The latest fruit of my loins

This baby girl brings so much joy into our family. I love, love, love her!!! She was the best surprise I got have ever gotten. She is just so mellow and calm. My dad said her eyes just sparkle and they do. She is truly so fun to have around. If I could gaurantee that the rest would be just like her, I might venture out into the land of five, but nobody is ever that lucky, so we will just have to see.

I have been feeling like a bad mom because I have never had Brinley's pictures done professionally. So, I decided to try some at home. I'm no pro, but even I can see that she doesn't need to be at Kiddie Kandids to be cute(:

My family

I had a good friend remind me last night that these three guys and these two little girls are the only thing that really matters at the end of the day. No matter what happens, if we have our families, everything will be okay. There are so many things that can get in the way of what is really important, and they aren't necessarily "bad" things. It is hard to be a stay-at-home mom. There are days that I feel like I am just spinning my wheels, but then I look in my baby girl's cute little smiling face or hear Whitley singing, and realize this is exactly where I am supposed to be.

Christmas

Taggert's very first Christmas program! I was very proud of him because he stood with his class so nice. He didn't sing much, but I thought he would be running all over the gym so he did good. The final song the kids sang they also did some sign language, that's what Tanner's pose is. It was the best Christmas program I've attended!!!

Whitley was terrified of Santa and he just wanted to hand her a bag of goodies. She did say thank you as he was leaving.

Brinley was just trying to check the bearded man out, no tears.

This man, my dad, has truly surprised me with his love and tenderness for my little babies. I do love him!

Christmas morning was fun. Whitley just loves her babies, and even though she just got one for her b-day, I had to get her another one. I had to get Brinley one, too, even though she will just chew on it. Tanner got legos and more legos. I know I'm going to be kicking myself for that one because I am going to find little droids and pieces everywhere, probably in the middle of the night, and then I will most likely curse. Taggert got a new dump truck. His old one flew out of the back of the truck and got mangled. He and Whitley also got scooters that even I can ride on!

This is another man that has surprised me with my kids. They are so lucky to have two grandpas who would do anything for them.

Reindeer

When we were up in Salt Lake a few weeks ago , we went to Thanksgiving Point and there were real reindeer. We were glad we brought our coats because we got snowed on and it was a little colder than we were used to(:

Finding our tree

We went up on Utah hill to get our tree and were pleasantly surprised to find snow, and lots of it. We should have brought our sleds. Since the snow was so deep, I sent Trent on a little excursion to find the perfect tree and he did not disappoint(: While he was gone, Tanner made a snowman. Taggert really doesn't like the snow so he stayed in the truck and bawled, and I think Whitley would have been okay if she would have had snow boots on. Brinley did very well and slept most of the time. I love this time of year!

Lungse Mwet Kosrae!

Dave Harris, from New Zealand, his son and daughter, and my Brinley.

Two weeks ago, we went up to Salt Lake to meet with some of the Elders that Trent and I both served with on Kosrae. One of the Elders was from New Zealand in Salt Lake for a training for work, and there was just no question as to if we were going or not. It was so good to be with the "Bomb Zone" again. We played a game that was probably pretty stupid for an outsider looking in, but it was good to hear the language again, and know that I still understand it(: I think the best thing was just to know that these good Elders that I served with are still strong in the Gospel. They are married and have families of their own and it is just a good feeling knowing they stayed strong. It reminds me of Ammon in the Book of Mormon when he meets up with his brothers after like a 15 year mission to the Lamanites. He was so happy to see them and see that they were still firm in the faith. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission. It was an experience I will never forget, and one that set my life up for things that I never could have imagined on my own. My life was definetly headed in a different direction before my mission, but I am so grateful that I went with the plan my Heavenly Father had for me. I have such a beautiful family because of it. My decision to serve a mission is one I will never regret!!!! Every time we get together, the pictures come out! The Wade's are always so good to let us crash at their house. They even got a pinata for the kids. Thanks Jen, sorry it was so late when we left. You guys are great!!!