Christmas Blessings

We had a great Christmas, I even got a new camera to take some fun pictures with! There just won't be any for a little while because our computer got a virus and I don't want to download them onto my father-in-law's laptop that we're borrowing (thanks!).
Anyways, our Christmases are always busy, with both families in town, and even some extended family. So we're always back and forth to parties and gatherings. I was feeling a little tired and frustrated because we have not a lot of money right now and baby #3 on the way. But I was wrapping presents at about 10:15pm when the kids were asleep on Christmas Eve when Dave and I hear this boom that sounds like it's on our front porch. I tell Dave to check it out and he says the neighbor's house is on fire! We ran outside and the neighbors across the street had flames pouring from their front porch! As we went outside, the firetrucks were coming down the street (we live close to a fire station...what a blessing!) They were fast. So we stood there and watched as 8 firetrucks pulled up and battled the blaze...and all I could think is, "What if that was us?" I felt so bad for our neighbors (who I had only talked to for the first time a few days ago), but so blessed that my kids were safe asleep in bed and that we had a roof over our heads, clothes and food, Dave has a job, and we even have some presents and a tree for Christmas. So, even though we weren't able to get all the latest gadgets and toys that we'd love, we definitely had everything that we need. I think God has a way of helping to put things in perspective for us. (And our neighbor has a lot of family around, so she has a place to stay. And I don't think the house is a total loss either.)
Merry Christmas and thank goodness for all that we have!

Christmas Lights Video

Dave found this video and my kids love to watch it over and over. I've never seen anything like this in real life. Maybe we'll try it on our house next year. :)

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is going to the Christmas lights at the Mesa temple. We weren't disappointed. Will and Mckenzie are getting to the ages where they're excited about everything so it was fun to take them. We also got to hear a bell choir rehearsing.


One of our projects has been a Fall garden. Here is our first harvest! We had a salad for dinner with all the spinach I picked.


Dave spent last Saturday constructing a desk for our kitchen. This is going to be the new home for our computer (after a little rewiring). I'm excited to get it out of the baby's room!

Thanksgiving

We kept pretty busy this Thanksgiving. We had lots of family things on both sides so we did lots of fun things. Here's just a little bit:

We went on a little hike on Saturday with the kids. (We decided this is the time of year in Arizona to go hiking.)
Will and Mckenzie with their California cousin.


Will and Mckenzie with Grampa Strong and their California cousins.


Will and his California cousins.


Dave's family has a tradition of a family dance. I had never been before. My family all wondered what kind of a dance you would take kids to. We had fun.
Will wanted Dave to help with this line dance.


Will even got asked to dance by his cousin.


We got Will and Mckenzie to dance together for a few minutes.


A Strong Thanksgiving tradition is the Great Turkey, which leaves a gift for the kids. They just have to unwrap it first. (You can see the turkey-it's small.)


Mckenzie and her cousin in the bouncer. She kept wanting to go inside, even though most of the kids were bigger than her.


This is just a random video I shot of the kids playing together on the swings. I love when they play together happily!