Christmas Break

It was so nice to not have to get up and going everyday. Although Christmas break was different than usual....meaning we stayed home most of the time minus the girls rotating date nights with grandparents. There were a few days where Im not even sure if hair got done or teeth were brushed but we all survived. Liam is still learning and growing and has decided he loves to climb in the toy cupboard. He looks so cute and proud of himself. He has also started pulling the doors shut and playing peek-a-boo while in there.

Wherever the girls are is usually where he wants to be. It can make things a little difficult like with practicing piano. He seemed to also enjoy having the girls home. Gracie is especially patient with him and Im not sure who enjoys their play time more.

With us staying home we got plenty of time to play with our Christmas presents. Gracie got a cool new circuit maker. All of the girls seem to be enjoying it

There was also some resting that occurred why is it so cute when kids nap?

The girls built a fort a couple days and had read-a-thons with all their new books. I love that our girls love to read and Emmy seems to be following right in that same way

Matt and I even escaped for a date night(1st one since Liam's dx). The kids all did great for Joy and it was so nice to get out with just the two of us. I love this man more and more all the time.  Im so glad he puts up with me.

Maddie moved about a block from one apartment to another so I took Hallie and we drove to Logan to help her move. I took Matt's truck and between Maddi, Nic, me, and the girls we got it all moved in one load. Afterwards we unpacked her and went to lunch. Before we came home we stopped and bought then installed a curtain rod. Its amazing all the skills Nic and I have picked up growing up and since we got married.

The older and more interactive Liam has gotten Hallie has started to be more interested and more willing to play with him.

Gracie decided she wanted a special song for her baptism so we practiced some over the break. Matt is so gifted with music and I really hope our kiddos get that talent.

It was a good Christmas break although I wish we would have gotten more snow the girls can't wait to go sledding and skiing. We were so grateful we got to be home and not in the hospital with our family split apart. 

Brower Family Christmas Party

Joy was so excited and came up with a darling theme for the family Christmas party this year. Originally we were going to go to Heber and do the Polar Express but it was so dang expensive we decided to do something else so Joy planned a Polar Express party at the church. With Liam being immunocompromised we decided to limit his exposure to everyone so Matt left about 2 with the girls and I stayed home and let Liam nap. They played games, did crafts, exchanged books and socks, and then had dinner. After Liam woke up Matt had text and said everyone seemed healthy and that he thought we should come for a little bit so Liam and I headed to Tremonton. The kids put on a play, we had hot cocoa, and tied blankets to donate to the local fire department. We took Liam's walker and he ran around the gym and had a great time. In the hospital one of the nurses told us we would have to find a balance between what Liam needed and the family needed. I think the further into this journey we get the more we understand that statement. Liam wore his mask for the first time and did pretty well. We took it off for a bit to let him eat and play. I hope we don't regret that. I got a little panicked at the end and really anxious and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. It was a good first outing and everyone was great about not touching him or bugging him. It was scary to take him out this first time but it was nice to be with family and be able to have them see him acting like himself and having a good time. The girls had a great time with their cousins and doing all the fun things Joy had planned.

 

Christmas Day

Gracie's Stocking

Hallie's Stocking

Emery's Stocking

Liam's Stocking

The girls got up about 8 and were excited to see what Santa had brought and finally open all the presents under the tree.

We had the girls take turns opening so we could see everything they got and they could see what their siblings got. Hallie was ecstatic about this Amethyst necklace.

She asked Santa for a squishy and he delivered....her face says it all

Jewelry was a favorite of all the girls this year. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for all

Santa brought Liam a ball pit which he wasn't originally a fan of and once we put him in he crawled right out. Shortly after he warmed up and seemed to really enjoy it

Books were as usual one thing they were really looking forward to

Twisty Pets!!!

Emy is very into unicorns and when I saw this sweater I had to buy it

Legos

New Minky's for all...now maybe they'll stop stealing mine

Matt has wanted this knife for quite awhile for his meat smoking...it's perfect

Puzzles were a huge part of our Christmas break. We did our first 1000 piece and a couple 500 piece ones 

Hallie has been asking for a day planner for months....what for? Im not sure but she was thrilled

Last but not least the girls both got Polaroid cameras. They have been asking for them since spring

Frozen 2 anything was a huge hit

Liam found a sucker and there was no going back but he did pretty good to not get himself completely sticky and seemed to enjoy it.

  

Liam at times was uninterested in opening presents so we just left them under the tree. Throughout the day Liam would be interested and find a gift under the tree to open. It made Christmas last all day

That night we had Kerry and Joy over for dinner and just had a low key evening. Matt smoked ribs and we had leftover sides from all the dinners that have been brought in. Nothing to amazing but it was nice to not spend all day cooking and to just play games and relax with the family. Merry Christmas we were happy to be home and somewhat healthy.