Sledding

We went sledding today and thanks to THIS amazing gift from Brandon's parents we are getting some great shots of the kids. Here are a few just of them. I will post more of the action shots later. We cannot say thank you enough for this amazing camera!

The cutest Mary and Joseph ever

All dressed up

New outfits from Noni

Matching hair boys!

Weekend in Tahoe

My sweet husband took me to Northstar in Tahoe to celebrate my 30th. It was so fun to get away. We ice skated, drank alot of hot chocolate and snowboarded too. The weather was gorgeous, we had blue skies and Brandon enjoyed lots of fresh powder. It has been a fantastic year and I look forward to proving that 30 is the new 20!

December Birthday Dinner

Random Christmas pictures

After Blythe's clogging recital

After Madison's baptism

With Santa at a Christmas party

Tess helping with the Christmas lights

A joint effort to get the star on top of the tree

Update on Eli

Eli has had his stitches out and a haircut! He is looking better everyday and his scar looks really good. We are putting vitamin E oil on it every night to help it fade. Thank you so much for all your concern and love for him. We are so blessed with such wonderful friends and family!

Today

Looking better today. I have to say that through everything, Eli has had the best attitude. He has been a little trooper. I love him so much and will always try to remind him that a positive attitude will take you far in this world!

Day 4

My son, the green and purple raccoon.

Day 3

The bruising really began to show today.

Day 2

Mr. E woke up this morning slightly resembling the elephant man (no offense) but the swelling seemed to be going down by the end of the day. Little did we know what was in store-see days 3 and 4.

Also as a disclaimer to my description of what happened when the Doc stabbed Eli in the cheek-He was not moving AT all-his being totally still made it all the more unbelievable!

My poor little man

Yesterday at preschool a large paper cutter fell off a shelf and hit Mr. E right in the head. He got a triangle shaped gash from the corner of the paper cutter clipping his forehead. We picked him up and took him to the ER where he got 5 stitches inside and 6 outside. He did so well and was so brave. The nurse was so sweet and told us that she had never seen another 4 year old handle getting stitched up as well as he did. Both Brandon and I were grateful that our friend Jeff was able to come over quickly and join with Brandon in giving him a blessing. I know it offered Eli much comfort and helped him to get through the whole experience so peacefully. Brandon and I each held one of his hands and stayed right by him through the whole thing. He was quietly moaning "Mom, I want you" over and over again but he really tore at my heartstrings when, after getting another stitch (and one I am sure he felt), he said in his sweet voice, "Mom, I want you SO bad!" I couldn't help but cry for my little angel and hating that I can't protect him from everything in this world that could harm him.

One of the scariest moments was when the doctor lost control of the syringe while he was numbing the area and it flipped up in the air and stabbed Eli in the cheek just under his left eye (you can see a small purple bruise there). I don't know what I would have done if it had hit his eye but I do know that his college would be paid for! These pictures show the swelling he had today. Through the past 2 days he has been in great spirits and is such an example of purity and innocence. He is just happy about all the love and attention he has received from his friends and is anxious to get back to school and life as usual.

Crazy hat lady

Tess is growing into a sweet and determined little lady. It has taken some time but everyday she is getting more pleasant to be around! This look is pretty normal as she loves to have a hat or shoes on at any given time.

An early Christmas gift from Aunt Shanna!

We were going to pierce Blythe's ears before her baptism but Aunt Shanna had her name for Christmas so we decided to surprise her. She picked her birthstone and is so happy with her new grown up look! She was nervous but stayed really brave while they did both ears at once.

Thanksgiving 2008

Apple Hill pony riders

Fish Hatchery

We had a great time with the Murray's at the fish hatchery over Thanksgiving break. The kids loved feeding the fish and watching them swim up the ladder. Kenzie and Tess are so cute together, and pay close attention to all the pictures I post that have Blythe and Tyler together from now on, because if Kate and I have our way, this is just the beginning. . . :)!

Utah/BYU game

Uncle Jo with the kids

Just a few pics from the game. Jo put the rest of them on his facebook. The last picture tells the sad story but we had a great time anyway.