Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Christmas this year was just what we needed. It was relaxing but fun and full of family and love. It was also a time of plague :(. Along with our never ending head colds and bronchitis, the kids caught Hand Foot & Mouth from their babysitters house the week before Christmas....shoot me. So that week was an interesting one with kids constantly falling asleep in the most random places from pure exhaustion as their bodies tried to heal and the horrible job of trying not to spread it to anyone else but still being able to join in on all the fun we had planned...

Poor Evie... yes, she fell asleep on the stairs! Hand Foot and Mouth was one of the worst viruses we have encountered so far. Both kids had blisters all over their mouths and bodies and were constantly exhausted and  miserable :(.

Poor Austin missed the last two days of school before Christmas break because of illness :(. It broke my heart that he missed his first school Christmas party and to see him so miserable, but I was secretly loving all the cuddles ;).

But despite our medical woes, we still managed to do all of our favorite things! The kids helped me bake holiday goodies to pass out to all of our friends and neighbors! They had so much fun in the kitchen but they had even more fun distributing our sweet treats! It is always such a joyful experience getting to teach my children about the gift of giving :).

Chocolate covered pretzels are our jam! And this year we made them even more festive with red and green M&Ms!

We tried something new this year and made white chocolate candy cane popcorn which was a big hit! The crossing guard at Austin's school told us we should go into business selling it because it was so good! :)

Austin capturing a goofy pic of his sister :)

Crushing up the candy canes was harder work than we had expected..... Next time we might use the blender....

Nothing makes me happier than working side by side with my kiddos in the kitchen :).

Adding a little red and green to our popcorn.

The kids were mesmerized by the air popper! We must have made eight batches of popcorn just so they could sit and watch how it works! And they started screaming and clapping Every. Single. Time. :)

We also got to experience our neighborhood Winter Festival for the first time this year! We are usually busy with family or Mom is working during December so we haven't had the chance to enjoy it before. But now we know it is something we will never miss again! Holy beautiful day full of fun!! We took a picture with Santa, where Evie asked for "Elsa Stuff" and Austin surprised Santa with his request for a lava lamp and a compass :). He is so much older than his years and it always surprises people when he opens his mouth! haha! We also played hula hoop games, jumped in the bouncy houses, got faces painted, ate yummy Christmas cookies, and warmed up in the cafe for a while before we went back out for some more fun! You never know what kind of weather Nevada will bring you. In the morning we were wearing ski jackets and by afternoon we were down to sweatshirts.... it's always a gamble when you step out your door around here! I felt so incredibly grateful for this amazing community to raise our babies in and for all of our friends that make parties like these even more fun :).

The traditional Santa picture 2018!

Getting faces painted from one of Santa's Elves!

Evie wanted to be a princess (surprise surprise)!

And Austin wanted a candy cane!

There were characters all over the place, but nothing beats Elsa and Olaf in this little girl's eyes :).

Another Elf was making balloon animals! Evie wanted a cat and Austin asked for a sword (again, surprise surprise)!

My boys and our photo bomber neighbor hahaha! Dad teaches Sunbeams with him and Austin is good friends with his daughter, Jane :).

Getting some hot drinks inside Jolly Beans Cafe! Mom's home away from home ;).

Spirits were so high this day, which was so fun!

Eating Christmas cookies we picked out from the farmers market and enjoying the sunshine! After the Winter Festival, the kids went to little kiddie Christmas party at the church while Mom and Dad got to go on a date! It was a fundraiser the Young Men and Young Women were hosting to raise money for summer camp and we were more than willing to contribute! Anything for a date night! ;)

Speaking of parties! Mom got to go to a Mom's Night Out Christmas Party this year! It was a blast and my face hurt from laughing so much by the end of the night! Again, we are so so blessed to live here! It's more than a community, it's a Tribe :).

My Tribe :). These beautiful ladies make Motherhood soooo much easier on so many levels :).

Evie and her little Nursery friends spent the month learning how to go to sharing time and get ready for their big graduation in January! I couldn't believe as I sat there watching her go up to the front of the room during sharing time that soon I will have TWO kids in Primary! Where does the time go?!!

All the future Sunbeams helping out the teacher in Sharing Time :)

Evie's little Home Preschool is still going strong and we are all loving it! This month was my turn to teach and we made Grinch Cookies! The girls LOVED getting their hands all dirty and we had so much fun! These 6 little girls are the sweetest things in the world and Evie looks forward to Wednesdays every week so she can hang out with them!

Taking turns stirring in the eggs.

