HEART day

I kept the tradition of writing a love note to each of the kids each day in February leading up to Valentine's Day. Each year I'm amazed what joy this brings to them as they read something that I love about them each morning.  We hang the love notes on the wall and I'll often find the kids over there reading through them.  When Valentine's is over, I take each kids 14 love notes and make a little book for them that they can keep and read through.  

The boys used their same Valentine cards as last year, so I only had to make one for Jilli this year.

Finished product.

Jilli is enjoying Grandma Vicki's homemade dipped pretzels that she gave us for Valentines.

Heart hair for LOVE day!

Special Valentine mail for my sweet Valentines!

Mac turns ELEVEN years old!

Oh how I love this basketball loving boy! He's the most dedicated kid I've ever known!

Since Ethan was getting baptized on Mac's birthday, we were in Logan for most of the day.  Mac opened presents and then we went out for breakfast before the baptism.  We headed home just in time to make it to Mac's basketball game.  We were hoping for a birthday win, but unfortunately didn't get it.  We ended the night watching a movie and falling asleep on the couch.

Love this boy of mine!  Always have, always will!

Nate's 38th Birthday

Happiest of birthdays to this great guy!

We sure think he's one awesome husband and dad! Hoping this year brings him lots of happiness!

Holiday Break

We had a great holiday break! We spent some time at the Merrill's cabin, got to watch Camden wrestle at a tournament, watched Jaxton and his basketball team play during the halftime of the BYU vs. Gonzaga game and lots of other fun stuff.  Now that I'm not feeling as sick anymore, it's easier to get out and about with the kids.

CHRISTmas 2014

We enjoyed a fabulous Christmas in our new home! The month of December was spent doing Christ challenges each day and filling any extra time we had with Christmas activities!

We took the challenge!

Our 2014 Christmas card.

Christmas morning, ready to open presents.

The night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . .

Obligatory Christmas morning picture on the stairs.

Beckam!

Jillian! The top left picture has to be one of my favorites!

Jaxton!

McCade! I love the bottom middle picture!  Mac has always been so delighted about every gift he's ever been given!

Christmas Eve was spent with the Peterson's. Our kids opened up new slippers for Christmas morning.

How grateful I am for the Christ child! His birth, life, death and resurrection are all miracles! Merry CHRISTmas!

Jaxton's 9th Birthday

Oh this boy! I love him to the moon and back a million times over. His hugs, his cuddles, his notes, his eyes, his giggle, his jokes, his hair -- I love everything about him! I can't believe it's been 9 years since this guy made his debut!

Jax had been on the countdown forever and don't think he was disappointed!

Jaxton chose to eat at Chuck-a-rama for his birthday dinner and then we had brownies, berry pie and ice cream with the Peterson side that Sunday.

I love you Jaxton James, always have, always will!

Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving was spent with the Olsen's this year -- it had probably been 8 years since the last time we were all together for Thanksgiving. We had a great time and I didn't even feel like puking until the evening, YAY!
I was in charge of place settings. Each person had a different name of an actual pilgrim ship.

So very grateful for many things, especially this family of mine and our newest addition coming soon.  The Lord has truly blessed us!