I am thankful for...

... The mess to clean after a party, because I have been surrounded by friends.
... The taxes I pay, because it means that I'm employed.
... The clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
... My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
... A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
... The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
... All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
... The lady behind me in church who sings off-key because it means that I can hear.
... The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
... My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
... Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

More pictures

Here are some more pictures! Hope everyone had a great Christmas, We sure did! Now on with the New Year!!!!!!

Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas Everyone! We hope everyone had a great year!

Erick - is still plugging along with his Cabinet Business. Loving being in the Bishopric with Bishop Brown and Jerry Hathcock. Survived a broken arm and a chipped tooth and a cut thumb. Loves to watch a GOOD movie. Great Daddy and Husband! FINALLY got his Contractors License - Long Story- Is going to be a PA with Ma - Kami- for the Trek this next year

Kami - Released from Relief Society Second Counselor. Called as Kassidy's Primary teacher, and now a new experience, I get to try out being the Primary Chorister. Lost 35 lbs this year, CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Loves reading books when I get the time. Trys to keep up on my blog for scrap booking reasons. Is grateful for the necessities of life. Is going to start boot camp for Erick in preparation for 2010 Trek.

Kassidy - Turned 12 in May. Loves Young Women's! First year at girls camp, kind of homesick. Is a beautiful Ballet dancer, serenades mom and dad every morning playing the piano. Wonderful big sister, great helper, and a very happy girl! Has 4 adoring siblings, loves to sew and make crafts, and has to go EVERYWHERE with mom. Mom kind of likes it though!

Parker - Turned 10 this year. Played Frosty in his school music program, WOW he can dance! Plays the BIG base drum for the intermediate school band, he loves planning activities with the student counsel and also plays the Piano very well. Loves to go to scouts and makes excellent grades ($5 per A) mom and dad are going to be poor! Begs mom to play EVERY sport. We are going to be sports fans or else!!!

Chandler - Turned 7 this year. Started Piano lessons and doing great! Is ALWAYS inventing things. Loves paper, scissors and TAPE. Loves to delegate chores and picking up his toys, he is pretty good at it to. Has the best smile and loves to laugh A LOT.

Payson - Turned 4 this year. Loves Brooklyn so much he can't keep his hands off her. Can be GOOD and BAD! #1 Mario Kart Wii player. Loves to read books and take naps! Loves to eat his fruits and vegetables and thanks Heavenly Father for them often. Dr. says that he is under weight! Gosh he eats ALL DAY! Kind of shy. Goes with G&G Wiltbank to practice going to Kindergarten. Informed me that he isn't good at that so he can't go next year!

Brooklyn - Turned 1 this year. The best baby EVER. Is never bored - always someone to play with. Loves Dollies. Loves to take baths and SPLASH SPLASH! Blows her nose great! So never say the word nose because then she starts a blowing, Kleenex or not! Learned to climb the stairs and slide back down. Is attached to her daddy as soon as he walks through the door!

Daddy - Daughter

I thought this was a cute Daddy -Daughter moment. They were just sitting on the bottom step watching Chandler get his hair cut.

Bye Bye Bowl Cut!

We cut it off, all off! We gave chandler a NEW DO! It's funny how much they change when you give them a different hair cut. You see how they look like different cousins and family members and such. Chandler was so excited to be able to use HAIR GEL. And he can't wait to go to school he says that no one will recognize him. Mom still likes her baby boys with bowl cuts, but it is a nice change for awhile.

A day at the SPA!

Kassidy had fun painting Brooklyn's finger nails on Saturday. Brooklyn just sat and loved it! We are so happy to have 2 cute girls in our family. How blessed we are!!!!!! Brooklyn is at that fun age where she is discovering everything and is so cute to watch. Erick and I decided that for one night it would be great fun to have all our kids Brooklyn's age for just one night. It would be a blast! Hey Santa Hint Hint.

And why do we need to buy toys?

I keep a basket of combs in the kitchen so I can quickly retrieve a comb as my boys are walking out the door in the morning to comb their hair. All this week Brooklyn has been playing with them. And why do we need to buy toys?

Christmas Decorations

Here is Payson Posing with the Christmas Decorations. It sure is nice to have old enough kids to go get all the Decorations under the house and then put all the boxes back and then they go retrieve them again to put them back for next year. Thanks guys!

Saturday morning surprise!

I came down stairs a couple of Saturdays ago and look what I found Chandler doing! He has been bugging Erick for awhile about this extra set of scriptures that he had on the bookshelf. So Erick finally gave in and let Chandler have them. It made Chandlers day and he couldn't wait to get up the next morning and read them.

Hey, Uncle Brian I have a Secret! Shhh!

In my family there was always a joke when we were kids. My mom had a plant hanging in the corner by the kitchen table. The plant grew really well and we would always attributed it to all the fertilizer that us kids would give to the plant. When there was something served for dinner that we didn't especially like the plant was the recipient of some much needed fertilization when mom and dad left the room! I think Brian was caught one time, anyway he is the one we tease about it. Brooklyn has come up with a new idea. For some reason when she gets tired of eating her cereal she stuffs them down her jamies. So every time I go to get her dressed I find surprises. So Brian I would appreciate it if you wouldn't teach my children such things. They need to eat their food weather they like it or not!