Breakfast with Santa

Hannah and Callie dug right into the chocolate.

So did Richard

Richard even sat at the table next to us just so he could eat this chocolate.

Making sure no one is looking.

Ah! Caught in the act.

Richard took this pic of Hannah and me.

And this one with Callie and us .

Haley and Richard, such silly boys!

The three musketeers (boys) Haley, Richard, Zachary.

The three musketeer (girls) Sadey, Hannah, Callie.

Richard would not sing. Once he realized I was filming he became a real ham. Videos of that are at the bottom. The rest of the kids did a great job.

Santa and Mrs. Clause read a story about the Christmas symbols to the kids to help them think of Jesus when they see the wreath, jingle bells, candy canes, etc.

These two played in the water for about ten minutes. They are so funny and got very wet.

We had a really nice time. I'm so grateful for a wonderful ward that put a lot of work into this wonderful party. The kids had a lot of fun and LOVED getting to see Santa, even though they were shy. It was a lot of fun!

Happy 32nd Birthday

In about 40 minutes will be my birthday. I turn 32 this year and can't believe how fast the last 10 years have gone, even the last 32 years! It's unbelievable to look back and think of all that has happened in my life. I am so grateful for where I am and who I have become. I am so comfortable with myself and proud of the things I have accomplished. Of course, I have a lot of growth and tons of work to do on myself, but I'm happy with who I am at this moment.

I am thankful for the wonderful family I have. From my Mom and brothers, nieces and nephews, and in-laws, to my fantastic husband and loving children. I have been so blessed to have each of these people in my life. I have the best aunts and uncles you could ask for, too. And my cousins aren't half bad. lol, just kidding, I love you all! :)

And I have been so blessed to have wonderful friends in my life. I have always had someone there to help me through the difficult times and laugh with me through the funny times. But I'm most grateful for the Spiritual and uplifting times we've shared as well.

I'm am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be in my life and for the positive, lasting impact it has had on me. I know I am the better for it and I'm so happy to pass that on to my children. I love my Savior and know that he suffered and died for my sins so I can return to live with Him one day. And to help me find peace and happiness on this earth in this beautiful time of challenge, love, revelation, and goodness.

I am excited to begin a new year of life. To love more, laugh more, learn more, and grow more. What a gift and blessing.

We were baking cupcakes the other day and the kids decided they wanted a photo shoot. Richard wanted one of himself drinking water, I'm still not sure why, but he is funny.

My beautiful girl was sitting on the counter top like this so I had to take a pic.

Then she closed her eyes and had me take a picture. Then Hannah said, "Did you get one of me sleeping? Let me see it."


Richard is my little chef, He takes after his Dad and LOVES to help me in the kitchen. He has become very good at cracking eggs and mixing. He is also good at flipping pancakes.

We have had so much snow lately. The Home Owners Association has not been able to keep up with the snow removal. Richard helped me clear a pathway to our car yesterday. It was cloudy but the snow is pure white and reflected what light was out so Hannah didn't stay with us for very long, it was too bright for her. Not to mention it was 5-6 degrees all day and the humidity was turned into ice crystals and the breeze blew them into our faces. Hannah was miserable.

But Richard was a trooper. I cleared off the Xterra while he dragged the shovel around. After 10 minutes I made him go in to warm up while I finished up. He was not happy with me, but I'd rather have him mad for a few minutes than frost bitten.

Christmas Creche

I get in the Christmas spirit early to mid-November. But about this time of the month that spirit lapses for me. But I'm feeling it again after tonight.

A wonderful family in our ward puts on a nativity display for the community as a Christmas gift. Members of the 2 surrounding wards perform music over the 3 days of the Creche (French for Nativity).

Well, we signed up to help clean up. I thought there would be 30 maybe 40 displays, but we got there and there were about 300 from all over the world. The cultural hall was filled with nativity scenes enhanced with white Christmas lights and the main lights turned down.

As we came in to the church the First Presidency Christmas Devotional was just ending. Chris, the kids, and I sat at the back of the cultural hall listening to President Monson, then the Choir singing "Silent Night" as we got to look at the lights and nativies. It was a really special moment for me.

I am so thankful for the Savior and His sacrifice for me. I know He lives and loves each one of us. What a blessing to know these truths. I am so inspired to share the truths with our new neighbors and friends. Next year I plan on inviting MANY people to the Creche and let them know that they are loved.

I hope and pray we each have a wonderful, light filled season remembering and celebrating the birth of our dear Savior.

Thanksgiving

My crazy kids getting ready for friends to come over. They were so excited.

We had our friends Jessica, Jake and Callie over for Thanksgiving. Jake's sister, Becca, and her family came as well. It was a really nice day.

Here is Richard with Tatum and Bodey.

Warren, Becca, and Jake

Richard took a few pics. Here is one of Hannah and I that he took.

Our cute little Callie. She is a funny girl! We all LOVE her!

Jake and Becca, I think Callie tried to take this pic.

My silly Richard.

The kids did some dancing for us toward the end of the night. They were all so crazy, but the adults were extremely tired. I love the energy the kids have.

Richard went back to work photographing everyone and everything. Here are Jessica and Jake.

My Snow Village, one of my fav things of Christmas.

Our Christmas tree.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. Though we missed our families we are so grateful to have great friends here to share Thanksgiving with.

I am thankful for Chris's new job, our new ward, and great new people around us. I am thankful for family, old friends, the gospel, health, and all the wonderful things the Lord has blessed me with. This is a wonderful country that allows us the freedoms we all deserve as children of God. What a blessed life we live! I am thankful for the relationship I have with Chris and the kids and how much we love and respect each other. I am most thankful that I will be with them for ETERNITY!

Sleepy girl

Hannah's hair

I have tried for months to get Hannah to let me do her hair, and we are finally getting there. Last night I braided it and she let me do it again today. I thought I'd take a pic of our success! Luckily she has beautiful curly hair so when I don't get to do it, she still looks really cute. But it's fun for me to style and play with it. :)

Oh, and I had to bribe her with chocolate, hence the messy face.

Richard's funny

Richard has been so funny lately that I thought I would share some of his stories.


Yesterday I cut his hair and Richard likes to take showers after a haircut, just like Dad. But he was showering and started singing, "I love to sing in the rain. I love to sing in the rain. I love to be in the rain." He sang this over and over. I thought it was so cute!


In the morning before this he was trying to convince Hannah to go downstairs with him. She was being scared so Richard said he would tell her a story. "Once upon a time there was a brave girl who lived in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Then she goed downstairs, then she was brave. The end." So funny and I'm really impressed that he remembers so well where he lives.


While Chris has been at the hospital Richard has really started to miss him the last few days. Each time we pass the hospital Richard waves and says hi to his Dad. Then he will tell me how much he loves and misses him.


This morning Richard wanted to be like Chris so he climbed up on the sink to get deodorant. He proceeded to put in on his arm pits. What a silly boy!