Christmas Eve and Day

I think we carry the same tradition that most people do. On Christmas Eve the kids get one gift to open. Ofcourse, it is always pajamas. Here are the kids getting ready to open their present. Before we opened them we told the kids to not get upset/jealous with what each other gets, because nothing is the same.












Passion was on the verge of tears as she thought she was getting pajamas. She is not a fan of pajamas. When she realized she got sport shorts with pockets her smile returned. Max for some reason was excited about his.
















To me the best part of Christmas Day is watching the kids and all their excitement. This year was no different. I often caught myself a few times on the verge of telling them what they got, I was that excited. Asher was super funny this year. He wanted some of the oddest things: disco ball, large nut cracker etc. As you can tell as soon as he opened his googles for his air soft gun- he wore them the rest of the time. He was the silliest about his disco ball. He has carried that thing all over the place.












Max for some reason can not have enough stacker cups. Although he already has a set he wanted more. Do you think he looks happy? He also got his own jet boil for camping and camera/camcorder. He was most extatic that the camera is water proof.













Can you guess what passion wanted? The kids spent hours boxing of course by the light of the disco ball. She was happy with all that she got.












After a great day at church we were able to go visit family and spend time with them. Max and Nelson at the Bowen's house









Pictures with Grandma & Grandpa Bowen










It was a great day and we are so blessed with many blessings and wonderful families

December Happenings

Man this month has come and gone so quick. I have to admit it has been a different month for me. Life has been pretty crazy around our house and the holidays, well make it crazier. I am grateful for the things we were able to do to help us feel the holiday spirit and enjoy the company of our family and friends. The things listed below were things I needed to help me avoid the bahumbug attitude I would have otherwise tried to maintain.

At the beginning of the month we were able to get together with our friends from Nelson's high school. Unfortunately we don't see them enough but love getting together with them.- Christmas 2011












Christmas atleast 12 years ago, makes me sad to see how the dynamics of the group have changed. We really miss having Travis with us











We were able to take the girls to the lights at Temple square for their first time as well as enjoy the company of some great neighbors. The kids always love riding the Trax and enjoy the spirit of Salt Lake.













We were able to watch Max in his choir performance. Their choir teachers put a lot of time into this and the program turned out great. Max has loved being involved in choir. He was even able to do a dance and of course it was cool to him because he was paired up with the girl he thinks is cute. For some reason I am not a fan of Christmas music, I don't really like it. But listening to little kids sing I do enjoy.













We are blessed for Max to have one of the best school teachers this year. She goes above and beyond for those kids. Each Christmas season their family turn their barn into a Nativity for 3 mondays of the month. Max really wanted to go and be apart of it. I very selfishly insisted the exact day hoping since it was closer to Christmas it would help me get in the spirit. Our journey did not start out so great. By time we backed out of the garage and were in the driveway 3 out of 4 kids were crying and Max was screaming lets just stay home. I laughed the whole way we drove because of the circus I often feel like we are living in. I still insisted we go since it was the plan for us to feel "the christmas spirit". Maybe I should have given in, but it turned out great and the kids loved it. The teacher let the kids be involved in the live nativity. The kids loved every minute of it. I have been humbled this year to see all the selfless giving people have been doing to help bless others lives.

Asher and Lily waiting for it to start, Max as Joseph and Asher as a shepherd









My oldest brother Mike lives in Iowa so we don't get to see them often. My nephew Cameron has always wanted to surround himself with family. It has always meant a lot to him. So when it was time for him and his wife to be sealed in the temple he chose to come to Utah for many reasons, but being with family was one of the biggest. Although they could have saved 15 hours each way in the car and gone to Navuoo they chose to come out. We were blessed to be apart of it. Yet again, that was another thing I needed this season. Sitting still in the temple was what I needed to remind me all the small day to day things are not what matter. The peace of the gospel and temple blessings is where it really is at. We were glad we were able to spend the day with them as well as introduce the girls to the temple.










After the temple we were able to celebrate Christmas with the family. My mom official received her first electronic device (other than a cell phone). She is now the proud owner of a Kindle Fire.







Last but not least on Christmas Eve day were loaded up and headed to Pine View dam to skate on the ice. The elements outside were perfect. Because it was so good the dam was a little freaky. The ice was so clear you could see all the way down to the bottom. You could see fish, rocks etc.. It was a little spooky but super fun. I am glad we took the break and got away. The whole family loved every minute of it.























The day before Christmas I had someone tell me they have enjoyed watching me have my hands full. I will be the first to admit, yes I do have my hands full. But, I am thankful for those "hands full" moments that help me learn, be stronger and most of all strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am truly blessed

November Happenings

I have had good intentions to get things updated but I feel like the month has been whirlwind crazy and it does not seem to be slowing down. Here are a few highlights from our month of November:

My boys- being crazy and inventive as ever. I have no clue what made them decide to see if they fit in the toaster cupboard. You can tell they have the personality of their dad complete hams and all.










Rain gutter Regatta- this year was the first year in Scouts that Max was able to participate in a rain gutter regatta, it has always been the pinewood derby. He had a fun time getting ready for it and even painted his boat pink. He decided to do that because the secretary at school has breast cancer and he wanted to support the cause. Max had just started parkour (free running class) the week before so had to miss part of scouts. Good thing Asher was more than willing to stand in for his brother. He was proud to participate in some of the races.
Max's boat ended up getting the "pink lady award." For a boy that is not all that impressive, he was pretty ticked. He was determined to rip up his certificate in the gym. I thwarted his scheme before the picture below was taken. Who can tell he had been throwing a fit? I can't, but he sure was upset and cried after. We had a chat about not worrying about it, he knows the true reason why his boat was pink and the award was all in good intentions. All in all it turned out to be a decent night.

















Choir- We were able to participate in performing at the Christmas jubilee. Max loves singing and being a part of the choir. Luckily he did not inherit his singing voice from me. Note- I have told him he is not allowed to have a girlfriend but if for some reason he wants to think a girl is cute he could pick Megan (blonde girl 2 people from him) she is a super cute girl.










Thanksgiving- as always we are extremely blessed and love being able to surround ourselves with family during the Thanksgiving season. We have been blessed with so many things and definitely know our Father in Heaven is aware of us. Spending time at my parents (Weston's)- Kids hanging out with the cousins and of course you cant forget the nap after drowning yourself in all the food.















Foster- As mentioned before Nelson and I attended Foster Care classes earlier in the year in hopes of eventually being able to adopt. We know we have been blessed with so many wonderful things in our life and it is an opportunity to share. The day before Thanksgiving we received a call asking if we would be willing to take in 2 little girls. WOW what an emotional roller coaster that day was. You never can anticipate how it will happen. I cried many time unsure of what to do and if I was capable. A co-worker had told me to listen to the spirit for all of our decisions with this. We knelt as a family and had prayer to know what needed done. Next we took a huge leap of faith and called back saying we would take the girls.
For the next few hours we frantically rearranged all the bedrooms to make room. Later that night we were able to go to the Christmas box house and meet them and eventually have them signed over to stay with us.
This whole experience has been fun, eye-opening, interesting, scary, challenging and many other things. It is crazy to instantly double kid number over night, double the time to success completely lunch and get out of the house with 3 girls hair successfully done. It has been an adjustment phase but we are ready to take on the challenge.
Who knows what HF has in store for us and how long they will be in our home. Each day we remember we have a loving Heavenly Father that knows how things are suppose to work, and we leave it up to them. Our family is truly blessed and we know it.