UPDATE: birthday, birthday, pics & temple square

Temple square was 1 of our many adventures this past month. 

It is really exciting for the kids 

and I to go to temple square because: 

A: we dont' get to go very often 

and  

B: we get to see what Rich works on everyday.

Here are some of our favorite pics and I can't wait until I 

get a better camera, but for now, it 

does its job of capturing memories.

On december 4th, the sexiest man I know had a birthday and we had his family... and Katie down to our house for dinner.  Here are some pics of that night and some goofy pics of our kids that Rich took.

last but definitely not least my beautiful Jailyn had her 7th birthday and we all celebrated as a 

family.  I don't even know where to start with Jailyn she has so many amazing qualities and she

is one someone you can look at and think, yep, God did save the best for last.  She is so patient, 

kind, forgiving, loving, giving, friendly, happy, energetic, crazy, spiritual, and the list could 

continue on for days.  This girl is definitely "the other mother" of our house and I am so grateful

to have her in my life and to have her be my daughter and friend.  Everyone save the date for 

next year because Jai will be 8 and be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of 

Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints.  WOW!

Whats Christmas???!!!

On Monday night we bundled up all 4 kids and went on a superstore treck to find a nativity set to give to someone as part of our 12 days of Christmas.  We went to Walgreens, Walmart, Kmart, Target, and Shopko.  Each of these stores have ads for Christmas.  They each have the presents, the lights, the trees, the bells, the presents,  the treats and did I mention they have loads of presents.  As we went into each of these stores in search of a decent nativity set, the kids eyes lit up as they saw the gifts, but my heart broke as 4 of these stores don't even carried a nativity set.  And the 2 that did, sold nativities that were not well put together, or chinsy.  As we headed home without a nativity set I thought about an story I had just read in the Friend magazine (and LDS magazine for children).  In it president Uchcorf reminds us that we need to see past all of the glitter of Christmas so that we can see Christ.  He says: 

"We are entering another wonderful Chrsitmas season filled with music and lights, parties and presents.  But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty."

"Let us all make this year's Christmas season a time when we acknowledge the miracle that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world!"

I realized that I needed to step back from the gift lists, and Santa Clause so that I can see Christ and remember what Christmas is all about.  Nobody says it better than Linus from Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!