Poor Rosalie!

Raygen loves her poor cat---almost to death. I get such a kick out of Ray hauling that grouchy cat around like a baby. She hugs it and kisses it and pets it and the whole time Rosie growls and glares at her. I've started letting her sleep with it at night since it has been cold. She snuggles right up with it and falls asleep. When I come in to check on her, I can usually hear Rosie's muffled growl coming from somewhere underneath Raygen and her covers. I often think about rescuing the poor thing but then again, it serves the mean old thing right!

GOOB!!

What can I say about a boy like Gaber?
He started it all, he rescued me from myself, and he never fails to bring a smile to my face. I can't believe it has already been 11 years of "Gabe Adventures". He has been a great blessing from day one. I've probably said it a thousand times, "I don't know what I did to deserve a boy like Gabe, but I hope I live up to the challenge!" Of course I mean that only in a positive way because even on the most cloudy day, Gabe carries sunshine in his pocket. Each day I thank Heavenly Father for sending me such amazing gifts and I pray for the strength and courage it will take to be worthy of them. I hope I am always able to show Gabe his great worth and that he never doubts how much I love him.

RIDGE RULES!!!

Happy Birthday to my youngest boy! He has been counting down the days for at least 2 weeks now. Asking me every day, "Mom, am I 4?" Well this morning I finally said, "Yes." The time has flown by. Each day I am so thankful that he came to join our family. I never regret begging Tyson for one more child. :) Since the day he was born he has been a cuddly, smiling, happy, funny addition to our home. He brings us so much joy!! So how appropriate to have a whole day to celebrate his birth!!
I love you Gidget!! Thanks for being my son!

Christmas Day!!

We were very blessed this year. Not only did we get to open lots of amazing presents, we got to spend time together and with family. Each day I am amazed by some blessing or another. I don't know what I did to deserve such great children and a loving husband. More then all the packages of stuff, I am so happy we have each other to help us through this life. Each day is a gift to use as we will. I don't always use them wisely but I definately cherish each one I am given.
And I am thankful for the yearly reminder that our Savior came into the world and atoned for our sins so that through him, all things are possible. Hope is one of the greatest of all gifts. Christmas is a time for healing broken hearts and as we approach a new year, I want to go into it trying to fear God a little less and trust in Him a little more.

First Piano Recital!

Gabe and Raygen had their first piano recital on December 11th. They did such a good job. Raygen played "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and Gabe played "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". They looked so cute too! Gabe was very last and had to play his song 3 times. During the last time through, all the kids stood up and sang with him. He was very nervous about that, but did great! They really like their teacher, JoRene. She rewards them generously each week with nickels (for practicing) and quarters (for memorizing). And each month she picks a "Student of the Month". They have been it twice. They get a bag with a soda, bag of popcorn, and certificate for a free movie from the local video store. It has been great to watch them grow and learn! Grandpa Benton, Uncle Braydon, Aunt Brittney, Branson, Bridger, Uncle Brett, and Aunt Kathi all came to watch too! We are so lucky to have such a supportive family!

Christmas!!

We've started out the Christmas season with a lot of fun. While it has been hard to get in the mood this year, spending time together as a family helps. The day after Thanksgiving we participated in the annual Preston's Kids Day Parade. We had cousins and preschoolers dress up like Rudolph and pull Mrs. Smith in her sleigh. It was cute and tons of fun! Even though our red noses kept blowing down the street,we won "Most Creative" and each got a certificate for a free pizza. Then we headed to Salt Lake for the Festival of Trees. There were hundreds of cool decorated trees, a gingerbread village, activities for the kids, and Ridge even sat on Santa's lap!
This year we took the 4 wheeler up in the mountains and cut down our own tree. The kids rode behind us in a big sled and had fun shaking the snow off the trees to see if they were good. They are also old enough to decorate it now. All I had to do was put the lights on and they took care of the rest. We are trying to concentrate on positive thoughts this season and just thank our Father in Heaven for all of the blessings He sends us each day.

Baptism Bound!

Raygen is so excited to be baptized this month! She is such a cutie. I couldn't resist getting her a little white dress to be baptized in. And nothing is more beautiful this time of year then the fall leaves. So we struck out for an afternoon of amateur photography. It was tons of fun to spend time with my gorgeous, easy going daughter. She just smiled and did what I asked her too. I am glad to have gotten some good pictures to remember her this age. I may be biased, but she is stinkin' cute!!