"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he shall be a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17)

As I reflect on the year 2009, I realize how many things really happened this year that have changed my life!!!! I love the scripture I used in the above title. I got it of a dear friend's face book page, and thought it was just perfect for all of us starting off a brand new year! To me it helps me to know that there are things I need to change to become who God really wants me to be! I'm grateful for the atonement so I can work towards being just that person!!!!

Here are some highlights of the 2009....I"m sure there are more, but these are the things that come to mind!

1) Tyler coming home from a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints

2) Valerie turning sweet 16

3) Michael and Bunny found out they were expecting their first baby and our first grand baby!

4) Our family vacation to one of the most beautiful places in Utah (Bryce Canyon)

5) Thad and I going to a Rascal Flatt's concert........Don't have a pic of that one....dang!!

6)Tyler getting engaged to Jennifer Parisot

7)taking a week long lactation consultant class (you don't want to see pics of that:)!

8) Catherine moving in with us in August

9) Our little ones celebrating their 2nd and 5th birthday...one at wheeler farm and the other one with princess Belle (I love putting on birthday parties!!!!)

10) taking our family through the Oquirh mountain temple open house

11) fun summer family camping trip to Lava Hot springs

12)Wainwright Christmas Party at the beautiful Eden cabin

13) celebrating my 40th birthday !!!!! (no-one took pics of that one either.....guess mom is usually the one behind the camera!!!

14) Tyler got a job at SelectHealth!

15) Thad leased a shop to run his and Michael's business in.....yeah! no more junk in the back yard!!!

16)Halloween

17)Our annual Enchilada Christmas Eve candlelight dinner with EVERYONE there!!!!

18)annual St. George trip

19) Valerie's first homecoming dance

20)taking the girls to the Nutcracker

21) Holland being a camel in her first debut in the Church Nativity......it reminded me of Valerie being the only "girl" wise man I've ever seen in the Christmas play!


22) Holland's preschool play


22) having a wonderful healthy family that God has given us! This has kept me going through the hard times this year. I'm so grateful for my family!

I chose not to put the trials I endured through this year because I want to focus on what DID go right. We have had a great 2009, and are looking forward to a wonderful 2010! I hope you all enjoyed 2009 as much as we did!!

Happy New Years eve!!!!

Christmas Day 2009-Traditions

So all the presents have been opened, the big Christmas breakfast devoured, the kids happily playing with their new toys, still in our pj's, Catherine off to the airport to see her mom......what a wonderful, beautiful day. I can't help but think that this is truly one of the best days of the year. I know most people make goals at the first of the year, but for our family it is different. WE started this tradition a couple of years ago....we have a white stocking hanging on the tree that has our gifts we are going to give to Christ this year.....I love this on Christmas eve as we read what we wanted to give for this past year and as we write what we will give this year. It can be anything from writing down a goal to improve some aspect of your life whether it be an improved relationship with a family member, or a renewed spiritual growth and relationship to God....anything that you can do to give our Savior a gift. IT really does supersede anything that is wrapped under the tree for me (although I LOVE everything everyone got me!)

I LOVE traditions! We had our candlelight enchilada dinner last night....I know it sounds weird to have enchiladas for a Christmas dinner, but it is our tradition and the kids love it. Then we all open some new Pjs and get them on to go load in the car to look at the wonderful Christmas lights! This year was no different....except for the the fact that Mrs. Claus....that would me muah!!!(me) bought all the girls Jr sizes....it was hilarious as we all walked out with belly shirts and high waters and half sleeved pjs...(see pics) But oh, what a fun memory this will be!!!! We saw the lights, came home and read the scriptural account of the first Christmas....then the Night before Christmas story..which Santa (thad) put some fun personal twists to it! Then kiddies off to bed while Santa and mrs. claus wrap presents until 1:30 a.m........I insist every year I won't do that, but we always end up doing it anyway!!!!

I'm grateful I had all of my fam here...it is so fun to see our family grow and grow and grow!!!! We are bursting out of the seams of our house!!!!! But we love it!!!

I hope everyone had a very Merry CHRISTmas and will keep that spirit of Christmas in our hearts for the entire year and not just December!

I love you all!!!!

I'm back in computer land!!!!

so our computer crashed...yes that is right crashed....he asked if I wanted the good news or bad first...I chose the bad news...the mother board was gone...so what is the good news I asked....your info is fine....so I got the hard drive in a case...plugged it in my new computer...and guess what...only one file that I have tried to open worked!!!! I can't find any of my pics or itunes....It is a sad day for me...I hope that Im just computer illiterate and somebody will magically fix it for me, but until then...I'll just start from scratch!!!! You dont realize how much you used computers until they are gone!!!!!

WElcome back to our blog...maybe I can remember how to change the background so it is not halloween anymore! :)