Can You Guess Who..

Kyce

Kaydree
Kyce
Kaydree

Karsyn
Kaydree

Karsyn

Question: Who do you think Kyce looks like, Kaydree or Karsyn?

Thankful for...

I can't help but come home from church feeling extremely thankful for all the many blessings in my life. I am thankful for many things but some are on my mind right now...

a testimony of a loving Heavenly Father
Believing Christ and what he can do for me each and every day
an eternal marriage
a loving family
a baby that we didn't think we would have
helpful daughters that love each other and their brother
a warm home
friends that chose to be supportive and accepting of all my faults
sleep, sleeping in, napping, getting to bed early, dreaming, a sleeping baby...
working vehicles
food for my family
Benjy's job
a gym membership
a love for reading
running shoes
a soft bed
my blanket that a friend made that goes everywhere with me...
toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
Charlee (when he isn't out getting dirty or waking up Kyce by barking)
my computer
neighbors
wet wipes
wet wipe warmer
my new aloe socks...looooove them.
hot baths and hot tubs
Living in Minnesota because you never know what the weather will do....
paint
coupons
chocolate
being a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, grandaughter, and friend.
That is my short list for today.....
P.S.
I am going to bed now...wish me luck!

Christmas by Candlelight...

This is what we woke up to on Christmas Eve Morning.

All of us were so excited to have such a White Christmas..

The kids went outside for hours and played. Benjy's 4 Wheel Drive Truck that he has been waiting 10 years for...came in handy getting home! (Background)
Sledding down the rock pile... some exposed rocks (eek) but the guys covered them up.

We had both fireplaces going, thank goodness because...at 4:30 PM the kids put on their annual Nativity program, except this year we actually had a baby to play Baby Jesus. Right after the program the electricity went out and stayed off until 6AM Christmas Morning.
It was pitch black, but the camera flash makes it look like we had light, but this reindeer was all that lit our traditional oyster stew dinner.

The kids ate by the light of this little candle.
Auntie Em snuggled Kyce while we opened gifts in the dark.
Grandpa hung a camping lantern so that he could read the names on the gifts. It was fun.. whoever had flashlights would spotlight the person opening the gift. I almost wish the flash had been turned off so you could see how dark it was...

We all thought it was so cool and a Christmas to remember...but when the temperature in the house started to drop and we realized we couldn't flush the toilets or that the water wouldn't run because my parents have a well and the pump wasn't running, we started to get a little anxious about how long we would be without power.

I guess when my mom was 6 months pregnant with me...they got stuck without power for 3 days and 4 families piled into a little house that had a wood burning stove and they still have fond memories of that experience. I am sure all of us will remember this Christmas and remember to be thankful for modern conveniences.

Something to Make you Smile!

My very talented friend Lindsay and her family made this awesome video and it makes me smile, so I wanted to share it with all of you!

A Rising Star and an Accident

Although Benjy says the local papers will print anything, I know he feels like this is a huge honor, to be recognized by others in your profession as someone who is passionate about your work. I feel very blessed to be married to someone who enjoys his work so much. Benjy absolutely loves his work and it is nice to see that others recognize that, too. So this came out in the paper within a week of his accident and this is what Benjy had to say, "What is even more funny is that this "local attorney" rear-ended a car last week on the highway and stopped traffic for about 45 min. They also put me in the back of a police car to give me a ride to the nearby coffee shop. Don't worry I did not get injured but my "Mija" car was totaled."

So... we are shopping for a new/used car. I told Benjy that I haven't really minded being stuck at home during the day while he has my car at work. I really didn't want to rush into buying something that we didn't love or that wasn't a great deal...However, today.... changed everything! Kaydree hasn't missed the bus in 3 years, 3 years and today... she did! I didn't have a way to get her to school! So....once again, JoDell and Judy came to the rescue and brought her to school for me... thank you, thank you! Let's just say...enough of the one car family..one week to the day is enough. Wish us luck in our little adventure. I hate, yes I used the word, HATE...looking for cars! For an indecisive person, like me...this is torture!

