Celebrating Jax

I think Candice has waited her whole life to be able to celebrate her baby's first birthday!  Which meant a couple of celebrations.  They actually got to spend his first birthday with his birth mom which is pretty neat, and then we had another celebration with our family here.  It's so amazing to watch all of these babies growing up together and to see the joy that they bring to our entire family.  I know we shouldn't have to find reasons to be together but it seems like everyone is so busy with work, church callings, kids and life in general, we have decided that we will find reasons to get together.  Jax's birthday was one of them!

He's one!  He's adorable, and he is such a cherished part of our family.  I don't think there is one of us that can watch Shalum and Candice with him and not smile, with our hearts full of gratitude that they have this little boy to call their own!

Pictures are in no particular order because for some reason I can't move them around.  But the simple fact that I can FINALLY get on my blog makes me happy enough to forgive blogger!

 Uncle Shayne is teasing... or is that cheesing with Kailee and Isaac!

 My sweet Isaac always has a smile for me.  As soon as he sees I have a camera he starts grinning!

 Uncle Shayne and Jax

 Gabriel and the dancing chicken

 I think Candice had as much fun opening presents and Jax did... maybe even more!

 Sweet Sariah

 Proud daddy and his big boy!

 Isaac feeding his uncle Noah some pizza!

 Noah looks like he is saying, "What?  I'm his uncle, he SHOULD feed me!"

 Best thing in the world is to watch these boys play together.  It makes me so excited, and a little afraid of what the future is going to hold for them.  Will this be a repeat of my 'bandit' boy days gone by???

 I seriously... seriously love this face!  

 Jax loved his cake!  Really loved it!  The only thing he had a problem with was when he grabbed a huge scoop of ice cream up in his hand and about half way through it he realized it was REALLY cold.  The look on his face was priceless.  He didn't know if he should be mad, or sad that somebody let him hold cold ice cream without warning him!

 I swear kids are born with the ability to know how to use modern technology.  Sariah was going to take a picture of me because I was taking a picture of her!

 Noah just wants the decorations!

Thanksgiving 2012

This was our off year for Thanksgiving.  Meaning the married kids spend Thanksgiving with the other side of the family.  I tease them that I don't like sharing custody of them with the 'other side' but thankfully they all have awesome in-laws and I suppose we will continue to share if we have to!

Thanksgiving was pretty low key this year.  We only had the missionaries and Rana, Rich and their 4 kids, and Derrick, but he doesn't really feel like he is a visitor.  Derrick is more of another adopted kid, or Kassi's boyfriend... Either way, he was here too!

It was Tallin's first Thanksgiving home after spending two years in Fiji.  He filled his plate with mashed potatoes and gravy, and turkey!  That's it!  I guess he missed mashed potatoes and gravy?!?  I was just glad to have him home!  He could handle putting a few pounds on his skinny self anyway!

All in all it was a great day... nothing exciting, nothing really needing to be done.  Just good food, family, friends and fun.  Another year down and everyone is growing up way too fast!

Yes, he likes Pumpkin Pie!
I just love this little man!!!!

 I think the look the elders are giving me is that they are really, really ignoring the crazy dancing going on behind them!  

 See what I mean???  Potatoes, gravy, turkey... oh and rolls!  

 Poor Derrick... Kassi is always harassing him, making faces.  Good thing he is so patient!

 We are running out of room.  Do you think we could convince TLC to add on for our crazy REAL-ity show???

 Kassi always seems to be wherever the camera is...

We love missionaries

 Our family loves missionaries.
Our own missionaries, and the ones that come into our home
while they are out serving, away from their own families.
We have been very blessed by them and their willingness to serve,
and for their example to our family as they serve.

Here are just two in a long line of missionaries that have touched our family.
It's always hard to say goodbye when it's time to send them off...
It's also fun to keep in touch with them after their missions.
We have watched so many of them come and go,
and then go home and start families of their own.
I have been so grateful for the families that have taken care of our missionaries,
and we always try to make sure that our local missionaries are taken care of too!
We even named Nate after two of our favorite Elders.

It seems so hard to think that they give up 2 years of their lives to serve so completely,
and so unselfishly.
But I am grateful for the parents who encourage them and support them as they go...
and even more grateful for how they bless our lives while they are here!

The count down is on....

Have I mention lately how adorable
Caitlyn is looking and how excited we all are
about the upcoming birth of
Maelynn???

Caitlyn worked so hard at school
and has not complained one bit about the
pregnancy...
She is finished with finals,
and here for Christmas...
and we are anxiously awaiting
Maelynn's arrival!

I can't wait to see Jace and Caitlyn
as parants.
They are going to be amazing!

Sledding

I think the best part about living in a 'hole' is when winter finally hits and some of the best sledding around is right outside our front door!  Nate and Gabe were excited for the opportunity to get out in the snow.  In fact Nate had started watching the weather reports to see if and when to expect snow and more than once he was very upset over the fact that the weathermen 'lied'... demanding to know WHEN the snow was coming.  Noah also wanted to get outside every time the door opens.  It isn't unusual to see Noah walking around the house all day long in his coat and often a hat and some random glove or boot.  Once he was out in the freezing temps he usually wanted to go back inside, only to forget and want to go back out.  It keeps them busy for hours sometimes... they handle the cold a whole lot better than I do anymore!