Christmas Tree LOVE. December. Christmas has arrived

It's done, the tree is UP! and it feels like home.

home~home~home!

It's cozy, warm and happy in the Stott household!

I bought a new tree last year for our new house and

(lucky for us!) it fits great in this house too!

In fact, we have a perfect spot for it.

the kids could NOT wait to put the tree up, decorate the house,

put lights up, wreaths, Christmas dec's...everywhere.

It creates such a cozy atmosphere.

Nostalgia. traditions. Kids love it.

Over the Thanksgiving break, we did just that.

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving week!

Our first away!

I was worried it wouldn't "feel the same" w/o family.

But it was great.

Ashlyn and I did our Turkey Trot race in the morning

and (post to come!)

then we cooked a storm up in the kitchen and

headed over to the ward for our Thanksgiving.

Not one house could hold all us! 12 adults, 30 kids

The Rennakers, Coons, Bagleys, Shcramms, Stout's and Stott's

met up for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.

We all ate and sat and talked the afternoon away.

The kids loved hanging out and playing.

They are from ages 18 months up to 12.

They all know eachother well and are buds.

Then the rest of the weekend... Black Friday shopping!

I am about done. Ry and I hit some amazing deals

on Amazon the night before. THen on Friday (Black Friday)

I went to Target, Macey's, Costco and the mall. I loved it.

7 hours of crazy deals!

WE then went to movies, watched football, hung with friends,

and decorated the house top to bottom!

I loved the kids out of school and the time we got to hang together as a family.
Now off to our first of many Christmas FHE..

Pick secret names for service and fill Baby Jesus's manger for Christmas!

yay!



Merry Christmas MONTH!

A lovely cold Christmas evening with the girls....

wow! It's cold outside.

Before girls night, I hurried and shoveled the walks!

(I love shoveling snow! I tell Ry he has to let me do it!

Something about being outside in a snow storm!)

It was 15 degrees as a high!

As I was shoveling, Mace dressed himself

with his pj bottoms, leather church shoes, and his jacket backwards to come out and help me. He brought his trusty blue plastic shovel.

Thought it was sweet.

(but he actually shoveled ALL the snow back onto the sidewalk:)

And thanks to the girls for another lovely

Christmas evening.

"
I have the best friends.

We ate dinner at Archibald Gardner's village.

Friendships going on 10 years strong!
Love these girls.

I do believe we were all meant to meet in our first River bottom ward...we have all shared life experiences together, had our kids together, laughed, and cried and love and supported one another through lifes UPs and DOWNs.

(and we have all had our share!)

WE have all moved all over the valley but still get together AT least once a month for dinner...thanks Janet for driving from Wyoming! Our kids grew up together so we still try to have them meet up at the pools and parks!

They are like sisters to me and I value this group of girlies so much!

Oh btw, we sat by the C U T E S T table of old(er) ladies....

You could tell they were all the best of friends.

We all tried to decide if they were "life long" friends like us.
After they were finished eating, we asked them how long they have been friends, and they sweetly responded,

" they have been friends for 40 PLUS years!"

SO great, we love it. We all said that will be US too!

What an awesome group of ladies!

Here is a pic of them:

It was a great night and I feel so lucky to have such great friends in my life.

During this season, it's so important to relfect on all our blessings and realize the value of family and friends...that's what it is all about!

Thanks girls!

When we left that snowy night, it was sooo cold.

4 degrees!

But right now I love it.....

it is perfect and charming for Christmas!
Off for more Christmas fun!

Ry's highschool friends and wives coming over tomorrow night for our annual christmas party...I got lots and lots and lots to do! We love this night with the group. Ry's been friends with these boys since 5th grade! These are his friends he will have for life...!

(and I decided to put up all my trees from the ward Christmas party! I have the trees so why not! I put this by the computer in the office so I can enjoy it!)

Okay, 16 more days till Christmas!
Merry Christmas week to you! xo