Miss Abby's Birthday!

No more ribbons and frilly dresses. (Not that she ever liked those anyway!) My beautiful baby girl is now officially a teenager! While I am excited to embark on this new adventure in my life, I am also a bit nervous and intimidated by it. I have a new found respect for my parents, as I watch Abby grow into a young woman. I see so much of myself in her that it sometimes scares me! I am so thankful that my parents and siblings were there for me through my emotional highs and lows (and continue to be there for me). Being a teenager is not easy, and watching Abby's struggles and triumphs brings back a lot of memories. I am so very proud of her for everything she has done! We had Grammy and Uncle Dan over for cake and ice cream. Uncle Bud came by earlier in the day to wish Abby Happy Birthday. Grammy and Opa took Abby out to her favorite restaurant. Red Lobster! It was great to see her so excited to be a teenager!

Christmas Morning at Our House

Amidst of all the unpacked boxes and things still out of place, my babies woke up wide eyed on Christmas morning, anxiously anticipating what Santa brought. As wrapping paper flew around the room, and tiny faces lit up, I realized that Christmas was about being together. We may not have had everything we wanted, but we were together and we were happy. (And Joey was ecstatic that Santa remembered his Tony Romo shirt!) I also realized how many wonderful people there are in Idaho Falls. Individuals who are compassionate and in tune with what others needs are. We received many visits from people we didn't even know, wishing us a Merry Christmas, as well as treats and presents left on our doorstep. I have truly been blessed and am forever grateful to everyone, family and friends, who helped me to make this a GREAT Christmas for my children. Thank you!

Cookies For Santa

Even though things were a little chaotic, and there were still MANY boxes to unpack, I felt that it was important to stick to something a little familiar. So, we made gingerbread men for Santa on Christmas Eve! :) We invited our friends, Sara and Jordan over, and had a blast making and decorating cookies! (Even though we knew that Santa couldn't POSSIBLY eat all of them!) Abby started a frosting fight, and WON! It was a great way to relieve tension and create a FUN memory we will always look back on and smile!

Presents From Grammy and Opa!

Grammy and Opa got the kids new clothes this Christmas! They all loved their outfits. Unfortunately, my camera was acting up and didn't produce any pictures of the twins and Joey. Cody was VERY excited about his shirt. That was ALL he wanted for Christmas! Grandpa and Grandma know how to spoil them!

My Babies aren't Babies Anymore!

As I get older, I realize how quickly time passes. It seems like only yesterday that I looked into my beautiful baby girl's eyes right after she was born, or that Cody was crawling around on all fours instead of using his knees, or that Billy and Wyatt were finger painting each other with gentian violet (a permanent purple stain that lasted for a week!) , or that Joey was fighting for his life in a hospital for three months. Now I look around me and realize that I will offically be the mother of a teenager in exactly five days, and that I am having to figure out how to explain things like the facts of life to three tweens! I cried when Joey got his two first "grown up" teeth! How quickly time flies! These precious little ones no longer need me as much as they used to, at least not in the ways they used to. They are becoming independent and learning and growing everyday! As bittersweet as it is, I love being able to watch them as they grow and learn, and am continually thankful for every moment I have with them!

Halloween 2008

This year we had a Star Wars theme. Billy and Joey both chose Boba Fett. Cody chose to be Anakin Skywalker. (Do you think I should be worried about his interest in the dark side? :) ) Wyatt chose Jenga Fett. Grandma took them trunk or treating at the church.

Cody's Birthday Party! - September 26, 2008

We celebrated Cody's birthday as a family on September 10th, but he had a party on the 26th. WOW! I did not think that a bunch of 11 year old boys could party like that! I was expecting the consumption of obscene amounts of food, as well as the energetic chaos! However, what caught me completely off guard was the point where they turned up the music and started singing and dancing! I expected that from Abby and her friends, but seriously...I was totally taken aback! Cody had a BLAST though, and that is all that matters!