The Hustle and Bustle of it All ( And Baby Name Ideas for Chris and Sarah)

The Holiday season seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. It was busy to be sure. With the Festival of Trees that I had to produce a million crafts for, to Raia's myriad trips to the doctor's office to take care of the toe she all but severed, to the electrical fire in our security light, the minor flood in our laundry room that alerted us that our water heater needed to be replaced, ward parties and school reports, shopping and more shopping . . . we actually had a wonderful time. All those events made life difficult, but they surely didn't damper our spirits. I feel like we are a t really good place in life right now. As long as we have each other, it seems we can get through anything. Come what may and love it. (not that I am trying to tempt fate- knock on wood)

We were so excited for my family to come and visit us over Christmas break. Any time we get to spend together we cherish because it happens all to infrequently. It was also exciting because Chris and Sarah were going to be with us for at least one day before they went on to visit with Sarah's side of the family in Utah and then onto Idaho. Also, Sean and Shannon were coming to bless little Aarilynn, so it was a week of special occasions for our family.
Years ago, I showed pictures of demolished tile in our master bathroom and didn't show anything of it after because , well, frankly , it still isn't done. The tile of course went up right a way and I love it, we got a new mirror (which I would like to frame) and we had to get a new shower door because our contractor accidentally broke our old one (which was okay because it was ugly) but it still need to finish some areas that need the floor board put back up and Maybe a few more decorations here and there, but this is what it looks like now on one side of the room.

I think I want to put a gassy looking wreath above this picture the color of raffia.

This little plaque was a souvenir from the BYUH bookstore . . .

I also made a few gifts to give . . .like this headband:

and this headband:

and this headband:

And this temple picture for Chris and Sarah that I took and the aged and then personalized and then modge podged onto a tile:

I also made these thumb print cookies topped with raspberry jam and Natalie's delicious homemade vanilla spice pear jam and then drizzled with white chocolate! MMM! And I also made some coconut macaroons.

The thumbprint cookies were easy because you start with this bag and then add three tbls flour. The recipe was on the back of the bag if you want to try it!

Then Christmas morning . . . Ahhhh. The best thing about it is the anticipation of it all. Like the little girl on kid history who said that "Christmas is a time of joy and wonder . . . like you wonder when you are going to open presents."

Oh yeah, I also made the two pink and white polka dotted stockings:)

Someone adopted us this year and spoiled us with presents and food.

Love these expressions:

Cambria wore this hat for a week straight.

We had 9 am church so we let the kids open their present from Santa and their stocking before we got ready and i have to say, we could have stopped right their. The kids were so happy and so content with their ONE present. I thought it was so great that they didn't keep asking to open more because they were so happy with what they had.

Thank You Grandma!

We went to Jim and Cathy's house for Christmas dinner and had a wonderful time, although Malachi did spend some of his time hiding behind this blanket for some unknown reason.

Cathy read the kids a Christmas story . . .

And later that night we got some visitors!!! It was so fun to have a full house!

Chris and Sarah shared their exciting news with us . . . they are expecting in August!

Baby Aarilynn was blessed at our chapel two days after Christmas and I got to do a mini photo shoot with her.

We took a family picture because we are NEVER all together.

The Davis Clan

Brothers (minus one who was taking care of his baby)

Mom and Dad - they just celebrated their anniversary . . . um, 22 years I think??

Siblings

And since Chris and Sarah are expecting and we found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands we (as in the Kai DAvis Family) compiled a list of baby names that celebrate the Island that they just left and the Hawaiian links that this baby has:

For a Girl: Oahu, Corra, Coral, Roxy, Misty, Oceana, Summer, Sunnie, Waverly, Kahana, Isla, Lani, Coco (as in coconut:)) China (as in China Man's Hat), Pali, Lilo, Lolo

For A Boy: Finn, Oahu, Rusty, Sandler, Ocean, Boarder, Current, Kawela, Sonny, Cannon, Palmer, Mana Pua, Kalua, Loco Moco, Tide

And if they Want to use the initials of TVA, where they lived:

For a girl:

Tylee Vanessa Anne

Tiana Vivienne Agatha

Talullah Violet Abrielle

For a boy:

Tyson Vance Adam

Terrell Verden Aiden

Thor Vilhelm Ansel

Or If they Want to use the BYUH Initals:

For A Girl:

Brielle Yolanda Urania Helene

Blythe Yasi Uma Hadley

For A Boy:

Brett Yardly Umberto Horrace

Brennon Yosef Ulises Howard

You are welcome guys. I know you will study that list nightly until you pick exactly the right name.