Out with the old, In with the new!!!

Well, tomorrow my dad will be getting released from being the Stake President for the past nine years. My family is pretty excited, especially my mom. She has sat alone on the church bench for as long as I can remember (sad, but cool). I can't wait because during church, I can send my naughty kid to sit with Grandpa:) My kids LOVE grandpa, as you can tell by this picture. I along with many others asked him if he was sad or relieved. He said sad, very sad. He has "loved this calling more than any other" but smiling he said he "will be nice and relaxed when the meeting is over". It has been really fun for my kids to meet and spend time with Elder Russell M. Nelson (apostle), and Elder Jay L. Sitterud (seventy). President and Sister Orton (St. George Temple) also came tonight to dinner. They are a cute couple. She is really pretty. I hope I will look that good. I guess staying close to the Lord really does help. J/K Man, I probably shouldn't joke like that LOL. Ok, enough is enough, we just want to tell my dad how much we love him and look up to him. What an example!! We are proud to call you Dad/Grandpa!!

A.J. is TWO!!!

AJ turns 2 tomorrow, so I figured I would tell you about my little nephew. What can I say about this kid?!? He is the only grandson on the Thomas side, and he sure does know how to be a boy! He is quiet all the time so you really never know if he is getting into something or just being content. Just be careful when you let him outside...he can be gone in a second, and he has no fear so LOOK out!! He's a little guy, but he started out that way so if he takes after his dad we will have to just wait and see (and I mean WAIT)lol. He loves to watch Madagascar, Cars, and I'm sure more but I know those two for sure. Anyway, I'm getting wore out just thinking about keeping up with him. But, we love the little guy and hope he has a good birthday!!

Happy Birthday Wes!!!

Today is Wes' birthday so we just wanted to tell him how much we love and appreciate him. He is such a hard worker and will do anything for his girls (including me). He loves to be home with us and we miss him when he is gone (even if its just to work-pathetic, I know). I guess I miss his extra hands around the house because he helps me so much even with housework, the kids, and cooking (jealous?? you should be! lol). He loves to have fun but he sometimes doesn't like my sense of humor:)!! I was going to post some of his extremely cute baby pictures but they are all at the house and I didn't make it over there to pick some up, so these will have to do!! We Love You !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (hint: if you count this last row of exclamation points, you will know how old he is)

Home Alone!!

I decided to label this post "Home Alone" because when Wes works graveyard shift, I don't sleep very well so I check blogs frequently to see if there is something I have missed:) I know, I know, LOSER!!! Maybe I am a loser, but this time I decided to publish my own post. LOL. These are pictures of half the extended family sledding a few days after New Years. I didn't put any of the "action" photos in because there are a million to choose from, so I decided to do the close-ups ...you're welcome:) Vic, Annie, Wes, Caprie

Wendie and Jeff

Elsie

Skylar

Dei-ja

Wes pulling Caprie

Caprie

Annie

Christmas...Finally:)

We had a great Christmas this year!! I love this time of year...busy stores, long lines, last minute lists, too many places to be, cold weather, hyper children, procrastinating a Christmas card (which did not get done so don't feel bad if you didn't get one this year-sorry), trying to see all the lights, and not feeling good enough to deal with any of it!! HaHa...I'm really not that negative about any of those things I put, but as I was thinking of the events of the month, all I could do was laugh at how busy it is. I really do love the feeling of Christmas, and as my girls get older it seems a lot easier teaching them the meaning and the story of Christmas. It always seems difficult to get them to see past the gifts and Santa, but Annie seems to understand how all of the "commercial" things still play an important part in the story. I hope everyone had a great season and we wish you a happy new year!!!