Christmas update...

Well, it isn't a family picture but that isn't too far in the future. I had some taken at the temple in early December but I just haven't found the time to sit and look through them. This is a picture I took back in October and I just love it so I thought I would get it posted and show just how old my kids are getting.

Makenna stands just short of 5'8" tall and wears a size 8 shoe. She wears a size 5 jeans and has the cutest figure. The scary thing is that she now has a womans body and not a little girl anymore. She turned 13 in November and is even more grown up than ever. She still plays her violin occasionally and is getting really good at playing the piano, in spite of the fact that she has never even had a piano lesson. I guess being smart and able to read music is a great thing. She loves to sing and is in the school choir this year. She is excited for the upcoming school musical, School House Rock.

Amy is turning into a great little baby sitter and helper around the house. I think this Summer I need to get Amy into a baby sitting class cause she is anxious to start. She turns 10 in May. She has decided that reading is really fun. Sh eis reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series right now and mom loves how much quieter the house is with two book worms in the family now.

Emily is going to be 8 in February and is excited about her baptism. She already has her dress and can't wait to wear it. She is still my most girly child ever. I think her picture is next to Diva in the dictionary. She still loves make-up, hair-do's, dress-up, new clothes, anything that glitters, and is strangely back into playing baby dolls with Liberty. Oh and I love how well they are getting along now. Emily's temper has really cooled this year.

Mason is finally being a good boy at school. He comes home on green almost every day now. I think the month of November was our hardest with only about 3 green days all month. He loves school and his teacher and doesn't want to stay home for Christmas break. He still loves anything Super Hero. Comic books are a new found joy. He also loves to sit still and do anything artistic. I can give him a coloring book and crayons or a simple pad of paper and it kees him busy and quiet for hours. That is IF his sisters don't bother him.

Liberty is so excited to have day care kids here finally. TJ is only a couple of days younger than she is and they get along great. He also lives a few streets away so they should get to ride the school bus together when they finally get to start at 6 years old. Until then, they are enjoying the preschool activities I prepare for them three days a week.

William is enjoying his job enough to stay there forever or until something greater and worth changing comes along. He likes his hours even though he hates getting out of bed so early. He doesn't have to fight the freeway traffic. Yeah!

As always, I am having the hardest time with our move. Although I am near friends and family I just can't seem to get out of this blah feeling like I don't belong here. Don't worry though, each time I have moved it has taken me about a year to adjust. I just wish we could better afford to invite people over for dinner or parties or get out and do things with friends. That seemed to help in my last two states.

Our family has been very blessed this year with some very tough trials that have strengthened our testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel. We love him and love this time of year when we tend to express our gratitude more freely. Thank you to all our family and friends who and loved, helped and supported us through the most difficult year our family has endured. We love and appreciate you all!