Wrapping up 2011...fashionably late

Last time I took such a long hiatus from blogging I was pregnant with Cale...that's not the case here. Time just got away from me so we'll play catch-up as quickly as I can.

The Christmas Angel came to our house this year. Some friends of ours created this product to help families restore the "true" meaning of Christmas.

The kids were ecstatic when she finally came...they had been waiting. She was such a blessing to our family this year and really helped shape their hearts for giving and doing for others. Matt and I were extremely pleased!

She would visit randomly at night and leave us messages of what she wanted us to do. She told us to do things like, make Christmas cards for some special people, bake cookies for your neighbor or fire dept., share with your brother, pray for someone else and my personal favorite, give some toys to those in need!

Ella was in the Christmas parade this year with her dance studio. The rest of us were as well, but solely for "moral" support! The kids LOVED it:)
Ella and mommy before the parade:)

Our small group at church had a "Tacky" Formal Christmas Party this year...these are the girls!
The "tacky king" and his court. Matt got 1st runner-up. Not gonna lie, he was disappointed, but he didn't let it ruin the night;) Obviously, we had a great time!!

Aren't we lovely???

MeMe, PaPa and Uncle Josh visited us the week before Christmas! We always enjoy spending time with them. Let me introduce you to Cowboy Woody and Hello Dolly!!

Santa came!

Ella and Cale opening presents on Christmas morning!

The kiddos before church on our Savior's birthday before leaving to go to Honey and Boppas.
Uncle John came home with us from Honey and Boppas and stayed a few days after Christmas till he had to fly back to Utah. We love when we get to visit with him and don't get to nearly enough since he moved out there a year ago.

So, that wraps up the last of 2011 in a nutshell!! It was a great year and so far 2012 has been a blast...but, who could ever be bored with those precious faces!?! I'll try to do better at keeping up with what is going on in our lives...though I'm NOT promising! Stay tuned on some of our February events:)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Today is a very special day, our daddy's birthday!! We are so thankful for this day and we are so thankful for our daddy! Thank you, Matt for being a shining example of what it looks like to be a Godly man and father to me and our children! Happy Birthday, we love you today!

"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

7 years yesterday...

Yesterday, Matt and I celebrated our 7-year anniversary! I can't believe it's been 7 years, but at the same time I can't remember a time with out him either. I told him yesterday I guess we've clearly passed the "newly wed" stage...frankly, we probably drove passed that exit about 5 years and 2 kids ago, but I never really thought about it. I think as a married couple we are "seasoned"! We've grown so much, mostly spiritually. Now, obviously, he has the ability to make me more mad than anybody ever should and more happy than anybody else ever could. As a father, he is attentive, caring, loving, concerned, stern and fun. As a husband, he is considerate, thoughtful, decisive, mature, loving, humble and kind. As a provider and spiritual leader he is successful! I thank God for him and to be his wife everyday. I'm thankful to share my life with him! I prayed for someone like Matt for a long time. The Lord not only answered that prayer, but gave me much more than I even asked for. If you had asked me 7 years ago what life would look like...well, I only hoped it would look like this! Looking forward to many more anniversaries, arguments, prayers, trials, happinesses, laughs and dreams!!

Fall festival...

We were traveling on Halloween, but the night before we went to the Fall Festival at MeMe and PaPa's church. Here are my fancy kitten and precious puppy!!

Riding the miniature horses...this was both of their favorites!!

The bouncy house!!

Peek-a-boo, puppy!!

Right before our eyes...

Ella is 5!!!!!!! I. Am. SO. Behind!! My baby girl turned 5 on October 29th and it is way passed that, but in my defense we were in South Carolina for her birthday and I didn't have access to blog. I may never forgive myself for my lateness, but let me assure it has NOTHING to do with how much I love her...it's just been a whirl wind around here and it takes a small lifetime to upload pictures on this thing. However, enough of my excuses and here are some pics of her very special day:)

And, we broke down...she got a Justin Bieber ring!
She was UBER excited about her pink, fringe mocassin boots...can you tell!?!

The AWESOME cake that Diaunt made...Ella was ecstatic!!

Momma and the birthday girl! I must say, parties are MUCH less stressful when you are not the one planning it;)

Precious family and sweet friends that helped us celebrate the day!

Coloring after a very special day!!






A HUGE thank you to MeMe and PaPa for hosting such a wonderful party for such a special little girl! We were so thankful to spend it with family and friends in South Carolina!! It was a success:)

Old Baker Farm

Today was a HUGE milestone...we had our first field trip. Ella's class went to Old Baker Farm. Now, in the spirit of honesty I must say that dirt, farm animals, hay and generally outside are NOT my thing. But, they are hers and I loved every minute I got to spend with her enjoying the things she loves and what the Lord created. Her joy filled my heart! Thank you, Ella for broadening my horizons and thank you Lord for Ella!!

The "Monkeys"

In front of the corn maze...DIVA!!

I understand this is not the best picture, but it was taken in front of the Long "Naked" Goose;)

Picking cotton...

This was her favorite part...petting (squeezing) the bunny. The child LOVES animals, ALL the animals!

Petting the goat...she almost put him to sleep:)

Just a swingin'

Our prize pumpkin!!

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Back to school...

Ella started back to MDO this month. I can't believe she is in 4K!! She goes three days a week now...I don't know what it is about that extra day, but it WEARS. ME. OUT!! I can't imagine 5 days! She loves school and looks forward to it everyday. She loves Miss Cheryl, her teacher, and Miss Cheryl loves her! She has made some precious little friends and we are both looking forward to this year. She is writing very well and is more than ready to learn to read...it just can't happen fast enough for her!
Her first two weeks were wonderful. She got a sticker and positive comments on her chart everyday! So, as an "we're proud of you" prize she got these new boots. She was thrilled! She's the only 4-year-old I know who would prefer jeggings or boots as opposed to a barbie or toy...Matt says I've created a monster. But, the way I see it, we'd have to buy clothes anyway so we basically kill two birds with one stone, right? Right! Plus, we always knew she was a diva...in a good way;)

As for Cale, he and I enjoy our mornings together while Ella's learning at school. We miss her, of course, but the snuggle time is precious! You can't tell by looking at him, but this boy is an eater! He eats it all...tomatoes (off the vine), cucumbers, beans, corn, meat, chicken, tuna, amberjack, deer, steak, potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, plums, peaches, strawberries, I could go on. He is only picky in the sense that he "picks" it up to put it in his mouth! He likes fresh veggies, not canned...I have no idea how he knows the difference, but he does!! And, he is not big into sweets. He would much prefer fruit, meat or veggies as a snack rather than cookies or cake...HOWEVER, he will eat the crazy out of some mini white doughnuts...he'd probably eat the entire bag if I'd let him:) It doesn' take much to make him THIS happy! There's nothing quite like double-fisting doughnuts...