Gratitude...

I haven't ever posted much on my blog other than the happenings of my little family, however, all of our lives have been so greatly touched by my niece Ember.  To read her whole story of her small time on earth you can visit my sister's blog where she shares her journey.

I just feel like I need to express my gratitude and pure amazement of my sister, Michelle.  She has been the best example to me of being a true disciple of Christ and instead of blaming the Lord for our trials, relying on the Lord for strength through them.  I feel so blessed to have the gospel in our lives and know that we will all be reunited together one day and that the Lord has a much greater plan for each of us.  Through my sister's experience I have been able to have my own testimony strengthened as I see how the Lord has prepared her for this experience through major and minor things in her life.  I know that He knows each one of us and is mindful of us, but also knows our own strength more than we even do.

I also have had my love of my family grow even more.  I of course have always been close with my family; my sisters and I are especially close.  However, through this fall when several members of my family have had various trials I have realized how strong my love for them is.  It has been hard for me living completely across the country from my family and yet know that my family will be there for me whenever I need them or they need me.  I feel somewhat helpless many times and wish I was closer to physically offer my help or support.  However, I am also comforted in knowing one of us will be there no matter what.  Lora was there and helped Lisa through this fall when she found out she had ovarian cancer and had to undergo a major operation and  Lisa was there when Michelle had Ember.  I am also extremely grateful to have the loving parents that I do and to know that no matter where I live they will always offer me help and comfort when needed.  They show their love in so many ways and I feel so blessed to have such giving and exemplary parents.  I have learned a lot from them through their examples and hope that one day I can repay them of their selflessness they have shown to me and my family.

Love each and everyone of these people!

What?.... Christmas in February

So I am further behind than I can even believe.  However, I also realized that I have not taken any pictures since Christmas.  I can't believe that a whole month and a half flew by with out anything note worthy.  We were sick for about 3 weeks of that time, so I am going with that as my excuse.

  So here is our picture from Christmas Eve.

Here is Kali writing her note to Santa

Kali and Gwyn

These pictures are from Halloween. I just love them though, because you can see how great of friends Kali and Gwyn are. Gwyn just adores Kali and loves sitting in her lap and giving her loves. It is so sweet.

Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to go and cut down our Christmas tree.  The weather was beautiful and pretty warm.  The kids had a great time.  We later came home decorated the tree with ornaments and put up the rest of our Christmas decorations.  It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Bristol Turns Six

Bristol's birthday was November 10th, but I have been a little busy the past few weeks and haven't even downloaded the pictures until today.  We had a small birthday party for her with just a few friends (it was even more than I was wanting, but it was hard to have her limit it to the girls that came).  They all made bracelets with beads and charms.  I needed somethings simple, and it ended up being that way.  The kids seemed to have fun.  We didn't have her party until the 19th because Nate worked the weekend before and lets face it I couldn't get ready for a party all by myself.

Bristol's Birthday Day

Note how half of the cake is missing.  That would be because Nate cut the cake up and served it onto plates.  When I got into the kitchen I asked him, "What about putting candles in the cake and singing happy birthday?".  Nate:"oh shoot".  He was just being too efficient I guess.  Bristol didn't seem to mind at all, she was just happy that she got cake.

 Bristol's Birthday Party

I didn't get any pictures of them sitting around the table making their jewelry, but that is what happened first.  We didn't go straight into opening presents.

My friend Dora and me serving up the cake.

Bristol's cake, I made it to her exact request.  Kind of a random cake if you ask me, but hey it is what she wanted.

I can't believe it has been six years.  Time has gone by so fast and she is growing up so fast.  She has lost two teeth and has two more that are loose.  She loves to read (which is not a shocker, she has been "reading" since she was 18 months old.  She would sit and look at books for 45 min. all by herself when she was just 18 months old).  She loves school and would wear a dress or skirt everyday if I let her.  Her hair is getting so long, she always wants it in a ponytail, and she wants to donate it once it gets a little longer.  She is quite the dramatic little girl and knows how to start sobbing in 2 seconds flat and then stop again in the same time.  She is in ballet and loves going each week.  I love seeing her blossom into a little girl and to see her personality come out more and more.  I love you Bristol!

Fall Fun and Halloween

So get ready for picture overload.  Here is more of our October.  We went to Windmill Farms with Kali's preschool and went on our traditional Halloween tractor ride and got our pumpkins.  It is always so much fun, they have the hugest mud puddles that you go through and the kids love it.

See the huge mud puddle? 

Kali's preschool class.

I don't know how this got out of order, but here is another picture of the mud.

Pumpkin Carving

Once again I don't know how this got out of order, but here is Kali's finished pumpkin at night.

Bristol's pumpkin.  She drew the picture on the pumpkin of what she wanted and then Nate carved it out, with only minor changes.

Getting ready to trick or treat with the neighbors.  Here they have a scheduled time for trick or treating, 6-8pm.  So we leave before it is dark which is nice because it is also warmer.

Note the stem on top of Gwyn's head.  I have a knit hat for her that is a pumpkin hat, but unless it was really cold out she wouldn't leave it on her head.  I had a feeling this would be the case and so I whipped up a quick stem out of felt.  I just really wanted her to have a stem.