Live Nativity

This past weekend we hosted a live nativity at our home. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 6:30 to 11:00 we had about 30 people in and out of our house each of those nights. It was a wonderful experience. We were very excited to share the message that, yes, indeed Mormons are Christians. Brad wrote a short article and submitted it to the church news. You can see pictures and hear more about it at:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/56328/Texas-Nativity-scene.html
Here are some of my own personal favorite pictures from the weekend:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

As this Christmas Season approaches we are reminded of the wonderful blessings we have enjoyed this year! We started out the year as soccer coaches of Jacob's Kindergarten team. This was a fun time and a bit of a challenge with our 3 month old baby Samuel and the others in tow. Not to mention juggling with Ben's team as well. We all enjoyed the experience and appreciated all the good counsel to simplify our lives in April General Conference.

Life never gets simple, but we do try to prioritize. Summer brought a wonderful family reunion in Canada at Emily's sister Barb's house. We drove the 4000 miles at the peak of the gas crisis, and I think we've never had a better family trip. The kids really enjoyed spending time with cousins, going "Canadian Bowling" and most importantly, Benjamin was baptized. It was a special time to have all the family there.

School started in the fall with half of our children in school. Ben is in 3rd grade this year, Jacob is in 1st and Audrey is in Kindergarten. We love the school that the kids go to and enjoy seeing them learn and grow and be excited about it!

In November Stephen and Samuel were both 1 for a whole day. Being 364 days apart has been fun. They keep us and each other very busy! Samuel broke his leg exactly one week after taking his first steps. He'll be celebrating the holidays in a cast!

Eric is a big help at home with mom. He is very good at entertaining the babies. He is the self-proclaimed "biggest of the babies".

Brad and Emily are doing great! Brad is keeping busy at work and enjoys the 60 mile commute now that he is driving his diesel VW Beetle. He also has enjoyed serving in the bishopric in our ward for the past year and a half. Emily loves to be at home and is trying to get over her addiction to having a baby every year. But as you can see, there is still room in the crib for more!

We were saddened at the passing of our beloved Prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley this past year, and strive to remember the important things he taught us. One of our favorites is that "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured". We are enjoying life and are so blessed to be living in this exciting time on the earth.

This year we are celebrating Christmas with our whole ward family as we are hosting a live nativity in our front yard. What a wonderful thing to have a constant reminder of the birth of our Savior at this busy time of year! We love all of you and hope that you too are reminded of Christ this Christmas and throughout the year, for truly that will bring a Happy New Year!

Gingerbread Houses

Yesterday we went to the local Public Library and built a Gingerbread House. We got a babysitter for the babies and just took the 4 big kids. We had so much fun! I think it will become a yearly tradition.