One more post...

Katie this on is just for you.
Do these look familiar?



We had a party with all my cousins and had to bring white elephants. Devin ended up with mine and was more than willing to model for all of us.

WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

They kept saying we were getting a huge storm for Christmas. First they said it should start Christmas Eve then Christmas morning...It finally arrived that night and it was a good one!

While Mike was outside playing/shoveling we were all inside doing this:

I love the WII. I love that all the kids can play. I love that you have to stand up and move to play. I love that it's something we can all do together. I LOVE IT!!!

Christmas Day with Mike's Family

We spent the majority of the afternoon and evening with Mike's family: eating, opening gifts, more eating (traditional prime rib), hanging out, playing games, etc. It was not quite the same this year with Bob not there. I guess we will get to have another Christmas when he gets home.

Jenna loved her new sweater from Ashley

Cole with his LEGO candy from Grandma & Grandpa.

The kiddos playing BINGO, another Christmas tradition at Grandma Carol's. She always gets fun prizes from the dollar store.

Like this prize (bling teeth) that Mike stole from someone.

Jenna helping Uncle Mike's back feel better.

A Stop at the Hospital

To visit Bob on Christmas morning. The kids hate that they can't go see Grandpa and are looking forward to him moving into a regular room from the ICU.

Christmas Morning at Home (the best place to be)

Each year the kids draw names and give to each other. It is the tradition they look forward to the most. I love that they get soooo excited about shopping for their sibling and are so excited to see what they think when they open the gift. This year Jenna gave to Noah and Noah to her & Rylee and Cole gave to each other. They were all very pleased with what their siblings picked out for them.

Noah & Jenna

Cole & Rylee

The boys opening their Lego's which they were more excited about than what Santa brought...
Which was this:
We had a nice morning and feel very blessed. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!

Christmas Eve with my Family

My siblings, their spouses, and kids. The only ones missing are Sara & Nate, their 2 kids, B, and Ann & Kaienta

My Dad playing UNO with the boys.

My incredible parents! Aren't they cute?

My "little" brother Grif showing my girls how to play some game on his phone.

My nephew Taylor playing with Jenna.

THANKS!!!! Mom & Dad for a fun evening with good food (pizza, our family tradition for Christmas Eve), lots of fun (never boring when the whole fam damily get together), and the gifts (we love them all)!

Our Christmas Miracle

So I know it has been awhile since a blogged but I haven't really felt up to it. I was having a hard time getting in the Christmas "spirit" this year. Just as I was finally feeling it and all excited for the big day I got an unusual phone call. A manager was calling from Smith's Marketplace to tell me that my father-in-law was there having severe chest pains and they had called paramedics. Long story somewhat short: they took him to the small local ER could not determine the cause, admitted him, ran more tests, next day moved him to new, better hospital, ran more tests, determined he had an aortic dissection (small "tear" in par of aorta), had to do risky open heart surgery to save his life, 4-6 hour surgery turned into over 12... At one point they said he was not going to make it. They said they would unhook all the machines they were using during surgery and clean him up so we could say goodbye. WHAT!?!?!?! As we waited and waited wondering what was taking so long my in-laws bishop said I bet Bob will surprise us all and fight his way. I wanted to have faith in what he said but couldn't. Then one of the nurses let us know that he was doing better and they were going to continue to work on him. WHAT!?!?! A another couple hours and the surgeon informed us he was still alive and fighting. The surgeon said he was 3 minutes away from giving up when something they tried got his heart working again. They had to leave his chest open and he was kept completely sedated for a week. He seemed to take 2 steps forward, 1 back, 1 forward, 2 back, 1 forward, 2 forward, 1 back and it has been very scary, sad, happy, spiritual, so many different emotions. They closed him back up on Friday and we have been waiting for him to really wake up. Today has been the best so far. He seems to be responding to questions and moving a little more. I think it will still be a long road, but Bob is alive and here with us, he is our Christmas miracle this year. We love you Bob, keep fighting!

The First "Real" Snow

They have been predicting a big storm all week long. We woke up this morning to low a blizzard, I guess they were right. It snowed for a few hours and the kids could not wait to go outside and play. They had a ball! I had to practically drag them in after awhile...they were getting too wet and cold. It started snowing again on my way to work tonight and has been going on and off all night. I think the winter storm watch is in effect until 5 p.m. this evening. I wonder how much we will really get. At least it feels more like Christmas now. Everything outside looks so beautiful!

Christmas Tree #2

Our Christmas Tree

I love our tree each year not because it is all fancy and spectacular but because it is full of ornaments from Mike & I growing up, ornaments our grandma's have made, ornaments the kids have made, and ornaments that we pick out each year that mean something to each of us.

They make me excited for Christmas!

Happy Birthday Bob!

Mike's dad recently had a birthday and we were able to all go to dinner at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate. They have yummy food, especially the rolls. Just ask Cole, he ate 5 of them. They had the birthday boy sit on this saddle while we all gave him a big "YeeHa".

Our New Reader...

Jenna is learning so much in kindergarten. For her homework one day she had to read this little book to me. She was so excited when I told her she had just read her first book all by herself, she didn't even realize it. I just hope she develops a love for reading like Rylee has. Even the boys are starting to enjoy books more, now if we could just get Mike to learn to read, I mean to enjoy reading. She was so excited she wanted to read it to everyone.

Our V.I.P.

Last week Jenna was the V.I.P. for her class for the whole week. We made this poster with lots of pics and she got to be the teachers helper all week long. On Friday I got to go and tell her class about her and we played Bingo. I think its a great way to build self confidence in the kiddos, not like Jenna needs any help in that department...

Christmas Tree #1

Each year the last few years Mike's mom has set up a tree downstairs and let the kids decorate it. They have come to look forward to decorating Grandma's tree. I think they did a great job!

Laughing Eyes

Jenna's kindergarten class got Indian names to use for a few weeks during class. They made these cute head pieces and "animal skin" vests. (I love the little papoose on the back) Then they had a feast to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. Jenna's Indian name was Laughing Eyes, it fit her perfectly!

Cousins

Making smores in the fireplace, yummy


Aren't they so sweet and peaceful!?!?

Over Thanksgiving my sister Sara and her cute family came up from Las Vegas. Her daughter is just 7 weeks younger than Jenna and they were able to spend lots of time together. And amazingly enough I don't think they argued or fought once. One night Mara stayed over at our house and Mike helped them roast marshmellows and we made smores. They loved it! The next day they wanted to wear "matching" outfits and have there hair done the same way. They looked adorable and could almost pass for twins.