They all have such different personalities, which makes this group so fun!

Cutie pies making a mess and loving every minute of it!

Pictured left to right: Evie, Coco, Stella, Blakely, Sadie, Evelyn. All 3 years old and all SO SO CUTE!

Along with cooking and prepping for Christmas, we also finished our baseboards to finally complete our flooring project! We also bought two electric fireplaces, one for our bedroom and one for downstairs to go along with our floor remodel. It was Mom and Dad's Christmas presents and we are totally in love with them and have put them to good use this winter! I've wanted a bedroom fireplace for as long as I can remember, so this was the cherry on top of a perfect Christmas! I also decided during this month to not go back to teaching Children's Yoga in January. If I have learned anything from the past three months, it has been how important it is to keep life simple. To not always  be rushing. To enjoy the little things with my little ones before they aren't so little anymore. But most of all, to keep track of my mental health and to always be striving for more peace and less chaos. It was  tough decision, because I loved teaching so so much! But I am at peace with this decision and I know my kids are happy about it too. I'm a much better Mother when I'm not so stressed out all the time which  makes for a much happier home! Oh and my little girl was awarded as Dancer of the Month! She was so proud and I was on the verge of tears! Being her Mama is such a joy!

Hello gorgeous bedroom fireplace!! I've spent soooo much time in this room staring at this beautiful sight!

Cuddles by the fire on a cold winter day. This moment right here is when I made the decision to not teach yoga anymore. I needed more of this and less of that. I'm sure my students will understand, but even if they don't, I now have my priorities straight so I really don't care.

Finishing touches are the worst! You want so badly to be done with the project and this last part seems to take FOREVER! But we are loving our new floor!! It makes all the blood, sweat, and tears completely worth it!!

Evie being awarded as Dancer of the Month with Ms. Vivian! She loves dance and her teacher so much and was so proud of her achievement! We all were :).

My focus is now on self-care. On taking care of my own inner light with less focus on what other's are doing. My last miscarriage really rocked my world and my mental health was not good at all. So this has been necessary and much appreciated by my body and soul.

We also had our Annual Cooley Family Christmas Party the Saturday before Christmas in St. George and it was a blast! Seriously, it was probably the best party yet! We ate lunch at Chuck-a-Rama (our family present from Grandma and Grandpa Wiegel) and then headed over to Grandma's community club house for some fun games! I had decided to do a Christmas Olympics and it was such a hit! Everyone had a blast as we raced each other to come up with silly Christmas lyrics, do Elephant bowling, push oreo cookies across the table with our noses, draw snowmen on our foreheads, and eat donuts hanging from a string without using our hands :)!! We also did a white elephant gift exchange and just hung out and enjoyed each others company. Aunt Heidi had planned a Christmas cookie decorating station that the kids LOVED and Cousin Emma had fun handing out awards for the most creative cookies :). Our family has had a hard time over the past couple years getting together without fighting or having some kind of drama, so it was nice to just enjoy each other for a change! Much needed :). The kids had such a blast and are already looking forward to next year's party :)!

Having a blast at Chuck-a-Rama with the family!

Yummy food and good company!

We took up two giant rows of tables because our family is so huge! It was crazy!

Aunt Heidi attempting Elephant Bowling haha!

Aunt Heidi trying to eat the donut without using her hands!

Mom trying it and struggling big time! haha! Its so much harder than you think!

Aunt Tammy trying to draw a snowman on her forehead while Aunt Gena raced with the basketball to the next station, hot on her tail!

Mom and Aunt Heidi getting ready to race!

Cookie decorating!

Dad and Cousin Jessica trying to knock down all the cups! This was seriously so hilarious!

Aunt Gena trying to eat that dang doughnut!

Mom trying to bowl like an elephant :).

Evie cheated and had Great Grandma Wiegel's help ;). I guess she's 3, so we will let it slide.... ;)

Trying to push the oreo across the table with her nose! Again, it's harder than you think!

Uncle Scott and Cousin Cameron writing the perfect lyrics for Sleigh Bells Ring.... This was so hilarious to read after the games were over!

Baby girl trying to elephant bowl :)

Austin and Uncle Dave racing for the win!

Cousin Misty (Cameron's new wife) laughing too hard to eat her donut haha!

Austin getting that donut! I'm soooo glad that nobody contracted Hand Foot and Mouth from this! I was secretly stressing about it! I had no idea if our kids were still contagious but didn't want to miss out on all the fun!

Austin did great with the oreo challenge!

The cutest little elephant I ever did see! haha!

