Axel is filling out his Mission papers...YIKES!!!!

Axel, my baby boy is all grown up and wants to serve the Lord for two whole years away from home and mommy......He is filling out his mission papers.....and I am filled with joy that I have such an outstanding young man for a son, but I am also filled with panic....how can I let go of my little one? I wonder if all Moms' go through this anguish in the face of such joy? Alas, he is getting everything ready and I am so grateful that he will be serving the Lord, what more could a mom ask as her son grows to man-hood? It truly has been my privilege and an honor to be his mom. I love you Axel!

Brandon was in the cast of Greece at LNH

Here is Brandon showing off his moves in the play that his High School put on, Greece. It was awesome to see him dance and act as well as sing. He is a boy after my own heart, makes me remember all my acting days. How time flies! Brandon did a terrific job, I wish everyone could have seen him, and I'm not just saying this cause I'm his mom....*wink*, if you know him you know that he is very talented in many ways. Dad, Ashly and I enjoyed closing night immensely!!! Congratulations Brandon!!!

Weekend in Omaha Nebraska

We took a trip to Omaha. I loved three things best.

First: Going to the Temple with my sweetheart.

Second; Playing in the pool with our three youngest.
Third; Going to see the bridge Daddy helped design.
It has an S shape and we loved walking on it at night with all the lights.
The kids were thrilled that they have such a talented, awesome Dad!

Winter Hike

It was beautiful!!!

Ben's First Pinewood Derby

Dad and Ben worked on Ben's pinewood derby car together. The weight had to be just right. (I think that Dad is just as much a little boy as his little boy. (but let's keep that a secret).

It was so much fun to watch Ben compete. He was in the middle of the pack. Yes, there are some adjustments to be made for next year, Father and Son want to WIN!

The funniest part was that after it was all over, Dad raced the car that he had made for Sam, and you guessed it, Sam's car was way faster than Ben's....next time they will try them both out before the race begins and choose the fastest of course....hahahahaaha

Cavewarming 2011

Brandon loves to participate in everything. A few weeks ago there was a cavewarming week at school. Don't ask me what that means cause I don't know. All I know is that each day he dressed up. A nerd, a Roman Senator, a farmer and I am missing the pictures from his caveman outfit and the snow skier outfit. When I went to parent teacher conferences at LNH we were greeted at the door by two women, who when they found out that Brandon was our son couldn't stop raving about what a great teenager he is. They promptly told me that he won Cavewarming week. I love it that he has fun.

Miracles & the Lumina

In the middle of December with the first snow we had a car accident. Fortunately no one was hurt. We were worried sick about turning in a claim to our insurance because we still owed money to the lean holder.

After much thought and prayer we finally did and we were not surprised that the Insurance company totaled our car out because the repairs were so high. We sat on pins and needles waiting to find out how much they were going to pay us on our claim. When I go the call, the amount of money they determined was exactly the amount that we owed on the car. What a MIRACLE. It was such a blessing and best of all a good friend from church repaired the doors and we ended up buying the car that we had the accident with so that Axel has a car to drive also. I am so grateful for all those miracles that the Lord blesses us with.

Michael told me just this weekend after another great miracle occured that he had never had a life filled with so many miraculous blessings as since we met and married. I have to acknowledge that the Lord has always been there for me in small and great ways. I thank my Father in Heaven for being so mindful of me/us always.

Homecoming & Courtwarming

This was Court Warming 2011.

Brandon is a good looking guy

and he had a really cute date.Axel and Brandon went to Homecoming with a group of friends.

Two very handsome boys.

With two pretty girls.

Areos

Have I told you that Areos is the coolest guy Ever???

We recently went to the parent teacher conference. Every teacher we talked to said how much Areos is liked by all his pears and by the teachers too. They also said that he is super smart. I loved all the praise for my "Ewas" (as Sam calls him) cause we already know how super he is.

Ashly is ELEVEN.......

My baby girl is not such a baby any more. She just celebrated her 11th birthday. She had her girlfriends over for a sleepover and party. They watched Ann of Green Gables which her Nana sent her. That was a huge hit! For those who know Ashly, of course she had to have some outrageous fun with her cake.....It was a Blast!!! Happy Birthday Ashly..............

Some special gifts for Chritmas.......

Our good friend Patrick sent the three oldest boys some very nice and (expensive) watches for Christmas. You can see by their expression how AWESOME that gift was. Thanks Patrick & Dalinda, you are the best!

Daddy was a special gift giver this Christmas. He got ammunition boxes from his work and wrote each kids name on them. They are for keeping special treasures since they are completely water proof. It was a labor of love for his six...... We love you Dad!!!

Nana sent us tickets to Worlds of Fun for the WHOLE family. If you have a large family you know how GREAT a gift that is.... Thank you so much Nana....we can't wait till spring. Muahhhhhh Nanaaaaaaaaaa

The Best Christmas Gift Ever!!!! Sam came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve...Hooray!!!!

We had the best Christmas! Our family was together! What more can we ask for........... We are blessed!!!!

Lot's of gifts for Sam

While in the hospital Sam received lots of special gifts to help him on his way to recovery. Ashly's school sent him some toys and a couple of gift cards. Ashly also made Sam lots of snow flakes to decorate his room. His Mundy Grandparents got him a DS which helped quite a bit the first few days when Sam was so limited in his movements. Ben's class made him get well cards. Nana sent Sam a special Toy Story book. He spent hours putting the stickers on all the activity pages. Sam even received special Carolers, Brandon went up to the hospital with some friends from school to sing Christmas Carols to Sam. I am sure Sam got many more things and we felt so grateful for all those special expressions of love and support from so many. Thank You!

While Sam was at Children's Mercy

Sam had full days with therapies, school time, and special visitors.... That doggy you see is Teddy. He and Sam had a great time playing. You should have seen Sam's face when he saw Teddy.... he was thrilled.

Sam & Hospital

All the family spent time with Sam during his recovery. We were all so relieved to see him improve day by day. To tell the truth, we had lots of fun at the hospital with Sam. Movie time, playing time, silly time....snuggle time.....and all of it revolving around our Sammy boy.

Sam in Hospital cont....

Sam was such a good sport even when he was in allot of pain. He was his happy loving self.