First Post in 2008

Well, my sister's keep telling me it has been too long since I posted last. I didn't think it was that long because time seems like it's flying right now, but I guess it has been awhile. So here are A LOT of pictures from the last month or so. We have had a great Christmas season. Working, playing, lounging, sleeping, and having tons of fun. PICTURE#1 Tade and I made turkeys like the ones in the November FRIEND. He made his own turkey head. It was his first time using scissors. PICTURE#2&3 We had the Annual Gingerbread House Sunday Dinner with the Clement Family. (Note Tade's goofy look. All the pictures on this day have the same face!) PICTURE#4&5 Ash eating a cookie. She is always happiest when she is eating, though she hardly gains any weight. She was 20lbs 4oz at her 15 month check on 12/19. Eric made the cookies, then let Tade help decorate them with sprinkles. Tade loved it! Eric is such a nice dad. I would never do that. Too messy for me. PICTURE#6 An attempt at a Clement grandchild picture for my Mom for a Christmas present. PICTURE#7&8&9 Christmas party with Grandpa Gappmayer. Tade loves Aunt Tenaya. PICTURE#10&11 Tade LOVES Santa. Ashlynn HATES him! PICTURE#12&13 Tade LOVES the pinata. You can guess Ashes reaction. What do I do with this girl! Well, I hope that is enough pictures to satisfy my sisters. None of my Christmas day ones where spectacular, but the day was so use your imagination (I'm sure you're sick of seeing our faces anyway). New Years was a blast too. It's back to work for Eric today so we'll try to get back to our routine at home too. I hope your Christmas season was a great as ours!!!

Thanksgiving Recovery

Well, we had a great Thanksgiving. I had to work until about 2:30am the night before, but got to come home early enough to get some sleep and then even got another nap in as well. We went to Eric's mom's house and had a yummy dinner with all sorts of food. I got to work the day after Thanksgiving too. Just late enough, though, that Eric was able to get a little early morning shopping in. Since then we have just been trying to recover and get the house in order. I am posting some recent pictures of the kids. I hope they make you smile!

Ashes hair is finally long enough so I put it in double piggies yesterday. It was so CUTE!!!

Daily Gems

I don't know how many of you are signed up to get the Daily Gems that come from the church website, but this is one that came in October that I loved and couldn't delete. I thought I would put it on here so I could always read it. Other ones that touch me might pop as well.

Teaching Children about Christ

"Children are open to gospel truths more than at any other time, and protected childhood is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach and strengthen children to choose the right.

"It's easy to know what to teach. The scriptures and our prophets are clear about what to teach our children. Nephi summarizes it in this verse, 'And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ . . . that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins' (2 Nephi25:26).

"Knowing that we teach of Christ and His gospel, how do we do it? Begin by following the counsel of our prophets and making time in our homes for family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Have we heard that counsel so often that it seems too simple? Or are we so busy that adding one more thing feels too complex? I testify that even when our family worship seems less than effective, obedience alone invites the blessings of the Lord."(Margaret S. Lifferth, "Behold Your Little Ones," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 74-75)

It's done!!!

It's finally done (almost)!!! I am talking about our basement. For those of you who didn't know we have been working on our basement for the last three and a half months, which may not seem all that long to most but when you're living in dust and dirt it seems like an eternity. It started out as just finishing a family room and laundry room, but ended up being the whole thing. We got the carpet in last Wednesday. Eric's brother helped us move all the big things down that night (THANKS CHRIS!) and now it's just some organizing and cleaning. We do have some work to do on the bathroom too, but pretty much WE ARE DONE!!! Can you tell that I am totally stoked? If not, I am. I can't really complain since the biggest trial in my life lately has been a dirty house. I am very glad that it is over though. Well, anyone is welcome to come over and see the new pad. Bring food and a game and we'll make a party of it!!!

Ward Party

So here is the our family picture from the ward Halloween Party. (Thanks Kelli!) Eric, literally, stayed up all night thinking of this costume.

My Little Girl

I had to post this picture of Ashlynn cause it was too cute! She is a funny little girl with a lot of character. She loves her mommy, playing with her brother, and cuddling with daddy.

Halloween Pictures

Happy Halloween!!! It was a great day. This is the only picture of Tade that I got and Ashes wouldn't hold still long enough to get a great picture so oh well. Tade was a race car driver and Ash was Piglet. We all had really fun that day!!! As soon as I get a picture of Eric (who dressed as a leprechaun) I will post that too!