It’s all about the Memories.

I love the kids face when they see what was brought for them.

I think the anticipation of what’s inside is where the magic lies.

Santa brought our family a kindle HD. We are having lots of fun with it.

We tried to stick to our normal four gifts:

Something you want. Something you need. Something to wear, and Something to read.

We have done this since Jex was a baby.

This year we kind of failed miserably at keeping to that.

Oh. well. We will try again next year.

I think I started buying too early; and then forgot what I had bought.

Next year, I think I will start shopping on December 17th or so; and then my memory won’t fail me. (wink wink)

Along with the gifts from us; grandparent, aunts, uncles and cousins sent gifts to be placed under the tree.

It was nice to feel their love; even while we were so far away.

My favorite moment was watching them play with it all.

While I was making breakfast, Jex was riding his rip stick through the kitchen. Isaac was building Legos in the dining room, and Stella was giving Tess a pedicure in her new pink tent.

AWE. the memories.

Jonathan had a great Christmas as well. His favorite gift was his new acoustic guitar.

Which he is teaching himself to play with a little help from you tube. It is so fun listening to him play and sing.

Of course, my husband spoiled me. He surprised me with a massage table.

(taken with my iphone)

I have had some upper shoulder/neck problems this year. Instead of buying me a year’s worth of massage he brought the table to me. What a thoughtful gift. He is the sweetest man; and best husband EVER.

He also surprised me with a new coat, and concert tickets.

My sister sent this beautiful necklace. It says I love you to the moon and back. Which is something I say to my kids everyday. It also has all their names on it. I cried.

Speaking of. You can download this little printable here. I have had it in my house for quite some time.

Here what it looks like in our new house.

I also made this print for Valentines, and since it is right around the corner; you might be interested in it.

Can be found here.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Ours was beautiful and memorable.

Our kids have already started counting down the days until next year.

I have decided that they are not counting down because of the gifts; they are counting down because of the memories.

… and I love that; all the way to the moon and back.

Simple things Sunday…

Every week Rebecca at simple as that hosts this link up.  You post a nice simple photograph to share.  I mean to do this every week, and then the weekend gets away from me.  This week; I AM NOT FORGETTING.

Here is my simple things photograph:

Snowy Hydrangea.

I am in love with Hydrangea’s and couldn’t resist snapping this simple flower dried up from the cold; still holding its shape out in the winter storm.

It really is the simple things.

Linking up to Simple things Sunday.

Not a creature was stirring…

So I am interrupting myself.  I think it is okay to interrupt when you are doing it to yourself.

I will continue on with my year in review; but it was high time that I shared some Christmas pictures on this blog.

Christmas always means a lot of pictures.  I think for everyone.  So of course for me; it means an awful lot of pictures.  I have a problem.  A serious picture taking problem.  I think I need help.

I thought a good place to start would be Christmas Eve.

We started the morning out by making some cookies for the big man.

I must say I am finally able to give the kids full reign of the frosting and sprinkles.  Ok.  So I guess my kids growing up does have some benefits.

During the after noon, we watched as the sky made it preparations for Santa.  It let down just enough snow for Santa to use his sleigh.

(taken with my iphone)

Sleigh Bells ring are you listening?

I prepared a nice little Christmas meal.

I love sharing fancy meals with my family.

After dinner it was time for our Christmas traditions.

We all presented our gift to the Savior; which is goal to change for the better.  We put them in a white box and placed them under the tree; after we read our goals from the previous years.

The kids always open two gifts on Christmas Eve.

Pajamas(made by me)

Ornaments.

The ornaments represent each child.

Jex: Star; because he shines in everything he does

Stella: White snowflake to represent baptism

Isaac: bird because he flew off to Kindergarten

Tessa:  A Santa because he is the magic of Christmas, and Tess is the magic of our house.

Then we laid out the goodies for the big man, and a few for our Elf.

 

The kids went to bed, and within 20 minutes…

Not a creature was stirring.  REALLY!! Not one sound.

They fell asleep so fast.

With visions of Sugar plums…

and they dreamed and hope that Santa would come…

…and he did.

Christmas morning coming soon.

Year in Review; April to June

This is our year in pictures; part two.

Easter 2012; family egg hunt; coloring eggs; a little money in the eggs; glow in the dark egg hunt; General Conference weekend; Jex takes a field trip to the crystal mines; Jex earns several scout badges; Tess is always in to something girly

Jonathan and I take a trip back to the island of Saba, the island we lived on for two years; enjoy eating at some of our favorite restaurants; going on hikes; hanging out on one of our favorite places; kids enjoy their last days at school; saying goodbye to friends; big fun day at school; moving out of our home after four years

Summer vacation in Utah; hanging out with all our cousins; visiting Logan; summer days at the park; picnic at Ruby’s grave; letting balloons off to Ruby; hike to the Grotto with our cousins; daddy makes a surprise visit to UT; summer water fun at Nanny and Poppy’s; Father’s day with our Grandpa’s; surprise birthday party before we leave UT

For the first installment go here.

A year in review; picture style

In honor of a New Year, I love to reflect on the beautiful moments from the previous year.

Once again, I have put together collages that pretty much sum up 2012 for our family.

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite posts to go back to. 

I love having one spot that reminds me of just how amazing our year was.

I am going to break this up in to quarters; so as not to bombard you with our whole year at once.

My next few posts will just be family memories from 2012. 

I wouldn’t want to start out 2013 here at J and A & Company,  any other way.

Plus; I have a lot of things to catch up on around home so this is a good way for me to share something here on my blog.

Enjoy January, February,  and March 2012 with the Swenson family:

We make a visit to Houston to see the Moes family for New Years; the daddies put on quite the fireworks show; Tess hates fireworks; Swenson kids and Moes kids enjoy being together; Isaac enjoys hanging out with his buddies; Stella tries out her new camera; Tess loves on Rapunzel; Stella is a good mother to Tess

Jex and Stella go to their first concert; a small event with Josh Turner and Lauren Alaina; kids play icecream quiz for FHE; Tess is always dressing up and jumping on mom’s bed; kids get creative with their toys; we take a trip to Branson and play at an indoor water park; the kids celebrate Valentines at school

We decide to enjoy Spring Break at home; hanging outside in the warm weather; teaching the kids to make breakfast; putting together puzzles; Garvin Gardens for the beautiful flowers; making the kids eat snack in the sink because I hate crumbs; Jex plays baseball; and makes a bond with his coach; I see Hunger Games with some friends; Potty train Tess

Collage Templates made by the amazing and talented Rebecca from Simple as that.

You can find our collages from 2011 here and here.