Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Christmas 2009

Dear Friends

Looking back on this past year, it is amazing how quickly it has passed. We have been in Utah now for over a year. The kids really love it here, and have made many close friends. They enjoy being close to cousins and seeing them on important occasions....or just because. :) I am amazed that Greyson is one already, he has blessed our lives from the moment he came into this world.

I have seen the Lord pour so many blessings on me and my children, and I am so thankful. I sometimes feel like I don't deserve it, but I know my children do. I have a lot to be thankful for and I am so glad for the truthfulness of the gospel. I am so thankful for our Savior, especially during this time of year when we celebrate his birth.

I am thankful for the support of loved friends and family, who are always there. Whether it is a helping hand or words of encouragement, it is so appreciated. I have the best friends anyone could ask for. I think the Lord knew I needed them. It is definitely a time to be "Thankful"....and in the words of the song, "there's so much to be thankful for".

May your holiday season be full of love and thankfulness. May the Lord bless you and your families in the upcoming year.

All my love,

Heather

Birthday Boy!!!

I can't believe that my baby is one.....it seems so quick. He has brought such a joy in my life is such a short period of time. He is a sweet little boy, and is always giving big hugs and kisses. He loves laughing with his brother and sisters. I am so glad that I have his sweet little spirit in my home, and am so grateful for Heavenly Father for giving him to us.

Singing Happy Birthday!!

Tasting the frosting.

I love this sinister look on his face....definitely up to something!! :)

We were so surprised when he took a bite out of it!!

Mmmm....this is pretty good.

The kids were having so much fun watching Greyson!

Look at those cute baby toes!!

I love cake :)

I had to pick it out of his nose after this dive!!

Happy Birthday, to our sweet little Greyson!! He is such a fun little boy :)

Greyson is walking...

Greyson will be one in exactly a week. He started taking his first steps about 2 weeks ago. He is starting to get a lot more brave. He is such a faster crawler that if he falls, he would much rather crawl. He is such a sweet little boy, and I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by. He will be running before I know it. I love you, Greyson!!

We love to see the Temple

Today, I was determined to get the kids out of the house. It was a beautiful fall day with a light breeze and I wanted to take some pictures. We decided while we were in the car that we wanted to go some place special. The kids see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple everyday, and they really wanted to go and see it up close. We loaded everyone in the car and drove down the street to the beautiful temple. We are so blessed to have a temple so close.

Here the kids are in front of the fountain. There were wedding pictures going on....so Greyson was easily distracted. I love these kids so much. We were able to talk about eternal families and temple work, the kids were full of smiles.

I love this picture of Ethan because he looks so handsome. He is trying so hard to be a gentleman. He holds the door for us at church, and he even opens and closes the car door for the girls. Sometimes he needs to be reminded....but always will do it. I am very proud of him.

Greyson is getting so big....I can't believe he is almost one. It is scary. He loved the temple too.

My sweet children....I truly love them with all my HEART. The are the greatest blessing that I have received in this life. I am trying my hardest to help them become who Heavenly Father wants them to be.

My handsome little men. They both wanted mohawks.....Ethan said.

My beautiful girls....they love to pose for the camera. They get along pretty well and I am really glad. Since they got their ears pierced they have become closer to each other. Maybe it was a rite of passage or something...that bonded them. So sweet.

Our Family. I am so happy to be a mother. Heavenly Father's greatest calling!! We love to see the Temple.

My Baby Girl is FIVE!!!

Well Carly got to spend the entire month of September celebrating her birthday. She got to pick out her breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the actual day, and picked out some cupcakes to share with her brothers and sister. We didn't have her party until last weekend, but it was so fun. Uncle Jason, Aunt Tammy and the kids came over. We went swimming at the pool (something that Carly insisted on doing), ate pizza, and had cake and ice cream. Carly loved playing with her cousins and Uncle at the pool.

I can hardly believe she is FIVE!!! She has grown up so quickly....she is almost done with the Princess stage and loves Hannah Montana. She loves make-up, glitter, nail polish, and she loves getting all dolled up. When I took her to the store with her gift certificate she said she wanted a Barbie, barbie clothes, and some new earrings for her ears. ("Only straight posts Mommy, I can't wear dangly ones yet!!") She is such a sweet girl and we have been so blessed to have her in our lives. She loves being a blond like me, and she tells me all the time, "I am like you Mommy!". It is so precious.

Happy Birthday Miss Carly.....we Love you so much!!!!

11 years ago...

I have to say this week I have been thinking a lot about what I was doing 11 years ago. I was preparing to go to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. I was so excited for the future, and I was so in love with my soon-to-be husband. I prayed a lot about my decision to marry and the spirit did tell my heart that I was doing the right thing. I had found this wonderful man, who wanted the same things I wanted and shared the same beliefs. I thought that my life was destined to be so wonderful.

I think about the pre-existence, how we chose who we would meet on the Earth. Heavenly Father knew (and so did we) before we came to Earth the choices that we would make, and the trials we would have to overcome. I have a hard time believing that I chose these trials, but I do know that that is true.

Free Agency has been a hard principle for me to understand lately. I know Heavenly Father gave us this "gift"....but, sometimes Free Agency can often affect others. We have Free Agency to choose right from wrong, and we must be accountable for our actions. I don't know why things changed, and I may never have the answers. I know that I tried my hardest, and I can't have any regrets.

