The Holidays. Part Two - The Sounds.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Yar!

Music is a HUGE part of my family - and a HUGE part of our holidays.

Every year we get together to sing carols - our favorite one being -

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Yar!

Are you wondering why I keep spelling Year - Yar?

Because we actually sing it Yar!

Years ago when we started this tradition, someone (my mom?) spelled year wrong on this song when she was typing up all the words to the songs.

We always get a good laugh at it... and we LOVE singing it that way... ITS OUR TRADITION!

We always get to hear and sing Matt's BEAUTIFUL original Christmas Carol.

And the kids (and adults) have lots of fun playing the chimes.

We finish up the night by decorating some delicious gingerbread men.

And Chad and I are feeling INCREDIBLY grateful for the beautiful SOUNDS of the Holidays.

PS.  No pics of this, but, Michael McClean's The Forgotton Carols Concert is another great "sounds" tradition.  We go every year thanks to Chad's fabulous Mom - It is also one of our favorites!

Stay tuned for Part Three - Each Other.

The Holidays. Part One - The Sights.

We spent the holidays enjoying.

Enjoying the sights, the sounds, each other, the magic and our loved ones.

One night, we spent an evening in the city with some of our favorite people,
enjoying the sights and the spirit of Christmas at Temple Square.
It was cold and beautiful!

 

  

  

What a special place to take in the sights of Christmas!

I am always amazed at all the millions of lights that surround this beautiful place-

And the spirit of Christmas - that is to say - the spirit of Christ - that is abundant here.

Stay tuned for Part Two - The Sounds.

Thinking.

I am back among the living today - finally!  After 12 or 13 days of being sick in bed - (no definitely NOT how I wanted or planned to spend my holidays with my fam) - I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything in my life.  Being sick was bad, but there are always hidden blessings that come with the bad stuff.  I had a lot of time to think... (A LOT - I was up most nights too) - thinking... thinking... thinking... about life - my life - my Dad's life - the purpose of life...  I couldn't help but feel incredibly blessed.  All around there seems to be so much suffering - tragedy - (maybe you feel it more or see it more when you are going through a hard time yourself) - and sometimes it makes me wonder -  why?  But I know why.  I KNOW THERE IS A PURPOSE.  And, how grateful I am for that knowledge!  And I am grateful for the tender mercies I was blessed with this past week - my A.MAZING Chad who takes such excellent care of me and our little fam - and our families and friends - all the people who take time out of their busy lives to care about me.  I am so excited about the new year.  I love the renewal that January brings.  I love setting new goals and feeling excited about my future.  One of my very favorite sayings is:  "Fall in Love with the Possibilities Ahead".  The Future is Bright.  God is Good.  Life is Good.

Although I did finally get dressed today - I couldn't bear to take off the slippers...

       Happy New Year.

I hope it brings you health and happiness.

The Frasier Family

I posted a sneak peek from the Frasier's shoot over HERE on The Shoot Shoppe Blog!

Merry Christmas!

The Butterfields.

Posted a few from the Butterfields shoot over HERE on The Shoot Shoppe Blog!

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

LOVED this reminder today.

Want to see?  You'll be glad you did.
Click below:

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas