I love my Mother-in-Law...

For some reason, I think I watched a lot of Flintstones when I was a kid, because when I hear the words mother-in-law I always think of Fred Flintstone saying "I love my mother-in-law, I love my mother-in-law" through gritted teeth. Fortunately, I have an amazing mother-in-law! She is young and fun, is a great Mimi to her grandkids who affectionately refer to her as "the tickle monster"! I am constantly overwhelmed by her generosity and kindness. It was her birthday this week and we were so happy to spend it with her! Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Warm and Snuggly

Who could resist snuggling with this little bundle. I think I'll go snuggle with her right now! I love babies!

Christmas is up...

It's December and Christmas decorations are up. We spent a lovely 70 degree weather Thanksgiving weekend putting up lights on the house etc. Just to find out that now that it is 20 degrees this week the outside lights that Brad climbed up on the roof to hang are no longer working. They looked great the first night! He was so happy to hang them the first time, I don't know if I can get him to go up again!

The tree is up and so far we've only had 4 ornaments broken. But, never fear, everyday someone brings home a lovely replacement from school!

Now I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I still need for Christmas. I have been baking, which is easy for me to make a priority, because I want to eat like crazy right now. Unfortunately, I don't think even the nursing baby can keep up with this Christmas season! I haven't been exercising, but feel like I will start any day now. I did go so far as to record some aerobics shows on the DVR. Wish me luck. I really need my friends who moved away this year to move back and exercise with me. (You know who you are!)
My sister introduced me to a lovely Christmas story called "Funny, Funny, Mother" you should check it out. Brad didn't think it was that funny, I think it was all too real for him (mother crying uncontrollably, etc.) what's not funny about that.
Anyway, hope everyone is enjoying the season, and not feeling too overwhelmed!

Two Two Year Olds

Here are the two little boys on Samuel's birthday. The one day of the year that they are the same age.


Can't imagine life without these two! They definitely keep things going around here!

Thanks Gayle!

I have the best friend that doubles as my personal photographer! I'm the baby of my family and I always felt a little left out that by the time I came around there weren't as many pictures of me as the other kids. Well, I guess that will be the opposite problem with my kids. Little Lucy is the only one I have professional-type baby pictures of. Thanks to Gayle! Here are a few favorites:




She also took some new family pictures for us. Here's our favorite one:



Also, Gayle tipped us off to a local high school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last weekend. With her family and mine we qualified for the group rate... and that wasn't counting the kids 5 and under who were free! We had so much fun and I found out that Brad was in a production of this when he was in high school. Who knew?
Audrey revealed after the play that she was in love with Joseph. I told her how I used to always get a little enamored with the leads in plays that I went to as a child too, and really, what's not to love? They can sing, dance and look great in make-up! I figured that I am getting old because now instead of falling in love with Joseph I just kept thinking "I bet his mother is so proud of him!"
Good times! We definitely need to go to more high school theater productions! Very family friendly!
Thanks again Gayle!

Halloween

Halloween came and went. We we lucky enough to not have to buy any new costumes this year. Thanks to grandma for making an awesome vampire cape for Ben! Thanks to Mimi for thinking Brad was so nerdy that you bought him the Star Trek costume years ago. We love that nerdy is making a comeback! And thanks to 1 year old Ava for letting Lucy wear your kitty costume! Also, thanks to cousins for out growing and passing down awesome costumes!

Big Day

Last Sunday we blessed little Lucy and Jacob was baptized. It was a busy day, but so wonderful to celebrate these two milestones! Lucy was great during her blessing and she looked beautiful! Grandpa enjoyed holding her during church and reminiscing about his mother Lucille and how she must have been held by her adoring grandpa in church so many years ago. It was wonderful to have my mother here for so long and that my dad could come out for the blessing and baptism. Jen and her kids were also able to come from Denver for the weekend.

Jacob gladly waited a whole month to be baptized, so that we could do it all this weekend. I didn't even make it through the opening song, before I started crying. I am so proud of Jacob and the person he is. He was so ready to be baptized and so excited about it! I feel so blessed to have such great older boys to set the example for all the rest of the kids. Ever since Ben's baptism last year Jacob has anxiously awaited receiving his gift from his grandparents: His own set of scriptures. He has come home from school every day this week and has read at least one chapter. I love his enthusiasm, and he has inspired me to do a little better. What would I do without my kids?