Love Was Born at Christmas

Love was born at Christmas. This takes on triple meaning for us because not only do Scott and I celebrate the birth of our Savior, but we celebrate the births of our children, both born in December. During this holiday season there is so much to celebrate, and more importantly, so much to be thankful for. I have posted a slideshow that replays the events of our family over the last 2 weeks. We had a small combined party for the kids this past weekend and we are grateful to our family and friends for making the trip to come celebrate this special time with us. The toys in the house are overwhelming-- which is only going to get much worse in 9 days! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to my babies!

Happy Birthday also to my sweet mom, Kristy, Brooke, and Lindsey!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas Cheer

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The time when our eyes twinkle in merry wonder, we "accidently forget" to check our bank account balance, and pictures of me seem to always come out with red-eye that can't be removed because it's not from the camera! Two children with December babies, a mother with a December birthday, Christmas, whew, getting tired already.... BUT it is the most wonderful time because we have so much to celebrate!! Having young children lets me feel like a little kid all over again. I just wish my daddy still paid for everything!! Santa, I believe.... I believe!!!!!!
Dear Santa, I would like to have all the toys....

Eli: Santa, I want cars and trucks, and uh.... would you come home with us?

Caroline: Santa is kind of a bore. Santa: Finally, a kid that can't talk....

Good smile = Getting everything I want....

Can I eat him???

Hope this Frosty doesn't melt......

On Dancer, on Prancer, On Dasher and Vixon

And please notify 911 that Eli is driving........

Working 9 til...11

Sweet Caroline--- the last 3 months you have kept us really working... working to keep you off the steps, working to keep you in your bed at night, and working to keep up with your speed crawling-- and now possibly walking... as of today you have taken 12 steps in a row. Your favorite expression is "uh oh" when you purposely throw things on the floor. We can't exactly get you to say bye-bye to anyone, and I suspect it is because you can't possibly imagine why anyone would want to leave you to go anywhere. Needless to say, you love people and love social activities. At Thanksgiving you did your own performance where you told all of us that you were "SO BIG". You kept raising your hands over and over again because you enjoyed the explosion of applause you received from all your grandparents.
You are easy to please- except when hungry, and when you are put in your highchair, you're all business. So far, you eat just about anything which continues to make your brother very happy- especially when he can feed you something off his plate that he doesn't want.

You call for Daddy all the time, and call for "ma ma ma ma" when you are mad or upset. You had some great quality time with your Dad and me while Eli was in Disneyworld and we loved every minute of you having our undivided attention.

You represent everything good in this world, and we love you with all of our hearts.

Loving Life

That is Eli.... loving life in Disneyworld right now with my Mom and Dad. At 10pm last night (11pm their time) my mom called to tell me that Eli had "worn them out." They had been at Magic Kingdom all morning, and at 3pm they told Eli they should all go take a nap. Eli told them matter of factly,"Meeps there are just too many things..." (to do he means). At 10pm they finally dragged him out of the park only after him saying repeatedly, "just 2 more things, just 2 more things."

Don't we all wish we had that much energy???

Hopefully some new pictures to post this week. Caroline is here with Scott and me and REALLY enjoying playing with all of Eli's toys!

"Falling" in Love

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm Back!

Physically-- not mentally. It's been so busy that if I don't get with it and do laundry soon I will be forced to find my swimsuit bottoms (don't act like that hasn't happened to you..... :o). Seriously though, Scott and I just got back from a week trip to Las Vegas where I had a business trip and then we drove to the desert to see David and Caylen in Phoenix. (Las Vegas is the desert too I guess, but we were staying at the Four Seasons and were surrounded by palm trees (correction- Scott was surrounded by palm trees) so we didn't notice as much)). The day before we left, we spent our first night IN OUR NEW HOUSE!!!!!!!!!! Whoopee!!! Love the house, not the unpacking. 5th move in 5 years-- not planning on doing it again for A LONG time!!!

We don't have Internet at the house because Comcast is incompetent and cannot tell us when they expect to come, so once the mothership is back and running I have cute pictures to post from our many events over the past few weeks. Eli went to his first Auburn game 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, the team didn't show up, but Eli was most enthused by the bucket of popcorn he ate himself, the band, and the "really big TV."

Caroline is close to walking and I am close to a mental breakdown. Not really, but it really has made me appreciate the stage where you can just set them somewhere and they don't move. She is talking and patty caking and enough of the jabber, I will post pictures of her soon.

I just wanted to give you an update. Talk soon!

The Fabulous Five

Five years ago today I became an office supply necessity..... a Stapler. I love everything about being a Stapler, and I love the transformations in my life as a result of marrying Scott. For example, I have developed a strong appreciation for basketball and kicking Scott's butt in the NCAA March Madness bracket, I've become much more mellow during adversity, and I have developed a much deeper love for carbs and fine cuisine. As a result, I blame my husband for the excess dimples on my thighs. I have learned to try to take life one day at a time because the journey is never as you expected it would be. In the midst of it all, we have both seen firsthand that God always provides you with a flashlight and a navigation system so that you will never feel alone or lost for too long. I never thought that I would live 2 years of my life on the ocean far away from family, nor did I ever think that I would experience the loss that comes from losing a child in miscarriage. However, those events helped develop who we are today and definitely made us more dependent on each other and our Savior. We have had many ups, some downs, and always joy.

I am thankful to be married to someone who is so funny and quirky and paticular and easy-going. I am glad that he has taken my advice on getting rid of all of his XL shirts that went down to his knees, his $55 haircuts, and his need to get out 45 different pans when he cooks. NOW, if I could only get him to see that wearing black socks to bed is not sexy....

Thank you Scott for loving me--so good--- you are my #1 favorite, and I love you... infinity and beyond!!!