Baby's First Christmas

...'Twas the night before Christmas...

Yummy M&Ms

As you hold these candies in your hand

And turn them, you will see

The 'M' becomes a 'W',

An 'E', and then a '3'.

They tell the Christmas Story--

I'm sure it's one you know.

It took place in a stable

A long, long time ago.

The 'E' is for the East,

Where the star shone so bright

The 'M' is for the Manger,

where the Baby Jesus slept at night.

The '3' is for the Wisemen,

Bearing gifts, with which they came.

'W' is for Worship,

Hallelujah! Praise His Name!

So as you eat these candies

Or share them with a friend,

Remember the meaning of Christmas:

It's a love that never ends.

This is going along with some M&Ms for my visiting teaching friends for their Christmas gift! I thought it was cute so I thought I'd share! It's always difficult to get a good gift for friends and neighbors.

Any suggestions?

Blessing Day

What a beautiful day! I had been planning this day for months and it was everything I had hoped for and more. The weather was warm and sunny (for December). Many of the family was together; even ones we haven't seen for a very long time. Ellie was given a wonderful blessing by her dad. He blessed her with many things including health and strength, to be a good example and leader, and to marry in the temple for her own eternal family. She slept through it (what a good baby). We had a luncheon after church at the park and the food was delicious. She looked very pretty in her dress and everyone "ooed and ahed" over her all day.

Christmas Decorating

So . . . there will be very little Christmas decorating at our house this year. All my stuff is buried in the basement. I can't get to it. A little thinking-ahead might have saved me this trouble but I've never been very good at that. Yesterday, I bought a few (very few) lights that were on sale at Home Depot and that will just have to do for the outside. However, I know the tree will be beautiful with the kids' hand made decorations and they will be so proud! No "matching" necessary. I'm not complaining - you see - the important things are not what's buried in the basement, they are found in the "little" things of everyday life!

Basement In Progress!

Thanksgiving weekend was a great success! My dad, all my brothers, a few cousins and an uncle all came to work on the basement with Ryan. They accomplished amazing things! I had no idea we could make so much progress. They all had sore muscles and were totally exhausted before the 3 days were done. (Brian was so tired he locked his keys in his car as he was leaving;) What an adventure!!!!!

I tried to keep them all fed and with the help of my mom and sister-in-laws, I think we succeeded in that, too. On Saturday, we officially celebrated Thanksgiving with a turkey feast - there were 35 people and plenty of food to go around. We are so blessed!

Constantly Changing

Today is a kind of milestone - Ellie's cord finally fell off. She is 18 days old so it's about time! I'm so glad not to have to deal with it anymore and to be able to bathe her without worrying about it getting wet, but on the other hand, it is one more sign that she is growing up. She is changing everyday.

And though the other kids can't wait for her to get

big enough to play with, I just want to enjoy our time together while she is little.

Working On the Basement

We are finially starting to work on our basement! These are the "before" pictures. My dad and Ryan did the measurements and chalk-lining. And I have a LONG list of supplies to get ready. As you can see in the pictures our basement has just been our storage room/play room. But with the new addition to our family, we need to do an addition to the house. My family is coming together to work on it over the Thanksgiving weekend. I can't wait!! Wish us luck!!

Ellie is Getting BIG!!

This is Ellie at the doctor's office this morning for her 2 week check-up. She now weighs 9lbs 4oz!! Such a chubby girl!

Pretty in Purple

This is Ellie before we took her

to the doctor's office on Friday for her 2 week check-up.

The hat is from Diane Allen whose daughter makes and sells them.

The blanket is my first attempt at mitered corners (good thing you can't see detail).

Raegan picked out the material before she was born.

I think she looks good in purple!

1st time Blogging!

At the request of many family members and friends, we finally made a blog! Everyone wants to see "the baby". I'll need some time to learn all the fancy stuff but I am looking forward to it.

And here she is: Ellieanna Kate came into our lives on November 7, 2008 at 5:43 pm. She weighed 8lbs. 6oz. and measured 21 inches long!! She is absolutely beautiful!

We are having a lot of fun with her. Everyone loves to hold her - she is getting very spoiled. I have to admit though - I spend hours just holding and looking at her. Time can just pass us by because this is what is important now.

Morgan (13 years old) has Ellie's clothes organized in her closet. She is so happy to have a sister.

Kaysen (9 years) thinks it is incredibly funny when she farts!

Kay J (7 years) is very careful with her and kisses her cheek ever so gently.

Raegan (4 years) sings to her when she cries which is suprisingly very soothing to her. He is still upset that we didn't name her "Raegan" like him.

So . . . I'll be posting often to keep everyone up to date.