A Few December Photos

Ava's final singing/dance performance.

I'm so glad we found Clayton, Ava loves it so much. They had so many Christmas performances which kept us very busy but Ava loved every minute of it. She even shed a few tears getting ready for the final show, I however did not!

Thanks Grandma and Annie for the flowers and support.

Cutest twins EVER!!

Mitch and Santa

Excited boys!

Ava and Santa

Peyton and Santa

Ash and Santa

Abbey and Ava

Snow Day

The kids love going out in the cold but as for me. . . . .

I'm ready for summer! I know I sound like a big grump, but I hate putting snow clothes on my kids(they cry and wine until everything feels just right...(can you say OCD) and then stay outside for 10 mins.), my clean floors are dirty and wet, there are snow clothes strung all over the house, my kids are board, my house is a mess, Mitchell's nose won't stop running, and I have tons of shopping to do but refuse to take my kids out on the roads in the blizzard. So...if you don't get a gift, a card or a plate of candy from me this year just know that I do love you, I'm just throwing in the towel! I think I'll watch a movie with my cute little kiddies and let everything else go!!

Festival of Trees

Ben's two sisters and mom decorated a tree with Dale's Santa collection for the Festival of Trees this year. When I walked up to the tree I was overwhelmed with memories of Dale and his love for the Christmas season, I know he would have been so pleased to see his collection of on display for so many to enjoy. We went early in the day because of Ava's performance so it wasn't crowded, Peyton must have stared at the tree for 20 mins. The hostess asked him to tell her all about his Grandpa so she could tell his story to the people who came to view the tree. He couldn't believe that we were giving grandpa's collection away, I think he would have packed it up and took it home right then if he could have. The tree turned out great, Dale would have loved it!

November Review

We've had a fun and busy November and beginning of December. My goal was to have my shopping done by December 1st and here it is the 4th and I haven't started, and I'm not even stressed!(Yet)

I just wanted to document a few highlights of what we've been doing this past month:

*Ben and I went to Chicago/Milwaukee for Adnan's wedding. We had a great little get away without the kids and got to visit some places we'd never been before. The wedding was so beautiful, we couldn't be happier for Adnan and his hew wife, Kristen.

*Ben went to Denver to visit his brother and go to the BYU vs Air force game for his birthday.

*The kids and I had fun going to movies, hanging out with grandma, and ordering in for dinner while he was gone.

*Mitchell decided he didn't want to wear diapers anymore and potty trained himself. I can't believe how easy it was. YEAH Mitch! No more diapers at our house. . .EVER!

*Ashton got his cast off.

*Mark and Colette came to stay at our house for a few days for Thanksgiving. We love it when they come, we pretend like we're on vacation too. Ava had so much fun having Jessi around, she was so sad when she left.

*We celebrated Thanksgiving twice, once at our house with the Johnson family and then at my Grandma and Grandpa Taylor's.

*Ava started her singing and dancing performances. Which is a big part of why I haven't started my Christmas shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving

After going through one of the toughest years of my life I'm so grateful for all that the Lord has blessed me with and I hope I don't ever forget it or take it for granted. I'm especially thankful for:

*A husband who loves me unconditionally, who makes me feel safe and who makes me want to be a better person. He's the BEST!

*For the joy my children bring into my life.

*For the most amazing Mother in the entire World. I love her so much and appreciate the example she's set for me, I have a lot to live up to. I just wish I could take her heartache and loneliness away.

*The most amazing friends. After losing my Dad so many of my friends knew exactly what I needed, when I need it. I hope someday I can repay them for their love and support. It feels so good to be loved my such amazing women. Thank you, Thank you!

*For a Dad that made me feel special and loved always. I miss you!!

*For my Faith

*And finally for the peace I feel in my heart.

Happy 32nd Birthday!

World's Greatest Husband, Dad and all round Good Guy.

We Love You!!

7 Things about me you may not know

1. I love to take baths, I rarely shower unless I'm in a huge hurry. And I like the water burning hot.
2. I can't stand listening to people eat, it's like nails on a chalk board for me. My poor husband is unfortunately a very loud chewer and gets many dirty looks when we're eating together.
3. I may look like a happy, cheery mom on the outside but by 5pm I'm on the brink of calling my Dr. for a Prozac prescription.
4. I love to bake, hence the 30 lbs of baby weight I've been trying to get off since Peyton was born.
5. I miss my Dad every hour of everyday. He's always on my mind. We became best friends over the last few years and I relied on him for pep talks and conversation more than I realized.
6. I love picking my kids up from school, it's my favorite time of the day. They're so excited and willing to tell you all about the day they had in the short ride home. I've realized once we get home and they get distracted they forget a lot of the little details.
7. I want to go back to school and become a nurse.

*I tag 7 people who are out of blogging material like I am.