Cousins

I have many memories of when I was younger being with my cousins!  I loved when our families gathered and all the playing, mischief, conversations, and fun we had when we were all together!

I was very lucky and got this experience from both sides of my parents families!

I am so happy my own children are now growing up with the same experiences!

How I love when our Family is all Together!!

How Thankful I am that we are an Eternal Family- Forever and Ever!!!

Addie (2 1/2)

Megan (22 mo)

David (5 1/2yr.s)

Build A Bear on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to Laura's and Matt's and read the Nativity Story

First Snow- After Christmas!  Wish it had stuck!!

The kids loved playing in it!!!

Loni (7 1/2)

Hanging out- Pizza Night!

Morgan (5 1/2)

Above is the only pic I got from Great Wolf Lodge!!

Jenna and Loni put on their swim suits and they were matching! (Not planned!)

Below more hanging out the day after we got home from Great Wolf Lodge!

 Headed down to COSI in Columbus-

it was on our way to take Morgan and Loni home!!

 Beautiful Day out and not too cold!!!

We had so much fun during Winter Break with the Cousins!!

So much more that we did with no pictures!

We went to the Movies- Chipwrecked

and Played and Played!!!

We also had a great time at Becky's!  It was great to seee their new home and spend some more quality time with them while the kids played some more!  It was fun to spend time with each other!!!

I feel so blessed that the kids are close together in age and not to far away in distance!!!



Christmas

 Christmas Eve started with the kids and I attending a friends baptism- Maddie Cartwright!  It was really nice and a great start for Christmas!  Then it was a surprise for the kids to meet some of their cousins at Build-a-Bear.  We draw names to buy for with the extended family and this year we had Laura and her family.  So we decided to take them to Build-a-Bear.  My kids had asked for the Smurfs.  It was a fun treat on Chrismas Eve.  After naps the kids got to go with thier Dad for thier Christmas celebration and a party!!!

 When they returned home they got to open one gift- pajama's!  And then we read Luke 2.  We had been reading the scriptures all week- from the friend, the "ABC's of Christmas".  But, wanted to reread Luke 2.

It was a sweet experience!!!

 The kids woke up early Sunday Morning to "Jingle Bells" and ran down stairs to find Santa had brought what they had asked for- Bikes!!!  Even I got a bike!

We opened stockings and then realized we had plenty of time before church to open our gifts!

We had a small Christmas this year, but a wonderful one!!!!

 I wish I had more pictures- the kids got from me- Snow gear, each a CD, Smurfs the movie, Science expeiriments, Peyton- alarm clock/CD player, and Jenna- portable case/ speakers for her MP3 player.

I got a pretty ring from the kids, & a book of London from Diane & Cory!!!

We went to Church and is so blessed to have been surrounded by family and friends!  The sprit was strong and surely felt!  I am so thankful for the birth of my Savior!
We then went home and gathered as a family for more presents and Christmas Lunch!

These are our good friends!!!

 I love my nieces and nephews!!! I love that our family is not too far from each other and we can gather together!!  I feel so blessed!!!!

 I wish the picture had turned out better of my parents!

I got my Dad- ties, my Mom- a Necklace.  Becky had made them trash bags for their cars, and Laura had taken pictures of our shed in the four seasons and framed them.  and Diane got my parents a Bing Crosby Christmas CD- has "Jingle Bells" on it which holds many Christmas Memories for us!!

The best gift of all came from my parents to the whole family: we went to Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, OH. Pictures to come of the event and all the fun things we have done together!!  It was fun to have the whole family in one place!

We had a Wonderful and a very Blessed Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to your Family and God Bless!

Peyton

Peyton has been doing Tae Kwon Do since October and has been loving it.

He has stuck to it and pushes himself.  It has been so good for Peyton building his self confidence, self control, and following directions.

Dec. 22nd- Peyton tested in Tae Kwon Do for Yellow Belt

 

 It was a hard test and really showed Peyton he can handle and do a lot!

 Peyton broke a board with his fist!!  And I got to hold the board- it was Awesome!

 He made it and is a Yellow belt! 

The Master told the kids they would get their belts later, because the studio is moving!

The next day was Friday and we went to Tae Kwon Do- and there were only 3 students!

 So Master Jeon gave Peyton his Yellow belt and had him lead the class!

I am so happy for Peyton!  He needs this confidence booster!

He sure is growing up and making huge strides!!!

Love this little Man!