ready!

Tuesday December 22

Christmas is getting closer and closer!!!!!

Very exciting!

Got a lot done and ready for Christmas today so that is good.

After lunch I went and took some pictures for a fun family.

Came home and then Port and Cassi went with the Morgans to the dollar movie's to see Pan.

And Madi planned for another little get together with her group of girl-friends, trying to soak up as much as they can before Kaylie moves away.

They watched a Christmas movie and now they are chatting, and I am hoping they are all getting ready to go home soon!!!!

It is a crazy time, this time of year.

I am ready for a slow down, that's for sure!

Monday December 21

Andy and Katie left with the girls around 10 this morning.

It was so fun having them here for a little bit :)

After they left, the Terry girls came over.

We have been so excited to have them come for the day.

Jenni had to work, and the girls thought it would be great to all hang out!

Madi went to her friend Maddie's house for a breakfast with their friend Kaylie....who is moving to Georgia just after Christmas.

At a little before 11, I took Elsie to PT.

Took Porter too, because I know he couldn't help but cause trouble with a house full of girls!!!!!

Elsie worked hard.

She even got to play the Wii :)

Katie put her up on a wedge board and had her stand on that while playing a jousting game.

While Port had a turn, she did some squats.

She did some other fun stuff then we came home and the kids got to play.

I left for a little bit after 1 to take pictures of Madi with all the girl-friends that are in their group.

With Kaylie moving, I suggested the idea of doing pictures, and they were so happy to have them done :)

They all looked so cute!

It has been raining all day.....but for just a little bit, we were rain free and it worked out pretty great.

We got some fun shots.

Such good girls :)

When I got back home, Cassi and Ayden had made play dough for the kiddos.......

And they also made quite a mess!!!!

But they were good, and got it cleaned up for me.

Later tonight we went and visited Dad at the fire station and take the guys a treat.

It is always fun to visit him there :)

Tonight was kinda rough.

Lots of fighting and yelling :(

Things ended good, but I sure hope tomorrow is better!!!!

We all need some good sleep!

Sunday December 20

Ohhh....it's late!

It is just so much fun to sit and talk with Andy and Katie!!!

So today was a nice day.

The big girls talked me into giving them their Christmas church clothes today.

I mean they should be able to wear them the Sunday BEFORE Christmas, right????

They looked so cute on them.

Especially the boy, and his suit coat :)

So cute!

Andy, Katie and the girls came to church with us.

Cassi sang with the choir for their Christmas performance, which was so beautiful!

After church, we made pizza and enjoyed each others company :)

We watched Christmas Oranges and then it was bedtime.

Millie was LOVING Port tonight!

It was the cutest thing :)

She would go up and stick her forehead on Porters and just laugh at him.

So cute!

So when saying goodnight she would rest her head on his forehead again and just smile.

Port thought it was pretty great!

Saturday December 19

I went to Stacia's house this morning to use her Silhouette again.

Such a fun toy!

I needed it because we were making a birthday gift for Eldon.

We made a t-short for him that said "Mary Lane Maintenance crew" and  picture of his tractor :)

While I was there, the kiddos got working on cleaning their rooms.

The rest of the day was doing laundry and cleaning up for our guests tonight, Andy, Katie, Hannah and Millie.

Madi went to the mall with her friend to get a gift for their other friend who is moving.

And Cassi had a birthday party to go to.

Then this evening we had a fun party/dinner at the Morgan's house.

A fun little get together with the Edwards and the Leavetts :)

A great crew to hang out with.

We had to leave a little early because Andy and family got here.

Cute little family :)

So excited that they will be hanging out with us all day tomorrow!

Yay!

Friday December 18

Everyone is so excited to have two weeks off from school!!!!!!

Dad and I got some stuff done this morning.

Most exciting.....finally sending off Christmas cards!!!!!

Man oh man...I need to start earlier next year!

Dad and I (mostly Dad :) worked on some of the homemade gifts we had planned.

Then after I showered, I went to the little kids parties at school.

Lots of fun and lots of sugar :)

Cassi went to a friends house for a few hours.

And Elsie had Brooke come home with her.

They had fun painting and playing.

Brooke is such a sweet friend.

Port played with the boys and Madi just zoned out for a while.

She has been working on a project at school, and she is so happy to have it all done!!!!!

I picked up Cassi and picked up dinner.

Then cleanup and Madi left to go to a good-bye party for one of her friends that is moving to Georgia.

Then the rest of us watched the last star wars.

