Daddy's Home!!!!!!

He made it home before Christmas! My Christmas wish came true!

Linc was unsure about actually being able to touch Daddy. It was as if he was thinking, "Why aren't you on the computer screen?"

Time to go.

"Lets get Daddy home!"

It took about 5 minutes....but now they are inseparable!

"I got it, Dad!"

"It says Tranquill"


"Daddy!?!??!!.."

"Let's get the guns out of here! Wow they are heavy!"

On our way home!

Jason arrived home late Wednesday afternoon! He called me Wednesday morning and I was completely shocked that he was physically in the US. We went to the terminal to pick him up. Lincoln was unsure of his virtual Dad becoming a reality. There were ladies around us in tears at the spectacle. It is very sweet to have him home. We are so grateful!!!! Merry Christmas!

Mary Found, Rides Home From School, Dead Man, Carolyn, and Playing with Food

This Christmas Nativity set is a favorite at our house. On the first day of having it out we lost Mary. It was devastating. We looked everywhere. We thought Linc got ahold of her and threw her in the garbage. (He throws lots of stuff in the trash...thinking he's helping). Hallelujah! She is found...under a couch in a room she "was never in". Hhhmmmmm. Amazing. Christmas can happen now!
Chloe loves when Grandpa T. picks her up on his motorcycle. She beams from ear to ear!

This is a favorite game at our house. Linc plays dead while Lily runs over him. Non-stop giggling. It's hilarious.

Carolyn came to visit us again!

So...we had a little pizza party for her (our) other friends that live here too.

While Carolyn was here we decided to go to the chocolate factory. It was pretty cool...but somewhat disappointing. However, this particular sign spoke to me.

On our walk Linc was enamored with the Christmas balls everywhere. Notice his frizz on the back of his head. No matter what I do....this always happens.

Carolyn is training for a marathon. She was supposed to run 8 miles this particular morning. But Lily insisted on going along on her scooter for the warm-up. Let's just say Lily didn't make it very far. Carolyn caved.

Occasionally I will let my children play with their food. We were all sitting around eating dinner when all of a sudden it got really quiet. I looked over at Linc. He had stopped eating and decided that sour cream and baked potato would be better in his hair. So I decided to play along and create some fun hair styles.

The mo-hawk is by far the best!

Reverse Your Buts...

Last week a member of our bishopric gave a talk about "reversing your buts." Which basically is a positive way of thinking. It takes you out of your slump and reminds you of all you have to be grateful for. So, I'm going to give you my list of "reversed buts".

1. My husband is in Afghanastan, but he's coming home very soon.

2. Sometimes it sucks that my husband is in the military, but I have a husband who is patriotic, stands up for what is right, and I will support him in that.

3. Our children sometimes drive me crazy, but they are healthy, strong, smart, lovable, loving, and funny.

4. I'm not crazy about living in Nevada, but I do love the sunshine.

5. My son still likes to be held all the time, but he has this cute little way of reminding me of what's important. With his two little hands he will grab my cheeks, turn my head towards him, and give me a kiss. As if to say...."Don't worry about that dirty countertop, Mom. I'm here to be loved now. You can do that later."

6. My oldest daughter is starting in on a defiance phase but she breaks down and always gives me a hug at the end of the battle. *Because she knows I'm right.! We are so much alike....both of us need to have the last word. So, ending in a hug is not so bad.

7. I'm frustrated that Jason is not here, but I can go to the gym and work out my frustrations. I've lost a few inches since he's been gone.

8. My oldest is now starting to hate school...only because she hates waking up early in the morning. But, I have Grandpa here to take her to the bus stop every day.

9. I feel like all I ever do is clean, but I have a nice beautiful home where the spirit can dwell.

10. We certainly don't have a perfect life, but we have everything we need.

11. We don't have lots of money, but we are happy.

I'm so grateful for my family. I love them so much. I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for His example. I'm grateful for the restored church. For it's organization and fullness. And I'm grateful to have a Father in Heaven that knows me inside and out. He knows what I can handle and what I can't. I'm grateful for this time in my life to learn and grow. ~To be out of my comfort zone. I'm grateful for all of my family and friends who have gone out of their way to help us during this upside down and crazy trial.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Dressing up and Funny Faces

Linc has loved the past two nights. Both nights he's been carried around, oooed and awed over, and was allowed to eat lollipops.

Trunk or Treat

The girls were just as excited to give candy away as they were to recieve it.


Ready to roar? He hated the mane. It was rare that I could get him to keep it on his head!

Jessie the Cowgirl from Toy Story II
This is a costume I made for her when she was 4 years old. Three years later she decides to bring it back to life...stains and all! I guess it's okay. The year she was supposed to wear it, she had an accident 2 minutes before we were ready to leave and ended up being a frog instead. I'm glad Jessie got to actually see a halloween this year!

The Princess Fairy.

With my children a costume is just not complete without wings! She was supposed to be Snow White....but decided against it because I wouldn't dye her hair black again.
And she HAD to have wings!

This year's pumpkins.

"Bring him back Lil"!

Green grass in Vegas? Now that's exciting! Time to chase that other little boy....he's got a ball!

We went to Chloe's school for a Dance Festival. All the kids learned dances from different countries. Lincoln liked it for awhile...until he realized there was a big field he could run around on just behind us.

Chloe was very focused and did a great job remembering all the steps to her Chinese dance.
I had spent the previous weekend ironing and making 24 saches and skirts for her class.

Chloe proudly led her first grade class out onto the "dance arena". She took her job very seriously.

Later that day we were sitting around the dinner table laughing at Lincoln. He makes the funniest faces and loves the reactions he gets from the rest of us.

This face is my favorite! He's turning into a little comedian!

Thanks Nanna!

Jason's Mom came to help me out for a few days last month. It was a way to keep both of us from going insane! She was able to escape the monotany of taking care of her mother and I was able to have a female companion to help me with my day to day craziness.

The sunsets are one of the few things Sharon likes about Nevada.

I have to agree.

Lily occassionally falls asleep in strange places while trying not to go to bed. This is one I just happened to get a picture of.

We went to the Reniassance Festival. It was definately not Sterling! Despite the heat and sweat, the the kids had a good time.

The characters were crazy and funny.

Linc was happy as long as he was being carried.

Some of the acts left much to be desired.

I'm glad our tickets were free!

Thanks for hanging out with us Nanna! We love you and miss you!