Uncle Creg, Grandma Jill, Aunt Gena, and Uncle Scott! The gangs' all here!

Mom and Cousin Naomi. We are all getting so old and have kids now! It's crazy that we were once little kids running around together!

Everyone taking their cookie decorating seriously!

Austin especially ;)

Mom and Dad, happily enjoying the spirit of Christmas :).

Christmas Eve was quiet and beautiful :). We started the morning out with a family walk up to Starbucks and Roberto's Tacos for breakfast. The sun was shining and spirits were high! Just a few more hours until Santa comes!

Then we spent the day baking and decorating cookies for Santa! Evie wasn't feeling very well (probably exhausted from all the partying and virus junk) so she ended up falling asleep on the cough while Austin and I did all the baking. But we made sure to wake her up to help with the decorating!

Poor sick baby girl :(

Meanwhile, Mom and Austin got to work!

Austin is getting so big! I am so proud of the little man he is becoming :).

But mostly I am so happy that he still loves to spend time with his Mama in the kitchen :). It's such a special bond that I hope we always share.

Christmas music was playing, the fireplace was emitting a happy warmth, and spirits were high :). It's moments like these....

This boy holds such a special place in my heart and his kisses mean the world to me!

Just looking at these pictures is making me cry! You can't recreate moments like these!

Lots of sprinkles!!

And plenty of frosting!

Happy Christmas Eve!

After that, we ate soup, opened up new Christmas Jammies, took baths, and then headed out into the night to drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights! The kids are always so cute as they oooohhh and awwww at the lights and Mom and Dad felt so happy as we held hands and enjoyed the beautiful life we have created together. Then we set out milk and cookies for Santa and only had to threaten the kids 6 times to go to sleep or Santa will pass us by.... ;). Josh and I were just as excited as the kids for Christmas morning to come and spent the night cuddled up on the couch by the fire, watching "It's a Wonderful Life" with a cup of egg nog and happy hearts :).

Christmas morning came and we were ALL excited to see what Santa had brought! The kids got everything they asked for and more! It was such a fun morning amongst the wrapping paper wonderland! Then we cleaned up and got ready for all the Grandparents to come for Christmas Lunch and of course, MORE PRESENTS! These kids are so spoiled its not even funny....

Santa did NOT disappoint this year!

Evie got her potty training baby she has been begging for!

And Austin got a drone to fly along with that awesome castle tent!

And of course, the lava lamp ;).

And Evie got her "Elsa Stuff"! She was all smiles as she danced around the room with her singing microphone and high heels!

They also got lots of art supplies and don't forget the Christmas oranges!

Such a fun morning :)

Princess Elsa getting ready for the day :).

Dressed in our best and ready for the next party! :)

Somehow, Mom got everyone ready, cleaned up the house, set a beautiful table, and made Christmas lunch for the whole family in a couple of hours! Dad wasn't feeling well and went to bed during that critical time (insert repressed rage from Mom) but I pulled it off!! And it was such a beautiful meal! We had all of our Grandparents and Great Grandparents (minus Josh's parents) and the kids were in heaven! We ate a yummy ham dinner and pumpkin pie for dessert! After stuffing ourselves to the brim, the menfolk sat on the couches talking and watching the kids while the women stayed at the table and enjoyed chatting. This was an interesting Christmas because my parents had just gotten divorced a couple months prior and we weren't sure if it was going to make things awkward with the rest of the family. But happily it didn't matter at all! We all enjoyed each other and there was zero drama. Thank you Jesus!!! Next up was presents! The kids opened up all of their wonderful gifts while everyone watched and smiled :). This was the first Christmas we didn't have my sisters here and it was so sad. We Facetimed with Briana and her sweet new baby, Gracelynn, who looked cute enough to eat! But it would have been even better to have them home with us! They are planning on moving back here this summer and the time couldn't go by fast enough! Sadie spent Christmas with her boyfriend in New York City, so we talked to her on a different day. Every Christmas is slightly different, but one thing remains the same.... the love we all share :). We are surrounded with such amazing Grandparents and are so grateful!

Our beautiful Christmas Meal!

Lots of cuddles and presents!

That Face! Priceless!!

The Grandparents had so much fun watching the kids open their presents!

And there were plenty of loves to go around!

We sure do love Grandma Wiegel! And Grandpa Frank came this year which was nice! Mom sat on his walker at dinner because we were short a chair! haha! But on a more serious note, he is very sickly and doesn't travel much so it was nice to see him.

Evie got a Minnie Mouse as big as she is and she was all smiles from ear to ear!

