Its Snowtime!

What's more adorable than children all bundled up in their snow gear??? 
The kids were overly excited to get to go play in the snow this week.  Its not very often that they actually get to be home when it snows.  It may be around for more than a few days it seems, cause baby its COLD outside!
 I only wish there was a box I could put them in that automatically got their gear on for the them instead of me :) 

 

Happy snow days!!!

12 years of L-O-V-E

Yes my friends, 12 years.  Does it feel like it?  No!  I guess since my children are getting older it was in the cards that time has seriously flown by.  I think back to our life when we first got married.....
We lived in Twin, both attending CSI.  We picked the worst apartments in the world to live in might I add.  I hated it from the beginning, and my mind was made up at that point so it was never going to grow on me.  We pretty much went to school, worked, and spent every waking hour together.  Friends became distant, we stopped really hanging out with the world and focused on each other.  We struggled our first year like most couples do, money and the lack thereof, caused a little strain and our first big fight!  Needless to say we made up.  Justin has always been one to make me face him and work it out, when all I want to do is leave the room or the house to fester in my anger.  Did I mention how awesome he is? 
In our first year we had our first break-in by the cops, pointing guns at us and everything (I said the apartment was awful). I quit school because I knew I didn't want to be a dental assistant.  We became pregnant with Mackenzie and Justin wiped many many tears due to the realization of the matter.  We made plans to move to Boise as soon as I was able to transfer to Costco there.  That didn't happen the first year, so I survived an entire year in that dumb apartment but was still very much in love with my man.
Looking back I am ever so grateful for the life we live now, and how far we have come in this journey together thus far.  He has given me 3 of the most beautiful children in the world.  They have blessed our lives beyond measure.  We have both grown more spiritual and have turned to our Heavenly Father in every crisis, every challenge, and every blessing that has come our way.  I believe that the strength we share is because we are always focused on one another.  We are always wanting to please one another.  We are never worried about the world around us, but more devoted to making ourselves worthy of each others love.  He is more than my knight in shining armour, he is the man of my dreams.  He still gives me the tingles, butterflies and giggles.  He still rubs my back whenever I ask.  He still holds my hand in public.  He still holds the priesthood and continually shows us the power it holds in our home.  He still kisses me ALL THE TIME.  And most importantly he loves me for who I am. 
Happy 12 years of love, my love.

Christmas Morning 'o fun

I think this was the first Christmas we didn't even get out of our pajamas it was lovely.  It started in wee hours of the morning and it was glorious!  Nothing beats watching my children's faces as they open their gifts and are so full of excitement. 

Christmas 2012 was a success!  We hope everyone had a wonderful time with their own families too!

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve is always my most favorite day of the Christmas season.  Its a day all my siblings get together and we always end with feeling the true meaning of the holiday.  My spirit gets lifted and I feel so blessed to have the gift of the gospel in my life.  So grateful for this time of year to reflect on our Savior Jesus Christ, his birth, and the opportunity he has given us to live here on earth and then return back to him. 

 I think we have just about the sweetest nativity around!

 I know......

 Sweet little angels

 Now that's a lot of grandchildren!  (only missing 1, sweet missionary Heather)

 And then some goofy faces to add to the excitement of picture taking :)

 My sweet sister Connie and her wonderful husband Vaughn

 The newest mom and dad of family....she is more than adorable let me tell ya!

 Beauties!

 Happy girl

 My world would not be as wonderful without these amazing people in my life.

 More beauties

 Cuddles

 



Yeah we know we are cute :)  Can't imagine the holidays without family, love them all more than I can express!

First snow of the season

 The boys were over the moon excited about the first snow they could play in!  They stayed outside for a long time and enjoyed the little bit of snow.  I love days like this when it comes and goes fast but is here long enough to get a little play time in!

Winter is definitely here! Brrrrrr

Look who's 4

Our little man is 4 years old!!  He chose cupcakes with darth and yoda, pretty easy to please :)

 We celebrated at Grandma Madge's a few days early with the family....again not sure why I didn't get more than these pictures.

 The traditional donut with candles on his actual birthday morning

 He didn't even ask all day about his presents, so before we left for the birthday festivities he finally got to open them. 

 Captain America shield, spiderman mask and walkie talkies

 About done with mom and the camera :)

 Mackenzie and her friend Greta

 We went to Jumping Jungle out in Nampa with our friends the Kingsburys.  The kids had a blast and got some much needed energy out! 

 I told you he loves his mama. He is my snuggler and it warms my heart.

 The whole gang of super awesome kiddos!  We love playing with the Kingsbury family, always someone for everyone to play with. 

 Gets more and more handsome every year.  He looks so much more and more like his daddy to me, I love it.  Happy Birthday Landon!

His favorites this year:
Food:  Chocolate milk (still prefers this over actual food)
Color:  Blue
Movie:  Super Hero Squad/Avengers
He is into Lego's, star wars everything, avengers everything, and has become a little wii playing machine.  He loves dressing up as super heroes with his brother. 
Landon is my super hero loving, silly dancer, always makes us laugh, mama's boy, Gavin's shadow, and melts my heart daily with his sweetness.  Cannot believe you are 4 already, my baby is growing up too quickly!