That's a Wrap

Well. Better late than never. I hate trying to catch up on all the holidays but I will do my best to remember the highlights. We got settled pretty quickly and have loved our new home. Best of all is our ward. The people here are some of the most genuine people I have ever met. I have never felt so loved and welcomed in all my life. I truly believe it is the main reason we were prompted to build here.

 Halloween was fun this year although we missed having the Stone family with us. Always a good time with our cousins though!

We loved setting up Christmas this year and actually getting to hang our stockings by the fire. We had many blessings this Christmas season and lots of people that made us feel loved and remember the reason for the season.

 This guy graduated to a forward facing seat and he sure loves it!

 Weston turned 7 this year. Gotta love a Christmas birthday! He gets the best of both worlds. ;)

 The poor guy spent the night before his birthday throwing up. He just had a couple bites of cake but that was all he dared try. 

 Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's is always a hit. It was such a great time.

 We never really splurge for Christmas and I always worry as my kids get older that they're going to start feeling like they don't get enough. There was no need to worry. They were all so incredibly grateful for every little thing. They each got what they asked Santa for and that made them very happy. I'm grateful that they understand what Christmas is about, even at such young ages.

 I spent half of Christmas day and half of the day after putting this K'Nex roller coaster together. Never tell your mother-in-law she can buy this for your kids! I had no idea that EVERY piece had to be put together. And it's already been disassembled and put away because we just had no room for it. But my kids sure did love it for the little while it was up and working. I guess that makes it ok!

We have been fighting off bouts of illness all winter but overall we really don't have anything to complain about. We are very blessed, even in our trials, and are thankful that no matter what else might come our way, we will always have our testimonies.

Life

Life is hard. Life is messy. Life is unpredictable. It has been a difficult month and half or so. We had a good summer. Got the kids started into school here in Rigby and were anxiously awaiting the move. Long story short, due to unforeseen paperwork issues and then an issue with our well we ended up living with in-laws for three weeks because we had already moved out of the old house after being told we would be closing "any day". That was stressful but I learned some good lessons in the midst of it all.

Then our life was turned upside down on October 2 when we found out that our beloved brother-in-law, Lynn (Sarah's husband), passed away. It was very unexpected and made me wake up and realize how unimportant so much of the junk we deal with in our daily lives really is. We got into the house the next day which was helpful with having family in town, etc. But I would give my house back in a heart beat if it would bring Lynn back. Every day I struggle with some aspect or other of the whole situation and that is not even a tip of the iceberg that Sarah and her girls are dealing with.

So, to be brief, hug your loved ones. Cherish them. Value them. Deal with whatever family issues may be unsettled. There's not enough time. And to prove to you just how quickly time has been going by for us, here are some pictures to update you.

 Fun summer camping, trips, and play dates.

 I refinished our kitchen table. I will most likely never, ever do a project of this magnitude again. Ha! That being said, it looks nice in our new house and it would have clashed so much if I hadn't done it.

 They all had so much fun building this giraffe, then asked me to take a picture and somehow ended up making it look like I had threatened them to build it, or else!

 This is how Jonas spent his day for the three weeks that we were making three trips a day to and from Rigby. It was an adjustment!

 This sweet little pumpkin turned one on the day that we loaded up the old house. I can hardly believe it's been a whole year. He is a great baby and we are so blessed to have him.

 This baby got packed clear to the very top Tetris style. It was unreal. And we still had about five truck loads of other random garage, outdoor, and leftover stuff. Yuck. So glad that is over.

 These three shared this bed at Sid and Gaylene's for two weeks. Needless to say, there were a few issues.

 Miss and Shane were able to come home for the funeral. It was nice to see them. Just wished it was under different circumstances. Poor baby Emmett wasn't feeling well and just let them cuddle him. And then Channing started dressing him up. Pretty funny how he just laid there and let them!

 Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Minus daddy since he was in New York for work that week.

 I bribed these guys with books from the book fair if they would be good while I hauled them to Saydi's parent teacher conference. I love that my kids love reading.

 School pics! Which I refuse to buy because they are priced ridiculously and don't really show their character anyway. But they do have some pretty cute faces!