hmmmmm...no good title, but long post

These are the cutest kids in the world(I'm not biased). This holiday season has been full of mixed emotions from fear and worry to thankfulness and joy. I am so grateful for Cory and my kids and the fun we have as a family. I'm also thankful for the learning that my Heavenly Father forces me to do. He has a plan and I am grateful that he humbles me enough to learn it. It was a good season and after I got over my bitterness and anger for struggles that I don't understand...I enjoyed the spirit of the holidays.









Grace is dancing again this year and still loving it. She loves to be on stage. She and I had fun spending the day of her performance painting her nails, rag rolling her hair and getting ready. She did such a good job.














Cory, the kids and I had so much fun this year. We enjoyed old traditions and started new ones. We learned lots about Jesus and filled our manger wih hay. We saw lots of lights, made lots of goodies, had a secret friend every night(we love our cute neighbor Claudia), played with friends(we loved our visits from the Stolle family & the Evans and going to the Evans for good food), delivered gifts, went shopping together, tried out ice skating, saw Santa a few times and so many other things.















Lane, Wade and Favorite Aunt Laura (such a cute picture)













Christmas Eve Nativity(minus the wise man, Lane)













Jaden opening gifts














Grace showing off her style














Lane with his new broom. Yes, he got a broom, remote and a suitcase for Christmas. He was so excited















Lane slept through most of Christmas. I think I should have known he was getting sick but I was just enjoying the snuggle time. He opened presents, ate breakfast, read books with mom, and then slept. What a cutie!














This is Grace showing off her new outfit and hat. She is such a little diva and I told her she was my Christmas doll that I got to dress up.

















This is all the cousins at my mom's house. We only got to be there a total of 20 hours but my kids adore their cousins and grandparents. It was special for all of us to be home together and enjoy it. Pat's been gone for a few years so it was good to have him back. With all the recent hospital visits for Chad, we wondered if this would be the first year he missed a Christmas at home but he was there. We shared a special home evening and then cried through a great blessing given to Chad by Preston. It was especially cool to see my dad, hubby and all my brothers in the circle with their hands on Chad's head. What an amazing thing(yes I cried and yes I peeked when I should have had my eyes closed). Definately a memory I won't forget.














This has to be my favorite photo of the year. Lane was very excited by the trees. This was him at my mom's house. He found a train ornament she has and didn't want to give it back. He also loves balls and thought the ball ornaments should be thrown and hit. All in all he was pretty good and didn't do too much damage to the two or so trees I had up. He especially loved my cowboy tree downstairs.


















Santa came through and got the family a Wii. Jaden has been a bit dissapointed with
Santa the past few years because he wouldn't bring him a dog or a "real fence" for our yard so he could have a dog(yes he did ask for that). Instead of a BB gun he got the hunting game for the Wii. Cory and I are not video game people. Neither of us had anything like a video game growing up and were "against" them. I choked down alot of pride in purchasing it but we have had so much fun as a family and with extended family. Even Cory's dad(not a video game guy) enjoyed it.

















This year we had New Years at my house. Both Cory and most of my family(we missed Preston's fam) came and some of Cory's cousins who we love. It was fun to see everyone and play games (well some of the men folk just chatted). Even Chad got into the action, leading us all in a game of do-as-I'm-doing which was entertaining following the blind guy.













This is the kids on New Years Eve...they played the Wii and watched TV. They loved counting down the New Year and then fell to sleep pretty quick.
















This is Jaden with his dad and Grandpa on the annual New Years Day ride. I used to get to go but now I stay at home with whichever child is sick. I love seeing Jaden on his little pony. He loves Buck so much and thinks he is so big. Truth is he will probably outgrow Buck in a month.















And now we are back to school, preschool, dance, basketball, cleaning, laundry, dieting, New Year's resolutions and 3 sick kids....fun!