Christmas vacation

Well, I am finally getting around to posting some pics. One of these days I am going to be more consistent with this. But some is better than nothing right?
Here is our beautiful Christmas tree. We went a little crazy this year on the kids. But it was a lot of fun!

Santa brought Jared a new bike!!

Jacob got one too. Sarah really wanted one. Maybe next Christmas.

Sarah got a new kitchen, though! What a smart Santa. All three kids love playing with it.

After our Christmas morning with Whitney, the kids went to Arizona for two weeks. It was nice to have that time with my family. JD and Willow and I took the kids to the Science Museum. It was really fun. I'll have to get the other pics from that leg of the journey from Willow.

Then we stopped in Las Vegas for a couple of days on our way home. We went to the Town Square with all the kids. The kids had a great time!

Can you believe how big she is?

We watched the fountains at the Bellagio. That was pretty cool. Next time we go to Vegas, I want to see the fountains at night with all the lights.

Whit, this one is for you. I love you.

Here we are in the MGM after we watched the lion feeding. That's always fun to see.

The Cassies and their kids. An impressive sight, if I do say so myself.

And here are the Cassies. I am so glad that we were able to spend a couple of days there. I always enjoy visiting with Cassie. Even though we live far apart I consider her a great friend. I love ya, Cass.

I'm grateful

I just wanted to take a minute and express my gratitude. Today is my birthday and I think that's a great reason to recognize the blessings I have been given in my life. I am grateful for my parents. They have always supported me in all I do. They love me and are great examples to me. I am grateful for my siblings. They made growing up much more interesting. I'm glad that now we are older we all get along and can be friends, besides just being related. I am grateful I have been able to live close to my Grandma Carter. She is an amazing woman and has seen many things in her 90 years. She is a great example to me of perseverence. I am grateful for my husband. Whitney is very patient with my moodiness and my temper. He is supportive and loving. I am grateful for my children. I know most days I lose my patience at least once, when I get those hugs and kisses and "I love you"s, it makes it all worth it, and all my frustration is forgotten, at least temporarily. I am grateful for my friends. They are a constant blessing to me. I am happy that I know I can call someone and have that person listen and empathize. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and I am glad they make it easy to do so. I am grateful that we can finally start looking for a house!! I know the Lord has blessed us in this area. I am grateful for my father in Heaven. I am grateful there is more to my life than just existing here on earth. I am grateful I can be with my family forever. I am grateful for the atonement. I am grateful that Christ died so I can return to him. I am grateful for the gospel in my life. It gives my life purpose and direction. I love my heavenly father and I know that he loves me. He shows me in so many ways; blessing me with my family and friends, with Whitney having a good job, and keeping him safe. Thank you all for being in my life.

Pictures!

My friend took these pictures for us last month. I think they came out pretty well.

Tada!

I did it. I finally joined facebook. I never thought I would. Had joined myspace, and just when I did, people started going to Facebook. I thought, why do I need to join? Well, apparently Whitney didn't want to make his profile for the whole family. He didn't want to get constant updates or friend requests from people he doesn't know, all day long on his phone. I don't know why he wouldn't want to do all the work on the profile and I reap the benefits. I don't get it :)

Movie Review

My friend and I went and saw "The Blindside" last night. It was a really good movie. I recommend it. It's about an african-american boy who bounced from foster home to foster home. He gets in a Christian academy and a white family takes him in. It was a really moving story and it's definately on my to-buy list when it comes out.

The Pearls

So my grandma Carter just 90 years old and we had a big party for her on the 14th. My parents and my sister were here. Did I take pictures? No. My sister did so I didn't bother. How lame is that? But I will tell you about it. The birthday party was Saturday so we spent that day getting stuff ready at the church. Then Sunday was Sunday so we went to church and spent the afternoon and evening at Grandma's house. MOnday the guys went golfing and when they got back us girls (and Dad) went to SanFrancisco while Whitney and Eric had all the kids minus one. I tell you what, it was so nice to have a break from my wonderful, loveable children. We wandered the Pier 39 and walked down the wharf. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Aunalies and I got matching jackets for Christmas. Then we proceeded to clean out this pearl shop of all their black pearls. 7 oysters, 9 black pearls. It was amazing. My friend Lisa wanted to try and get her daughter a black pearl. So they stopped while Aunalies and I lagged behind. By the time we caught up, Lisa had a black pearl and Mom had picked a black pearl. Aunalies was really wanting a black pearl. She collects pearls from different places they visit. So she tries her luck and she gets a black pearl. The sales lady tells her if she buys a setting she will buy her another pearl. So Lisa tells the lady to buy both the pearl and pearl if A buys another setting. The sales lady agrees. A buys a setting for Mom's pearl as a gift and opens another oyster which has twin black pearls inside. Incredible, you say? Our tale is not done. Lisa and Dad decide to take Karly to the car because Karly is finally having a melt down. I am trying very hard not buy anything (pearls are a weakness), when the sales lady feels sorry for me and offers to buy me a pearl. I open the oyster and wham! A black pearl. She finally wears me down to buy a setting when she offers to buy me another pearl if I buy this setting. So of course I resist like a good girl....not. I open oyster #2 and what is inside? Why twin black pearls, of course. I must mention that I picked my own oysters from the large bowl. I did not buy a setting for my twins; I will let Whitney do that for my Christmas present. Whtney thinks it's a scam, them saying black pearls are so rare, especially with how many we got in a row. Regardless, I had fun and so did everyone else. So now Aunalies and I matching sets of pearls. How cool is that? Oh, and Mom decided to buy one more for my sister in-law Willow. I hope she brings at Christmas. It was a fun day. I am so glad I got to spend a few days with my sister and my parents and I look forward to spending Christmas with them. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Happy Halloween! (a little late)

Wow, I think I am getting worse at this. Anyway, here are some pics from Halloween. This was the group we went trick-or-treating with. As you can see, this was just the kids. It was insane but lots of fun!!

This was the ward Trunk or Treat. Wasn't she the cutest Little Red Riding Hood ever?

My kids were very cute this year. Once Sarah figured out she got candy in her basket, she took off and went to everyone she could find, holding up her basket.