White Dresses...

 

 My beautiful Isabella trying on her baptismal dress.

  

 Is it really possible that this is my child?

Eight years old, gorgeous, supremely intelligent, kind, loving...

  

This proud mama could go on and on!

  

 Isabella loves posing for pictures and is notorious for her "camera smile"!

  

 We try to break her by making her laugh, and as you can see...

  

 We are ALWAYS successful!

  

 Congratulations Isabella!

Your big day will soon be here and 

we are so happy to see it come to pass.

You are a lovely girl, 

and we are grateful you are apart of our family!

What a wonderful example you are 

to your younger brothers and sisters, 

and your parents!

We love you!

Water Babies!

 

 Gabriel is growing so fast now!  I can't even remember the last time I took photos of him in the tub.  Now he's finally sturdy enough to be held by his sister, who thankfully loves to hold him in her lap while I snap away!

  

 At this point in time, he's mostly just in awe of the water.  He doesn't really move around much.  He's more or less content to grab onto a toy and then just watch.

  

 He's a handsome little guy, and our home was definitely not complete without him.  I'm grateful for prayer, promptings, and yes, chubby blessings! 

  

Fast Sunday Walks

 This year we've made it a goal to walk the temple grounds every Fast Sunday.

Since our Sacrament meeting doesn't start until 1 PM, it's the perfect way to start the day.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 I love how excited the kids are to come.  

This is something the whole family looks forward to.

  

  

 They cannot resist the water, no matter how icy!

  

 I love this girl!

  

  

  

  

  

 I'm grateful to be sealed to my sweetheart.  

He is a good man, 

and I love him very much.

  

 Isabella, with only days left before her baptism.

We are all looking forward to that special day!

Spoonin' It Up!

 

Who says you can't have frozen goodness in 40 degree weather? 

Not us!

(Nice goin', Owen!)

  

Gabriel, missing out on so much!  

Don't worry, he's got some tasty peas waiting for him at home...

  

  

What Does Your Wii Face Look Like?

In reviewing my pictures for our families annual New Years Eve Party, that's the question you absolutely have to ask.

Take a peek below and you'll see some good ones...

 

Rachel & Houston

 

Joe & Rachel

 

Clista & Jacob

 

Bill & Ava

And then there was the non-Wii player, Jessica, who took a blessed night off thanks to the bun in her toasty oven!

The kids did their own Lord of the Flies thing that they usually do.

Sword-fighting and what-not is a must!

And of course then there's the midnight movie feature, complete with stadium seating.

 After the big countdown it's outside for some fireworks action!  Oddly enough, this year it wasn't too cold for being as late as it was.

  

 My beautiful Bella...

 

 My sweetheart Ava...

 

 Princess Iris...

  

 ...and of course, our Rascally Owen!

  

 And then, the biggest goober of the bunch, my heart, my love

...my Samuel.

  

 After all the hoopla everyone finally heads home for a few hours of sleep before we're back at it again with a hearty breakfast composed of everyone's favorites.

Here you see the kiddie table...

  

 ...and the adult table.

  

 The meal is always amazing!

  

 I think everything tastes better after a super-late night.

  

 Houston determined to make faces in EVERY photo...or is that just how he really looks all the time?

You judge!

  

  

Families are such a blessing.  And as I stand at the close of yet another year, poised to start a new one, I am grateful for new beginnings.  

Elder Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to this effect in his talk entitled:  

The Best is Yet to Be

Regarding the past, he encourages us to:

"Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors."

"This is an important matter to consider at the start of the a new year-and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life.  Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

"Faith is for the future.  Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there.  Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high priest of good things to come."

"Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever.  That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep."

Truly words to live by!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!