Christmas Morning

Santa must have been smiling down on Ryan and me this year...The kids slept until 7:45 Christmas morning. Merry Christmas to us! We must have also done all the shopping right this year for there was not one complaint after opening gifts. In fact our ever optimistic Simon, after opening each gift would shout "This is just what I always wanted!" Grandpa Landon arrived about halfway through the opening and seemed happy to watch the festivities. We had a great morning lounging around and being together as a family. Uncle Clark, Aunt Morag, Jason, Jim, Kelly, and kids arrived around 1:00 for a very informal lunch. It is wonderful having Uncle Clark and Aunt Morag near. The kids have really taken to them and love them so much. I am grateful to have this holiday season to ponder the meaning of Christmas. I am grateful for the sacrifices made by our Savior for me. I am grateful for the constant example I have of Jesus Christ, and feel extremely blessed to have this knowledge. It brings so much peace and hope to me. I pray that as my children grow they to will find happiness in the knowledge that the gospel brings. I love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and joy in 2008!

Christmas Eve

We were blessed this year to spend Christmas Eve with several of our neighbors. We had a soup potluck at our house with four of the families that live directly around us (We missed you Sorensen's! :( ). It was nice getting to know each one of them a little better. I hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did! After everyone left the kids got to open there Christmas Eve gift (p.j.'s). They even got robes this year, which they were thrilled about. (Simon has slept in his every night since).

Sunday Best!

Last Sunday, I had to be to church early for choir practice. I helped Ryan get the kids into their new Christmas clothes and then asked him to take pictures of them before he brought them to church. When I got home these were the pictures I discovered...

I later found out that it wasn't the kids who were not cooperating but their dad being silly! I guess that's what I get for leaving the job up to my fourth child.

Our little Mother

Yesterday, Simon and I stayed home sick all day. The only time we went out was to run up to Shally's to sit with her girls while she ran to school to pick up a sick Jaxon. By the time Ryan got home the house was in less than great shape, no one had done any homework yet, and of course there was no dinner to eat. We decided to run to Arctic Circle (a shake is the best medicine for a sore throat). So we all pile into the car
(Olivia 's purse full of things to do, just in case she eats all her food and gets bored) and head to Arctic Circle. Andrew finished eating and Olivia pulled out her wallet and taking money out said "great job Drew, now you can have ice cream". The way she said it was so cute! Olivia has always been such a great mom to all her dolls and stuffed animals and now she wants to be Drew's mom too!

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

I can't believe it has been 11 years already! I still remember what we both wore on our first date, I remember the song we first listened to on the radio (Dave Matthew's Crash-Ryan must have planned that), I can still feel our first kiss, they all seem like yesterday. Ryan, you are my best friend, the one I love to hang out with, review books with, work outside with, watch you do crosswords. I am still amazed that you know almost all the answers on Jeopardy. I don't think I will ever get tired of listening to you play the piano. You have brought out my inner nerd (I think that's a good thing!). You treat me like gold even when I stay mad at you for days. I appreciate all you do with the kids and that I never have to do the dished after dinner. I love the gentle way you treat me. Thanks for the backrubs, heating my hot pad every night, tucking me in every night, and all the small things you think about. I could not ask for a better husband or friend. I am excited for the adventers that will come in the next 11 years. I love you!

My baby is five

Simon turned five today and it has been an emotional day as I have looked back on the last five years. Simon has taught us more than he could imagine in his short little life. He began by teaching us absolute love. He then quickly taught us patience and endurance. He has taught us how to hope, to care, to trust, to laugh, to cry, and most of all that miracles do happen. He is everything to his Brother and Sister, they love him more than anything. He has taught us all that love and family is more important than anything. I am thankful that we were trusted with his sweet and special little spirit. He has enriched our lives so much. Here are some of my favorite things about Simon...His squishy kisses and hugs, his vivid imagination, his hearty laugh, he has no fear, his ability to ride a two wheeler at age 3, his sense of humor, his furrowed brow, his ability to be happy with what he has, he never expects anything, he never complains about doing his therapy, he can always make us laugh, he still at 5 wants more than anything to be with his mom, his tenderness, he hasn't hit his terrible two's yet, he has swallowed his pills since he was two, his fat belly, those are just a few. I am so grateful for all the things this little boy has taught me in the last 5 years. Happy Birthday, little man! Mommy loves you so much.