Sisters...

When I found out Savannah was a girl, I was very excited. It meant that Eleanor would know the joy of having a sister. I have five great sisters and three sisters-in-law who I love dearly. Words cannot describe the strength and joy I gain from them. Though miles separate us, I still feel so close to all of them. We have laughed and cried, fought and forgiven, hoped and dreamed, worked and wondered together. We have shed tears together and laughed until tears rolled down our faces. There is something special about having a sister. So here's to sisters everywhere...especially mine!

SNOW!!!

Am I the cutest little snow bunny you've ever seen?

You mean we can't throw this at you? I'll just throw my gloves instead...

Maybe you'd like this one thrown at you...

Mom and Savannah The other cutest little snow bunny...Eleanor Two full snow days and we are in HEAVEN!!!

CRAZY KIDS!

Why is it that when I want to take a picture this is what I get....hmmmmmmm.....must be some genetic defect from their father's side! Or maybe it's two full snow days.....nah! It's the defect!

I can't wait to show these to their prom dates someday....
ok, who can resist those big brown eyes...

Oh, my! What big eyes you have....

Oh, my! Those cheeks are too cute!

Oh, my! What a cute mouth you've got!

Oh, my! You are the cutest baby in the whole entire world!


Oh, my! You look JUST LIKE YOUR DADDY!!!!!

CHRISTMAS 2008

I've got this cuteness thing all figured out...

All dressed up in her finery from Great-grandma Brown...

We were really blessed to have a great Christmas this year! The greatest blessing being our four wonderful kids and the fact that they are ours for eternity!

God bless us everyone....

Life after Hilton Head...

On the way home from Hilton Head, we stopped in North Carolina at cousins Curteis and LaTisha Calhoun. Aunt Marty and Uncle Brian, cousins Anie and Spencer Jenkins were there. So we spent the night and morning just hangin' out...getting plenty of love and hugs from Aunties...

Making sure there were plenty of children to entertain and be entertained...we added six extra people by just showing up!
Making sugar cookies with Aunt Marty was a definite highlight...

Do you think Eleanor had fun?

Life doesn't get any better than this! There is no way Garrett cannot be enjoying this cookie!

Thanks to the Calhoun family for hosting our little sleep-over (no birthday rollovers were reported) and for all the hugs and laughs and food and cookies. All the first cousins once removed - we just call them cousins for short - had a wonderful time playing and getting to know each other better. The house was decorated so festive for Christmas and seeing my cousins and Aunt and Uncle was so refreshing. I have wonderful Thanksgiving memories with all the cousins and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas and missionaires and invited guests from all walks of life. I can honestly say that all my aunts and uncles are like second parents to me. I am blessed with a family and extended family that loves each other and I know they love me. They would do anything for me, so being able to see them every once in awhile is so much fun and gives me an emotional boost, not just from their hugs, but from the love I know they have for me.

If you want to know how much I love you, count the waves...

MEMORIES OF HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA

THANKSGIVING 2008 If you want to know how much I love you...count the waves.

It's our favorite place to go. We play in the waves, relax in the sun, watch the dolphins swim just feet from the shore, make memories that last a lifetime, squish sand in our toes, enjoy the salty wind on our faces and build sandcastles to the sky....

My first trip to Hilton Head and I am already hooked!

The Beach Princess - you can't go to the beach without proper jewelry!

Xander loves to surf the waves (no matter the temperature of the water) and watch the dolphins swim just off the shore...

Garrett loves to surf, chase the seagulls and snuggle in his towel with a hearty snack to be ready to do it all again!

The things we do for mom and her pictures....

Are we done yet?

We're done!

Twelve years of marriage, four kids and every day, good or bad, is worth it. Jason is the best husband in the world and I am the luckiest wife in the world!

I have to have my royal robes to draw in the sand, but I will settle for a good beach towel if I must...

Brothers..friends...buddies...pals...it doesn't get any better than this!

THE DAY FAMILY 2008

Jason, Jenna, Xander (10), Garrett (7), Eleanor (3), Savannah (2 1/2 months)