Friend Christmas Party 2010

Great food, fun gifts and fantastic friends. This is always a great way to start the holidays.

Grandma's Camera

Lately, I have had several moments when I quietly go to my bedroom, get on my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for my wonderful little life. This picture gives me that overwhelming feeling of gratitude every time I see it. What a special moment in time!

Henry chilling by the pool just before Papa leaves for the gold camp doing his "sniffy" nose.

My fat little "Hank the Tank"

I love how my sister's kids think H is great. Noah and Avery hop in the car for carpool and take turns making him laugh. He is one loved little man!

Lukey's Big Day

My sweet baby Lukey, who was my baby for almost three years before H, turned four December 8th. He is such a fun buddy to me when his brothers are gone.He loves to dress himself and he is often seen wearing a costume, beanie or rain boots out of the house. His biggest concern was that he wouldn't be able to wear footed jammies as he got bigger. He still has his little accent and I really don't want him to grow up anymore. He is no longer a sunbeam and got his CTR ring today at church. I remember so clearly when they brought him to me in the hospital. With him I fell in love instantly. We took a long time to name him and the nurses would send post-its back on his bassinet. We decided to name him Luke and thought it was fitting. He really was my best Christmas present. He asked me the other day if he could marry me. He will thank me for dinner and tells me often that I am the "bestest mommy ever". He has a strong personality and a loud voice for such a little man. He is not shy and loves to be with his buddies at "Miss Melanie's". He is the best little cuddler and I am so glad I get one more year with him before he goes off to school. Him and Henry are going to such fun friends this year. He is already loving being the "big" brother and is so sweet with H. I used to worry so much that Luke kind of got lost in the mix being born so close to his older two brothers, but I now we get all kinds of time together. I love how everything works out if I just keep trying to do the best I can. Luke keeps a smile on our faces. One of our favorite memories of Luke is when Brian was scolding him for something. He sat Luke on the table and told Luke to look at him and to listen. Luke looked right at Brian and said "You have green eyes Daddy". We both lost it and whatever Luke did was quickly forgotten. I love that Luke challenges me to think of new ways to parent and reminded us on the way home from church that we need to read our scriptures everyday! He makes me a better mom and I love him for it.
Brian bought green balloons for the birthday morning. Lukey had told us that night when he went to bed that he was so excited for it to all be decorated when he woke up. He got a new Ninja Turtle costume to replace the old two that have worn out. Then he had a party with his brothers, cousins and friends. I made Ninja Turtle cake pops and the kids did crafts and played. He loved having his first big party.
I think these were the best gift of the day. He was one happy little boy.
Jackson continues to be Luke's best bud and his mother and I are convinced they were friends in heaven.

He had a very Happy Birthday week. He got some turtle undies and a stuffed turtle from Grandma and Papa and his four dollars from Grandma and Grandpa Jones. We love you Lukes.

Thanksgiving 2010

Holidays to me mean having a place for everyone to come and be together and enjoy each other. This year we had a special guest with us and it was so fun to have a new face at the table. This is my sweet friend that I met driving through the window at McDonalds. There were days when H was little and I would pack the kids in the car turn on a movie, drive thru and enjoy some quiet time while they ate their icecream. Mary was the cashier and always had a smile for me. I am always grateful for her sweet way.

It has always been a little goal of mine to run a 5K Turkey Trot. So, this Thanksgiving we organized a little run at the park by our house. It was so nice to do it so close. One of my sweet Beehives made us all scarves and the boys came over for a fun run after we finished. I ran with my sister and my sister-in laws. It was so fun and I did it! I ran the whole way and finished in about 34min. Not bad for an out of shape mom!We then rushed home and helped my mom prepare two turkeys and all the trimmings to host Thanksgiving at our house.
We had a bunch of family over and my special friend from the McDonald's drive-thru.
After the 5K the boys had a little football game with friends and neighbors.
The living room set up to watch the game. It is very important to keep our priorities straight.
We cleared out the family room and set up tables. I love having a place that everyone can come and a mom and mother-in-law that can make sure we have wonderful food to eat.
We always have a feast and everyone brings what makes Thanksgiving great to them.
Pies are a tradition for Brian's family, so we always have plenty to end on a sweet note. It was a wonderful day. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Temple Groundbreaking

We attended the new temple groundbreaking as a family. It was a little long for our crew, but if we still live in our house when they go on missions (which is asking a lot in my family!), this will be their temple so we thought it was important to go. You can see the crowds of white shirts behind us, it was so special to be there. The choir was beautiful and lunch at Costco with a lot of out fellow attendees made for a fun day.


My sweet little men sitting on what will be the temple grounds next year. (Poor Lukey got attacked by ants that were in the dirt, he was so mad at those ants and told them exactly how he felt on the way home!) It will be a fun story to tell at his farewell one day.

We love family in our family.

Temple Trip with cousins.

Veteran's Day Parade

Making our blog into a book consumed my computer time for most of October and November. Now for some catch-up! For Veteran's Day we happened on some cousin time and all ended up at the parade. The boys had so much fun and it was great to help them understand why we get a day off school.
Aunt Gayle supplied us with flags and the boys waved them high, especially when they figured out that the floats threw candy!
Everything is better when Caroline comes.
Avery and Lukey were a little sad that they got missed on the candy a few times. They weren't quite quick enough and it was a tough lesson to learn. Fortunately, Ave found someones bag of candy on our way back to the car and shared with her buddy.

Happy Veteran's Day