Hunting

Matt has taken up a new hobby of pheasant hunting.  I gave him a shotgun for Christmas and he has put it to good use.  He's been several times with my dad and the guys from work to the local hunting clubs.  This particular day, he went with my dad and uncle and Cole got to go too.  Matt said he did really well walking around with them and thought it was pretty cool -- we even cooked the pheasants they shot for dinner.  (well and some chicken :) -- some of us refuse to eat wild animals :))

Christmas

This year I was determined to enjoy Christmas.  With our Matt's knee surgery and our sudden move last year, Christmas felt a bit chaotic to say the least.  It is my favorite time of year and I love the spirit that comes with it.  We put our decorations early, made lots of treats for neighbors, listened to lots of Christmas music, and enjoyed every minute of the season.

As usual, our kids ended up very spoiled.  I LOVE IT!!  I love seeing the joy in their faces and the anticipation for Santa.  I don't let my kids have whatever they want whenever they want it, they work hard to earn new toys or things they want.  So it is fun to be able to see them get everything they want... just once a year!  This year they all got new bikes.  Brooke got a new baby and lots of stuff to go with it and a sewing machine.  Cole got a farm set with a cool barn and lots of fireman accessories.  Bailee also got a baby and stuff to go with it and a keyboard.  Not to mention all that they got from Grandma and Grandpas!

We had our usual Christmas Eve party and sang, read, played bingo and had birthday cake.  I love these traditions and the things they teach my kids about the true meaning of Christmas.  I know it takes Karen and Mike a lot of time to put it all together and I hope they know how much we recognize and appreciate their effort!!

This year we also had the opportunity to do a sub for Santa for a family close by.  Our kids got to help pick out presents and then we were able to watch from our cars as the dads left the presents on the porch and ran.  Of course I bawled seeing this mom, who we knew was struggling, come to the door and then bring each of her kids to get their present.  I hope that our kids understand the lesson grandma gave about how blessed we are in our family and how lucky we are that we are able to help others.

Christmas morning was spent at home (again feeling very blessed not to have to travel!)  and then the afternoon at Grandma Beck's and Grandpa Brad's with all the family.

I had the opportunity to give a Christmas lesson in Sunday School the week before Christmas and really enjoyed the time I had to prepare it.  I played a song called "Do You Have Room" by Shawna Edwards and talked about making room for Christ in our lives all the time and not getting caught up in the hustle and bustle-- but stopping to remember what is really important and enjoyed all the little moments.

I am so grateful for my Savior and His gospel in my life.  I'm grateful for His constant support and the knowledge that I can always try again.  I love celebrating His birth and the spirit that comes this time of year.  I hope that I can remember all through the coming year to make room for Him first.

Christmas Card

Dear Friends and Family,           

                                                                                      

We hope that this letter finds you happy and well.  This season always brings with it a spirit of reflection and gratitude for all the blessings and joy given to us by our Father in Heaven and those around us.  We feel very lucky to live in a beautiful place like Cache Valley and cherish relationships we have with those close to us.  We are grateful for our good health and the opportunities we get to enjoy the many wonderful activities that surround us.  For those that we don’t see as often as we’d like, we pray that life brings you all you wish for and that you feel the same appreciation for the lives that touch ours, no matter for how long. 

XoXo,

Matt, Bobbie, Brooke, Cole & Bailee

FAMILY UPDATE

Matt:  Spent the first half of the year in rehab after an ACL and meniscus replacement last December.  Still managed to find time to golf (a lot) and ran his first half marathon.  Works as the corporate controller for an international agricultural company called Prime International.  Couldn’t ask for a better job or coworkers.  Currently serves as the Young Men 1^st Counselor and loves working with the youth.

Bobbie:   My biggest accomplishment this year was running the Boston Marathon.  It was a goal that I wanted to accomplish in the next 10 years and thanks to some amazing friends (thanks again guys!) who sponsored me; it was a dream come true!!  I spend my days at home with the kids (plus a few extra) and you still couldn’t pay me enough money to go back to work.  I currently teach Gospel Doctrine and serve as the girl’s camp director for our ward.  I’ve developed a new love for learning and am grateful for the time my calling allows (or forces J) me to take to really study and be taught.

Brooke:   6 years old and in 1^st grade.  Loves riding her bike, dancing, singing, and playing with her babies.  Thankful for her family.

