Christmas at the Cabin 2011

Christmas at the Cabin, was at our destination. It should have been fabulous, but it had a few downfalls! Still great but a little too...

So, this is our little Christmas before Christmas at the cabin. We acted like it was Christmas morning and the kids opened their presents from one another, and their Presents from Grandma Kerry

There was a whole lot of this going on, and it made me wonder why we ever do more than this.

"Are you Kidding me?" That's what she was saying. It was a great morning full of just our own family fun!

This is Josie's preschool Christmas party. The kids were pretty distracted and didn't do their parts that well, but is was still fun to see their cute personalities.

Josie's cute friend Lizzie

And this is Nate. We love Nate at our house. He is our next door neighbor and just so adorable. Josie always wants to walk with him to preschool, but his mom is a little more prepared than us, and usually he makes it there before we are even out the door.

This is us at the cabin with my brother Kevin's family and my parents. It was nice because we had snow. If we hadn't gone there, it would have been a Brown and Green Christmas! After some set backs with snow clothes, we all had a great time sledding.

We also got a snow mobile for one day which was soooo fun, but I didn't get any pictures of it! BOO!

This is the tree that was sacrificed to become our Christmas tree. I felt bad it had to be cut for only two days, but nobody really wanted to open presents in the snow. So we cut it, brought it inside and made it the prettiest Christmas tree we could!

Our kids slept down stairs and my brothers slept upstairs. So the stairs pictures were a little crazy! My kids went first and we walked upstairs to get to the other cousins so that we could all come down together. Thus my kids got a sneak peek. It was pretty fun to see their faces!!!

All the kiddos! Poor Mia threw up and had diaharia the entire night! We had given it to them:( Not the best thing to GIVE or GET at Christmas!

DeeKen's bike waiting at home under the Christmas tree! Santa was so sneaky this year! John's Ipad! He was so surprised! It was used but he was still very exciting! Thanks Brett and Haydee!

Helping grandpa with the Little Smokies!

Mia finally pooped out on the couch after all the presents were open! Poor Girl!

It was a very Merry Christmas minus the sickness. We loved being with Kevin's family and going to the Cabin!

Sunday Gratitude

(December 18, 2011) I am thankful for....

1. my beautiful, healthy children.

2. A God who is proving He loves me despite my weaknesses.

3. the temple. It offers peace. I so need Peace right now.

4. the Prince of Peace. I am starting to understand what that means.

5. A husband who is on research this month. AKA home all the time.

6. Micah's strong will, even though I want to bend it all the time.

7. Noah's acceptance of himself, even though it must seem like I always want him to be different.

8. DeeKen's easy going attitude, even though I take advantage of it all the time.

9. Josie's excitement about Christmas, even though I wish it was more about the saviors birth and less about presents and Santa Claus. (okay, I wish that for all my kids)

10. John, who has definitely shown this week that he stands beside me and my decisions. This has meant so very much to me this week.

Catch up! Here we GO!

In November I took baptism pictures for this little friend of Micah's. She is such a beautiful girl inside and out. She was awesome to hold up in the cold so we could get these pictures.

Josie Mae was the student of the month at her preschool. I loved this pumpkin on my neighbors porch, I just had to take her picture with it. She is indeed very loved!

Since I met this amazing woman when I moved here, I had a desire to know her. She exuberates happiness! This pessimistic realist needs her! I get to see her every Friday for about three hours now, since she got me a job in the day care at our local gym. She is the best part of the job by far. Yes, I get the perk of working out at the gym, which is nice, but I actually LIKE and ENJOY Ange! She is FABULOUS and a GOD send!

Here is her beautiful family. We took some pics back in November!

I got to go to TOFW with these Amazing women! It was a huge blessing, just getting to be with them and the inspired messages we heard!

My dad did a combined showing of his Indian stuff to Noah and Micah's classes. The kids love it when he does this. He enjoys it quite a bit too!

My beautiful Brenley and her family came for a visit. We always love to see them. They are such great examples of faith and dedication to the gospel.

These two seemed to like each other a lot! Jo Mae is still talking about him.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I got the best of both worlds. My parents with John's family! This has indeed happened for the last 3 years. I am so glad our families get a long so well. Thanks to Dan and Anne for hosting! We love you guys so much!

This is my kids doing a funny game their aunt provided! The TURKEY walk was a big hit!

This was a fun little work party we got to go to because I took some business pictures for a friends mom. This is Josie's bestest little friend Belle! I wish all my kids had a friend like Belle is to Jo! They love seeing each other!

Josie was adorable with Santa Clause. I forget she is still little and has amazing faith he exists! She got as excited to see him as she did about seeing the Disney Princesses at Disneyland. When she got off his lap, she ran to Belle and said, "Santa Claus is REAL Belle!" I t surprised me, and kind of broke my heart. I haven't really fostered the idea of Santa Claus for her!

Here comes my Noah! He has filled our Christmas season with a lot of dancing. Noah takes ballroom in a class that is offered before school. Lots of kids in our neighborhood do, they seem to really enjoy it. I know Noah does. He loves to perform! I wonder who he got that from? This is him and his cute partner Abby. She is our neighbor and I adore her. I think Noah was lucky to get her as his partner.

This is up til recently. I have not been a good blogger lately. Even less better at being grateful. I have hit a snag lately, and am trying to draw myself out. Remind myself that God needs me to have a open heart. This is the season of giving and peace. I am personally trying to recommit myself to do and find both. Thanks for your patience with me!