A Beautiful Christmas Day

Well, Christmas was fantastic! It was a wonderful feeling to just relax and spend time together. I'm so glad that Josh was able to get Christmas off from work. We are so blessed!

Santa brought the girls bunk beds. Yah! Now they can live in the same room so that we can have room for a new baby. I made them quilts, with lots of love and support from Josh, and they have been excited to sleep on beds. (Liz has been sleeping on the floor for the last couple of weeks since we've been trying Rachel out on a bed to see how she does).



Elizabeth was completely fascinated with the "Santa Claus" scenario. Once she realized that Santa did really bring her presents, she hasn't stopped about what Santa brought for her. Thank goodness for grandparents, though. Josh and I got the girls mostly new clothes and bedding, so if it weren't for Grandmas and Grandpas, the girls would have been very bored opening presents!



After we finished our little family Christmas at home, we went over to Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dwayne's house for more presents. Josh's Brother Chris and his family had come in from Colorado the night before so there was a large crowd when we arrived. The kids all got down and started opening presents together like crazy. It was a mad house, but they all had a great time. Then the kids all spent the morning and early afternoon playing and having a great time together. Elizabeth and her cousin Alayna even played all day without fighting at all. It was truly a miracle!



Merry Christmas to all, we hope you have all enjoyed your Holiday Season! I'm just adding a little video of Rachel dancing to her new alphabet refrigerator toy from Grandma Patti and Grandpa Davin. She adores this toy and it's just so funny to see her singing the alphabet along with the music.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Here are the girls after we finally got the Christmas Tree up. We got out a bunch of goodies and munchies and sat down to put up the Christmas tree and the decorations a week ago Sunday. Well, we got the Christmas tree up fine and then we plugged in the lights and... well... nothing. I can't say that I was surprised becuase we've had them for several years. However, it was Sunday, so we didn't get to finish. Monday morning I went and bought some new lights so that Tuesday morning when Josh was home we could finish. The girls were so excited to hang ornaments. Elizabeth was actually a really great tree decorator, and Rachel was just amazed at all the lights. What a fun time of year!

Our Little Rachel

I just had to post this picture but it is the perfect shot of her goofy personality. We love her so much and are grateful everyday that she came to us, even though we thought weren't quite prepared for her. What a blessing!

Picture of Jorgan

So at my doctor's appointment this week I expressed some concern about the lack of movement I was feeling from Jorgan. The doctor said that it was still early enough in the pregnancy that not feeling something every day is ok. But since I was worried, and the ultrasound machine was right there in the room, he said we could take a look. Yah! It was just a little peak at his heart, and a picture of his face. Everything is fine, of course, oh how we worry.... So here's a little peak!

Family Fun Summer 2008

Here are pictures of some of the fun things we did this summer. The girls have grown and changed so much... it's amazing!

One Fun Weekend

This weekend we got to spend 4 days with our friends at a cozy cabin just outside Cedar City. We had a really great and relaxing time! The girls enjoyed being somewhere other than home, and Josh and I enjoyed being with good friends and leaving the real world behind. My favorite part of the cabin... no cell phone reception!!!






The first day that we got there the weather was beautiful. We wore long sleeves and jeans and played outside a lot. And then... it snowed! We couldn't believe it. Elizabeth was so excited and loved that she could drink water falling from the sky. Elizabeth has been in the snow before, but this time she just enjoyed every bit of her little freedom and adventure.








The girls loved just getting to play, and I think that they also loved all of the extra attention. It took a couple of days, but not too long for everyone to figure out that Rachel is a schmoozer. When she wants something, expecially something that she's not supposed to have, she gives a cute grin, and wants to snuggle. Then she thinks she can have whatever she wants. It seemed to work for a little bit, but then we all started to catch on. What a funny girl!







Since it had snowed, Josh thought that it would be great to do some four-wheeling. Well, with the ground all wet and sloshy, he came back pretty muddy. He was so proud.. and yet couldn't see why I didn't want to kiss him.... Hmmmm.... let's think about that one!


PS Tom and Jodi... Thanks so much for being the wonderful friends that you are. We Love You!

Our Halloween Day

Yah!! It's Halloween! Unfortunately, Josh had to work all day, so he didn't get to enjoy Halloween with us. But, we seemed to manage without him. The girls and I decided to have a whole Halloween day. So the girls got dressed up in their Minnie Mouse costumes, good thing we just went to Disneyland, and we headed off to find a pumpkin patch.

We met Grandma Judy and Jacob at a pumpkin patch and the kids had a great time looking at pumpkins, goats, and chickens... and eating hay. They were just too busy I couldn't get them all to stay in one place, much less all look at the camera.

Later, while Rachel was taking a nap, Elizabeth and I made a skeleton, out of paper plates, and a ghost, out of a white garbage bag, and hung them on the front door. Not like we get any trick or treaters, but homemade decorations are fun nonetheless.

After Rachel woke up from her nap we painted the tiny $.99 pumpkins that the girls had picked out at the pumpkin patch. I only had one paint brush, so Rachel is painting with the butter brush...

Finally we went to the ward's Trunk or Treat. Grandma, Grandpa and Jacob met us there. The girls had a great time, but were both a little scared. Neither would let go of my hand... Thankfully, Elizabeth remembered to say "Trick or Treat" and Rachel held up her bucket and said, "Tane Too" (thank you). They were so excited to have people just handing them candy. Rachel would not let go of her bucket to save her life. I was so proud of them for being so brave without their daddy there.

The New Car

Well, we finally became the family with a minivan. I once swore I would never drive one... well... it's simply practical. The girls love that they are sitting up higher and can see out the windows better. I love having extra room and not bending over to buckle seat belts. Josh loves peeling out around corners. I guess he still needs to feel cool somehow. We need the extra room now that another baby is on the way and my back has been killing me with the constant lifting and bending. What can I say, I must be getting old.

See Me Run

These two girls really love music. These are pictures of them dancing to "See Me Run", which is a song that I remember running to as a kid. Rachel continually asks "Mow" (more) at the end every time we play it. This has seemed to be a great way for them to do something together without fighting!

It's a Boy!

We were so excited to find out that are family is continuing to grow. We were even more excited to find out that we are having a boy. Josh is feeling like he is "the man" and the girls are getting used to the idea that they will have a baby brother. Elizabeth told us for a long time that she was going to have another sister, but she seems content with getting a brother. She thinks we should name him alligator. I don't think that Rachel really understands, but no surprise there!