Christmas 2009

We were gone for over two weeks for Christmas this year. The kids and I drove to St. George and met up with my side of the family. A few days later, I drove to Las Vegas to pick up JR at the airport. We spent a couple of days in Vegas by ourselves enjoying the food and exhibits there. We drove back to my parents house on Chritmas eve. I enjoyed seeing my parents and siblings and the kids liked the dogs they brought with them. We had a great time and my dad of course brought out his Kareoke machine and we had a blast. (some of us had a little too much fun) It was great to see my step-brother Spencer and his HUGE dog Taffy. As always the kids loved seeing their aunt Katie and uncle Rory and thier dog Boo. And of course Uncle Ryan and Aunt RiLee were there. We sure love you guys and had lots of fun.















Then we were off to Idaho to JR's sisters house for another Christmas celebration! We left the day after Christmas and got there just in time to go to a concert at their church. Then we went home and had a yummy Turkey dinner and opened more presents. The next day we went sledding and then had our family pictures taken. That night we went bowling-it was so fun!! The day after that, we went skiing/snowboarding. That is when my camera broke and so I don't have any pictures of anything after that. But we did more skiing/snowboarding, played too much WII, watched movies, and ate alot of yummy food. For New Years Eve, we had a Guitar Hero party. It was so fun and I totally rocked it. Here are the last pictures from my camera. Thanks Christi for such a fun time in Haily again!



















We had a ton of fun but were happy to get home and be in our own beds. I hope we can all get together again soon.

He's gone to the Holy Land...

...and I wish I was with him. So I haven't blogged for awhile but I have a few good excuses.
1. JR has been in Israel for a week and won't be back until next week.
2. My camera broke over the holidays.
3. Luke and Brooke have strep throat and Caitlynn has a cold.
5. I am tired and feeling a little over-whelmed. So blogging will be put on hold for a little bit. Sorry folks.

Brooke's 5th Birthday Party

Before we get into the new year, I need to post a very important day in December. December 8th was Brooke's 5th birthday! We had a puppy party. Yes, if you remember right, Brooke did have a puppy party two years ago. But since she asks for a real puppy almost every birthday and at Christmas, we decided to get our puppy fix with another puppy party. I invited our neighbor Town, to come and give us a little show with his two dogs Meg and Macie. It was a real treat for all the kids! They did tricks and he even let all the kids participate, especially Brooke! Who needs to pay for a clown or a magician when you can get just as much entertainment from your neighbor and his two dogs? Thanks again Town!!!!!!!!!







Then we painted bobble-head puppies. They turned out so cute!




Here they are trying to "Pin the Paw on the Puppy".



The kids really liked making their own "doggy collars". I just bought a bunch of charms and then ribbon. It was a hit!!!



And of course we had a pinata! Brooke picked it out. When we went to the store to find one, I was a little dissapointed to see that they didn't have any puppies. But as soon as Brooke saw this donkey, she said "Look Mom!! There is a dog one!" I sort of laughed and then said, you're right it is a dog. I love your imagination! But what is a party without a pinata???



Happy Birthday to our little Brooky. I guess you aren't so little anymore since you are 5 years old now. I sure do love you and your positive outlook on life. You make me laugh daily. I am sure going to miss you next year when you go to kindergarten. But until then, I will enjoy having you at home with me. I love you Brooke Valery Edwards!!!!

She's making a list, and checking it....twice...

Yep, I am going to toot my horn for just a minute. This past week was crazy busy but I am proud to say that I have completed most of my Christmas shopping/to do list. Here are just a few things that I have been up to:
Home made gifts for grandparents. Check.
Home made ornaments for the tree. Check.
Send off Christmas Cards. Check.
Joy School Christmas program. Check.
Deliver H.T./V.T gifts. Check.
Deliver friends/neighbors gifts. Check.
Deliver Y.W. things. Check.
Take the kids to see Christmas lights. Check.
Get gifts for my side of the family. Check.
Get gifts for JR's side of the family. Check.
Pick up J.R.s' gift. Check.
Pick up myself a gift. Check. (I've been a good girl this year.)

Hope your holidays are off to a good start. We are off to UT/Vegas for Christmas with my family and then ID for New Years with JR's family. Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful time of the year. See you in 2010!!!

Thanksgiving.

As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with lots of memories. November is a hard month for me. I lost my mother, grandmother, and third baby all in the month of November. It is a time of year that we should feel grateful and happy... but sometimes I feel biter, angry and hurt. When these powerful feelings enter into my mind, I can't help but be reminded of my Savior and His sacrafices for me. I miss my mom and grandma, and I think about Chelsea everyday. I feel like something is missing...like there is a void in my life. But after the turkey is eaten and the day is coming to a close, I find myself pondering the upcoming holiday. The birth of our Savior. I am reminded of a book that my dear friend sent me after Chelsea passed away. It's message is simple and yet very powerful to me. It is that He lives. Jesus Christ died so that we might live again!!!!!!!! When I read those beautiful words, (which is a tradition in our family now)I can't help but feel an overwhelming warmth in my heart and mind. I KNOW that I will see my mother and daughter again. I know that there is more to this life than what our mortal eyes can see. And I am grateful. I am thankful.

Carving the Pumpkin

Here we are digging out the seeds of the pumpkin. I always hate this part.


This is so gross!!!



Caitlynn had fallen asleep before we started carving the pumpkin. When JR got home, she woke up and wanted to see what we were doing. Here she is checking it out...


You can see what a tight grip she has on JR. She was very nervous.


And she hated it. It was so funny to see how scared she was of it. JR kept trying to get her to touch it and she was freaking out!


We couldn't decided if we wanted a happy face....


Or a scary face!!!


In the end, we decided that we would wait until tomorrow to carve the face. We were too tired to finish it.

And guess what??? The pumpkin never got a face. He was so gross and moldy that we just had to throw him away. I guess that is the lesson I get from not buying my pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.