A Nose Full of Christmas

One of my very favorite things as a kid at Christmas time was my mom's simmering Christmas in a pot on the stove.

I've come up with my own this year and oh man, love it!!!

Here's how I made it:

1 whole sliced naval orange

1 cup of fresh cranberries

4 fresh cinnamon sticks (snapped in half)

2 teaspoons ground cloves

2 teaspoons nutmeg

1 strand of fresh pine needles (I tore off a live wreath we had because we have artificial trees)

Add about 1 1/2 cups of water, apple juice or apple cider.

Let simmer. 

You control how strong or mild you want the smell by how high or low your heat!

Enjoy!!

Forever Farias.

Christmas Happenings

Christmas time is here!!!!

The day after Thanksgiving we put up Christmas! I couldn't wait. This year we have started some super fun traditions now that Shayna is older and it being Indy's 1st Christmas!!! So much excitement from this mama! 

Our elf on the shelf, we named Dotty, has made her presence. 

Willie and I have had so much fun with her! Shayna anticipates every morning to go find Dotty or see what she has done while she slept. She knows not to touch her or her "MAGIC" will go away and Santa will be really mad at you.

This is one of my favorites so far that Dotty has done!

We started a Book Advent this year.
We won "Best Trunk" this Halloween at our Ward's Truck or Treat in October (we did an Addams Family Fear Factor thing). The prize was a $60 gift card to Seagull Books. We used that to get all the Christmas books we could. So this activity came out free and has been so 

much fun.

Every night before bed we open a new book and that is our bedtime book for the night. We love our new collection and I have no idea what book is what (except the last one, the scriptures to read story of Christs birth). So it is such a fun surprise every night!

We were able to get a very good variety of nativity books and fun Christmas books. By far has been a new tradition we will continue for years as our children get older.

Of course a ton of baking is going on!!!! 

Shayna lovessss making cookies! We have a ball!

So much more fun to come in the Farias Home. 

Is really is the most wonderful time of year!

Forever Farias.

Tis' the Season for Family Pics

This year I dropped the ball on our Christmas Card pictures so we finally did a little mini session with the help of my awesome sister! It is always such a hassle and cold :) but I am so grateful we did it! Hubs is such a trooper when it comes to me and pics! 

So in love with my gorgeous little family. These 3 babes are my everything! Heart full mama!

Forever Farias. 

Life Lately

I have been awful!!!!! I have a GIANT list of things to blog and haven't blogged since July!!!!

My main excuse is juggling school, coaching and two mamas girls.

Eventful would be an understatement describing our last few months.

Took a solo family trip just the 4 of us camping up in Pine Valley, Utah back in August! This trip was just the best ever! A summer tradition now!

Then the next week took a San Diego Trip back in August with the in-laws and it was such a blast. Went to Sea World and the Beach! We love SD!

I am finally done with volleyball season and have a little break before I help out with boy's season. 

 It was my first season at our alum LVHS with the staff that coached me and I loved every minute! 11 seniors made for a group of fun girls.

We celebrated Daddy's 27th Birthday!!!  

Had the most amazing Halloween!

Our Family costumes were a 10 (the Addams Family) and the girls rocked the Little Mermaid on actual Halloween!

 I have no idea how we will top next year! 

Experienced a WONDERFUL thanksgiving! All of my dads brothers and sister were about to come and it was just the best time. I love them all so much! 

 It is a miracle my brothers took a family picture!

Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids!

Indy is now almost 8 months.

She is so healthy!!! Wearing 12-18 month clothes. The BEST baby ever seriously so HAPPY all the time and such a pure joy!

Her birth story and her lately are posts soon to come.

Shayna turned 3 on Sunday GAHHH!!! 

We had such an amazing day and celebration. (I am way into making birthdays special :) 

A post just about her and her special day is soon to come as well. 

I am in major need of a blogging routine! How do moms with multiples do it! This month I am hoping to blog more then I have in the last year! So grateful for the our live, love and opportunities we've been blessed with. I am one thankful mama! 

Forever Farias.