So excited to see the new one :)

Don't know when that will happen, but still excited to see it!

We are excited that Andy and Katie are coming tomorrow night with Hannah and Millie!

Yay!

They will stay Sunday and then head to Utah on Monday morning.

It will be fun to have them here for a bit :)

We LOVE Ms. Chris!!!!

Thursday December 17

Dad got called into work an overtime shift today.

I spent my day stuffing Christmas cards.

I still need to address them.....tonight :(

But I got that done.

Also got a package mailed out to Em that should have been done last week.

But because of circumstances NOT under my control, I couldn't until today!

But it is on it's way Emmy!!!!

I also got some stocking stuffer stuff today.

And i got all the friend/teacher/neighbor gifts done!

Yay!

That is a big check off the list!

*****

I have been super impressed with Port's Star Wars Lego building.

And in honor of the new movie opening tonight.....I present you Porter's X-wing fighter!

Pretty darn good if you ask me!!!!!

That kid is so creative!

The wings actually have moving parts too.

So cool!

Wednesday December 16

Today was spent getting ready for our YM/YW activity tonight.

We made a stable and manger with a star and assembled it on the stage at the church.

The youth were told that we were going to go caroling.

But we had a different plan.

We didn't tell the YM leaders what we were doing either :)

It took some planning to pull it off!

So we went caroling, but each person we went caroling too, turned us away.

Either their babies were going to bed, or they were on the phone, just pulling out of the drive-way.....etc.

So we did that to about 4 houses, and one of the girls said why don't we go to Sister Bakers house, because it was right there.....so we did.

We thought we should let them sing to one house!

Ha ha!!!!

Then we went to another house, and were turned away....again!

I think the Bishop's reactions were the best!

He was so shocked that people wouldn't just let us sing for a minute!

After that last house I turned and said, "Do you guys just want to go back to the church and have hot cocoa and donuts and we can just sing to ourselves?!?"

So we did.

We loaded back up in the cars and went back to the church.

The kids got their snacks and started talking.

Serena started playing the piano and then once they settled down, she started playing "Away in a Manger".

That was our cue to dim the lights and pull the curtains open on the stage.

And up on the stage we had a Nativity set up.

It was so funny to hear the kids when the curtains opened.....they were legitimately surprised!

But the best part, the people up on the stage dressed as the nativity, they were (some of) the people who had turned them away :)

It was so beautiful!

It made me all teary.

After the song, Cindy Peterson got up and she said this:

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar 

Agustus, that all the world should be taxed.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

How many doors do you think Mary and Joseph knocked on that day trying to find a place to stay? How many rejections do you think they experienced? The Innkeepers who turned this couple away had their reasons: they were "too full" or "too busy". Only one innkeeper had compassion on the couple, offering their manger as a place to deliver their child, The Son of God.

During the Savior's mortal ministry, He again knocked on countless doors, some welcomed Him with open arms and fell at his feet and worshiped Him. Still others shut the door. 

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The Savior is still knocking at our doors, do we let him in? Do we pray and read our scriptures like we should so we can know Him? Do we do His will? Do we serve others? Or are we "too full" or "too busy" with other things in our lives, that we shut the door on our Savior. 

3. How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

It was so neat!

I really hope it touched the kids hearts like it did mine.

It was a very nice evening.

Madi invited her friend Hailey to come with us.

I think that she had a good time :)

It's not an activity you can pull off more than once, but it sure turned out great!

Tuesday December 15

I spent the day getting the extra Christmas stuff cleaned up and getting picked up around the house.

And laundry.

Still lots of that.

There is always lots of that ;)

Tonight was Porter's Christmas music program.

He was so dang handsome!

And he sang!

He never seems to sing in programs!

He stands there and looks cute, but kind of zones out.

But today he sang and he was so cute!

My dapper little man!

He had a speaking part.

It was when they were all holding plates and he said "This next song requires a special prop".

And if you know what Porter sounds like when he talks, you know how dang cute it was when he said 'requires'!

He did a great job!

Then I took the kids home and popped dinner in the oven and then I left for our RS Christmas dinner.

It was a nice evening where I got to talk to lots of ladies in the ward.

Then home and all the kids were ready to hop in bed.

Everyone is so tired.

Elsie was pretty good today.

Still hurting, but I took ibuprofen to the nurse at school so she could give Elsie some in the day.

And Port still had a scratchy voice this morning.

No fever or anything, just mucus-y throat and scratchy.

But he went to school and had a good day.

I hope we can all stay well through the holidays!!!!!!