Merry (late) Christmas!

Unfortunately I do not know how to upload video. If anyone wants to teach me I promise to be a good student ;-)We did not take a lot of pictures on Christmas because we were too busy taking video.

Christmas Eve we went out to breakfast (thanks to the Richins). We then came home and made Christmas cookies for Santa. Ryan fell asleep so he missed the cookie making he was more than happy to eat the cookies once he woke up. After the cookies we made hot chocolate, Jamie and I gave each child a bell and we watched "The Polar Express" after the movie we headed for the Langfords for dinner. We are so thankful for the Langfords. They give us a place to go every Christmas Eve.

Late that night we found "Santa" in our living room putting gifts under the tree. I taped it. The kids loved the video but Aubree scolded me. Telling me if Santa saw me I may have ruined Christmas for them! She also said Santa was much thinner than she imagined (Santa thanks her I am sure). Poor Aubree woke up 2 hours before anyone else. I got up with her and we read the story about our Savior. We got to talk about the true meaning of Christmas. It was a tender moment for me. Luke is at the "all about me" stage. Whenever we talked about Jesus' birth he listened but just wanted to be sure even though it was Jesus' birthday he still got Christmas gifts. Ryan is still pretty much clueless. It brings me happiness to know at least for now one child gets it! Once the kids got up Aubree suggested we say a family prayer before we open gifts so we did. That little girl is so thoughtful.

That evening our neighbors and dear friends came over for Christmas dinner. Jamie under cooked the steak and poor Scott just sat there with bloody meat on his plate without a complaint. Thank goodness Jamie noticed. He put all the steak back on the grill.Good dinner, great friends and an awesome family! We could have not asked for a better Christmas!

A visit from our dear friend...

Maria and her husband Jim came to visit for the day. Maria works for LDS Family Services. We met her because she was assigned to work with the mother who was going to place her son with us. She went above and beyond her call of duty. She had us over several times so that we could spend time with Braden's mother. We ended up becoming good friends. Last night Maria was talking to Aubree about the failed adoption. She said sometimes when sad things happen good things can happen at the same time. We would have never met Maria or Jim had we not gone through this trail. Our family feels so blessed to have them in our life. She brought ginger bread houses to make with the kids and then I made my Mom's famous taco's for dinner. My camera had a dead battery so I only got one picture of Maria. If you are reading this Maria I can't thank you enough for coming. The kids are still talking about you and the houses they made!

It snowed... just a little bit

Family Picture

We finally took some new family pictures. I think the last time we took them Ryan was still crawling! The kids did great-- it took 2 hours so we went to the store and got them each a new toy as their reward. Yes, we bribed them!

All About Aubree

I read through Aubree's birthday post and realized it looked self centered. I wanted to post my labor experience to have on some sort of journal. By the time I was finished with that story I was sick of typing so here is my ode to Aubree!

She is a true kind friend. She is sensitive to others and if there is a person in her class that does not have many friends she is sure to be a friend to them. When I meet her for lunch I love to just watch her for a bit without her knowing it. I am so impressed that she is kind and loves others as she is very loved in her class.

AWESOME SISTER- As I feel it is important to stick together as a family Aubree does it without me asking. Her little brother Luke loves to tag along and she lets him with a loving heart and makes sure he is included. She is is kind to Ryan as well. Her brothers LOVE her and now LOVE watching her as she plays on her DS.

She is honest- Even if it hurts a little. Whenever she starts a conversation like this: "Mom, I want to tell you something but I don't want to hurt your feelings" I have to chuckle about what is going through her mind. Last week she started out that way and ended up telling me she wished I was more stylish. She will also tell me if I hurt her feelings or if she has done something wrong.

She is a girly girl but also a tomboy! I love this about her. She will fix up nice but is not afraid to play in the dirt. She is a great ballet dancer but also rocks on the baseball field.

She is so smart (just like her Daddy). She catches on to everything very fast. I admire that about her and am glad she took after her Dad in that department.

She always tries to Choose the Right and when she does not want to she at least informs me.

She is very forgiving.

My little Aubree it is a honor to be your Mom! Thank you for all the joy you bring into our family!

1 birthday 3 celebrations

Aubree was able to celebrate her birthday 3 times. She had a class celebration at school, a girl tinker bell party and a family party. I do not have pictures from her class celebration but here are some pictures of the two others! I am tired I love her to death but I think a need a year to rest from celebrating her birthday!

HOLY COW LOOK WHO IS 7 NOW!!!

I want to wish a big fat HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our sweet Aubree! Today she turned 7 years old. Where has time gone? She can't be seven already!! I went into labor with Aubree a little over a month early. Jamie and I had a late night around 1 am I woke up thinking I wet the bed. I was embarrassed and told Jamie. As we changed the sheets I told him I thought she was leaning on my bladder. We went back to bed and I rolled to my other side and I felt a gush. I told Jamie I wet the bed again. I was confused because I did not feel like I had to go to the bathroom. This time around Jamie was like "are you kidding me?" He said just go sit on the toilet. Oh what a memorable night. I finally figured out I was in labor and my water broke after talking to my Mom and the Dr. As we started packing the contractions started coming. On our drive to the hospital I remember praying "let this be labor and not just me wetting my pants!" (My sister who I shall remain unnamed thought she was in labor once she went to the hospital and they informed her she wet her pants). Anyway, we got to the hospital they confirmed my water was breaking and gave me this awesome shot for pain. I just remember feeling happy and my pillow felt extra soft. A few hours later I got my epidural and I drifted to sleep. They checked me every hour and around 10:15 in the morning the nurse checked me and said "DO NOT MOVE!!!" She was right there. A couple of pushes and there she was. The NICU Dr. was there cause she was early but she looked great. After I bled out and had to be rushed to surgery. I did not see Aubree until late the next day. As my pregnancies are always terrible and I have issues after I have them I am thankful every day for my special babies! Aubree is such a great little girl. So kind and loving and so ahead of her time! I will upload pictures from her Tinker Bell party later. Tonight we are having some friends over for her favorite dinner "Mom's Tacos" We love you Aubs Bobs and wish you a great 7th year!