Christmas is Coming

 Christmas is slowly arriving at our house! 

Getting things organized and decorated so soon after a move seems pretty impossible, but it is so important to me in creating a special feeling in our home.

I feel like the spirit comes in abundance in beautiful, inviting, and peaceful spaces. :)

 Every Wednesday after preschool we have Kesslyn's little friends over for a play date, and today we decided to take them to go and see the movie Frozen 2!

 Even though all of the girls had already seen the movie, they were all giddy and laughing talking about it in the car on the way to preschool, so I knew that they would have just as much fun seeing it again, but this time with their friends!

And I was right. :)

 They sang and laughed and told me EVERYTHING that was going to happen right before it would happen. 

That was the most enjoyable part of all...watching how much fun they were having. :)

And with it being the Christmas season, it always feels good to spend a little extra time with the people you love doing things to show them that they are important.

I love my family! :)

A Good Brother

 Having Carew home over the Thanksgiving break was so nice...he is a kind and loving and HAPPY person. Very pleasant to be around...especially if you are a little sibling of his. Carew will play with you, cuddle with you, take naps with you, play games with you (even Barbies ;), build snowmen with you (and even get into a snowball fight;)...he will say things that will make you smile and laugh, and he will say things that will build you up. And he will even give you piggy back rides. :)

Carew, you are a GOOD brother, and a good son. 

I love you so much and am so thankful that you are a part of our family!

We can't wait to have you back for Christmas! :)

Welcome December

 This weekend was a snowy one and just perfect for welcoming in December!

 We took a drive as a family over to the Petersen Farm (which is where Kesslyn also goes to preschool :) and had fun exploring the farm as we picked out our Christmas tree!

Life really seems to be full of magic and wonder here on the farm...

 There was something so fun about watching the kids walk around in the snow, and exploring all of the fun things to see and do...

 ...like climbing on the tractors and swinging on the swings...

 ...watching some of the animals and exploring the market...

 We even saw the emu's again, but sadly, there won't be any baby hatching since the egg we saw on Kesslyn's field trip was frozen solid.

 We had fun playing in the corn pit and walking through the rows of beautiful, fresh cut pine trees!

 We chose the perfect tree and scooped it up and brought it home.

 It's 12 feet tall and smells soooo good! :)

I love the feeling that comes from having the soft glow of Christmas tree lights and the smell of fresh pine in my home...it brings joy to my heart AND to my family, and I can't wait to put on the lights, sit by the fire, and bask in that sweet cozy feeling! It makes my mind go back to so many good memories of Christmases past, and then I look forward to the memories that we will create this year. I'm so excited to get to have my entire family together this year too! Welcome December and welcome Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2019

Thanksgiving was yesterday and it was a wonderful day of celebration of all that we are grateful for...

I was so grateful for the time I spent with Kierra , Riley, and Easton, and that I was able to make it home safe and sound just in time for Thanksgiving with the rest of my family.

Despite winter storm warnings in both Colorado AND Utah, the busy airports were filled with smiling faces and people excited to make it to their loved ones.

I am so happy to be home. :)

 We woke early on Thanksgiving morning and worked together to get the house in order, then headed to the movie theater to see Frozen 2! Our family (especially the girls :) had been waiting a long time to see this movie and it was SO much fun!!!! I sat there in awe of the beautiful story line, sets, artistic design, the music, and characters...but my FAVORITE part of the entire movie was watching Kesslyn's face and hearing her little reactions all throughout the movie. :)

I would look over at her and she would be sitting on the edge of her chair with a huge smile, wide eyes, and then she would say something like..."I LOVE Elsa! She is so beautiful! She's the prettiest! This is the best movie ever!" ...and on and on and on...:)

What a FUN beginning to Thanksgiving morning. :)

 We came home to find an apple pie, a pumpkin pie, homemade rolls, and ice cream in the freezer too. :)

My sweet friend Emily is ALWAYS taking care of me and watching out for me! She wanted to spend the day before Thanksgiving with me making homemade pies, but when she learned that I would be in Colorado, she chimed right in and said, "Then I am making them for you!"

What an earth angel she is. I need to figure out how I can repay her because she is constantly serving me and my family this way...I just love her.

 Clint and I began working in the kitchen together while all of the kids played. The boys were having "male bonding time" playing Smash Bros with their Uncle Curt while Kambriella and Kesslyn said,

 "Do you want to build a snowman?" :)

(Totally in the mood for it after watching Frozen! :)

 Although there wasn't a ton of snow, it was great for packing and they were able to build the cutest little snowman! Or maybe I should say snow-woman. :)

Meet Olaf's girlfriend "Rosie"...;)

 Then, in typical Trickett fashion, the girls requested hot chocolate and hot apple cider to warm their tummies and hands and I was happy to assist. :)

 I had just as much fun watching the girls I think as they did actually building the snowman!

 They sat together talking and drinking their hot chocolate and cider admiring their fun creation. 

It was so sweet. to witness.

I just love when my children do kind things together. I feel like I can literally see and feel a little bit of heaven on earth, and I feel like I can actually SEE their love for one another growing...it is the best feeling...

