cHriStMas

We had such a wonderful Christmas!! Jackboi was so excited this year and had a really hard time falling asleep this year. ((I'm sure it only gets better!)) We had to wake her up so we could make Bubba's phone call, but the instant we told her that Santa had come, she was ready! She stumbled out of bed & drowsily marched to see her goodies.

I'm pretty sure it took her a few minutes to figure out what was going on, but once she got the hang of things was delighted with each package.

Such a wonderful morning! We were all spoiled!

((we DID learn this year, that clothes aren't as exciting as toys. Note to self: make her open clothes FIRST next year, then toys :))

Jackobi got this little pony from Santa.
He's now affectionately known as "Prince"
EVERY day since, she's thrown on her new sleeping beauty dress & rode her pony.

We had fun celebrating with both of our familes, it's always a bit chaotic, but a fun day!

Anna didn't waste much time before ripping into this bad boy! She knew JUST what to do!

Sara & Jackobi

::The many faces of Jackobi ::

We had such a {magical} Christmas! I can hardly believe it has already come and gone so quickly! Our little family is creating our own traditions & loving every minute.

Soon our little trio will be {plus} one ...

I can't wait to see what the New Year holds for us!

Christiansen Party

This year we switched things up a bit & had the Christiansen Christmas party a few days BEFORE Christmas rather than on Christmas Day.

Santa was able to come and visit & it was PRETTY exciting!! Jackobi still isn't too sure about him, but decided she'd sit on his lap for her little gift.

Camille & Jackobi

[the boys]

::exhausted::
opening presents is HARD WORK!!

I was kinda lame taking pictures, but it was a great night! The perfect way to kick off our Christmas celebration!

cookies & jammies

We had fun making Santa cookies this year!!

Jackobi had a blast "painting" the cookies with frosting. Santa is sure going to get a SWEET surprise when he takes a taste of these babies!

♥ feel the love ♥
these two sweeties are best buds & make Christmas SO FUN!!

We hope everyone is ready for a visit from Jolly Ol' St. Nick tonight!
Casey & Jason made it back on the "good list" just in time
[[this is according to Jackobi]]

I sure know everyone in our house is pretty excited!

... and the BEST is yet to come!!

:: Tis the Season ::

I love soaking in the Spirit of Christmas! There's something so magical about this time of year. Between the lights, excitement & chaotic days filled with shopping, decorating & planning and the nights booked with parties, games & other events. We've had a VERY eventful, but WONDERFUL December so far! ((and the BEST is yet to come!!))

Jackobi has embraced & loved every moment of this Christmas season. Whether it's been running from place to place shopping (she's been a champ!!), taking her turn wrapping Christmas gifts or snuggling up all day watching Christmas movies & baking she has seemed to l.o.v.e. spending time preparing for this joyous holiday! Here's a peak at what we've been up to!

Making gingerbread houses ... She had SO MUCH FUN!! We've honestly made a few since this night because it was such a hit! (you were right Heather!!) She loved stickng the candy on, eating frosting and most of all SPRINKLES!!!

:: Nate & Ryan ::

:: Me, Jackobi & Heather ::

love, love, love these guys!! We had such a fun night!!

had an ugly sweater with some awesome friends
what a fun night with LOTS of laughs!!

(I ♥ little Evie & Jett in their ugly sweaters!!)

watched some great Minico basketball
[never a bad thing when you beat Burley by 30+ points!]

♪♫ learned some Christmas songs ♪♫

:: made some Christmas treats ::

yes, my friends ... she's wearing her Belle dress

because aparently, these days, that's how we roll...

♥ clean-up is always our favorite part ♥

{{wrote letters to Santa}}

and eagerly went to deliver them.

Santa wasn't home, but we put them in his little mail box.

I'm quite certain he would love Jackobi's rendition of a Christmas letter.

it's been a magical month in our house.
we hope yours has been too!!

{{Quick Holiday Catch-Up}}

I'm always in shock at how fast this time of year seems to fly by & this year is no exception! We've celebrated Thanksgiving, eagerly decorated & are getting ready for Christmas AND are preparing for this little boy to join our family a few weeks after Christmas. Amidst everything, I CAN'T believe Christmas is only a couple of weeks away! Here's a little peak at what we've been up to!

This is Jackobi's friend "Gobble" ... we had fun preparing and talking about Thanksgiving and all we are thankful for!! We were stranded inside for a few days (a little by choice ... it was COLD outside!!) so had our hand at a few little crafty things to occupy Jackobi's attention and energy. Gobble was by far her favorite friend we created during the cold snow storm.

When it wasn't subzero temperatures we DID manage to enjoy some of the fluffy white stuff!! Jackobi absolutly loves eating snow!

Officially worn out! We played HARD in the snow!!
Snow angels & tackling dad in the snow were her favorite.

