Christmas Eve & Day

We had a quiet evening. . . earlier in the day I had gone with Christopher to give plasma. This girl has never given blood (I have tried in the past but was always anemic) so I gave up on trying to give. My neices husband has hemophilia and he uses a product derived from plasma which injured. Miss Carrie - my other neice was there and that helped me feel better about the whole process. I was a little nervous to go and after 3 1/2 hours of registration, many questions, and then the 45 minutes of giving the plasma I made it through.

I had made Christmas plates ahead of time and was making more brownies, cookies, and fudge. Roger went with the 4 younger children and did the sing and deliver plates to friends.

The children watched "Narnia" which was showing on TV. We decided later to watch one of our own movies - :Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Mr. D was anxious to go to bed so Santa would come. He was ready for bed by 7:00 and we were all like. . ."Let's wait just a little bit longer." Around 10:15 friends came over "Hayes" and we visited with them. Sissy did not want to go to bed so she was up until 12:30. She finally fell asleep along with her sleepy daddy. I got up around 1:00 and started organizing the Santa presents for each child. Around 2:00 I woke our sleepy Santa Papa and we started putting presents in their proper order of children from C (#1 child) down to Mr D, then dog and cat. Yes we did get something for the Cocoalula Belle

We had EA helps us get some Wii games set up on the Wii so they would be ready to play and of course we needed to know how they worked and if they were installed properly. Our Wii is one of the Wii's that is going to have to be free shipped to Nintendo so we can play "Super Smash Brothers Brawl." We tried to purchased games that we can play more than one and also long distance with Fosha and Big Sis. They work! EA is incredible on Guitar hero. We finally got to be at 4:00. Our #1 guy woke up at 5:00 and was playing on the Wii and Mr. D woke up at 7:00. Around 7:30 he came in to let us know that we had presents. Very exciting! I pulled myself out of bed at 8:00--Daddy came alive around 8:45.

Mr. D was so excited with his new Geo-trax grand central station and needed help getting parts put on so he could play and set up the rest of his trax. Watching the children was so fun!

Sissy had written a letter several weeks earlier to Santa and left it under the tree. She told him that all she wanted was a baby doll from now on. She did not need any other presents. Then on Monday of this week she had written me a letter telling me that she didn't need any presents this year. My heart ached as she was willing to give up everything as she loves her family so much she said.

We have had a few challenges facing us over the past few weeks which were unexpected. One being that EA was in a car accident and totaled his car and then the poor guy (not aware) student loans came due to be paid. We have been trying to get our basement ready for the sheetrock which we have and just waiting to hang. We have received many blessings one of them being a bonus which was more than we expected, yet again our prayers were answered. EA is fine and no worries he just needs another car so for now Mom is the 'taxi mom' with a smile.

We have enjoyed playing with the children over the last few days and look forward to some more play this week. Our Daddy is pretty good with Guitar Hero. #1 commented that this was the first game that Dad has played on the Wii with us. Our daddy needs more playtime! Mom stinks at Guitar hero, however it sure is fun.

We have never been so busy in our lives as we feel we are right now with children, family who is close, our callings, and etc. We thought we were busy in Madison, and Oh, no. . . in our dreams there! It has been nice to have our Daddy home.

We called Big Sis and Fosha and opened presents while on the phone so those whom they gave to could be heard and be enjoyed by them also. The next day we played on the wii long distance with them which was very fun. It feels so good to still fill connected . . .no pun intended. . . when they are so far away. Hope to post pictures soon. :)

Christmas letter 2008

Wow! This year has been incredible – Words cannot sufficiently describe our gratitude for wonderful friends and family. Life tends to speed up as we added more children. Christopher moved out to Utah in December of last year and then Anthony moved out in September of this year. Christopher awaits his residency in Utah to afford to go to school. He is also serving as Sunday School president in the YSA ward, attending Institute, Advisor in the Elders quorum-- teaching and gone with YSA all the time. Yes for those who are dieing to know he is dating!
Anthony is working, paying off bills and waiting to begin school online with Auburn Univ. (Love these guys!)
Benjamin is involved with the Encore Men’s Choir, Young Men’s, Boy Scouts –(working on his Eagle booklet), and was tapped out for and is now involved with Order of the Arrow. School is going pretty well for him as well. He attended his first dance in Willard with Margie and Bp. Rob Dean’s girls Emily and Michelle in the Fall. They used to live in Madison the first few years we were there.
Tyler has begun playing viola left-handed, sings in the school choir, loves Soccer, and doing very well in school. He should be a star scout by the end of December. Both Ben and Tyler are growing tall wayyyy to fast.
Amanda is doing very well in school and anxiously awaits her opportunity to sing in the School Choir. She has a beautiful voice! She enjoys learning cheering moves, and dance steps from anyone who is willing to teach her. Miss Amanda loves attending Activity Day girls and being around her friends in and out of the church. She hopes to be in soccer next year. Friends are a big part of her life. She also enjoys going over to our neighbors and playing with their small children while they do home projects. She absolutely adores small children and will be a great babsitter. She is the ward “Baby lover.” What a great mother she will be someday and a great Aunt!
Derek is in Kindergarten and in the Advanced Challenge group at school. He never ceases to amaze us! For a little guy who we worried over, concerned about his inability to speak as he chose to sign in the place of speaking, he is awesome! He is an excellent little reader and begs to practice his math facts. Drawing pictures for mom and dad is one of his many favorite pastimes. Riding his bike, playing with friends, playing ball, and playing Nintendo are among the other fun activities he enjoys. - (Fridays are long in coming for this little guy as that is the day he can play Nintendo after school).

