Over Already?

I can't believe how quickly Christmas comes and goes. This year we enjoyed a great Christmas. Here are some highlight pics.

First snow...

Klein at Grandma Maxine's...

Snow continued...

Santa Claus Round 1 (Grandma Maxine's Party)

Santa Claus Round 2 (JayDee's Party)

Christmas Dress...

Merry Christmas!

Stress Anyone?

I love Christmastime but hate the accompanying stress. Every year I wonder why I don't get smarter. Last night I was reading the General Conference talks (I try to read one a night...). I reread the talk the President Monson gave on Sunday morning. It is titled "Finding Joy in the Journey" and it was just what I needed. Here is the quote that literally brightened my day.

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-- to your suprise-- miss them profoundly."

So at this moment, I am enjoying a bowl of ice cream and my messy house while my darling children sleep. I loved them lots today and decided not to let stress ruin my happiness.

Yummy Sweet Potatoes!

Klein is starting to eat solids! We can only hope it will save us a bit of money in formula. Buying that stuff almost requires a second mortgage. We started her on rice cereal but she hated it. Sweet potatoes are the first thing I have tried other than that and I was so happy when she ate the whole container. She is now able to roll both ways too! I can't believe how fast she is growing. She is so content and has the sweetest personality. She gives me the biggest smile when I come to get her out of her crib in the mornings. She breaks into a giggle whenever Max comes around her and she loves her dad. I wish I could catch her smile on camera... she starts smiling and then the red eye flash throws her off.

I Heart December

I love the month of December! It is full of family, love, stress, and parties. There are so many fun memories that are made and many traditions to keep. It is fun having our own little family to celebrate with. Max is very excited but I have had to remind him to be good because Santa is watching. I had to teach him that naughty kids get coal for Christmas but he didn't know what that was so I explained that it is a black rock. When we visited my parents later that night, proceeded to tell my dad that he wanted black rocks for Christmas. I guess I will need to take back the rest of his gifts...

8 Blissful Years

Jason and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary on November 17 (yes, I am a little slow with this post). He is an amazing husband and I love being married to him. Here is a list of 8 things I love about him (there are many more but I don't have all night).

1. Jason is a wonderful dad. He is so good with the kids and doesn't mind changing diapers, playing baseball all night after a long day of work, and getting kicked out of our bed when they both want in.

2. Jason can build anything-- he has built us two beautiful homes already and is always willing to do the numerous tasks I force him into.

3. Jason is a hard worker. I love that he keeps our yard looking so beautiful and helps me around the house too.

4. Jason has the "street smarts" of the relationship (I, of course, have the book smarts). He keeps me from being too naive and keeps me "in the know" when I come home with phrases from the high school. He often comments "the students said what?" and then laughs at me for not getting it.

5. Jason and I have pretty opposite personalities, which works very well for us. He loves to talk to everyone and I am shy around people I don't know, so things balance out.

6. Jason is always ready to protect me. I have to laugh when he wants to come to school to talk to the kids who are giving me trouble. He is also much better at saying "no" than I am which helps me from getting in too far over my head.

7. Jason makes me laugh. He is always ready with a quote from a movie or a good line to keep things light.

8. Jason is an amazing husband and I have loved every moment of our 8 years together (10 if you count dating)

One of my favorite wedding pictures...