Christmas is almost here!

Christmas is coming up faster than I ever could have imagined and for the first time in quite a while I can actually say that I am ready or [ready as I'll ever be anyway] and very anxiously waiting. After an extensive trip to Toys R Us with only 3 rounds around the store and a bonus trip to Target we have the kids shopping done. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for Evelyn and Preston to open their presents. Last year we didn't think Evelyn was old enough to understand so we kind of kept it small, but this year we went all out. Which brings me to my next reason to be excited. We Got a Christmas Tree! I know it's a funny thing to get excited about but I just can't help myself. This will be our 4th Christmas married and up until now for whatever reason we have never had a Christmas tree. So now we do. I even got to assemble it myself and decorate it too. Every year as a kid my Grandma Nelson made us a Christmas ornament so I am proud to say that is what adorns my tree. Wonderful childhood memories. Thanks Grandma, I Love You! I don't know if it's the presents or the tree but it's finally starting to feel like Christmas. Next Sunday we will be leaving for Utah to spend Christmas with Andy's 3 brothers and 4 sisters and their families. It's going to be so much fun!... and crazy. With 19 kids and 17 adults, there's never going to be a dull moment. I can't wait!

On a side note, last night we had our ward Enrichment night and we got to make these really cute Family Home Evening boards...

>Jocelyn was in charge of the activity and she is so creative and crafty. To add in a little plug for her. She has an online business where she sells most of her wonderful creations. Check it out! The website is http://www.sewcute.blogspot.com/

Why do kids have to be so CUTE and yet so MESSY?

New blogger!

I am thrilled to announce that my Grandma has joined the blogging community! She's been reading our blogs for a little while now and just decided she wanted to join in on the fun. Can you believe that? And she says she's not a computer person. I am very excited for her! She has some of the most incredible stories and I for one can't wait to read them.

Since I'm already on the subject of Grandma I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU shout out to her for giving the kids some much needed new toys. Evelyn got a super cute little kitchen set up which she was so excited about that she couldn't even wait until we got it in the house. Preston got a new sit-in play set. They really love their new toys! My grandparents also came down and helped me rearrange my living room and Evelyn's bedroom which was a huge help. Andy & I have absolutely NO creativity as far as decorating goes so it was nice to get that taken care of.

Preston's Blessing

Last Sunday (November 25th) along with being our 5 year engagement anniversary was also Preston's blessing. Andy did such an amazing job on the blessing as always. He's so funny because as far as I know he doesn't decide what to say beforehand or memorize it or even jot down notes the week before. If it were me I would take hours and hours of planning to know exactly what to say but not Andy, he just jumps right in and lets the spirit do it's work. He also rarely ever remembers anything that he said afterwards. Anyway, knowing that, I made a mental note of some of the things said in the blessing and thought I'd get them down in writing for future reference. First of all he was given the name Preston Erwin Waite. His name is special because the middle name Erwin is Andy's middle name, his Grandpa Waite's middle name and his Great Grandpa Waite's first name. After receiving a name Preston was advised to always look to the people in the circle for any problems or difficulties that he may have. To set a good example to those around him and to uphold his name. After that he was told that if he chose the right he would get the opportunity to go on a mission, get married in the temple, and live for eternity with his future wife in the Celestial Kingdom.

I love my son very much! Every day I am even more amazed at how much he is learning and growing. He has THE MOST amazing smile and he's not afraid to share it with everyone and anyone. He's ticklish just about everywhere but mostly under his little arm pits. He's big on the cooing and raspberry blowing and he is always amused by his big sis. I can sit with him trying to get him to laugh and Evelyn will walk over and talk complete gibberish to him and he laughs right away. I know that he will be a great man someday and that he will set high standards for himself and for those around him. I know that he will be a great example to his siblings and to others outside our family. I know that he will do great things and I look forward to watching his continued progress through life!