Christmas Eve

 We spent Christmas in our home in Sandy with just our little family. It was wonderful, lovely, and everything great.  I love being with my extended family during Christmas; I love the parties, the entertainment, the craziness of it all, but now that I have my own little family I really just like being with them.  It's not very often that we are able to sit back and just relax and enjoy being together without an agenda or to-do list hanging over our heads.  It was peaceful, calm, and exciting.  The kids were so nice to each other. There was a special spirit in our home the couple days leading up to Christmas and I am so grateful for that.

Last year we went home to Boise for Christmas so we could bless Kate with all the family around.  Reece was so mad we couldn't have our own Christmas with our family in OUR HOME and so we promised him we would spend this year at our home with no one else.  I am actually thankful we made that promise to him-- it was a beautiful and unifying couple days.

Here are some of the things we did:

*Spencer took Reece and Benson snow skiing

...Tanner and Kate napped while I wrapped Christmas presents while watching a Hallmark Christmas show-- my favorite!!

*Spence took Reece and Benson to the new Star Wars movie (huge success!)

----Another afternoon of Kate napping, Tanner watching movie downstairs, and me wrapping the rest of the Christmas presents while watching another cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie!

*Went on a night drive looking at beautiful Christmas lights while eating McDonalds in the car for Dinner.  People here in Utah have some amazing shows with lights that dance to music. We ended at the Draper Temple. My favorite part of the night was when we were at the Temple talking about the real meaning of Christmas.  The kids were all saying how Christmas is really about Christ and the gospel.  They had such sweet things to say-- it made my heart burst.

*Delivered Cookie Dough to neighbors and friends

*played in the Snow and found a SWEET sledding hill where the boys got a ton of air.  Some twenty year old guys thought the boys were so cool.  They were taking picture of them sledding off this crazy jump-- they were loving the attention.

Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve:

The boys have all loved the train set that goes around the tree.  We started putting presents under the tree and so we moved it to under the Piano.  That train has entertained my children for countless hours over the years.

Kate was her usual sweet self.  She just "bum scooted" around the house and then when she wanted to be picked up she would put her hands up in the air and look at me with this darling face!

After the boys came home from the Star Wars movie we opened our presents from Grandma and Grandpa Miller.  They each got a lego set and pajamas from Canada that had a book that matched the pajamas.  The boys quickly started on their lego sets which gave Spencer and I the perfect amount of time to put together our traditional Christmas Puzzle.  This year our puzzle was of the BYU stadium which is fitting for our family-- our boys have become avid fans since moving to Utah.  We watched one of our all time favorite cheesy Hallmark movies "It's the most wonderful time of the year".  It was a perfect afternoon.

We then made a delicious dinner with ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, jello, corn and a delicious drink mixed with juice and sprite. We cleaned up and then had our Christmas Eve program that included singing Christmas songs next to the piano and then reading and acting our Luke 2.  It was a beautiful night.  Spencer read "The Mansion" to the boys while they were laying in bed.  It's one of President Monsons favorite books to read around Christmas time.  It had a beautiful message. 

Good news! The kids were awesome this year and Santa Came! See next post for details.

Gingerbread houses

Candice, Kayle and the girls are staying with us while Kayle works for the National Guard.  They joined us for our FHE gingerbread making night.  It was a big success-- luckily we had lots of leftover Halloween candy I pulled out of the cupboard (my kids never eat their candy so it just sits in the cupboard and gets hard and nasty until I throw it out).  It was fun watching the kids be creative and get excited about their personal houses. Good work kids!

Christmas Tree 2015

The first saturday in December we were lucky enough to have Spencer home for the afternoon! He had to work a half day-- but it still gave us time to get a Christmas tree and then have date nights with Reece and Benson.  We started out at a tree lot right next to our house.  I didn't love any of the trees. At one point we decided on a tree but while we were waiting for the employee to help us I got serious anxiety --over a tree…I know it's pathetic.  I didn't love the tree and I was already getting buyers remorse.  So we decided to hold off and look somewhere else.  We went across the street to Home Depot and found this beauty! Not only is it HUGE and beautiful, but it was priced as a 6-7 ft tree instead of it's actual 9 feet! It seriously looks so beautiful in our home. 

