ABC's

There's nothing like being enlightened at the end of the day with the words of a living prophet. It is the First presidency message for Jan. 2012.  I enjoyed reading those ABC's today from President Monson.  I believe in his words 110%.

"We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude. "

This can make such a difference in ones life. It has made a difference in my life and I strive everyday to live it.

Some days I fail....and that is why I like this quote...

"Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
-President Thomas S. Monson

And I do! Again and again! So hey...........I have courage <smile>

Here is the message.......

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/living-the-abundant-life?lang=eng

I am grateful today that I can be reminded ever so often from the words of living prophets and apostles of how to live a more abundant and fulfilling life. What a blessing.

What a guy!!!

Dad comes home from a long day of fellowship training(only 6 months left!!!!) with a workaholic Dr. that likes to squeeze in as many surgeries as possible in a day and what does this handsome, amazing man do........plays 3 rounds of CANDYLAND with his children.

One on one time.....

Avery and I had a craft day while Thomas was at school and Brynnley was taking a nap. We had a great time making paper clocks and necklaces. Avery showed me her necklace making skills. She does such a great job! I love how she creates and mixes colors and patterns.

The final masterpiece!!

I love being with my sweet Avery so much! She is always so pleasant and fun to be around. She loves to chat, cook, and create things together. She is always asking if she can help me(always)is so observant and wants to make sure I am happy. She is the best 5 year old babysitter around(I of course am home when she babysits and she amazed me at her maturity level for her age with taking on responsibility). Avery is so tenderhearted and has so many wonderful qualities that will no doubt bless the lives of the many people who will have the opportunity to know her throughout her life.

Today reminded me how important is is to take that one on one time as often as possible. I am so lucky to have her in my life. I love you Aves!!

Brynny Jean.....

Oh how we love this little sweetheart! She is the happiest little girl who loves to explore the world around her.

There's only one problem.......she is growing up way too fast! She is talking like crazy(pretty much says everything we tell her to). I went into her room the other night after we had read a story, said prayers, and sang "I am a child of God," and she was bouncing and calling my name over and over again. I told her it was time to go to bed and that she needed to lay down and she said, "aaalright"(with a little sigh). I also love that she says "um" before she answers my questions. Like the other night I asked her if she wanted more dinner and she said,"um.....yes." Her little voice is so stinkin' cute that every time I sit down to do something and she comes up to me and says,"come on mom," I just have to get up to see what she wants.

She loves to sing songs and dance/jump to music. And no matter what if the kids are excited about something, she is too(not even knowing what there is to be excited about). She loves her sibling to pieces and wants to be apart of every activity they are playing. Here she is waiting the much anticipated arrival of her sister. She misses her when she goes to school.

Kissing the window when she sees Avery finally coming home....so sweet!

Here's our sweet Avery coming home from a successful day of school. She is doing so well in school and makes a new friend every day.

Cincinnati finally got some snow and the kids were a little disappointed that there wasn't enough to build a snow man. Instead they put on their rain boots and stomped around in it.

Here's to January...even though it's almost over. It has been a busy month but I can't wait for it to be over for two reasons. First I have been more tired this month(I just feel like blaming it on January) and second because my Mom comes the beginning of February to play and watch the kids so Eric and I can take off to San Fran!! Can't wait!!

Buckle up for our Christmas/Colorado trip catch up session!!!

We had so many things going on in December. It was a busy month, but I love this time of year for so many reasons. On Christmas Eve we read the Christmas story and put cookies and milk out for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer. Can you believe he ate everything and left the kids a note saying Thank you and told them he would be watching over them through his magic crystal ball in the north pole until next year. So far so good Santa! What a kind man that Santa is. He must have a good woman by his side that helps him out a lot!!

One of the kids favorite traditions is to build a fort and sleep under it Christmas Eve. They look forward to it all year!!

We celebrated Christmas part 1 before we left for Colorado so that we could do some of our family traditions that we look forward to each year. Don't worry we made sure Santa knew to come to our house a few days early since we would be focusing more on the true meaning of Christmas in Colorado and have fun with the gifts before we left. Santa loved the idea and the kids had a great Christmas. Brynnley LOVED her new kitchen.

Colorado trip......We stayed at Grammy and Grandpa Gardner's house and missed them so much but are grateful they are serving the Lord!! I do love that we can walk to each Granparents house in just a few minutes and loves even more seeing the Denver Temple every morning, afternoon, and evening. It's so beautiful!

Avery loved cooking, cleaning, and making necklaces with Grandma.

The kids played their hearts out with their cousins!! Here is Becca, Stephen, and Avery sledding.

Avery and Becca played the piano for us and sang us some Christmas songs. Avery was in heaven!!! She had been talking about playing with Rebecca for so long.

More sledding.....Thomas kept telling me it wasn't Christmas because there was no snow on the ground in Cincinnati. Colorado did not let him down and they took every opportunity to play in it.

Dad and Thomas outlasted everyone! Thomas loved every second!

We also got to spend time with Richelle, Matt, James, and Lizzy. Santa came to visit after dinner while we were hanging out. The kids were pretty surprised. Thanks for a great time guys! We loved being with you and your sweet children! Hey maybe we will have some music talent in our home someday?!

The kids are singing head, shoulders, knees and toes.....

Guess who came to visit....?

Kids thanking Santa for coming to their house early and bringing them their favorite toys.

We got to hang out with Brian the entire time and boy did the kids have fun! I think Brynnley forgot we existed the whole time when Brian was in the room. She would always smile at him, give him tight squeezes, and so many kisses!! She even randomly said,"I love you" as clear as day to him. We heard "Bri" a lot for 10 days. It was so much fun! The only part she didn't like was when he had to leave to hang out with some friends for a few hours.

The kids loved playing with their big uncle who could practically throw them up to the high vaulted ceiling.

Avery about to kiss the ceiling.....

Thomas....can you get me higher??

Brynnley is just about out of sight!!

Brynnley loved it the most and was a bit easier on Brian's arms.

Brian wanted to take the kids sledding one morning and since I wasn't able to pack all their snow gear I quickly improvised by creating my own michelin man style garbage sack boots. Kids weren't so sure about them(and yes they may have may them slip a bit, but overall they did the job for the most part!

This is just a quick re cap of some of the events in Colorado. We had so much fun and couldn't capture it all but we are so grateful for our families. We are so blessed! It had to come to an end but we know we will see everyone soon! Thanks Brian for being with us. We loved being with you!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for all the fun times. For taking care of the kids so Eric and I could go to Scottsbluff for a few days. We loved every second with you and can't wait to be closer!

Grandpa James's big thing is making special snack bags for the kids when we come to visit. He loves to know all their favorite treats and snacks so he can put them together in a bag for each child. It is so sweet. This snack bag right here that Thomas is holding saved us as we got home at 8:30pm from our trip to Cincinnati's first snow storm and a flat tire. So our starving children finished the pretzels and fish crackers while Dad froze outside to get things settled(an hour in a half later.) Needless to say that bag of snacks was a life saver. Thanks Grandpa!!!

Having fun taking pictures together before we headed to the airport.....Thomas took over this one!

Phew! All caught up and our first 2011 book is ready to be published. I can't believe 2011 is over! It has been such a great year and we are looking forward to all that lies ahead for us in 2012. We are definitely enjoying life one day at a time and soaking in all the memories and traditions we are creating together as a family! There will be so much to blog about this year!!

Happy 2012!!!!