A Year Ago....

A year ago....that was the beginning of a very busy 2008. We moved, started a busy tax season, had a c-section, adjusted to 5 kids, and put in our back yard. Needless to say this was probably mine and Travis's most overwhelming year, but because of all these "events" we now have beautiful blessings to enjoy for years to come. I am excited to start 2009. Although, I am never ready to start tax season. At least this year I am not starting it with a newborn and stitches in the abs. I miss Travis on these long late nights, he works so hard and then gets up and teaches early morning seminary. He is such a dedicated man to the gospel, and I love him for that. So warning, if you call me I may talk your ear off for lack of adult conversation, and keep your blogs updated, it will keep me company.

Family Pictures

We were needing to update our family picture. My sister Liz does a good job, and I knew she was heading this way in December. So I made her squeeze us in before she flew out to Hawaii. Thanks Lizzie! So here are some of my favorites. (I had TONS more, but my computer kept acting up, so these will have to do).

ChRiStMaS

Christmas Eve with the Brown's

Soup + bread for dinner

This is how Drew was for half of the evening.


CHRISTMAS MORNING

Brynn's favorite toy: HMS singing doll

Kennedy's favorite toy: Cub Alive

Luke's favorite toy: ALL of Them!

Drew's favorite toy: Shrek doll

Kamryn's favorite: a stocking full of diapers

Hot tubing on Christmas a new Salisbury tradition

As Drew used to say... "Merry Mitmas!" This post is for the Grandma/Grandpa in WA State, and for Grandma/Grandpa in China! We had a great Christmas. On Christmas Eve my brother Clint and his family came over for dinner, a Christmas message, and gift exchange. I always love the night of Christmas Eve with my family. In the morning we have a rule where the kids can not come in our room till 6am. Well, this year Drew woke up the whole hall at 4:45am! So, finally Travis and I caved at 5:15am after realizing there would be no hope of anymore shut eye. We spent the morning getting toys put together and putting in batteries! Later in the day we heated up the Hot tub and started a new Salisbury tradition. It was so fun to be in the warm hot tub with the air so cold. Travis even jumped in the big pool with the water temperature at 41 degrees---CrAzY!! Then we headed off to Clint's house for a nice Christmas dinner and family time. We missed being with ALL of our family, but am thankful to have my brother here to share the holidays, and a healthy family.

Coloring My Own Hair!

BEFORE

DURING! (scary)

FINAL RESULT

Well I have been tired of my "mousy" brown hair. A couple of months ago I went and got it professionally colored to be dark for the winter, but it faded so quickly (as you will see in the future family pix I will post). So I decided to try to be BRAVE, and consider doing it myself. I have never colored my own hair, but I was ready to liven it up a bit and give it a try! I am happy with the color, although it's a little edgy for me. When I see it in the mirror, I don't like it as much as I do in pictures, I think I just need to get used to it. I hope Travis likes it because I accidentally did a "permanent" color, rather than semi! Oops!

Lizzie is here!

Liz (5 months preg.), Clint, Paige, Jeremy, Meredith, Travis
Brother and Sisters (still missing 4 others)

Travis + Meredith seeing lights at Mission Inn

I love when family comes to visit. Liz and her husband Jeremy came to drop off their sweet little girl for us to watch as they head out to Hawaii! So we took advantage and went out on a group date with my brother Clint and his wife. I love being with my brothers and sisters. I am so glad I live 5 minute from Clint, he is such a fun brother, and is so good to me. Liz is the baby and totally a crack up. Everyone loves to be around her. We went to Spaghetti Factory to eat, after much "loud laughter" we went to Mission Inn in Riverside to see the Christmas lights. It was such a fun date.

Brynn's Nativity Performance

Brynn singing in a duet
Brynn and Brinley (they look like they should be sisters)
The "Bryn's" and their mom's (Amber + Meredith)

All the 8-11yr old girls sang in a nativity performance for Enrichment Night. They all were asked to wear their baptism dress. Well, Brynn pulled hers out and umm...is there such thing as a "hoochy" baptism dress?! Let's just say she grew a few inches over the year. It was so short on her, and it was the only white dress she had. So I kept tugging on the hem to make it longer, but Travis was worried I was ruining it for when Kennedy wears it this spring. It's just cotton, I can throw in back in the washer and it will go back to normal, right?

Anyway, besides the wardrobe malfunction, it was such a sweet night. The girls sounded like little angels. Brynn was so beautiful in her little simple dress. She did a good job singing in her duet. That was a big step for her. Way to go Brynn!

Christmas Time

I love Christmas time. I have such fond memories of setting up the tree, the count down calender with candy on it, and the old wooden manger set. I loved Christmas Eve night, then in the morning SANTA would leave all the presents unwrapped so it was an overwhelming, but amazing feeling to see all of our gifts at once. It's kind of weird being on the other side, the one creating these fond memories for my own kids. We actually set up the tree right after Thanksgiving, but I didn't think to post pictures till recently. I tried to be better at letting my kids take part in the decorating. My mom always let us do the decorating, so even when I saw like 7 red bulbs together in a bunch, I just quietly would move a few around. For the most part they did a pretty good job. Kamryn likes to sit and tug on each of the ornaments. Hopefully her "tug" will stay dainty and not bring down the tree.