a busy couple of weeks

new baby Carson

new loving big sisters who LOVE to help

Cousins Chaela and Joci, Aunt Caitlyn and Uncle Willy all come to visit

Grandpa and Grandma visit (My mother-in-law is amazing, by the way. She stayed for an entire week to help me exclusively. My kitchen sparkled! I was so spoiled.)

We put up TWO Christmas trees. haha.

And Macie is just, well, simply awesome. Her personality is really coming out now.

We even managed to squeeze in a visit to Santa. Too bad he was the grouchiest Santa in the entire world--look at him glaring at us! Macie could obviously sense his disdain for children.

As for me, on my own with three kids, I'm doing pretty well. Hopefully soon I won't just feel like I'm surviving, but I'll be thriving! Besides my shock and dismay when it took almost two hours yesterday to just get three kids ready and out the door, I'm doing great. My "to do" lists have remained purposely small, and I'm enjoying watching the girls love their baby brother. Yay for families! I sure love mine, my husband and kids just bring me so much joy. And I am especially thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ this time of year, and the knowledge that we can live together forever as a family. Ah, I have so many blessings...