Christmas...finally

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. It always seems to get more fun as the kids get a little older and can understand what's going on. Here they are in their Christmas outfits for church and opening a few gifts. sorry it took so long to get these posted! :)

Here's Carter...still not sure what Christmas is all about :)

Kate, very excited about a long awaited Barbie she had been wanting

Lizzie also excited about a Barbie. I guess you can never have too many in her book.

Christmas Trees

Paul and I took the kids to Green Canyon to get a Christmas tree this year and had a blast. We went with a bunch of neighbors and had chilli and hotdogs and just had a good time. This is the tree that Paul picked out and it's the best tree we've ever had in the past six years that we've been doing this! It looks so cute in our front room with all the kids' decorations:)

Birthdays and Surgeries

Here's another catchup post from a while back...Lizzie had surgery for tubes in her ears, her tonsils taken out, and her adnoids taken out. Things went well and we're glad it's over:)
I just celebrated my 26th birthday and Paul just celebrated his 30th birthday a week later on Thanksgiving. We both had great birthdays and a wonderful Turkey Day!

Halloween and Wedding Dresses

Even though their engagement wasn't official, Kyle and Nachelle started wedding plans and we all went dress shopping together. Here she is trying on the one that eventually ended up being "the one"! They're altering it for sleeves and length and it should be ready soon. She looked amazing in it! A very fun day!

Here's a picture of the kids on Halloween. I had Kate as supergirl, Lizzie as a fairy, and Carter as a puppy. They had a blast and were on a sugar high for days! We had a little party at our house with the family.

Catchup

Well, it's probably obvious that life has been crazy so I decided that I'm gonna post a little here and there to catch up on the last couple months. So here's starting with September (I know...sad it's been that long:)). My brother Kyle came home from his mission on the 6th of September and it was wonderful! Welcome Home Kyle!

New Family Pictures

We figured that it was time for a new family picture since Carter couldn't even smile last time we had one taken. We also had pictures of the kids taken. I was so excited about how they turned out. Enjoy!

Kate's First Day of Kindergarten

WOW!!!! I can't believe I have a child in school...and still I'd say that it was time. Of course there were no tears on her part - only mine! Every parent that has experienced this knows that the tears are bitter-sweet. Bitter for the passing time you can't seem to stop and the fact that she needs me a little less than she did the day before. Bitter because before I know it she'll be walking across the platform of her college AlmaMater. Sweet because you love to see her confident and independent. Sweet because a new world has opened up to her - one that will offer her knowledge and direction. Sweet because I love to see her becoming the person she was born to be. Still, I can't help but want to be there every moment - to watch her, protect her, love her. Letting go is inevitable - it's just hard to go quietly. But, as the saying goes, change is good. And I love to see her happy. So here's to you Kate - and your first day of Kindergarten!

Kate in her brand new outfit for school (thanks grandma Packard!)! She's SO excited! She's also sporting a new short haircut!

Kate about to walk into class with Mrs. Barzee. She's wearing a pretty hawaiian lei that was put on her by a teacher. They had a Hawaiian theme and all the teachers were in grass skirts! All the students wore necklaces! The whole school was just amazing and so fun!

Coming out of her first day of school ("I already have tons of homework!") It wasn't that much:)

Kate sitting on the bus for the first time - ready to come home from her first day. She LOVES the bus!

Getting off the bus after her first day - such a big girl!