Beach Baby

Yesterday we went to the beach to celebrate Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful day and one of the lowest tides of the year so there was tons of beach (and tide-pools) to explore. It had been quite some time since Jack had been able to play on the beach, he LOVED it. When Trent came in from surfing all Jack wanted to do was stand on Trent's surf board... maybe he will follow in his Papa's footsteps and be a life-long surfer?

With Kiki

Pops teaching Emmy to ride a bike






Look at that grin! So happy.


Hang-loose?


Toes on the nose?

Because He Came

“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example, which if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or in distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life."

-President Thomas S. Monson

2011 Soccer Championship

Last night Trent's soccer team won the BYU Men's Division 1 Intramural Championship. I cannot even remember how many times that is for him. These guys are just so good. They finished the season undefeated! Woot Woot! Go Trent!

My Boys

While we were in California over Thanksgiving Trent and Jack had some time to bond. I think Jack's favorite part was the time they spent playing in Kiki and pop's hot tub. At first he was not sure about it (I think because it was so dark outside) but after a few minutes he could not get enough of the GIANT bath tub. He was so excited. I LOVE these pictures I caught of my boys having fun together.

I am 15 months old today!

12 days of GIVEAWAYS!!!

In case you have not heard... I went to ELLEN's first day of her 12 days of giveaways!!!



Here we are being lame posing in front of the "ellen" flat screens




Here we are trying to keep our cool while driving on LA freeways...


I know that Ellen gives things away from sponsors, however, she truly wants to change peoples lives. After the taping was over and we were all pumped off of our presents, Ellen told us how happy she was to help make our Christmas. She also told us to help others this holiday season, she said she believes in giving and helping others. I seriously LOVE ellen, she is a genuine and loving person, famous or not.

One is silver and the other is GOLD

A few weeks back Trent's BFF Ryan and his adorable wife Allison came to stay with us. We felt like such adults having friends stay at our house as company. It was so fun! Trent and Ryan have been best friends since forever, I mean like they were babies when they met. They played soccer together every year and to this day Ryan can make Trent laugh harder than anyone else. Having them stay was the best, it was like a giant slumber party! We are hoping they come again soon!

On one of the days we were able to go to lunch with Ryan and his family along with another of their closest friends "Worm" and his wife Camile.


Ryan, Allison, Jack, me, Trent, Camile, & Worm

Thanksgiving

Today was a wonderful day. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment spending time with our loved ones. Mid-day the missionaries stopped by to share a message with Trent's family and they told us that the definition of Thankgiving in the dictionary is "to publicly thank God". I have so much to be thankful for, so I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank God:

• I am thankful for my amazing husband, I love him so much. He knows how to make me smile, no matter how stubborn I am being. He also works so hard to make sure that Jack and I are provided for.
  
• I am thankful for my perfect son. He is the light of my life. His giggle melts my soul and his snuggles make all the screams worthwhile.
• I am thankful for my temporal blessings, I am no pioneer woman and I am so grateful for my warm home, working cars, water heater, and food to eat.
  
• I am thankful for the most wonderful extended family ever. My family along with Trent's family are the most supportive/loving people and I am so lucky to have them.
  
• I am thankful for the Gospel. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me personally and loves me.
  

Gifts of the Heart Exchange

Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to attend the "Gifts of the Heart Exchange". It is a wonderful clothing drive brought about by thousands of donations from generous people. They basically make tables for each size and gender and then they allow student families to come in and take what they need for their kids. For FREE. I was able to get Jack basically an entire winter wardrobe (because lets be honest, I am starting to run out of my stock-pile). It was so fun, my friend Leanne and I volunteered on Friday so we could attend an early shopping hour and we had a grand old time digging through the goodness. I am semi-picky about clothes but there were TONS of great brands all in excellent condition (Gap, Old Navy, Children's Place, etc.-- I even got Jack some Hanna Anderson PJ's, my ultimate favorite). I could not believe that someone had thought of this huge idea and made it real and I was able to benefit directly from it. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who was a part of it. What a blessing, and how fitting to have my heart so full at the beginning of this Thanksgiving week!

Miracle Worker

On Sunday my friend Stefany was kind enough to take pictures of our little family for our Christmas card. I was so excited to have some quality pictures of Jack at this adorable stage in his life, the only thing stopping me from having these quality pictures? My precious little child. Jack was happy for the first five minutes and screamed the entire rest of the time. Stefany is now a "miracle worker" in my mind, she managed to get 76 beautiful pictures (somehow) around the tantrums. I think quite possibly it was Jack's grumpiest day EVER. However, I LOVE these pictures and I am so pleased to have gorgeous pictures for our 2011 Christmas card.

Sleepy Head

Jack has always been a light sleeper... Until recently... All of the sudden he is sleeping like a rock and he is even difficult to wake up. For the first time EVER I was able to take pictures of him while he was napping in his crib. He is so funny, he loves to sleep with his limbs all tucked underneath him. These pictures will forever warm my heart.