We had a great Thanksgiving & were really excited to trek down to the square to watch Santa turn on the lights & sit on his lap. It was REALLY COLD this year, so we made it a quick trip knowing that after the anticipation that had built up in Jackobi's little mind, there was no way we could skip it due to the weather!

And boy was she excited!!

Braving the cold weather! We quickly retreated inside & opted to "meet" Santa the next morning!

Nate and I took Jackobi to the Teddy Bear breakfast the next morning to meet Santa. She was SO EXCITED and was literally jumping up and down as we waited in line to sit on his lap. Once it was her turn, it was a different story. I don't think she could have pried his hands off and jumped down much quicker! No tears this year, so we're making progress!



She did stick around long enough to get a treat out of his basket. Santa is still pretty great in Jackobi's book, just as long as he keeps his distance!!


She was pretty thrilled for her candy cane. They've been a HUGE hit in our house this year! Especially the pink & purple ones!

Camille & I took Jackobi to see Tangled. It was her FIRST movie theatre experience & 3D at that! She decided she LOVED the little glasses they give you! We've been anxiously preparing for this little guy to get here! Jackobi is thrilled to be a big sister and talks about her baby brother all the time. She's decided we should name him Dash, which is a cute name other than it's the neighbor's dog. :) I'm 33 weeks and feeling probably the best I have yet which is a good thing. I can't decide if I really feel better or if I'm just in panic mode since I still have plenty to get done before he gets here! Either way, I'll take the extra energy however I can get it! Just a few weeks after Christmas & he should make his arrival. I'm excited and anxious to see what a family of four will feel like & the changes that are soon to come!

In the meantime ... I'm going to soak up as much of these two as I can!!
Christmas music, lights & happy new traditions. I sure do love this time of year!

:: oh deer ::

Over the Thanksgiving break Nate had the chance to do quite a bit of hunting. He was excited to land his first deer with his bow. Not too shabby, eh? He was pretty proud. Best part ... he gave the meat away, so I don't have to worry about a dead animal hanging in my garage. ((now THAT could go on my Thankful List!!))

{my thankful list}

I read a challange somewhere to think of one thing each day you're thankful for in the month of November leading up to Thanksgiving.

Oh what we have to be thankful for!! Here's our list ...

1. A WONDERFUL husband who works so hard for us and wants nothing more than for our family to be taken care of and HAPPY!!

2. My sweet Jackobi, so spunky and full of life. She melts our hearts continually & is our constant JOY!

3. Baby kicks & flips in my tummy ♥

4. {{Prayer}} How does anyone survive without it??

5. A job that allows me to stay home with Jackobi. I love having everyday moments with her!

6. An amazing family.

7. Thursday morning play dates. (For me AND Jackobi ♥)

8. 75 minute flights from Twin Falls to Las Vegas

9. {{laughter}}

10. Fantastic friends. Who even when we're stubborn, always help us when we need it. ♥

11. A wonderful church & friends we are blessed to surround ourselves with!

12. Fresh baked cookies & a cup[s] of hot cocoa

13. Modern medicine, it's pretty amazing!

14. Close cousins. Anna & Jackobi will always be best buds!

15. A warm & cozy house! (especially when it's a blizzard outside!!)

16. Technology :: cell phones & online shopping ::

17. Service & the gratitude that comes along with it. We've been at the receiving end of this a lot lately and it's so humbling & wonderful. ((yes the small things often make the biggest difference!))

18. Freedom!! What a wonderful country we live in!!

19. L.O.V.E. ... the unconditional kind that makes your heart want to explode ...

20. Great neighbors. I just love them!!

21. The simple things that make me smile each day.

22. Summertime. Green grass. Bare feet. Campfires & stary skies.

23. SNOW!!! ((and snow plows!!))

24. Sippy cups. Yes, sippy cups. We have [mostly] white carpet. :)

25. Thanksgiving & Christmas ... the traditions they hold & memories we make!!

********

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Baby ... It's COLD Outside!!

As the fall weather has quickly turned from crisp autumn mornings to quite chilly & Winter-esk. I can't help, but begin to crave Christmas. And although I've vowed to myself NOT to deck the halls for another week & a half, we couldn't help but travel to the nearby mountains and enjoy some of the fluffy white stuff that I'm hoping is on it's way before too long!

And oh did we enjoy it!! Jackobi was absolutly thrilled to be able to crunch some fresh new snow underneath her boots ...

And try to catch the chilly goodness of falling snow flakes on her tounge.

we made a few snow balls and played catch ...
(no, Nate can't WAIT to have a son to play catch with for hours)

and of course, tasted some of the snowy goodness.

Sheer Delight!

And although, I think I can wait until after Thanksgiving for the flakes to start falling here, it was just the Christmasy "fix" I needed to quench my thirst!

What a perfect day!