Sweet Grandma Helm.... oh we love you so!

I was so proud of my parents for not letting the drama of their divorce get in the way of Christmas. It meant a lot to me to see them sitting together enjoying their Grandkids :).

Grandma Porter had hip surgery and hasn't been healing well, so it was so nice to see her! She hasn't been able to make it to our parties lately because she has been in so much pain :(.

We love Grandma and Grandpa Porter!

So much joy!

We were all smiles :)

Oh that Minnie Mouse loving girl.... she cracks us all up with how excited she gets over that mouse!

I probably don't have to explain why when I say how exhausted we were after Christmas was over! It took us a good week to recover! We spent that week doing crafts, snacking on Christmas candy, and leaving the house as little as possible. It was heavenly :).

I couldn't have wished for a more beautiful Christmas and am so grateful for all the many blessings we have been given! I don't know what I would do without all of these amazing people in my life! It was so nice to finish off the year with a happy heart. Especially after how emotionally destroyed I was after losing the baby.... Thank you Heavenly Father, I owe you so much :).

Thanksgiving in San Diego!

Sea World and all of the amazing sea creatures far exceeded our expectations! It was such a wonderful trip!

I love the traditions of Thanksgiving; the food, the family, the joy! But this year we were lacking in joy and all my siblings are living far far away... so that leaves me alone to make all the food. Well, me and my Mom, but she and I haven't been on speaking terms since I lost the baby and she abandoned me in my time of need. I have since forgiven her for that, but in the moment all the emotions from October were still raw and painful. So we decided to escape life for Thanksgiving this year, and I am soooooo glad we did! It was just what we needed. Sunshine, the ocean, new experiences, and happy memories visiting with friends! And it was so apparent on that first day when we checked into our hotel and the kids instantly fell asleep by the pool. It was like we were all physically and emotionally exhausted from all of our trials over the past two months and we needed a break. And what better way to take that break than soaking up the suns loving rays by the pool?

Now THIS is the life!

Getting Evie to slow down is impossible so this view really took us by surprise!

This was our first trip in our new car and we LOVED it!! We didn't have to listen to Austin complaining about car sickness because he has his own air vent now! I didn't have to squish in my seat stuffed with luggage at my feet because our car is huge! And Evie is now sitting up high enough to see out the window! Oh and Dad was loving the Sony stereo system ;). This car has changed our world just enough to make me slightly grateful for the car accident that fatefully brought it into our lives. We made good time because we left early before the Thanksgiving traffic set in. Since we were traveling on Thanksgiving day we figured it would be best to just hang around the hotel and relax, which turned out to be an amazing idea! Nowhere to be, nothing to do, just relax and enjoy each others company without any stress or drama. It was amazing :).

Off for an adventure in our new Ford Flex!

Checking into the hotel and then off to the pool!

This Thanksgiving was all about family and living in the moment. It was everything I wanted and more. These beautiful humans are everything I wanted and more.

We spent the whole afternoon by the pool until the sun went down. We were all trying to get over horrible chest cold that had plagued our house so we spent  more time in the hot tub than we did in the pool. It just wasn't quite warm enough for that. We had gotten out to dry off on the lounge chairs when both kids suddenly passed out asleep and Josh and I found ourselves alone! It was a Thanksgiving miracle! We talked, and read our books for about 3 hours before the kids woke up again and we couldn't believe it! They were hungry when they awoke so Dad went to the hotel Restaurant to grab us a pizza and we brought it back to our room and then ate it in bed while we snuggled up together and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on the TV. In that moment we all felt so happy. It wasn't pumpkin pie and turkey, but it was just what we needed and more. Thankful was an understatement in that happy moment :).

Getting our hot tub on! It was about 65 degrees outside and the pool was just a little bit chilly for these desert rats.

My boys :). Austin is getting so big! I wish I could stop time...

Dad catching up on some light reading while the kiddos napped! This never happens people!

And Mom just soaking it all in. The silence, the sunshine, the amazing comfort of being on vacation and not having a care in the world...

Evie woke up from her nap and attempted to swim in the pool before the sun set, but it was very cold and she wasn't in there long!

On Friday we experienced Sea World for the first time and loved it! Since Sea World doesn't open until 11am in the fall, we got to sleep in and slowly get ready for the day. The whole pace of this trip was slow and steady and we loved it! It was so unlike our typical vacation where we are zooming around trying to do everything and experience as much as we can. But not this time. This trip was all about relaxation. The kids LOVED the tide pools at Sea World where we could pet the fish and sharks and the Killer Whale show was awesome! We also rode all sorts of kiddie rides and had a great time! Nobody wanted to stop for food because everywhere we turned there was something else to experience and enjoy!

