Getting so big...

I wanted to take a minute and put on some recent pictures of the kids. I keep getting comments on how 'grown up' they are looking, 'how their look is changing' or how fast they are growing. I think it is happening WAY too fast- I swear Sarah was just a fat, happy baby in my arms yesterday. I miss my little babies. I am enjoying the little people that they are and don't want them to change. I am so grateful for my children for the joy and meaning they bring to my days and to my life. I am grateful for the lessons they teach me and for the laughter that surrounds them. I am so grateful that they are better people than I- and that they try so hard to make good decisions and help others. I am so lucky to be a mom! I am SO LUCKY to be THEIR mom!!!

CHRISTMAS 2009!!!!

When I was a little girl every Christmas my mother would pull out a nativity scene. We LOVED it and played with it every chance we got. My children used to play with it when we would go to my mothers for the holidays in years past. This year I received the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER- my mother made me one!!! I LOVE IT!!! My children love it and I am so excited to be continuing the tradition of finding ways to bring the Savior into our home for the holidays.
Ammon wasn't very interested in the unwrapping of gifts but he sure thought watching the kids jump around in excitement was funny!!!

Gabriel thought his pile of presents was AWESOME until he realized that he was most of the way through them. Then it was all about posing in his new SCOOBY DOO pajamas.

Rachel was excited to be home from Utah and was more excited at all of the candy in her stocking. Most of all I think she was thrilled with her 2lb. box of chocolate covered pretzels- which is still over half way full!!!

Sarah was not as thrilled as Rachel to be home from Utah but she was very excited to show us the beautiful oriental robe that he Uncle Elbert gave her for Christmas. As you can see she cheered up as the candy and gifts started coming.

Our family has been so blessed this past year and we are so grateful to our family, friends, church family and most of all to our loving Savior for the gift of his grace, his light and his love!!!!!

My boy is 4 years old!!!!

I can't believe my boy is 4 years old- but he is and has been for a few weeks now. He is smart and funny and such a good brother! I am so proud of the little man that he is and that he is becoming. He has had so many fun adventures this past year- a 2 week trip full of family and fun out in Utah with his father, new cousins (Anthony, Talon, Judah and Ian) moving into town close by and a new baby brother to play with! He has been taking Karate classes for the past few months and although he was super tired tonight and wanted to go home he has been doing really well. He got his uniform tonight and looked so darling- all of the ladies thought so- not just his Mommy! Gabriel loves to play with friends and his cousins, he loves string cheese and apples, he loves to play outside and is a little afraid of riding the 4- wheeler that his daddy bought him. Gabriel is a fun brother and is always racing around after or snuggling with his sisters. He loves his baby brother Ammon and tries very hard to make him laugh and give him kisses without getting slobbered. Gabriel does not like to have sticky hands and loves to snuggle with his blankie. He says funny things all of the time and tells us we are 'FIRED' when we do not do what he wants fast enough. He is the light and laughter in our days and we are SO GLAD that he is ours!!!! Mommy loves you son!!!