Grateful...

I know it's been quite a while since I posted last, and I have some catching up to do; but I wanted to write this morning because my heart is so full. I'm incredibly grateful for two healthy, happy, active children. Liam is already showing off a bit of his personality, before he's even here. It seems like he's constantly moving, and he responds so well to stimuli. I love feeling his movements, it's one of the more precious experiences of pregnancy.

Since we're leaving town for christmas, Sean and I decided to do an early celebration for our family; and open our stockings and presents to each other early. Some number of months ago, Tara and I were reading one of her books. I was helping her correctly pronounce the words soccer ball. When she finally mastered it, a lightbulb went on; and she was SO proud of herself for saying it correctly. She started saying "Mommy! Watch this!" I'd look over at her, and she'd carefully say "So-ccer ball. Yay Tara!!!" She'd get a huge grin on her face :) This then developed into a quick understanding of the concept of what a soccer ball is, and what you do with one. She started taking those regular rubber balls that she has, and pretending they were soccer balls; kicking them around. So it was apparent to us, that we had to get her a soccer ball. She opened it last night, and immediately started kicking it around; and she was so controlled with her kicks>there was no doubt in our minds that we had to get this girl into soccer practice when she's older! She looked like she'd been playing for a long time! I'm just so grateful for how active Tara is, with her imagination and with her body.

I'm grateful for my family, I'm so blessed to have such amazing kids; and the sweetest man on the face of the planet as my husband. He always impressed me with his love for our Savior, and for our Father in Heaven. He's always been such a great example of how we should be living our lives; and his desires are so pure. I love him with all my heart, and words can not express how much he touches my heart on a daily basis. I'm thankful for the sweet little family we've created together, and can't wait to meet this little boy...I hope everyone has a great holiday season, and can remember and be touched by our Savior's birth; and what it means for us. I pray everyone can spend lots of time with family, and we'll see you all when we get back!

Christmas 2010

So a couple of weeks before christmas, Sean and Tara flew to Idaho to see his side of the family. They had an early christmas, and it was nice for the girls to be able to share that together. I was sad not to be able to go, but they had a great time. Unfortunately, we only have one photo from that trip; and it's of Tara with her cousin Rylee. They're in the matching christmas dresses that Sean's mom bought for them. SO adorable!



Once they returned, we spent christmas morning at my moms. Here are a few select photos, including ones of my little brother proposing to his then girlfriend (now fiance) Cheyenne. It brought tears to our eyes!









Tara with her uncle Josh :)

Tara with the Elmo airplane from mommy and daddy. She loves that thing...


There's grandma Laurie, Aunt Cheyenne, and Tara :)


And there's my little brother in action!






The newly engaged couple!



Later on that day, our friend Rachel got baptized. What an amazing way to spend christmas day...

Baby's First Christmas...

So we had our first christmas with Tara, and it was wonderful. She's still too young to know about Santa, or how to open gifts, or to even eat a piece of Grandma's fudge. But she did know how to make us all smile~she really took to certain presents, like a doll she fell in love with. She also couldn't stop playing with these soft blocks that grandma Becky gave her! The girls were definitely spoiled this year...Tara's cousin Rylee, and Tara made out well :) Tara got lot's of books, toys (including bath toys), another blanket from Grandma Becky, a snow jacket with a matching one for cousin Rylee, a snuggle bear, a blanket from Uncle Jake, and the list goes on. Sean's parents got us a new laptop, so Sean can continue his writing; his old laptop's been busted for almost a year now; and we never had the money to get it fixed. They also got us clothes, movies, games, perfume/cologne, earrings for me, shave kit for Sean, I got a new scarf which just happens to match a jacket we have for Tara :) Sean's brother Jake got us a jump drive for the computer, which is pretty cool. The sad thing with the new laptop is we still don't have enough money to have monthly internet. Maybe when Sean hits the big time with his writing, right? So it was a pretty neat christmas, and it was so nice to be able to spend it with family here in Idaho. Although, I must admit; I missed my mom like crazy, but I knew we'd be returning soon. All in all, though, we had a wonderful time here; and some pretty special experiences. And I had a white christmas!!! We hardly get that in Eugene, that's another reason I love christmas here in Burley :)

This last week, Becky wanted to have the girls open an early christmas present. It was matching jackets that are hot pink, with a white faux fur lining. She put them in the jackets along with white longsleeve shirts, and jeans for christmas portraits together. They were adorable, let me tell you...SO cute together :)

Then on saturday afternoon, Sean and I escaped for about an hour to go have a short date with each other. We shared a hot chocolate, and Sean took me to a local book store. It's called the book plaza, and it's inside a building that looks like a mini castle; it was pretty cool. Once inside, Sean and I found a ton of LDS books that we just fell in love with. We left wishing we had a ton of money, just so we could add a bunch of good literature to our collection. Someday...

Well, we're flying back to Oregon tomorrow; and I've still got a couple things to do before I go to bed. I hope everyone had an amazing christmas, and that you were able to spend some special time with family. I hope everyone had good treats to eat, sang a bunch of christmas songs, and felt the spirit of the holiday season. We missed everyone in Eugene, and can't wait to see you guys!



She was incredibly amused at how we kept taking pictures of her :)



And she's out again :)



Ooh...pretty paper!

Whadup broseph?


She didn't stop playing with those blocks throughout the rest of the opening of the presents...

She loved the soft block set from Grandma Becky :)

Dad was a little sleepy too


She was barely hanging on...and by the time this picture was taken-so was I! Can ya blame me? I had a five and a half month old who kept waking up during the night :)


So very tired...






Seriously. There are no words available from the english language that come even close to describing how ADORABLE this picture is!!! I love how tiny she looks :)

Aww!!!

Yup-that's our baby underneath that big 'ol hat! It swallows her up :)

Tara with her Uncle Jake :)

Baby was a bit tired, since we got her up earlier than normal (since it was christmas morning). She never really recovered that day...

New jacket from Grandma Becky and Grandpa Bill

Trying to fit inside the stocking...


Sweet baby girl...





Our early christmas present...We unwrapped her in July :)

I love the look on Tara's face~"I wanna drink out of a big girl cup too!"


Tara, with Grandma Becky


Tara's cousin Rylee was a wee bit jealous that this new baby was sitting in her high chair-she's never had to share it before!