I know that my life is not what I had planned, but that doesn't mean that it will never be. I know that if I live my life according to the gospel, and keep my eyes focused on what is important that the Lord will bless my life. I have been true to my covenants, I want those blessings for my children. I am trying so hard to put the anger behind me, and become the person the Lord wants me to be. I am not the person I was 11 years ago....I am a much stronger woman. I hope that Heavenly Father has something special in store for me.

Swimming Everyday!!!

Well....if it were up to the kids we would be swimming everyday. The kids love going to the pool at our new apartment, and have become little fishes!!! Carly at first was so afraid and would stay by the steps even with the floaties on. Now, she is in the middle of the pool with the rest of the kids!!! Greyson even loves the water, and he loves watching the kids splash. Ashley learned how to do a somersault in the pool, and really loves being in the water. Ethan loves to cannonball into the pool, (I, honestly think it is a boy thing!!!) and Carly likes to jump in the pool with the noodle wrapped around her.

Ethan blowing me a kiss in the water!!

Carly coming to pay me a visit before going in the pool again!!

Ashley smiling for the camera....she really wanted to get back to swimming and Mommy was interrupting it with a picture. :)

She really loves the water!!! Look at that SMILE!!!

They really love it, and who can argue with those happy faces. It is nice to get out of the house for a couple hours and just have a great time. I have to say I am enjoying it too. It has been really hot lately and it is nice to cool off in the pool. I am also getting a semi-good tan. (NO more farmer tan....YEAH!!) I have finally got some color on my legs as well. So, this is where we will be spending the rest of the summer. I am so glad that we have a pool at the apartment....so much fun!

I love my girly girls!

Carly....chose white.

Ashley....chose pink.

Ashley had been asking to get her ears pierced for so long. I had debated it for a while and thought why not?? I tried piercing my ears when I was 12 (It didn't work) and then again at 16 (again, it didn't work), and finally when I was 28 SUCCESS!! My girls love helping me pick out earrings (they each have their favorite pair). I love that my girls wanted to get this done. Carly was a BIG surprise!!! We got there and Carly said I want to get mine pierced too. Aunt Janeece said OK, and they were so brave.

She was a little worried. She sat on Aunt Janeece's lap.

She did it. What a BIG girl....she didn't even cry.

Carly loves her Aunt Janeece so much....we had a great day!!

We kind of wished we could have done the double with Ashley too. You can see little tears in her eyes.

She did it too....so brave. The teary eyes add sparkle, my girls are so BEAUTIFUL!!!

My sweet girls and ME!!!

Picking out earrings....they had quite a pile!!!

Narrowed it down to three.....good choices.

Here they are in front of Claire's. I am so grateful for Janeece for doing this for my girls. It was really a fabulous day. We really enjoyed being together, and I love it that my kids got to know Janeece better. We had a great lunch afterwards, and went swimming....the kids were very sad when Uncle Michael and Aunt Janeece had to leave. The kids said, "maybe next time they can sleep over at our house". I am so grateful for family :)

Crack-Up!!!!

Greyson was so funny tonight. He was sitting in his pack and play just playing and I said, "what are you doing?" and pointed at him and he started laughing. I grabbed my camera and he just kept laughing harder and harder. It was sooo cute!! I love my boy, he has been such a lifesaver. I would really be going nuts without him right now. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing me with this sweet little spirit. He was meant to come to me. I know it!!! I love you so much, Greyson!!

Julie's Visit

The kids were so excited when I told them Julie was coming for a visit. They were sad to only get to see her for only one day :( They really love her a lot. Carly immediately got out her hair stuff so she could do Julie's hair. It was so sweet.

Julie and the kids posing for a picture!!

Greyson and Julie.....he really likes Julie!!

We had such a great time while she was here. We went shopping, went to lunch, scrapbooked, and just spent some time just relaxing. It was really great!!! She helped me put some finishing touches on some of the rooms, and helped me pack up the kids for their trip to Reno. She is such a great friend. She was such a great support during those tough times. She helped me get through so much heartache. Thanks Julie for being my best friend. I love you!!!!

(If you have any pictures of us from the trip send them to me...I don't have any!!!)

Happy Birthday Sis!!

June 24, 2000 was the greatest day of my life. I became a MOMMY!!!! Being a mommy has been the best adventure of my life. Ashley you have taught me so much. I am so grateful that I know what unconditional love is....it is a wonderful gift. I have watched you learn and grow into such a beautiful girl. I can't believe that it has already been 9 years. Time flies when you are having fun, and you have brought so much fun into our lives.


You have been such a great little helper to me. I love it when we have Ashley and Mommy time together. I love it that you want to just sit and talk and cuddle with me. We definitely need to do it more often. I am so grateful to have you as my daughter. Heavenly Father really blessed me with the greatest children on the earth.

Here you are in your cute new outfit from Uncle Jason's family. You are growing so fast!!!

Close up.....what a great smile!

Presents.....you sure do love your pet shops!! How many did you get today??? 11, I think!

You wanted a pet shop cake!!! I was determined to find one :)

My Girl....with her cake!! Love you Ashley!!!!