 And then something so sad happened...Kesslyn began crying huge alligator tears because she dropped her hot chocolate mug spilling all over herself and breaking the mug. I smiled and told her it was OK and that we could clean it up and get a new mug. She felt so sad and my heart was touched at her tender little heart, but we quickly cleaned up, came inside, and then took a warm bath with her barbies.

 She felt so much better after that. )

 I snuggled on this sweetie while he closed his eyes for a few minutes waiting for the next thing to begin cooking...I loved being his partner in the kitchen and the way he "helps" me...;) His heart is so good and I love him so much. HE is one of my greatest blessings of all...where would I be without him??? I don't like to think about that...

 Around 6:00 we all sat down together at the dinner table and began sharing our bounteous meal and all of the things that we are thankful for...(and by the way...Dallin dyed his hair silver for Silver Rush that begins on Monday! Still trying to wash it enough to get all of the blue out...)

  We had a little Gratitude Tree that everyone wrote on leaves the things they were thankful for. We passed it around the table while we ate and shared the things we were grateful for...Everything from tigers and kangaroos to Jesus Christ and the Atonement...and that is pretty much the realm of our blessings...HUGE!!!

We are so blessed...even as I put extra food away in my fridge at the end of the night I thought about how many people didn't have a Thanksgiving meal at all let alone leftovers for the rest of the week...

 My heart was full as Kesslyn said that she was grateful for her nephew and EVERYONE.

Me too Kesslyn...me too.

It was a Happy Thanksgiving indeed ad my heart continues to grow and grow with my gratitude to my Heavenly parents who have given us all we have.

Happy Thanksgiving and happy weekend!

Enjoying My Time

This past few days here in Colorado with little Easton have been so enjoyable. Kierra and I have also really enjoyed experiencing new mother and grandmother things together - like taking little newborn baby photos!! 

It was SO much fun!!!

We may not be professionals, but we had fun pretending anyways!!!

AND I think the pictures turned out amazing for a couple of amateurs anyways... ;)

It also snowed a foot overnight and it was the perfect day to stay inside and cook. I spent some time gathering groceries and then making freezer meals for Kierra and Riley so they won't have to worry about making dinner for a little while. It was the perfect thing to do while Kierra took care of little Easton, Riley did his studies (since school got canceled because of the snow), and we all hunkered down staying warm and enjoying being together. 

I was also able to take Kierra and Easton to his first check up at the doctor's office where he amazed the nurses with his growth and progress. He is a happy,  healthy,  sweet little baby who is adapting to life beautifully. Him and his momma are making a great team figuring this nursing thing out,  and I am so proud of them both. I couldn't be happier for Kierra because she has everything that she had ever dreamed of... and she's so grateful.

She is already showing me what an amazing mother she will be. I always knew she would be, and I can't wait to watch this little family blossom and grow. 

I am really going to miss them when I go home today,  but with Thanksgiving tomorrow,  my list of gratitude is longer and longer each day. 

So grateful for this eternal family of mine,  and for little Easton who has joined us now!

I love you my little buddy!❤

Here In Colorado

 On Saturday morning I was at the airport at 3:00am ready to catch a flight to Colorado and soooo exited to see my new grand baby!

 Little Easton is just as sweet as you would imagine,  and so full of snuggles and cuddles and little baby sounds that are just so cute! (Even the loud ones where he fills his diaper while sitting on my lap!😊)

 Our time spent together here has been so simple and slow paced and perfect. I gave Kierra a pedicure,  did some laundry,  held the baby...:)... watched a movie,  played card games,  and held the baby some more. 

This morning I went grocery shopping for them so I can make freezer meals,  and this afternoon we are  going to the doctor for Easton's little check up. 

It's so good to be here with Kierra.

She is doing an amazing job already,  but I always knew that she would. She's a loving mother learning all about this new role and it's so fun to see her embrace this so naturally. 

I think the hope is that every generation gets a little better,  and I can see that is definitely the case here. Kierra and Riley make the best team and I'm so proud of them,  and HAPPY to be a grandma!❤

A Field Trip on the Farm

 On Wednesday I went on a field trip with Kesslyn on the farm and we got to explore the market!!!

We learned where all the food comes from, what's grown inside a greenhouse, or comes from somewhere else...

 ...we felt how warm it was inside the greenhouse even though it was chilly outside...and Kesslyn even got to try a fresh baby carrot (which she did NOT like, but was THRILLED with my idea to keep it and use it for a nose when she builds a baby Olaf snowman with Kambriella!)

(Can't WAIT to see Frozen 2!!!)

 We ate popcorn and looked around, and most definitely played with friends. :)

 When we were all done we headed outside to go to the car, and decided to stop and take a look at the Emu's...and we are glad we did!!!

 They were dancing around and acting VERY strange, when we noticed something green laying on the ground...it was an egg!!!

 I had never seen an emu egg before, but apparently, neither had the workers there. They had NEVER seen emu eggs there, and so they assumed they had 2 female emu's.

But now they know that is NOT the case!

It's bright green color was so fun to see, and it will be fun to see if we end up getting a baby emu soon!

 I really am so happy that Kesslyn is getting to have some of these amazing experiences here at the farm! I believe that a child can not only GROW, but THRIVE in experiencing the beauty and wonder of nature, and will develop an early love and appreciation for the things that God has made and given to us to enjoy here on earth. I LOVE these opportunities and I was so grateful to share this fun day with Kesslyn!!! :)