Quick Christmas Recap

Christmas is long over, but I need to post a few pics that bring me joy when I look back on our time with loved ones.

It was a blessed time for both our families, as it's been a couple years since we have all been together! It was such a treat to be at home!

As usual, my mother in law looked lovely on Christmas Eve.

Matt with Beth and Andrew... probably the first time the three of them have been together since Beth's wedding. Aren't they cute!? I think Matt needs a pair of glasses to match the family.

As usual, this one stole all our hearts. Corinne is just precious!

Christmas Eve at Gran's was as delightful as usual. Lucas is taking his place between two of his favorites; Daddy and Uncle Andrew!

 As tradition would have it, we spent a few days before Christmas with Matt's family. On Christmas Eve, we made the short trip back to Portland to spend the remainder of the holiday with my family. Christmas morning was splendid!

Love this girl... can't imagine a good Christmas without my sister.

This would be a traditional looking Cates family tree. Toys and ornaments aplenty. The bike and dog are Lucas'... which frankly are probably the coolest gifts "Santa" could have ever brought!

Love my family.

Giving Lucas a family-filled Christmas is so meaningful and I'm excited to imagine the positive memories he will have with each year following. I have a warm heart when it comes to Christmas, and I only hope he will too!

Sunny Easter Sunday

As Christ followers, we gladly celebrate and honor Easter Sunday. It is a beautiful thing to believe in a self-sacrificing god and after this day, I am always left with a strong feeling of gratitude.

Being near family this year was a real treat, even of I did miss my friends and community in Salt Lake! Even still, Lucas was able to enjoy the holiday treats and festivities with his cousin Brooklynn and we've yet to do that till now.

It would have been a perfect day if we were with Matt, but I can't overlook all the fun we had in the beautiful sunshine, the meaningful church service and time well spent with those we love!

Valentines Day

I love this holiday... not for the chocolates, romance (which is nice) or gifts, but because it allows us to take a day out of our busy schedules to recognize those we care deeply for.

Lucas cares deeply for his friends... leaving church talking about Rowan, or Cole or Josh (I haven't the faintest idea why he'd be saying our worship pastor's name...but he does). Before nap time he says: Night friends!

Children have such a nifty way of loving each other, in spite of the age differences, developmental changes and normal disagreements.

Evidently licking is way children show love too.

Lucas is probably closest to Aviana and Alidia... Cole coming in right next to the girls. When left to their own devices I see the many ways love is expressed between all of them; wrestling, make-believe time, snuggling on the couch in front of a movie, snacks shared together, and plain ol' mischievousness.

Aviana is quick to help Lucas when he falls or when he can't maneuver a toy on his own. Alidia is always willing to make Lucas laugh and is the first to pull him into a running frenzy (this is Lucas' idea of Heaven). Both girls are patient with Lucas and yet when necessary, remind him when his behavior is not okay. Essentially, they're willing to both love Lucas through teaching and play.

Cookies and hot cocoa....what a great way to celebrate Valentines!

He sure loves his friends... especially the ones we live with!

Banner Of Love

Valentines is just around the corner (I can't believe it!) and with that comes the opportunity to do a few few crafty things. A great way to get in the spirit of any holiday is with a little banner. Really, a banner can look any way you want, which makes it a craft truly you thought of on your own.

It was fun to dig out an older photo of Matt and I... I think we were dating here. I love crafts that involve photos... which in turn, involve memories.

With that in mind, I did not think of this on my own. Aimee did, and her's is lovely.

What type of decorations do you have with the Valentine holiday?