Happy New Year!

I'm sure I will be ringing in the New Year in my sleep...but Happy New Year just the same! When I reflect back on the past year, my heart fills with so much gratitude. We have been so bless! Kristen was born on January 11, 2010. We couldn't have started the year off any better! She is such a joy and great blessing to our family. Kendra and Kristen have formed an amazing bond. It nearly brings me to tears when I see them playing and laughing together! It is so sweet! Kendra turned six, and started first grade. I wasn't sure what I would do without her all day. I love talking and doing thing with her. She is always so helpful. It's been fun to see her take on the big sister role. She is so wonderful! We went to California on our big family vacation and made enough memories to last a lifetime. Scott keeps us laughing with his corky humor and faces. Life without laughter is no life at all. We've been blessed to spend time with many family members and friends whom we love so much. Thank you for being a part of our lives! Happy New Year! ;)

Merry Christmas!

If I missed sending you a card, here is an e-card of sorts! Hope you all have a wonderful, joyous Christmas season! And from our family to yours have a Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

I found this video about Thanksgiving daily, and thought it was worth sharing. I want to be this type of person. I believe this is the key to true eternal happiness!

New family pics!

Thanks to a dear friend, who gave me a gift certificate to have our family pictures taken, we have new family pictures! We had them taken at Cherry Springs last week. It is so beautiful up there right now. We are so excited about how they turned out!

California

We went to California in June for a family vacation, and I hope to relive it by blogging about it. Scott's family had a family reunion in Mammoth Lakes, CA. So we decided since we were already going to CA, we would make a big loop and go to Dave and Deb's, the beach, Disneyland, stop in St. George, and everywhere in between. It was our funnest family vacation ever!

Having Family Home Evening!

Games, of course!

Kendra's slumber party with cousins.


The girls decided to go on a hike. We were at 8,000 ft. elevation, so there was still snow on the ground. Here are a few pics from the hike.























After the reunion, we continued on to Simi Valley to spend a few short, but sweet days with Dave, Deb, and Cori.

Kendra and Dave picking oranges from an orange tree in their back yard.

Our niece, Cori. She is so cute!!!:)

After an incredible dinner (always!, thanks Deb!), they made the best homemade ice cream I've ever have! Delish!

Max showing off his tricks! Love that dog!

Kendra decided to entertain us by singing her favorite songs with her headphones on! Hee Hee! Too cute!

The next day Debbie and Cori took us to the beach, but first we had to stop and visit Tyler. It is such a peaceful place! Tyler, we love you and miss you!







Kendra's first time at the beach...I didn't think we would ever get her to leave!

SI's swimsuit edition has nothing on Kendra...look at that pose!

The smile says it all!

Surfing!








From the beach to our hotel in Anaheim 1 hour, unless you hit traffic...three hours later! Two glorious days at Disneyland!!!

In front of "It's a Small World"

A quick pic with Alice and the Mad Hatter!

Okay, so I wasn't planning on buying ears for Kristen (I know party pooper!), but as soon as I put them on her, she gave me this great big smile! We bought the ears! ;)

Both girls with their ears on!

We were on our way out, after buying our souvenirs, when we saw a short (yes, short!) line to get pics with Mickey! It was perfect timing! Kendra had just bought her big Mickey gloves!


On our journey to St. George to see Bob & MaryAnn, we couldn't find Megan. We looked in all the bags, under all the seats, in the trunk, to not avail. Megan is Kendra's favorite stuffed animal given to her by GG (great grandma Broberg) on Kendra's 1st Christmas. She does not spend the night anywhere without Megan. There were many tears shed. When we were unable to locate her, I decided to call the hotel we stayed at while at Disney...they had Megan!!! We arranged to have Megan sent to our house. Further crisis averted! Phew! A few pics with Bobby and the gang!

Bob

MaryAnn

Austin, Susan, & Jan

RJ, Kendra, & Emma...sweet cousins!


We decided to top it off by stopping in at Chuck E. Cheese's!

Kendra dancing with Chuck

After 9 days, 2,000 miles, 31+ hours, and 4 hotels later...I would jump right back in the car and do it all over again! This is a pic of Megan arriving home after an expensive overnight airplane and ground delivery!














Thanks for a great vacation!

Miss my sis!

So I started this post in March...and well here it is!
When Julie graduated from college in 2007, she found her first job here. I was so happy to have my sister close again. In fact, she lived with us for the first 8 months. Now she has a new job, in a new city and is moving away :( I am so sad! Kendra is even more sad! I just want her to know how much we have loved having her here...babysitting for us, taking me with you to go 'look' at a dog, hee hee...Toby, walking to our house after locking yourself out, Kendra squeezing your neck off giving you a tight hug, bringing us your leftovers, taking Kendra out and spoiling her, you being the first person I told I was expecting again (after Scott of course!), making us lasagna, Kendra making you say the blessing on dinner every time you ate with us, etc. Sisters by chance, definitely friends by choice! I love you!:)

Smiles

This is why I always say I have the best baby! She gives the best smiles! I love how her eyes turn into 1/4 moon shape. She is such a joy! At her 2 month check, she weighed 11 lbs.(albeit, with a wet diaper)and 23 inches long. I must say, Kendra is such a great help. I knew she would be, but she has really taken to being a big sister! I am so grateful! I love my girls!