Merry Christmas!!!

It's hard to believe that we have reached the end of 2006! What an unbelievable year it has been. We had Kimball turn 10, Kaden turn 7 and Kyra turn 5! (And she started school!!!) Kierstin joined us this year after what must have been one of the most trying times of our lives. Our family was reunited in what can only be described as a blessing hard earned. There were a few moments when I was unsure of how we would overcome all of it...and then I would look around at all that I am blessed with and remember that the only option was to get up and find a way to move on in happiness. My faith was tested as well as my perspective...but I am happy to report that all is well in our home. Larry stays busy with exciting projects. The children have new friends like you see with Kaden in one of my favorite pictures. That is Jackson in that picture with Kaden. He lives next door and is around alot. We also had the great privelege of moving into this house. The blessings of that move happen every day. I am so proud of my kids and how they have handled themselves and all of the storms around them these past years. They deserve a little peace. Kimball is growing up so fast and I love that every night all he wants to do is talk before he goes to bed. Kaden is still playing baseball and wants to get back to it in the spring. Kyra is bound and determined to be a professional singer...a star, she says. I think I remember saying that as well...oh, wait...I still say that. :) Kierstin is a true joy and a blessing. I take her everywhere with me and I am constantly amazed by what an angel she is. She truly has a remarkable spirit and always has a way of making people smile. The girls down at the school just love her.

We had the honor of participating in a project that looks as if it might happen again. The little blanket project that could did so much more than I thought it would and everyone who had any involvement in it was so proud of what we were able to do. My children had the chance to deliver the 550 blankets and could not stop saying how great it was. Kimball said that he had never had to say "you're welcome" so many times. It was remarkable.


It is hard to believe that it is now time to move on to a new phase in our lives. We have so many babies around and our family is amazing. There is no greater joy for me than to know that so many of us are here and taking care of each other. We have so much to be thankful for and I can't wait to see what the new year brings.

And just when you thought you had seen the face of evil...Luca posed for this one and I thought it was too funny!!!

So, it has been suggested that the serious picture of Kyra is a little...evil. I want to state for the record that I am well aware of the fact that it looks a little angry, but nonetheless, I think it is a beautiful picture and that has more to do with the photographer than Kyra. I know that I am a little taken away with her little face these days, but I just loved the pictures and seeing how she is growing up and all. SO...I won't bore you all with my ranting about how pretty she is, because, let's face it...she can be pretty ugly too...like Mom always said..."pretty is as pretty does". So, we all think our kids are gorgeous and that is a good thing. No one else has to check in on my sanity to make sure that I know that she looks wicked. I got it. :)

The Taming of the Shrew

This is here for Brittany. She was saying how ugly Kyra is in her pictures, as we have all seen, and I told her I would share more of the little diva. What in the world will we do with her?

World Trade Center Visit

This is a picture of a church that stands just across the street from where the World Trade Center once stood. It has headstones that still stand dating from the 1700's. That alone was unbelievable. As we walked the little sidewalks we got to the front steps which you can see in this picture. To the left of the steps is what remains of a tree that had been damaged in the fall of the towers on 9/11. The most amazing thing is that in all of the destruction, not one pane of glass broke on this little church. That tree had protected it in the attacks. It was humbling to be there on those grounds for so many reasons.

And who doesn't love me in that pretty pink sweater. As a silly side note, Larry made me buy something a little more "New York friendly". I ended up in black for most of the trip.

New York City

I really did go to New York!!! This is Central Park and it was amazing. I haven't really talked about the trip alot, but I am so glad that I finally went. I wish I had done it a long time ago. It sounds silly, but I really felt that I fit there. I loved every bit of it. I found it all to be so beautiful. There is so much you could say about New York and there are more things to share about the trip, but it will have to wait for another time. I found this picture and just wanted to share.