We came home and decorated the tree.  The kids were pretty cute.  They each hung their ornaments that they feel connected to (some they made at school and others were given to them).  Benson was really cute- he kept looking at the tree and moving ornaments around.  After we were done and getting ready for dinner I noticed Benson starring at the tree and moving ornaments here and there to make it look "just right!" Having children help decorate and put their taste into the tree makes it all that much better.

That night I tried to get a babysitter but no one could come.  The Primary president found out we needed someone and volunteered to come over. It was the nicest things-- we hardly know her.  I am grateful for her kindness and for blessing our family that night.  Reece had Jazz tickets from his basketball team and so him and Spencer went to the game.  Benson and I had tickets with some kids from his classroom to the Utah Symphony and so we were able to attend that concert! Benson was HILARIOUS-- he was so well behaved which was impressive because it was a long concert.  His favorite part was racing me to the concert hall.  I asked him if he would be my concert buddy and he said, "well, maybe Reece and I can switch off.  Except if you'll wear your running shoes each times then I want to come so I can race you".  I love his fun heart! He makes me smile.  And I know Reece and Spencer had a great time at the game too!

GIRLS TRIP-- Minnesota

My Mother was super sweet and came down to watch my kids for the weekend while I flew to Minneapolis for a girls weekend with Cassi, Ashley and Heidi.  It was a much needed break.  I have missed these girls more than you'll ever know.  I don't have the same support system here in Utah like I had in Minnesota.  When I landed in Minnesota I honestly started bawling.   The lady next to me probably thought there was something wrong with me.  It felt so good to be back-- I definitely left a piece of my heart here.

The girls picked me up and we headed to the Mall of America. We shopped until we dropped! Honestly, it was the most fun I've had in a while.  My parents had given me some Christmas money and so I didn't even have to stress about spending it-- and I had great company to help me shop!  It makes me giddy thinking about it! We shopped until we were kicked out of the mall.  Ashely would take pictures of us in outfits to convince us they were cute! Heidi was a real trooper and at 20plus weeks pregnant walked the mall and Cassi was hilarious at Victoria Secret! We ended the day at "Glam Doll donuts".  Oh, and I can't forget when we pulled up to the hotel and thought we were talking to the valley guy but really he was just a guy standing there (he was colored and it totally looked like we were racist). 

Saturday morning we woke up and ate at "Hells kitchen".  It's a popular breakfast joint in downtown Minneapolis.  Then we went to the Temple and did initiatory's.  It felt good to be in the Temple.  We ran back to the hotel and changed and met Staci and Alissa at the theatre.  We watched Holidaze by Cirque du solie.  I really liked the show-- I've always wanted to see one. 

 We then went to the Cheesecake Factory and met up with the rest of our friends who came up from Rochester.  We were there chatting and hanging out for 5 hours! At one point during dinner I had the thought "this isn't my normal anymore".  It was honestly a little shocking because it felt so normal.  It felt like any other fun girls night.  We've had so many of those in Rochester and it felt like Heidi and I had never moved away.  I immediately started to get teary-eyed and then shoved the thought to mars so I could enjoy the moment instead of be sad about not being around these girls everyday.  I really like my new life in Utah, but I desperately miss being around these girls.  They are some of the most amazing woman you will encounter-- for real.  I love being around them because I want to be a better person.  They each are so talented in their own way, they are strong, they are independent and self-motivated, they are amazing mothers, they have strong testimonies and are charitable and kind.  They are everything I want to be and when I'm around them I naturally want to be a better person.  I miss there influences in my life.  I miss watching them interact with their children.  I just miss them soooo much.  But, I have to be grateful for the experiences I had with them and try to happy that I knew them instead of cry because I live so far from them.  

My trip was just what I needed. I came home energized and recharged.  Sometimes as a mom you don't get a lot of breaks to clear your head and have fun with no stress!! This trip was simply amazing.  I love these girls so much.  We have HILARIOUS text messages almost daily.  They keep me sane and make me laugh out loud!! Thanks girls for the best trip ever.  I am still giddy about it-- whenever people ask me how my trip was I get a huge smile and started laughing! 

And Thanks Mom and Spencer for taking care of the kiddos so I could go stress-free!

