Boyd's First Shave

Need I say more.....this was so funny to watch. Skyler had the bandaids on hand just in case but I am happy to say there was no blood

No Way!!

I got a phone call this week from my college senior to give me exciting news....at least to her. She was proud to inform me that she had just submitted all of her papers for graduation and ordered her cap and gown. There is no way my little girl is old enough to graduation from college.....but she is done come December. What will she do next.....move back home to tease her brothers.



Our smallest one also earned his Arrow of Light this past month. He completed everything needed to earn the highest award for Cub Scouts. Now it is on to preparing for his Eagle....they grow up way too fast!

Our basketball Star

So, Skyler's dream is to play professional basketball. He is on his way playing for the Raptors this year. He is small enough that he can run faster than most players, but has a hard time hitting the hoop. He has made a few baskets this season but the best is to see him steal the ball away from some guy twice as tall as he is. The other player will just be dribbling along and suddenly the ball is not there anymore. Our young men's team is short players so Skyler plays for them too. Unfortunately, this week he got mistaken as the ball and hit the floor. Good thing he is flexible and bounced right back up.

Winter Wonderland

Our winter vacation is always a highlight for my children cause they get to play in the snow. Living here in Arizona, they don't have that luxury. They look forward every year to putting on their snow clothes and rolling around in the snow. This year there was plenty of snow for them. One day alone I think it must have snowed 8 or 9 inches. Rob even go to shovel the driveway - and he was happy he does not have to do that every day. The weather was also very cold. Our high a couple of days was only nine degrees. People say we are crazy, but I still love the snow. I am not a fan of driving in it, but it is so pretty and fun to play in. The kids tried to make a snowman (Skyler had to ask us how), they made a ramp in grandpa's front yard, they made snow angels and of course went sledding. Another hightlight of our winter vacation.

My New Niece

Rick and Tina set off on the adventure of adopting a little girl from Ethopia about seven months ago. She became a part of their family the first week of December. She is the cutest little girl....huge eyes and soft, curly black hair. She has adopted well to her new family. She is one year old (on December 22). I was a little concerned about how she would react to us since she had never seen us, but my worries were short lived. She loved me from the start....came right to me. In fact, she wanted me over her own father during the week we were there. I think it is because I look like her mother.

They had Taysha sealed to them in the temple the week we were there. I was asked to be the one dressed in white to hold Taysha at the sealing alter...what a wonderful blessing. I prayed so hard she would not cry, but she cried - hard. She did not want her hand on the alter; she just wanted me to cuddle her. It matters not that no one in the room could hear anything the sealer said cause our Heavenly Father and the angels in heaven heard every word. She is now a forever part of their family.

I love that little girl so much. She has the sweetest spirit. I am just hopeful we will always have that special bond and that she will always want to come to me when she sees me. Forever families are wonderful

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is always wonderful. We were awakened early in the morning by 10 anxious children who wanted to see what Santa Claus had brought. It took a little while for those ten children to use the bathroom, get Grandpa and Grandma out of bed then convince them not to run over each other as they came up the stairs. (we had them all sleep in the basement and Rick slept at the bottom of the stairs to guard them from sneaking up to see Santa's elves). It was wonderful to hear the squeals and excitement of all the kids. There were art easels, bikes, golf clubs, nerf guns, clothes, laptops, luggage, musical toys and so much more. It seemed to take us forever to unwrap all the gifts but it was so much fun. McKay I think was the most excited over each toy - at least he waved his hands the most. Every musical toy was a new adventure for him and he was not very patient as they were being taken out of the boxes. In fact, he spent the entire day playing with his toys - not even coming to eat or get dressed- and played until 11:00 that night. My children faired very well considering Disneyworld was part of their trip. It was fun trying to stuff it all in the van to get home.

That afternoon, we were joined by Coby and Shawn's families for a large Christmas dinner. It is so fun to get together with everyone. We have not been "home" for Christmas for almost 16 years. I still enjoy just Christmas with my husband and children, but my heart yearns every year to be with my extended family. This year we had that opportunity and I will be forever grateful to Rob for allowing that to happen. He is always a trooper and goes along with my ideas. Thank you dear for giving me yet another Christmas gift...the gift of family.