BIG NEWS!

For those of you who read the blogs of other members of my family, you probably already know our big news. But for those of you who don't, we thought we'd submit a post to let you know that we are expecting again! That's right, baby #3 is on the way and scheduled to be here sometime the first part of June. I wish I had an ultrasound picture or something to show, but the office I go to doesn't do early ultrasounds unless medically necessary, so I'll have to promise to post a picture from the 20 wk ultrasound some time in January.

Needless to say, we are all very excited for this baby who has been wanted for a very long time! The kids are thrilled and keep rubbing my belly and asking me how the baby is. Hailey wants it to be a girl, but keeps calling the baby "him" or "he." Zach wants it to be a boy, but keeps calling the baby "she" or "her." Jeremiah wants it to be a boy, only because he doesn't want to be outnumbered by girls! As for me, I'm fine with whatever we have, it's nice to already have one of each so that it's less stress hoping for one or the other.

And for those of you ready to tease us about having twins - DON'T! As much as that would just make you all laugh, I think we'll just stick with one at a time.

So that's our big news! Thought we would share with all of you whom we know and love!

Uncle Taylor - our Misisonary!

Since Taylor was scheduled to enter the MTC on December 2nd, as many of us as possible traveled up to my Mom and Dad's house the night of the 1st to have dinner and be there as he was set apart as a missionary. It was really fun to be there with him and see him take this next important step in his life.

While we were there, we took a couple pictures with him:



The kids just love Uncle Taylor.


As you can see, he takes time to play with each of them. Zach thinks he is the neatest thing ever and can't wait until he can be a missionary just like Taylor.


Sometimes you can tell how much someone loves you by what they're willing to do to make you happy. In this case, Hailey was in heaven reading Taylor a story while they were both "dressed up."



Although the kids don't quite understand what it means for Uncle Taylor to be a missionary, they sure are excited to send him letters, pictures, and cookies. Looks like I'll be busy baking the next little while! I'm sure the reality that he will be gone for a long time will set in when they realize he's not at Nana and Papa's house whenever we go up. I'm willing to wait for that as I'm having a hard time dealing with it myself! But no matter how hard it is for us or for Taylor, we know he is where he's supposed to be and we are so proud of him. Jeremiah and I are especially grateful for the good example he is setting for our children. Taylor, the people in Oklahoma are lucky to have you! WE LOVE YOU!

Temple Square Lights

Since Thanksgiving Weekend the whole family was together, we decided to take a quick trip up to Temple Square in Salt Lake to see the lights. Our family loves this tradition and we look forward to it every year. It was a bit chilly, but we were all bundled up and stayed fairly warm.

It's amazing at how much time and effort is put into doing all of these lights around Temple Square. It really is breathtaking. Thanks to my sister-in-law Afton (thanks again!) who brought her camera, we were able to take a quick family photo in front of the temple:



We really had a great time and were so glad to be there with family! We love you guys!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving this year was bitter-sweet. Sweet in the fact that my entire family was able to be together. Since we are growing so big, it's been hard to get ALL of us together at one time. But we all did it this year for a special reason. And that reason is what made it slightly bitter. It was the day that marked the last week before Taylor left on his mission. And when I say bitter, I mean a happy-bitter because we are all so proud of him - but just a bit sad because he'll be gone for 2 long years.

Since it was one of the last times (other than his farewell a few days later) that we were all together, we decided to get a big family picture. Well, it's been cold and there was still snow on the ground, but we all tropped up to the local park and took a picture in the snow and all. It was a bit chilly, but well worth it for the result. Here's the finished product - a family picture that will be the last one with all of us for the next 2 years:



I'm so glad we were able to all be together for Thanksgiving and for Taylor's farewell a few days later. It really made the holiday special.