Snapshot: Joshua

Joshua at age 7 . . .

loves learning new things

doesn't love shopping with his mom

can usually be found playing on the computer 

is so good at being a big brother

 

Snapshot: Olivia

Olivia at 5 years . . .

loves being a girl

doesn't love being left out by the boys

can usually be found singing and dancing

is so good at helping her mom

Snapshot: Ethan

Ethan at 2 years . . .

 

loves Power Rangers and super heroes

doesn't love potty training

can usually be found fighting bad guys

is so good at making us laugh

Snapshot: Logan

Logan at 8 months . . .

loves his binky and bubble baths

doesn't love being left behind by his big sibs

can usually be found crawling and exploring 

is so good at making people smile

Elder Dalby

In January, my parents brought my brother, Brad, to Utah so he could enter the MTC.  The day before he went in, we had planned to go to the Salt Lake temple together.  Unfortunately we got all the way to the temple gates before we realized it was closed for cleaning.  So . . . we went to the Cheesecake Factory instead (I consider eating cheesecake to be a spiritual experience, so we were good)! 

Later we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and saw the Joseph Smith movie.  That movie is so incredible.  

I can hardly believe my baby brother is a missionary . . . crazy!  We said goodbye to him the next morning.  It was sad to watch him leave, but we are all so excited for him at the same time.  We know Elder Dalby is going to tear it up in Virginia!

Ho Ho Ho!

This was our first Christmas at home, just our little family . . .  (actually I'm starting to realize our family isn't all that little anymore . . . crazy!)  We had so much fun together!  We love being with grandparents, but there was something special about being in our own home on Christmas morning, and starting our own family traditions.  The kids kept telling me this was their best Christmas EVER!  

Pictures of the excitement (I just realized I did not take a single picture of Jason and I, but I swear we were there!)  . . . 

All dressed up for Christmas Sunday:

We invited Jason's sister, Katie, and her family over for Christmas Eve dinner and the kids put on a nativity play for us. 

The kids in their Christmas jammies:

We set out cookies for Santa, and carrots for his reindeer:

Joshua, Olivia and Ethan had a slumber party in Joshua's room on Christmas Eve.  They stayed up late watching movies and talking about the presents Santa would bring them the next morning.  Oh man, they crack me up!

The goods from Santa:

Opening presents on Christmas morning:

 

And finally . . . what Christmas post would be complete without the Christmas morning video?  I love my kids, and I love Christmas!  Putting the two together . . . there's nothing better!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Family Picture- 2012

Jason, Shanna, Joshua (7), Olivia (5), Ethan (2) and Logan (6 months)