New Year's Quote

"As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." ~Jeffrey R. Holland

Greatful Heart

This year has been full of heartache, sadness and a few thousand tears along the way, but yet there has been an overwhelming sense of strength inside that I didn't know was there. This Christmas was especially different, and just a glimpse of how things will be in the years to come. Yet the one thing that means the most to me is still there.....my family. I have such a huge appreciation for the mass of love that we all have for one another. I couldn't have asked for a better family, and in a time where things are so uncertain, its still refreshing to be able to say that and mean it. We are faced with such hard things to overcome and as long as we can be there for one another and focus on the positive side, we will not be torn apart, and we will never loose that faith that we all have in our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. We are so much stronger together than we are apart. I feel so blessed this holiday season, and am overwhelmed at the same time!

Christmas Morning

I love watching my children's faces as they come running in our room in the morning surprised at the treasures that lay around the tree for them to open! Christmas truly got that much better, that much sweeter when we became parents. It really is a magical thing to be able to spend the morning watching them open and play with everything. I love Christmas.

Landon woke up at the tail end of the morning, he was pretty out of it for awhile....

Isn't she cute, her hair all disarrayed and in her face? But she sure was excited for that Zhu Zhu pet! Gavin and his super cool jet

Don't you just love Christmas morning photos? Especially of yourself. I hate to post my ugliness, but my kids sure do look cute.

We were super lazy all day! We never left the house. We did manage to get a shower in and change out of our pj's. But it was pretty much full of Christmas movie marathon (3 in a row) and tons of sweets and then a few more movies to end the evening.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a little bit different this year. It was still filled with the spirit of why we celebrate this time of year, and that is what really makes it such a magical evening anyway. We got together at Eric and Tracey's for dinner and a little program (of course). My brother showed the most adorable little movie with the sweetest little girl's voice as the narrator telling the story of Christ's birth. We had our traditional gift exchange for the kids, and then the adults tried something a little different this year. We had a "as seen on tv" gift exchange. It was a hit! I kind of think we have to do that every year from now on! Here as a few pictures from the evening festivities.... Madison and Michaela singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (pretty darn cute)

Taylor playing her clarinet for us, which btw is such a beautiful sounding instrument by itself!

Tamra and Jaydon playing their guitars for us, a very rare treat to get to see Jaydon participate like that! They sounded fantastic!

My little Gav-man. I love him.

Tamra and Landon looking adorable together!

Aunt Stacey with Michaela and Mackenzie

I tried to get a really cute picture, but it was the end of the night and they were so not in the mood!

Christmas time in Paul

We were able to go to Justin's parents for a few days before Christmas. Mackenzie was so excited, she wasn't able to sleep on the way there, her brothers on the other hand...... Justin's sister Jennifer and his brother Shaun

The nephews....and Savannah

Three of his four beautiful sisters...

Mackenzie with a few of her cousins.

We had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying catching up with the Thacker clan. I love my in-laws! I couldn't have asked for a more loving and generous family. They are such great examples to me and my kids, and I just appreciate all they do for us. Family is such an important thing, I am so blessed to have two fantastic families to enjoy the holidays with!

Hum...that looks pretty.

So our pathetic tree this year sure was stylin with 2 feet of nothing! Gotta love having a one year old this time of year! He did pretty good I must say. Loved the reaction he would get when he took an ornament off or went to touch it. He would give a happy grin and come bring us the treasure he so happily tore off. Sure do love that little man though!

Santa Came to Visit

We got a special home visit from Santa one Sunday evening this December. It was a sweet surprise! Gavin is terrified of anyone dressed up, and was very very weary of the bearded man claiming to be Santa. He wouldn't go near him except for this quick picture. Since he wouldn't sit on his lap he was afraid he wouldn't get what he wanted, so just as Santa was leaving he whispered to me to tell him that he wanted a Buzz Lightyear. It was cute, but one of those things you kinda had to be there for. Mackenzie of course was super friendly and excited to sit on his lap and express all the things she wished for. Landon did surprisingly well, no full on tears or crying, just had the look of "who the heck are you, and what's all this fuss about?". Still a fun thing to have Santa make his way to our little home for a quick visit! And yes my camera is crap!

Snow Time is Snow Much Fun!

Gavin was the only one who really got excited to play in the snow. Landon was jealous as he sat by the door watching his older brother get to play in the excitement. Justin and Gavin having a "friendly" snow ball fight.

In front of their masterpiece. Justin used spray paint for decoration, since he says I was not willing to contribute any household items.

Cutest picture of my little guys playing through the glass.

My little snow bunny. He loved playing, didn't complain that he was too cold once, and man he sure is handsome isn't he?

Puppy Love

While we were in Paul visiting the grandparents, my kids got to enjoy seven cute puppies!! Mackenzie was in utter heaven, and couldn't seem to put them down! They were indeed the cutest little things. Unfortuatley my camera wasn't cooperating with me, so I got the yuckiest pictures possible, so what could have been adorable pics, don't seem so adorable by the looks of my piecer of a camera.....looks like I should have asked Santa for a new one!!

Gingerbread house

Okay, so making this gingerbread house wasn't all that easy. It had been a few years since we did this, and I swear it wasn't that hard the first time. Honestly....I am amazed it is still standing. The kids were really enthusiastic in the beginning, and then they wanted to take pictures of each other instead. So, I wasn't all that into it either, but the frosting was going to harden and I just wanted to finish it. I am one for copying the pictures, and when it doesn't look the same (like it never seems to) I get frustrated. Needless to say, it was still fun, and I will most likely do it again next year. Gotta have some traditions for the kids to remember when they are my age. Perhaps I shall get better in my years to come (please)! :)

Party pictures

So, once again I wasn't so grand at taking pictures. But I managed to get a few good ones. I mean how exciting can a 1st birthday be? The cake part is really all that matters right? He did pretty good. Wanted it right away. Wasn't scared that about 20 people were staring and laughing at him.... Wanted to share his yummy cake with me (not pictured)

The cake fell on him when he went to pick up the plate.....that kind of lost his interest when he realized that he was now covered in frosting and wasn't all that thrilled to be messy.

Yup....he was done after that.... oh the things we put our children through for our enjoyment. But its tradition right? Can't mess with tradition.

Then of course my wonderful family that came to share his big day with him! I'm still amazed that we were all able to fit in my tiny house. (the small things that matter to me)

I thought it would be fun to have Landon take a picture with each individual family that came.

Here is grandma Madge (she was the lucky one who got to clean him up after his run-in with the cake)

The Miller clan, they win the prize for having their entire family present! :)

Joce, Mitchell and Brisa

Aunty Tracey, Evan and Emily

Aunt Connie, Kaylee and Keidra

Happy Birthday little man! We sure love you to pieces!

My baby is 1 year old today!

Man this year went fast! I have just loved every minute of every day with him. He is such a fun kid to just watch explore and enjoy everyone around him. He is definitely his own person. Not anything like his older brother. Loves to explore, interested in anything and everything, isn't afraid of much, and just loves to have every one's attention all the time! Man he is a handsome little devil, and he knows it! He truly is the joy to have in this family and I know Heavenly Father sent him to right to us, cause we are now complete!

Some of what he has been up to:

-he loves to snuggle his big bear, whenever he sees it he points right to it, and wants to give it a squeeze!

-walks everywhere (and has been since 10 months)

-doesn't want us to do anything but pay attention to him! No cleaning or being productive for us when he is awake....

-adores his daddy!

-gets really excited when he hears the garage door open/close, cause that means somebody new to hold him is home!

-loves to eat/pretty much 24/7

-is the life of this household, and we just can't kiss him enough!