Did I also mention that I read an entire book!! I read "Edenbrook" and it was a perfect getaway book! I finished it right as the plane landed in SLC! It felt so good to read a book without feeling guilty that I should be reading a parenting book instead! :)

Ps. I love the picture of us girls wearing the same shirt (yes we all bought it on purpose--isn't it so cute)! haha! My eyes are soooo tired they look Chinese! Makes me laugh every time I look at it.  We may have stayed up until 1:30am talking!

Thanksgiving--Boise

Thanksgiving at Miller's 2015

Spencer drove through a crazy snow storm Wednesday night so he could be here for Thanksgiving.  There were many points in the trip where he couldn't see the road and was just following car lights in front of him or the map on his phone.  At one point he decided to pull over in Twin Falls and get a hotel.  After a couple minutes he passed the Jerome sign and realized he had completely passed Twin Falls without seeing any signs, lights, or anything.  It was a little frightening to say the least.  I followed him on my phone app that tracks where people are.  I was so relived to have him home!

Thanksgiving day was a blast.  I did the girls hair and then the kids and I made "turkey juice" for their drinks.  Benson had made them for his Market day at school and wanted to make them for the cousins for thanksgiving.  We made some delicious food that included ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, pretzel jello salad, green bean casserole, stuffing and homemade rolls.  It was a feast! 

We looked at black friday deals, watched a movie, and just had fun being together.  I felt like I didn't see my kids the entire trip because they were having so much fun with the cousins.  They all get along so well-- it makes me happy seeing them together.  They laugh and play and can be so creative together.  We are blessed to have such great cousins. 

Visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Dunkley!  They are 91 and 94 years old! Whenever I ask my Grandpa how he's doing he replies with "I'm excellent-- how are you Juliann?" My Grandma is always so sweet and wants to hear me and my children play the piano.  They really are an impressive couple.  They have both achieved so much in life not only with the Music store, but also in church callings and throughout the community.  Their biggest achievement has been their family.  They have a HUGE posterity and almost all are active members of the church.  That is their greatest joy and biggest success in life.  I hope to be like them someday.

Natalie is honestly always photo bombing Nicoles pictures.  Life would be boring without her.

My Dad tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball with the Young Men (he's the YM president in his ward). He's been riding around the store on this scooter. He's been an amazing patient and his foot has healed a lot faster than expected.  He doesn't ever complain about it even though its caused him a lot of pain and inconvenience.  It's hard for my Dad to sit down even for a minute so you can imagine how hard it's been to have this "handicap".

Christmas Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Dunkley's

My parents made a DELICIOUS dinner! All of us except for Spencer were there. We had a hilarious dinner with Matt and Rich adding serious entertainment.  At the end my parents gave us their presents.  My Mom thought she was so funny and gave us a Christmas card with nothing in it-- and thoroughly enjoyed us opening them to find nothing in them.  Then she gave us another present with some cash in it! My Dad got giddy and said there were two rules: 1) you decide how to spend your money and your spouse can't influence it and 2) you have to do something fun! My parents have been very generous and it definitely helps with the holidays.  I decided to take my money and spend it on my girls trip in Minnesota with Ashley, Heidi and Cassi.  We spent a day at The Mall of America and seriously shopped til' we dropped! It was the best weekend-- for real! Thanks Dad and Mom!

On Saturday we threw a bridal shower for Heather and then the kids seriously just played and played and played all day together.  It was a blast.  I enjoyed being with my Mom and sisters.  We went to Dunkley Music and checked out the new store, took the kids to Maverick for slurpees, & went to lunch with my Grandma, Mom and Kristi.

For Christmas this year we decided as sisters that instead of giving gifts to each other we would go have an "experience" together.  We all went to get pedicures-- our FAVORITE!!! It was soooo much fun.  It's nice to get away with just my Mom and sisters without any distractions and just be doing something fun.  I'm pretty lucky to have these sisters of mine! Matt was super nice and watched ALL the kids!! hahaha! Good thing he has a good sense of humor. :)

Me and the kids having fun driving from Utah to Boise! We always stop in Burley at the Subway for some food.  The first part of the drive the kids play and are seriously so cute together! I LOVE listening to them talk and laugh together.  The last half we turn a movie on.  Luckily the drive went really well and even Kate behaved the entire trip.  We are blessed and grateful for "Herbie" our Sienna van that takes us on these fun adventures.