January 2013

January just came and went and we really didn't take a lot of pictures.

I started a new semester and it will be my last. I am excited and I think I am ready to be done.

I also was sick a lot through the month- so pretty much uneventful.

 This was my Christmas present, but it did not arrive until mid-January.  It was a great timing too, since that night we had a party for our Sunday School Class.  It was a lot of fun and nice to have storage to put everyone's shoes and jackets.

 Jenna had gotten this puzzle for her birthday and we finally pulled it out on New Years Day.  It was crazy hard to put together and we were really glad to be done with it.

On our way home from a family date night at the mall.  The kids got the cute hats!!

They are adorable- Love them!!

Christmas

Christmas Eve

 What is difference between these two pictures?

On Christmas Eve Watson's and my parents came to our house for dinner.

 It was delicious and we had wonderful company!

My dad ended up not feeling well and went to the ER- he was fine and doing better the next day.  (Brandt and my mom took him.) So our Christmas Eve plans changed a bit and so we opened a Christmas Eve gift and read the Christmas story with just us three.  We still felt so blessed  especially that my dad got relief and started feeling better.

The kids really were happy with their robes and slippers.

Christmas Morning

From: Santa

We had a great First Christmas together and got so many wonderful gifts!

My parents took the kids up to Akron so they could see their dad.  So Brandt & I had time to be just together- Newlyweds.  We are so blessed!!

December

December was busy between me finishing up finals, getting ready for Christmas, having sick kids, and then volunteering we had a lot going on, but also stayed focus on Family and the true meaning of Christmas- Our Savior.  We really had a wonderful Christmas where we felt the spirit and truly felt blessed!

 Setting up and decorating the tree!  It was fun going through all of our Christmas things and talking about memories and starting new ones as well as making new traditions!

 My silly family- how much I love them!!!

 We drove around one night to look at Christmas Lights and drove to a park.  It was beautiful and fun to walk around and be together!

I was able to find out about a non-profit organization down town Dayton that provides Christmas for many children in poverty situations or who are in foster care.  I worked at what is called the Christmas Cottage and got to take parents/ caregivers around and "shop" for their child(ren).  It was an amazing experience.  The first thing they run out of is hats and gloves- so I ran to Wal-Mart with someone else and we almost bought the store out!!!  What a great time!  Next year I may start ahead collecting and doing a drive for hats and gloves.  I am excited to be associated with such a great organization and great people!!

And again I feel so very blessed!!!

 The kids got Christmas jammies a bit early so they could wear them for PJ day at school.

They sure are cute!!

 Going to see Santa!!  We had a day off of school which ended up being the best day to see Santa with no line.  I love getting their picture with Santa every year- I have one a year since Jenna was a baby.

This year we took the boys I watched- it was a fun day.  After this we took the boys to Build-a-Bear for their Christmas Present (they had never been).  

I love this picture and I love these kiddos!

We got another great picture!!  I sure love these kids, love this time of year and truly feel so blessed by God's hand in my life daily!!!!

November

November seemed calmer, I think mainly because I was so busy with schoolwork.  I had started babysitting two boys in October- it is before and after school and it is not every day.  A very easy job. 

And Thanksgiving we went up to be with my family and we were all together.  I wish we had more photos.  It was a great time and we feel so very blessed!!

We had one day in Nov with great weather and no school so we took full advantage of it and went to Carriage Hill which is down the road from us.  The kids loved walking around and playing and seeing the animals!! 

Peyton is so photogenic!  What a stud he is!! 

My four great kids!

 We had heard about the baby pigs- they are unusual because they are not spring pigs, but born in October!!

The kids made hats for Thanksgiving.  They were super excited!

At least I got one pic with my sisters.  This was right before Black Friday shopping which started Thurs. Night.  We started at Wal-Mart and also hit Target.  When we made it home we ended up talking and not going to bed!! The next day went back out!!  We got good deals though!!

I also got to meet baby Wesley, my new nephew (Diane & Cory's)

I was excited to go visit my friend Amy at her house, we had been to the hospital to see Henry and were thrilled when he came home right before Thanksgiving.  Amy & I have been friends a long time and I feel blessed to know her and her family!!

Jenna turns 9 years old

November 3, 2012
Jenna turned 9:

Jenna got to wake up to Breakfast in Bed, courtesy of Nana

And then Nana took Jenna shopping and she got a new outfit!!

Jenna got to be with all her good friends on her Birthday.  She misses these girls, but they will always be friends!!  They had such a good time hanging out, playing games, and decorating cupcakes! 

 We had a family party that evening at Aunt Laura's & they went trick or treating.

Cake made by: Aunt Laura

Jenna had a very Happy Birthday!!!!

October

October was a busy month!  My bestest friend from Utah came to visit and we did a lot of painting and playing!!  Even after she left we then finished up the first floor and up our stairway! Jenna & Brandt also attended a Daddy/ Daughter dance given by the Achievement Day Leaders.   And then we had Halloween which was a lot of fun!!  It was a fun and very productive month...

Karen and I escaped one day from the kids and painting to go to Jungle Jim's.  That was a lot of fun- I hope to go back soon!!

 Karen & I painted the dining room, kitchen, and hall ways with help from a friend and my sister Becky.

A lot of work and it turned out beautiful!!!

 We then had friends who came to visit and they helped paint our enormous living room- two stories high!!  The best part was the scaffolding we rented, it was hard to return!  Good times and a lot of work!!

We are so thankful to Karin and Dave and the boys for their help!!  We love how it turned out!! 

Jenna and Brandt all dressed up for the 50's dance!!  It was hard to tell who was more excited about it- I love that!!!  They are so cute together!!

 Pumpkin Carving...

We loved how Mr. Pumpkin turned out!!

Good Times! 

The kids went trick or treating so many times between the neighborhood, the trunk or treat, and then we went to Akron for Jenna's birthday and went trick or treating in Wadsworth with cousins!!

It was definitely a very Happy Halloween and way too much candy!