HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS!

I am very blessed in my life to have someone like Thomas. He is my best friend, a wonderful husband, and the best dad out there! He is always there for me and our beautiful little family. We never have to wonder if he loves us, if he will take care of us, or if he will play with us. He is a fun dad. I constantly wonder how he can stand to play ALL THE TIME, but he does it. The kids love him, respect him and want to be around him. I love you Thomas!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (I'm placing a bet that he doesn't see this for a few weeks unless I accidentally leave it up...but love ya when you finally read my blog!)Thomas and his 1 candle. I guess we used the other 9 we had at my b-day.

Ohhhh clothes...you shouldn't have....really.

Thomas also got a Mandarin gobie, yellow ricordia mushroom and two acropora colonies. That was something to excite him!

Temple Square

We went to temple square for the first time as a family or even a couple, to see the Christmas lights. Every year the kids were just too small to attempt it. They did really well. Kaden wasn't too happy when we first got there because he was asleep, but he warmed up to the idea and we all had a blast. It was funny to me that I had the kids stand in the same spot probably all couples that get married in the Salt Lake Temple stand...oh how perspective changes. One day a happy couple...the next a happy family!

The kids had their last day of school today. We go off track Jan 2nd, so we don't go back to school until Jan 14th. We are taking the kids to Disneyland for our Christmas present to them, but not until Jan 6th. (SO, IF YOU ARE READING THIS....THEY WILL NOT KNOW THEY ARE GOING UNTIL WE ARE HALF WAY THERE!!) We are looking forward to having a great time this Christmas break!

Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl...

Thomas threw me a party on my birthday Saturday. We invited family. There were a lot of people over and we had a great time. Thomas made his chili and we got together to eat and enjoy each other...what more is there? My sister, Colette, made me a beautiful birthday cake! Thanks Colette!

Blowing out the candles. All 9 of them!!
Trying to get a picture of Amy and Aaron. This is the one that turned out the best...sorry Amy!

Hailey, Kaden and Kinley were so excited to throw me a party. Kaden wanted to know my plans of what activities I was going to have all the moms I invited do. I told him nothing, just hang out. He started planning how all us moms could make light sabers. SO CUTE!

This is me with my sister Colette and her daughter, my niece, Chantel. Picture take 3.

Just a flock shot. Flock shot, number 2!

I had a great Birthday. Thanks to everyone who came, called, brought cards, Im'ed me. I am truly blessed to have so many family and friends that care about me. Thank you Thomas. I know you don't like to be in crowds, but you know I do!! I love you!!

Welcome home Mom and Dad!!

THEY MADE IT HOME!

Mom and Dad came home today. We had so much fun talking and enjoying each other. It felt like they never left!

Top to bottom: Amber, Grace, Breanna, Ben, Aaron, Broxton, Grandma, Hailey, Grandpa, Kinley, Brooklyn and Kaden.

Some of the grand-kids that were at the house to welcome home grandma and grandpa!

Kaden with grandpa.

All the kids yelled GROUP HUG and ran to grandma. She enjoyed every second of it!

Snow Fun!

We went to bed Friday night with it snowing, and woke up Saturday to the best snowman making snow I think we have seen in a LONG time! I didn't get outside with the camera before Kinley had enough and wanted to go inside to take a bath. I gave her some bubbles, came back and she had added more and turned on the jets. This is her "snow" fun!Kaden and Hailey went outside to play and started making a snow man. By the time Thomas went out to help them they had two huge balls already. They ended up making two snowmen!

The snowball was almost as big as she was, but she was still pushing it around the yard.

They all look so innocent, but don't be deceived. They are not starting a new snowman with that snowball in their hands...oh no...they threw them at ME!! THE INNOCENT PICTURE TAKER!

Here they are showing off one of their finished products. I think those two snowmen made record time in being built!Here is the other one.

I'm glad it snowed again. Last snowstorm they made a snowman and I couldn't find my camera. These were better anyway!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWNELL

I saw a quote once that sums up what I think: I smile because you are my sister. I laugh because there is nothing YOU can do about it!

Dawnell and I have had so many good memories. I remember when we rode home from the sand dunes cranking the music up loud and singing...with a 4-wheeler helmet on my head. It was so funny, it gave us the great idea for some pictures to send to Preston. We got bike helmets on, used the 4-wheeler tie downs and strapped ourselves to her blazer. We then put tape on our helmets that said "Simon" and "Phillip", wiped chocolate all over our faces and mimicked a SNL skit, in picture format. Ahhh the good old days!! Also, worth mentioning is the time where she helped me with my talk for Prestons farewell. She convinced me that this joke about his watch and how it was so big it could make bread, was HILARIOUS. So, taking her advice, which was never wrong, I told the joke. Loud laughter shook the chapel....dawnell was nice enough (or thought it was THAT funny) she laughed (LOUDLY) when no one else did...NO ONE! That is true sister love for ya!

I look up to Dawnell so much. She is always there for me, just a phone call away! (thank goodness for in-network calling!) I love you so much Dawnell. Happy Birthday!

Christmas pictures..

Tis the season to be Jolly flalallalalallalallalalalala.

I was pretty surprised that we got good shots...all of them in less then 5 minutes before church, AND we were still 15 minutes early for the meeting! Now, that my friends, is a blessing! I am going to try my hand at Christmas cards with the kids picture on it. Hopefully I will order them tomorrow and actually mail them out...that is half the battle!!

I bought the girls matching dresses (Hailey's idea, I usually like different ones for them) and Kaden a festive tie. They were so cute at church today.

Kinley is such a little princess...

Kaden is our "Man in training"...

and Hailey is growing up faster and faster. I can't believe how much this picture makes her look like a young women then a little girl...ahh where did the time go?