Christmas

We had a pretty good Christmas. The pictures below don't do justice what we actually received. Thanks so much to all of our wonderful family members for remembering us and spoiling us rotten. The kids loved all of their presents and Jared and I feel very blessed.

On another note, the only thing that would have made this Christmas a little more enjoyable would be the blessing of health - which was not something we've enjoyed in our home this past week. Talen came down with a stomach bug on Christmas Eve and threw up about 7 or 8 times from Christmas Eve through to Christmas Day evening. He was up all night Christmas Eve begging us for water because he was so hungry (from throwing up) and every time we would give him a drink of water he would just throw it up - so it was a heart breaking and long night - Once in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve Jared awoke to Talen in our pitch dark room sitting on the floor next to our bed. He had managed his way from his bed to our room and gotten one of Jared's bottles of water off of his night stand, unscrewed the lid, and drank it all before Jared woke up, we found him and took him to his room, only to discover that his bed was covered in yet another spill of vomit. He was so desperate for a drink that we was not going to rest until he got it only to throw it up a few minutes later - very very frustrating, emotional and exhausting. Christmas day went ok but then Friday morning I woke up vomiting (among other things). Luckily Kendal and Jared have not caught this very contagious stomach flu yet and we're hoping it will be out of the house soon. Talen and I are mostly recovered, but it is not something I would ever wish upon anyone - very nasty bug indeed.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Trip to DC

We went to DC a few days before Christmas to see the lights at the DC Temple and to the Air and Space Museum. We also planned to go see the National Tree but we ran out of time.

The DC Temple Visitors Center was decked out for the holiday's with a 90-something collection of Nativity's from around the world as well as a collection of Photography depicting Christ's life called Reflections of Christ (this was my favorite part because photography makes him and his life seem so much more real than paintings)The photography was beautiful. I took Talen around to all the pictures and told him what was going on in them. He loved talking about the baby Jesus and "Jophes" (Joseph) and Mary and the Angels. We got to the picture of Jesus on the cross and he said "oh we need to get some band aids for Jesus... cause he's hurt" I thought that was one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. When we left Talen said, "Happy Birthday baby Jesus, I love you." They also had tons of Christmas trees decorated from all around the world, a musical concert, a harpist and then of course the lights around the grounds. It was a fun little day trip.

Kendal's Birthday

We had a great party for Kendal a couple of weeks ago! I can't believe how fast time flies. I probably sound like a broken record but I feel like I just had her yesterday - This year went by way way way too fast for me. I can only imagine how much faster time flies with every additional child. Anyway she had a great party - our closest friends came to celebrate and to be our family away from family. Everyone spoiled her rotten and we know she is very very loved.

Well a quick summary about Kendal - she hates the word "no" and will cry every time you say it to her regardless of your tone - very very sensative, she loves to do whatever her big brother is doing. She loves to lay down and snuggle on anything soft (pillows, blankets, the dog, stuffed animals, dirty laundry), she finally popped one tooth just last week, she loves to bring us presents from all over the house (usually the pantry), she loves to give slobbery kisses and hugs, and she loves to read books and eat anything she can find off the floor. Her favorite words to say are "baby, boo, hi, and daddy and uh oh." She is a fantastic and joyful little girl and we just hope the next year doesn't go by as quickly as the first did.




Just about a year ago - our tiny little baby girl.



Her new Winter dress and Birthday dress from Grandma.



This was the last present she opened (from grandma) and she loved it! Thanks Mom.


My good friend Aimee Toomey and her cute little boy Brock brought this baby doll for Kendal for her birthday and all I can say is she hasn't let it out of her sight since she opened it.



This photo is deceiving, Kendal may look like she is thoroughly enjoying her cake but she actually hardly touched it.