Snug as a Bug..

I feel like these pictures are already out dated. Kyce is growing so fast. He is out of his newborn diapers and almost out of all of his newborn outfits.

Little Nick looks so big holding his baby cousin. Kyce was definitely loved and snuggled at Thanksgiving, however he was very spoiled when we got home. Just as we are trying to have him adjust to some independent time... we know that next week he will be spoiled again and we love it!

Grandpa always loves up the Grandchildren, especially when they are babies!

I have to say Auntie Em, is known as the baby snuggler. She held Kyce most of the time and he slept and slept.

My nieces Courtney (15) and Korin (13) were found just watching him sleep. It made me chuckle, I told them, "We have spent many hours just watching our babies sleep."

Noah and Courtney

Auntie Lori

Uncle Steve

First thing in the morning with Grandpa, they have matching Bedhead.

Snoozing on Dad!

Hanging out with Teresa

Just love those little eyes!

A Great Way to Spend our Time on the Weekend.

Benjy and I were able to help with the Faces of the Nativity this weekend which is a special holiday season event sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Hundreds of creches, or manger scenes were on display at the Anoka Stake Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. On Friday night, Benjy and 6 other "Elders" men from our church had the opportunity to serve as the SECURITY TEAM...from 9 PM to 3 AM. They brought snacks and played some games. Benjy said it was Blast. I am sure they were all tired on Saturday. Then on Saturday night we brought the kiddos to hear the Mormon Chorale sing at the display. It was absolutely beautiful. Our two good friends, Nicole Bator and Janice Anderson were singing in the choir. We then walked through with the girls and it brought tears to my eyes. It was amazing the quiet reverence that you felt just looking at all the different Nativity Scenes.

This picture really doesn't do the entire display any justice. It was mouth dropping, unbelievably beautiful in there and to hear the Christmas music quietly in the background was just so peaceful. I was so bummed that I forgot my camera on Saturday, so I told Benjy that I wanted to go back after church on Sunday just to get some pictures. Funny thing was that Benjy forgot that he signed up to help out on Sunday from noon to 3, so I freely volunteered to do it for him. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the rest of my day and I was so excited!

Here are some of the ones that really touched me. There were 530 different ones. INCREDIBLE!

How does one preserve a chocolate Nativity for 20 years?

I saw this one and said, " Oh, that is a pretty glass one." Wrong... I later heard through the grapevine.... that it is a Waterford Crystal one...estimated at $2,000. Now you know why they took security so seriously at this display. Not only were some valuable monetarily however I think the value was in the meaning behind each Nativity. There were ones from all over the world, Family Heirlooms, treasured gifts and many memorable missionary moments that some represented.

I only displayed 3 out of my 12 Nativities, and I happened to be assigned to the area by mine. The cute little coconut one from Hawaii was in my area and I just loved looking at the detail.Benjy's mom went to the Holy Land almost 2 years ago and brought us back the Holy Family made out of Olive Wood. It is the one in the front on the right hand side. There were a lot made out of Olive Wood.
My dad has started my collection for me. He started giving me a Nativity every year for Christmas nine years ago when I was pregnant with Kaydree. I love them all but thought this one was amazing on display with other ones just like it and especially with this picture behind them. Mine is the back one on the left, furthest away from the picture.
I don't know if these picture touched me so deeply because we have a beautiful baby boy this Christmas season or if it was just the spirit that I felt at this display. I kept looking at this picture throughout the day and just felt overwhelmed with gratitude not only for our little miracle we have been given but especially for the miracle of Eternal life that our Savior has provided for us.
I actually had the thought, I wonder if Our Savior was a sweet little baby? It felt like an odd thought to have but I am just in awe over our sweet little baby. In all reality aren't all babies just so sweet? November started out a little rough with the early arrival of Kyce and ended very tough with the loss of my beloved Uncle Lee. I am so thankful that December started out with celebrating in the true spirit of Christmas...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A sign by this also said, " Each of us is an Innkeeper that has to decide if we will make room for Jesus."