Sam transforms to Six!

Happy Birthday Sam!

We had a blast at Sam's Transformers Party. He can't get enough of those robots in disguise! He's very into superheros at the moment.

It took a few tries but we got those candles out.

Whack that Optimus Prime!

Thanks for the gifts everyone!

I can't believe Sam is six. Although he is the most serious, his laugh is still the most contagious. He is a great reader, and he really loves school. He's so good at helping others and he is trying so hard to think about other people. Sweet and passionate are 2 of his strongest traits. We love you so much Sam Man! Happy birthday!

The Amazing Mara!

Oh my daddy loves me!

I have learned to sit on my own, and daddy is so proud! I've been doing this for a little while and I'm a little early. Having 3 big brothers makes me want to get in on the action. It's a lot easier to reach things now. I really like paper! Mommy lets me play with it before she recycles it. She's so nice (squeal!). I love to talk too. I can babble mamamama and dadadada now. I'm getting so big!

"What's that, daddy?"

That Little Star is Hilarious!

I know I have a lot of other things to post, but I had to get this one up. It's too cute!

Right after Christmas.

We went hiking to enjoy the warm weather. As usual, the boys are the happiest on rocks.

Christmas

Thanks for staying with us Steph. It was awesome having you here.
Brent was so excited to have a new wedding ring. His ended up in the drain we think.
Kenneth did an awesome job making an army for Brent too.

Update

Okay I'm sorry I fell behind. Good thing this wasn't a resolution. We had an awesome Christmas, and really enjoyed having Steph come and visit us. Thanks for helping us make a Japanese dinner of fried grandma! (ask Steph) We had a fun New Year's Eve party. Our regular Fondue with new faces. It was the first time I had to teach the guests how to do it. I hadn't planned on giving a tutorial. I will have pictures soon, and lots more cute stuff. BUT for now I'm getting ready to party hearty on Saturday. IT IS THE LAST DAY I'LL BE IN MY TWENTIES! I feel good and happy. I thought about turning 29 again, but why relive a year I was mostly pregnant!
More soon!

What a busy time we've had!

We've had a very busy week. Last Saturday Kenneth got to be a cub scout for the first time. They did a service project by going door to door to collect cans. He did an awesome job!

WE GOT SNOW!!!!!!!! It was brief but beautiful. No ground cover, but the roofs were white. If it had been more humid it would have been bigger, still I got what I wanted for Christmas!


Sam was a clown in his first school play. He pretended to juggle onstage while sporting his homemade clown outfit. He was so crazy!

Tonight, Evan went bravely up to sing with the Primary at our ward Christmas party. He didn't sing but he went, unlike his brothers who pretended to have stage fright. They eventually went up but their sour faces didn't fit with the Christmas theme. Kudos to Evan!!

Mara had her first visit with Santa tonight too. She was so good! So far we only have one crying child sitting on Santa's lap. Mara just looked around and yawned. It will be more exciting later.

Well, this Christmas will be very special! I can't wait until Christmas morning when they open their presents! More importantly though, we try to focus on the Savior and his birth and what that means for all of us. That he came here as a mortal man, to perfect for earth, to save us individually, is the greatest and most precious gift of all. Happy Birthday to Our Lord. May we always give as he does.