Cole:  5 years old and in preschool.  Played his first season of soccer.  Loves playing firemen (still), riding his scooter, and fishing.  Thankful for snow.

Bailee:  3 years old and in her first year of preschool (which she loves).  Enjoys painting, doing hair, and singing.  Took her first trip to the emergency room this year after eating a whole bottle of Tylenol (she was fine).  Thankful for sleeping.

Sledding

One of the greatest things about Grandma's house is the big field behind it.  In the summer it is great for exploring, golf, and 4-wheelers and in the winter it is great for riding sleds behind the 4-wheelers!

Jingles

Meet our elf, Jingles.  Santa sent him to us this year to watch the kids and report to Santa if they are good or not.  He likes to hang out around our family room so he can watch Christmas movies and also because this is where we spend most of our time.  This day, he was watching from the window to our office and Cole wanted to be an elf too, so he joined him.

Dance Performance

Brooke started dance lessons again this fall.  I have been really happy with the place she is taking at.  They did a fundraiser to help the girls pay for their costumes and Brooke sold enough cookies to pay for her costume, plus she had more than $50 leftover that she got in cash and used to buy an ipod.  Her first performance of the year was at the Novemberfest.  Everyone came to watch and she insisted we buy her flowers.  She had lots of fun.

 

Bailee's 3rd Birthday

Bailee's birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year.  She thought we were having a big party for her with Matt's family.  She even got to blow out candles on a pie.  After she opened her clothes from Grandma, she had to try them all on and model for everyone.

That weekend we celebrated with my family at Fred's (of course) for her birthday and Grandma's.  She insisted on a pink cake, which I almost ruined.  I set it on top of my car while I buckled the kids in their carseats and then forgot about it.  We were driving on 8th east and about 10th north when I remembered.  We pulled over and luckily it was still on top of the car!  I guess the luggage racks up there kept it from sliding off.  It was nice and chilled.  She loved opening presents and blowing out her candles.

Bailee at 3
Favorite Food:  Cheese Bagel
Favorite TV Show:  Paw Patrol on Nick Jr.
Favorite Toy:  Playhouse (at school)
Favorite Thing to Do:  Learn at school
Favorite Color:  Purple and Pink
73% Height -- 47% Weight -- 31 lbs.

She is just finishing up her first semester of preschool.  She LOVES going each week and is apparently quite the character.  She often leads the kids on lion and bear hunts.  She also loves singing, dancing, and painting.  It has really helped her blossom and grow into her own person.

Each week she looks forward to nursery and also loves singing time there.  She still naps most days in the afternoons, as long as I lay by her.  Her curly hair is impossible to control, but she refuses to get it cut.  She talks as much as her big brother and gets really upset when her dad calls her "Bailee Boogers."

We love you Bailee Boo!  Happy Birthday!

Camden

Baby Camden made his appearance on November 25th.  I couldn't be more excited to finally be an aunt!  He looks a lot like his daddy and has adorable dark hair and dark eyes.  I was able to wait up at the hospital the night he was born and see him right after.  There is nothing like a newborn baby!  It was much more fun to be on the waiting side, instead of always being the one having the baby :)  The kids couldn't wait for them to come home from the hospital so they could see him.  They love going to see him and holding him.  Cole was gone with his dad the first day I took the girls so he got to go the next day all by himself and he just wanted to keep sitting and holding him.  He had the biggest grin on his face.  The girls are such little mothers.  Even though Cam doesn't have any older siblings I'm sure he'll see his fair share of mauling from his cousins.

Christmas Tree

This year we decided to start a new tradition of cutting down our own Christmas Tree.  We drove to Idaho to get a permit and cut one down.  The big kids thought it was pretty cool to hike through the snow and cut down a tree with a saw.  Bailee was not feeling so hot so the pictures pretty much describe her day.  She wanted to be carried all around and wouldn't even smile for a picture.  I'm still not sure the long day was worth it and it doesn't smell like a real tree, which is my favorite part-- but everyone had a lot of fun and the memories are what makes it worth while.  We are pretty excited for Christmas around here!

The Joys of Being the Little Sister

One of Bailee's favorite things to do is dress up in Brooke's clothes.  Their room is often a disaster because she empties the dresser when she does it.  This picture was taken on a Friday, when Brooke got home from school early.  She was sneaking into their room to get her baby and instead of napping she found Bailee all decked out.