How amazing are God's creations?!

Watching the killer whale show and loving it!

Cotton candy mustaches for the win! :)

The kids LOVED the tide pools. These little fish sat and nibbled on your fingers so of course we had to stay for a while for this one ;).

Tiny wonders....

So many new rides to explore!

Yay for kiddie rides!

Thumbs up for a successful day at Sea World!

On Saturday we spent the day at Mission Beach with our good friends Susie and Brian and their little ones, Wayne and baby Clark :). Susie was my college roommate and best friend! I love her so much and we try to get together whenever we are in California where they live. The kids spent the whole day playing in the sand, collecting sand dollars and seashells, and feeding the seagulls. Meanwhile, the adults talked and talked while listening to music and just soaking up the sound of children laughing and the ocean tides rolling. I was in my happy place and wished the day would never end. I snuggled baby Clark almost the entire time and soaked up his new baby cuddles. It helped ease the loss of my own little one by having a baby to love on; almost therapeutic. Susie and Brian have a townhouse in San Diego so after our amazing day of playing at the beach, we went over to their house for dinner! It was so fun! We bathed the sand off of all of our kiddos in the bath while the Dad's went out and got us some BBQ food for dinner. Then we put on a movie for the kids upstairs while the adults hung out downstairs and watched a movie. It was the perfect end to such a wonderful day :).

My happy place :).

All our babies playing in the sand. The whole day was so picturesque!

We found all sorts of new things on Mission Beach. Even the sea weed was different from what we were used to at Huntington beach!

My favorite part was  when Austin looked up at me and said, "I like the way you think Mom, you're always coming up with good adventures." And in that moment my heart smiled and all I could think was "THIS is what it's all about. All the hurt, all the pain, all the years of no sleep. THIS right here."

Feeding the greedy seagulls who basically ate ALL of our food and kept coming back for more! The kids didn't mind ;).

Feeding the birds with Susie...

It is so fun having memories with my friend from our college days and the crazy teens we were back then, and now maintaining that friendship as adults with our own little ones. It's not as exciting, but it's definitely wonderful!

Our little beach babe :).

My best friend and soul sister, and her beautiful new baby! I love you Susie-Q!

The sand at Mission beach was smooth with no seashells. It was very different from what we were used to. There were, however, a TON of sand dollars and Austin made it his mission to find them all!

Austin found a new sea creature that we had never seen before!

And then of course he threw it..... boys :).

On Sunday we spent a second day at Sea World and did all the things we didn't do on the first day. The dolphin show was amazing and the kids loved visiting the penguins and feeding the flamingos. Everything was so expensive there, but we did find a gift shop that we could actually afford for the kids to spend their saved up money. Austin bought a set of best friends necklaces and gave one to his Daddy. It was the sweetest thing in the world! They were mood necklaces where the penguin pendant changes colors with your mood. So Austin was constantly asking Josh what color his necklace was and if he knew what his necklace says, just in case Josh forgot who his best friend is :). Evie also bought a penguin necklace,  but she didn't want the best friends one like her brother, she wanted her own individual necklace as if asserting her independence as she has so often been doing lately. Oh the joys of your babies growing up.... As the sun began to set and the weather grew colder, we sadly said goodbye to Sea World and all of our marine friends. The kids were tired from their big adventures but oh so happy.... we all were :).

Our second day was more sunny and warm than the first; perfect for a full day outdoors!

Oh Evie, your adventurous soul and contagious smile makes every vacation one in a million!

Austin and Daddy showing off their new best friends necklaces :). I love that Austin loves his Daddy so much and I love that Josh wore his necklace proudly :). This crew melts my heart on a daily basis!

This was the first trip where the kids asked to ride the rides by themselves! It was definitely a milestone and I didn't know if I should be proud or cry!

They were so proud of themselves for being big enough to ride alone! I couldn't belive Austin went on this one alone, but he did!!

The flamingos were so beautiful! We bought food to feed them but they were rather snobbish and refused to eat it. But the pigeons, however, came right up to us and ate out of our hands! So it definitely a win in our book!

We slept in on Monday morning and then slowly made our way to check out of the Hilton Garden Hotel. We felt so much more relaxed and energized than when we had checked in, which was precisely the point of this vacation and  we would do it all again in a heartbeat! Sometimes life throws you lemons and you have to do your best to make lemonade. This was our lemonade and I wouldn't have had it any other way :).