Roger has been very busy with his calling and work. We have been very blessed to have angels attend us as he serves as 1st Counselor in our ward. Opportunities at work have also stretched his knowledge in his computers and management. How grateful we are that he has a job and can provide for our needs. He has also been working very hard on getting our basement ready for the first inspection – electrical, plumbing, framing, insulating, etc. We are in hopes that by and/or close after Christmas to begin hanging sheetrock. Anthony and Christopher will finally have walls that you cannot see through!

AnnaLee has kept busy with the children’s activities, homework, supporting Roger, and her own callings. She began the year out as the 11 year old scout leader with Tyler. August she received a new calling as Primary President. Having served in Alabama as Primary President, and counselor has been a blessing for her to refer to and look back on as she serves. No matter how many times you serve in a position there is always something more to learn. AnnaLee and her mother visited Anna and Joshua in Alabama. What fun they had and as well visiting some friends as there wasn’t time to see everyone.

Anna and Joshua are doing very well. Joshua is involved in his family business “Homegrown Real Estate” and is the Young Men’s President in the Florence ward. Anna is working for Dr. Bagley from home and is the 2nd Counselor in Young Women’s. Both share their talents with those whom they serve. We are so grateful for them and their great example they set for our family. They have a beautiful home and a growing ward. Joshua’s family have been great parents to our daughter and express gratitude to them for loving her as their own.

We miss Alabama and our friends there. The experiences we cherished there will be forever remembered. Honestly we would move back in a heart beat. We miss the fellowshipping, cantatating, traveling and attending the Birmingham temple, visiting with our neighbors and friends, feeding the missionaries, having friends over for dinner and games, our own family traditions for just our own little family, large church choirs, large ward family, members who love each other (most of the time), and most of all—spending time with family who live there now!

TD played his first year of soccer and of course Sissy had fun as well at the playground meeting new friends. We have had a primary activity a few court of honors. Unofficially we started our summer before the children (Sissy and TD)ended the school year on the 27th of June. We headed down to Manti to see the manti pageant. Brought back memories when we took the older children 11 years ago.DJ learned how to ride a bike. He also found out what a sunburn with big blisters are all about. He told me at one point, "Mama, I think I am going to die." He really thought he was. However, we assured him he would survive.Well we celebrated my mother's 70th birthday Jul 12th. She thought we were going to have girls days out because AR(along with UA) had flown out. I had told Mom that AR was going to babysit for DH (Dear Husband) and I while we were on the Syracuse West stake handcart trek. Pictures are as follows and hopefully in order :)We also celebrated AR and DH's birthday the day before Mrs. AR returned home into the arms of her sweetheart.DHs' brother's family came out and we visited with them at his youngest sisters home.Children begain school while I was away in Alabama. They started late so this mama didn't get to see her last baby off to kindergarten.Grandma Rachel and I enjoyed our visit with AR & UA. Read a few novels, spent sometime shopping, reading some more, sight seeing Florence area, Visiting the Birmingham Temple which I have so missed, visiting friends in the Madison 2nd ward, going with AR to Mom and Grandma work day, enjoying visits with UA's family, singing karaoke for FHE, and altogether remembering why I love and miss my children, trying to figure out while aways away from Syracuse --what I need to do along with my counselors-- for Primary, and last but not least how much I love my husband who sacrificed his days for me to spend time with our daughter and son-in-law.We have celebrated B and TD Birthdays which need to be blogged. Ben who stands 6'1" turned 16 and is now a Priest. TD is 5'4 1/2" and turned 12 is a Deacon. D celebrated his sixth birthday in November and was totally excited. Can you believe it!DH and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary. We both really wanted to go to Yellowstone and/or Hawaii, however circumstances are such that we decided we would do that next year in as much as we cannot leave our children at this time for more than a couple of days. Know any babysitters who are willing to help out!Celebrated Halloween with one of my sisters and her family, Thanksgiving at my mothers and Christmas will be spent at our own home. Of course there is the go to Grandmas for Christmas giving on my side and to DH's sisters place for his side of the family.I will try to get everything caught up soon!

Pappy and Nana

Yup the news is out and spreading like Wild Fire - We are going to have an "Angel" among us in July due on Grandma Rachel's birthday in July. AR called us this morning to tell the four younger children. Miss A or Sissy was thrilled to hear the news this morning - December 12th. Every Sunday she is asking someone if she can hold their baby. She is going to be in heaven when this little one comes and sad when we have to leave Alabama. Li'l D was running around the house singing - "A is going to have a baby - uh, uh uh, uh, uh uh - Yeah~!

Another wonderful reason for flying out to Alabama - YEAH!! I totally needed this excuse to come out. At present I and the two youngest will be flying out sometime the first week of July depending on when our Ward Primary activity is going to take place.

The others are thrilled as well just not as animated. Congrats UA and A we love you and are so excited for you! It seems like yesterday I was sitting in the hospital with the most beautiful baby with a perfect little head. Olive complected skin a skiff of brown hair with a bow placed on top shortly after her first bath by the nursing staff.

Now we get to wait 3 1/2 months to 4 months to find out what this little person is going to be.

Here is a few pictures of Fosha when is was little . . . . .

Here is a picture of the daddy to be of our newest little "Angel" who will be coming and of course his sweet wife- our daughter.

Someone's having a baby!!!

Guess who's baby???? Hmmm.... who does it look like??? Who do I know that is shaped like a bean???