Just call me granny...

Ok maybe I won’t go that far. Grandma sounds a little better but let me tell you that I’d be called anything in the world to have this sweet baby Clara Grace in my life. I got to spend a week with my baby (Halee) and help her and even get up in the night with baby Clara. It was pure bliss. She looks so much like Halee. It was as close to holding your “own” child again as it gets. It was almost like it was Halee all over again. Chris is a proud Grandpa as well...and he was great about letting me hog the baby so much. The kids were so excited to be official aunts and uncles. What a joyful occasion.

I also felt so blessed to have such a special son in law. He said to us right before we left “thank you for letting me marry Halee. She’s perfect.” 

No more braces...

This handsome boy is metal free today and loving every minute...

The slopes...

It didn’t take much to get the kids to smile for these pictures… 

Bob Ross...

Grace’s version of Bob Ross...

An unexpected fathers blessing...

Chris has been under a lot of stress with work and and helping his family on some financial stuff. He mentioned before we went to bed the other night that he might ask Austin for a blessing. Austin for a blessing?!? That just doesn’t seem possible, but how exciting that it is. I came into Austin and said “fathers blessing?” And he goes “who, me? I don’t need a blessing.” And I said “no...give FATHER a blessing?” We got a good laugh out of that and he was more than happy to help. Such a tender experience for all of us.

Gymnastics meet...

I’m so proud of these sweet girls. Grace took 1st in bars with a 9.55 and Scarlett got 3rd overall which is exponentially higher than her last two meets. Their progress is so exciting because they work SO HARD. 

Smooth moves...

My sweet little Austin is a smoothie lover. Last night he made this yummy green smoothie for me just because he’s terrific.

New Years...

We spent New Year’s Eve at our favorite hotel watching lots of movies, eating lots of really bad for you food and staying up until midnight. Who could ask for more than that?

The temple...

This sweet boy was my escort to the temple tonight. Chris sacrificed and stayed home with the kids, urging me to take this young man once or twice more before he leaves for the missionary training center.