Family Pictures (Dec. 2010)

My college roomie Jami flew down from Utah for a Photography Workshop and to visit her sister. We were lucky enough to get her for family pictures again! Love her!

Christmas 2010

We did indeed have a very Merry Christmas this year.

Time together with the people I love.
There is nothing better.
I am so blessed.

This is what our Christmas day looked like:

Click here to view this video
P.S. -- No. We did not get a real puppy. That cute little fluff ball belongs to my brother Kevin. Ashley, however was completely IN LOVE. Completely.

P.P.S. -- I am still catching up on other holiday activities. Just decided not to go in order. I will fix dates later so that my posts do fall in order. :)

Luke

WOW!
I have lots, and lots, and lots to catch up on.
Thanksgiving - Christmas - New Years - Birthdays and tons of fun stuff in between.
AND... all the evidence has not even left my camera yet :)

The kids went back to school today.

I exercised.
Yep. Me and my treadmill are going to be very good friends for a while :)
And, me and M&Ms are not.

The house seems quiet, except for the sounds of a little boy.
Oh my. I absolutely adore him.

I can hardly believe that my "baby" just turned 4! Just the thought makes me a little teary. I have had this little idea in my head for a while, ever since I first heard this sweet song. I love it when I find a song that says all the words I have running through my mind but would never be able to say so beautifully.

Enjoy.


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Sunday around here...

today:

Dave conducted sacrament meeting and bore his testimony.
I survived sacrament meeting (you know, 4 kids by myself)
I led music time with the nurseries and I'm in love with the kids and this calling.
I did a little impromptu photo shoot with my little ones. (see below)
I made chocolate chip pancakes.
Zac played the piano and filled our home with Christmas.
Josh collected Fast offerings.
Dave and I spoke at Priesthood Preview.
Zac had Priesthood Preview.
Dave practiced piano with Ashley.
I snuggled Luke until he fell asleep.
I started reading Ashley "Charlotte's Web".
Today was a good day.

Awesome Zac

I came across this paper the other day...
It made me happy!
So, so happy!!!

As a mother, I think a positive self esteem is one of THE most important things I want to instill in my children.

President James E. Faust, in a talk on the subject, said this:

"It (self esteem) is born of inner peace and strength.

Self-esteem goes to the very heart of our personal growth and accomplishment. It is the glue that holds together our self-reliance, our self-control, our self-approval or disapproval and keeps all self-defense mechanisms secure. It is a protection against excessive self-deception, self-distrust, self-reproach, and plain old-fashioned selfishness."

I love this boy.
He really and truly is an awesome kid!
He is kind. Generous. Helpful. Patient. Loving. Hard working. An Excellent student. A math wiz. A talented pianist. A great soccer player. He has a thirst for knowledge. He has a quick wit and a funny sense of humor. He has a soft heart and a strong desire to make good choices.

So in one word....
AWESOME!
Yes, "Awesome Zac" is very fitting.


This reminded me that I never did a post about Zac's 11th birthday!

In keeping with tradition, we celebrated Zac's birthday with an overnight stay at a fun resort.
He chose the Arizona Grand and we did indeed have a GRAND time!

We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Rustler's Rooste.
A fun, cowboy steakhouse with a slide entrance, beautiful views of the valley,
and a live band and dance floor.

They brought a pail of cotton candy to the birthday boy.

self portraits

special birthday hat

This picture makes me laugh...
See Luke's mouth being covered so he doesn't blow out the candles?
Oh and Amber B. -- Zac requested Oreo Brownies for his birthday cake :)

The kids and I stayed all day long and played, and played, and played some more. I didn't get very many pictures though because Dave had to leave early that morning so I was flying solo.
(He was invited to attend a special meeting for bishops and stake presidents with Elder Neal L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was pretty excited and thought it was really neat. Bummer about the timing though, because we missed him.)

I love you
AWESOME Zac!!