Merry Christmas 2013

I decided to throw together a Christmas card with no time to send it by snail mail. Oh well, I love it anyways and want to wish you a Merry Christmas! This year I am feeling especially blessed. My life is so full of love and happiness. It may not seem like we have a lot, but we have each other and that really is everything. And we have the most wonderful thing of all- a loving Savior. He brings light to the darkest corners in our lives. I love this season because it helps me remember Him more often.

Recently our family has received some anonymous gifts that have been a huge blessing and helped to ease the stress of Christmas. I want so much to thank those people. I have no way of knowing who they are but I need to say a big THANK YOU. You have brought so much happiness to us.

Thank you to those who gave us money making it possible for us to buy gifts and to soon take a trip to see Phillip's parents without worry. Your gift is soooo appreciated here. It is huge to us, and we think it was so selfless of you to do it anonymously.

Thank you to the family who dropped gifts and food off on our doorstep. We are blown away by your generosity and are so excited to open the gifts. Thank you thank you thank you! You have made for a very merry Christmas here.

Thank you to the man who paid for our dinner the other night. Lola has been sick and spent the whole time whining, tipping over water in my lap, making messes, and refusing to eat all the while we were supposed to be celebrating our Anniversary. We were exasperated and I felt bad that the people around us were probably annoyed by her crying. You didn't know anything about us but your act of kindness had me in tears all the way home. I'm already imagining how much fun it will be to pay it forward to another family some day.

There are so many good Christ-like people in the world. We really have been touched with the Christmas spirit this year because of others. May you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Love,
     Lydia

Happy 1st and 24th birthday to us!

Finally cousin Everett had to show her how to blow out the candle :) 

Yummy, she loved her banana cake!

Cheesecake for me, and banana cupcakes for everyone too! 

Hat I crocheted

It was a fun party! I loved celebrating with Lola. All day it felt really special and it was great to have family and friends to share all that cake with! I kept reminiscing about my birthday surprise last year when my water broke at midnight (read her birth story here.) After she was born I remember thinking she was the most beautiful baby, so tiny and perfect. The nurses put a little bow on her head that completed the present look. The last year flew by! I'm already thinking about how much fun 2 & 25 will be :)

*Thanks for the pictures, Kate!*

Family Pics Fall 2013

                                                                                       

Photo credit: my amazing sister Kate Hill

She is awesome, don't you agree?! She edited the first 7 pictures too. And now for a love letter to her.


Dear Kate,

I love that these photos capture the essence of fall and what we look like as a family one year into this crazy adventure. You did a fabulous job! I'm so lucky to have a sister like you. You were there with your camera for all the important stuff: when we got married, graduation announcements, Lola as a newborn, her blessing day, 6 months old, and the first birthday Lola and I shared. I will treasure all the pictures you've taken for forever and I'm sure Lola will too :) They really are the best gift. Lola loves you to pieces. We will all miss you when you move.

Lots of love,
Lydia