Christmas

Justin reading Christmas books with the kids while I got dinner ready.

Our Christmas eve dinner.

All ready for bed.

Adalayde riding her new bike.

Anderson in his football uniform.

Adalayde's favorite gift was her googles and her dive rings.

Anderson got his very own putting green from Machi. Wow, what a hit he loves it so much!


Uncle Dude and Anderson showing off their Utah gear. Take note NC Whites, Anderson is wearing his basketball shoes!

We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed our time with our families. We especially enjoyed being together with our little family in our new house. Having kids makes Christmas lots of fun!

Pre Christmas Pictures

Tachi and Grammy came and had Christmas early with us and Adalayde got this little car. What a hit. Not just with Adalayde but with all of the kids. When Pierce and Ainsley were here the other day we had to set the timer so they could all have a turn! As for Andersons gift pictures to come soon!


Cheri made these darling skirts for Adalayde and Ainsley. Liesl and I could not resist taking a picture of Adalayde in her Angel wings!

Have I mentioned before that getting a Christmas picture of these four kids is a real challenge. Don't worry between Liesl and I we have no less than 500 pictures. So if you would like you could see them all.

The finished product!

Happy Birthday Noel

Happy birthday to our sweet cousin Noel! You are such a sweet girl and I love that you love me and my kids so much. I love that one of your favorite things is to be with family. When I think about you it always makes me smile! I wish that we lived closer so that I could see you all the time. I hope that you had a wonderful birthday! I can't believe that you are twelve years old. I wish that you were in my ward so that you could come to young woman with me. I would love it so much! Thank you for loving me, Justin, Anderson and Adalayde you always make us feel very special!
Love,
Justin, Maris, Anderson and Adalayde

Happy Birthday Tenley!

We are a little behind on blogging because our internet was not working! Anyway Happy birthday to Tenley! I can't beleive that you are 8 years old. How blessed we are to have you in our life! You are such a little miracle being born weighing only 2 pounds, you have always been a fighter. I am thankful everyday to have you for my baby sister you have brought us a lot of joy and happiness! Thank you for loving me and for being a wonderful aunt to Anderson and Adalayde! They love you so much! I hope that you had a wonderful birthday!
Love,
Justin, Maris, Anderson and Adalayde

Random pictures

Adalayde Being an Animal at the Zoo!

Adalayde in front of the beatiful Jazz Christmas tree! Yes, Anderson has his very own Jazz Christmas tree thanks to his dad!

Some kids sleep with a teddy bear,not Anderson he prefers his golf cart, clubs, a basketball, football and anything else sports related! All of that in a little port a crib for his nap!

Going to the Utah Game with the Boys! Anderson loves to hang out with his dad and his uncles!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Noah we are so glad to have you for a nephew and cousin to Anderson and Adalayde. They love you so much, especially Anderson. When Anderson knows that he is going to see you his eyes light up and he is so excited! Thanks for playing with Them and loving them! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Justin, Maris, Anderson and Adalayde

Tenderness

This holiday season I have found my heart to be very tender as Justin and I have prayed as a family for so may people that we love dearly who have faced some very hard trials this year. We have prayed for my cousin Patti and her babies lauren, who passed away shortly after birth and baby Ryan who was born very premature. We have prayed for Quinn and Jana who lost little Cooper and for their family. We have also prayed for my cousin Dalton and his family as he has been through Chemo to fight Cancer. We have found ourselves to be heartbroken at may points this last summer but have also found much to be thankful for.

Just the other day during one of my moments which, by the way always come with tears sweet Anderson came and wrapped his little arms around my leg and said " mom, Jesus loves you". It is so amazing to me to watch my child who seems to understand that when we are sad or suffering pain that is when Jesus loves us most! If only I had the understanding of a child!

This holiday season I am thankful for all that I have learned this year! I am thankful for the tender moments that I have had. I am thankful that Baby Ryan and Dalton are doing well! I am thankful for the impact that Cooper, Quinn and Jana have had on our life. I am thankful that we have learned to appreciate the little things in life. I have tried hard to be a little more patient with my children and to let them know each day how much I love them. They are the greatest gift that we have!! I am grateful for the birth of our Savior and have found it so much easier this year to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I am thankful for Justin, he is is the best husband and dad and I do not know what I would do with out him! I am thankful for our families and for all that they do for us!

I can't get enough of these two!