Christmas Tree

So Blessed

I'm feeling extremely blessed right now. I have a wonderful, happy, healthy family. We are so fortunate to have a warm, safe home in a nice town. To have plenty of food to feed us all. To have a beautiful Christmas tree with presents this year.

I received an email from Juliette's PTO stating that there were several children in need of donations and without these donations they were not going to have any presents this year. I was shocked. I guess I didn't realize that there are people around us don't have the means to buy their children presents for Christmas. I thought living on a student's income was restricting; we feel the stresses of living on a tight budget constantly, but we have enough to buy presents for our family!

Then it really hit me. I recognized the man standing ahead of me at the Post Office, his almost one-year-old in his arms and his six-year-old trailing behind him. I knew the girl. She was in Juliette's kindergarten class last year.

It was so unfortunate....tragic even. I remember the day this little girl brought in a picture of her little brother, proudly carrying it around, showing it to anyone who'd listen. Juliette's teacher told me the mother had had complications after the birth. I didn't think anything of it until it was my day to volunteer again. Someone from the office staff called the teacher to the office. I stayed behind with the children and continued reading the story. The teacher came back in tears. I knew something was wrong but I never thought it was what I was about to hear. The little girl's mother had passed away.

I was shocked. The poor family...the baby boy who will never know his mother, the devestated little girl who will wonder when her mother is coming home...and her husband...I can't imagine the pain of losing a spouse.

Today I saw them together for the first time since last year. It hit so hard, I wasn't prepared for the feelings that were about to emerge. My eyes started welling up with tears. I tried to push them away, but the only thing I could think of was how hard it must be. Almost Christmas, continuing on after losing someone so close to you. I immediately thought of Annalise and Juliette. What if it were me. What if I didn't survive the birth of my daughter? I cannot imagine it, I cannot imagine the pain this poor family must have suffered.

I'm thankful for my Savior and His Atoning sacrifice. If something were to happen to one of us, I am reassured that we will be reunited. Families are sealed together forever. Not just here on earth.

And for that...I am thankful. So very thankful for my two beautiful daughters and my loving husband.

My Sweet Family

Christmas Traditions

This year we tried something different. We usually make a gingerbread house, but this year we made a gingerbread train. I probably would never have made the switch if my mother hadn't bought us the kit to make ourselves. Although, I have to say, it was nice not having to make the icing myself. This year our kit came with a pouch of icing, rather then the powdery stuff you have to mix with water. That stuff takes forever to clean off your dishes. It's like glue. We did end up doing a house too, I had already purchased one from Rite Aid on sale. It was a nice change.

As you can see, this girl was having a ton of fun...or maybe it was the sugar high.

Her expressions are priceless.

How could you do Christmas without an advent calendar...or three?!

Thanksgiving 2010

The Lawsons on Thanksgiving 2010

Native American Headbands

I'm not sure whether or not kids still make these in school or not, but it was one of my favorite things to make as a kid. Juliette even made one for her little sister.

A Childhood Memory

Do you ever wonder what your children will remember most their childhood? My husband and I were discussing this the other day and we think frog catching will make the top of Juliette's list. It is one of her favorite things to do and we've done it over and over and over again and each catch is as exciting as the first.


This summer is the first time Juliette has been able to catch them on her own. Up until then we've caught them for her. What a milestone!

Annalise's first frog catching adventure. Perhaps she'll enjoy it as much as her sister.

Or maybe she'll enjoy playing in the mud. Yuck!

Summertime Peaches

Peaches are ready! It was a nice surprise when I stopped by Carter Hill this week and discovered that PYO (pick your own) peaches were ready! Juliette and I did this last year and we had so much fun. The downside, it's over before you know it because these trees are LOADED with peaches...the most delicious peaches I've ever had. The tangy-sweet variety. Delicious!
Check out this gem

It was a bit of a stroll through the apple orchard. The peach trees are hidden way in the back. Thank goodness we brought our stroller.

See...LOADED!

Afterward, we climb up this platform observatory to take a picture. It's used for bird watching and during migratory season they have a representitive from the Audubon Society to inform the public about our local birds and answer questions anyone may have.


Any while you're at Carter Hill, you can stop visit their store/gift shop for some peach cobbler mix or delicious pumpkin whoopie pies (available in the fall).

Seasons of Change

This is one of our favorite places to visit here in Concord, New Hampshire. It's the Christa McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center and Planetarium. They have two floors of fun exhibits, the second floor is reserved for traveling exhibits and right now they are featuring a Maine exhibit called "Seasons of Change" about global warming and the effect it has/will have on New England.

This is a wall where people can write down what they will miss about New England if we continue down the path we're on. What will you miss?

Juliette wrote "blueberries."

Beautiful Juliette and her little sister Annalise, fast asleep.

This was the first time the observatory was open during the day. We got to look through a telescope at the sun. It was a really awesome experience.

A Testimonial

In choosing a baby carrier, I went with my friend Jenny's advice and purchased the Sleepy Wrap. I am glad I did because Annalise loves it. When she is really fussy and nothing else seems to calm her down, this will do the trick.

I was a little intimidated at first by how complicated it looks. I thought, "how the heck am I ever going to learn to tie this thing?!" But honestly, it took me one time to learn. ONE time! So if you're in the market for a baby carrier, check this one out: http://www.sleepywrap.com/

Two Girls

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago my husband and I were married in the Boston LDS temple for Time and All Eternity. Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Juliette!

For Juliette's birthday we went to Friendly's so that she could make her own sundae. This was also my first time out with both girls by myself and it couldn't have gone better. Annalise slept the entire time which gave Juliette and I lots of time to talk and spend one-on-one time together. I really enjoyed having Juliette to myself on her birthday, however, she is looking forward to her birthday party this weekend where she can spend time with her cousins!

Big Sister, Little Sister