Merry Christmas

This Christmas season I have so much o be thankful for. I am so grateful for the Savior and all He has done for us to be here and I love the Christmas season for the reminder it gives us all. We are so blessed in our lives and I just can't imagine how hard it would be without the gospel and the knowledge and comfort it brings to us. Christmas this year was a little different for us because even though we live with Dave's parents they went to Oklahoma so we had our own little Christmas here with his two younger brothers. So we got to start doing some of our own things but not in our own place or with our tree or anything. So it was a little weird but we tried our best to make it work. I made clam chowder in bread bowls for Christmas eve dinner and then we made and decorated sugar cookies for dessert. On Christmas night I made a ham dinner with all the goodies but then I had to work so everyone just lazed about the rest of the night. Boyd was very into the lights everywhere this year so driving around town was really fun with him at night. Aubrey was excited too but she was sad not to see her meme and pepe and all her aunts and uncles and cousins in California this year. We tried but it just wasn't gonna work out this year. All in all it was a good Christmas so I can't complain.

Aubrey and Boyd opening their gifts from Grandpa before they left for Oklahoma

"Look dad I got a gun!!!"

Yes you are seeing this right. Grandpa got them each a real .22 rifle for Christmas

Boyd and Uncle Jeff holding his new gun

Yep that's her new pink .22

Cute kids on Christmas morning in their new PJ's

Aubrey's Violin recital

So yesterday was Aubrey's first violin recital and she did a great job. She played with the entire group of kids that take lessons from our bishops wife and she got to play "Jingle Bells" and "Jolly Old St Nick". She has only been playing since September so she didn't know all the other songs they played yet, but she will. So the first one was at the hospital here in Parker. They played in the lobby for all the visitors and patients. Then they went over to a nursing home here and that was precious.

Anyone that knows Aubrey will understand this. So after they were all done she took the time to go up to every single resident there and give them a hug and sit and talk to them for a few minutes. Our bishop was there and said to me " your daughter is in there giving hugs" I told him to just wait and I'd have to drag her out of there because she'd stay all night if I let her. So sure enough almost everyone else had left and I walked into the dining room and there was Aubrey standing next to an elderly lady with her arms around her just talking to her and her table full of friends. So I told her we had to go home and do homework and get ready for school in the morning and of course she was sad to go but not as sad as the residents were to see her go. The bishop then said to her and I "Do you realize what you have done for these people, not one person in there doesn't have a smile on there face now after you have given them a hug and a small piece of your time" That is Aubrey she loves to give of herself and doesn't even realize she's doing it. Anyway she did a great job and I'm very proud of her and even more proud to be her mom. She is the best example I could ever ask for.

UGGHHH!! Still no word on the house!!

So I just wanted to vent about how ridiculous buying a house is!! So last week the bank countered our offer we submitted over a month ago and we accepted it on Wednesday. But do you think we've heard as much as boo since NO!! UGGHH it's so frustrating! I don't see what is so difficult. Just say OK and put us under contract already!! The house is nice so it's worth waiting for I just don't want to anymore! So hopefully we'll hear something before Christmas one can only hope!! So I guess I'm done venting because at least we are employed and are able to be looking for a house. I have to stop being such a brat and be thankful for what we do have.

Welcome TRIPP!!

Well on December 2nd, my little brother Nathan got an awesome gift for his birthday. His baby boy was born! They named him Tripp Alben Horne, he weighed 6lbs 12 oz and was 18inches long. When I told Aubrey that he was born she said, "That's fantastic news mom!"Happy Birthday Nathan and Tripp!!!! We can't wait to meet him.

What a proud papa!

Baby Tripp

YEAH BOYD!!

So I was laying in bed and this was what I saw. Just two little legs swinging from the toilet so I had to get a picture.

What mom?

Well he finally decided that pull ups just weren't doing it for him. So he is now 100% totally potty trained. Unfortunately it was because of a horrible case of the runs that he decided having owies on his bum just wasn't working for him. So I told him if he'd just go in the toilet then he wouldn't have owies on his bum! Well that was obviously incentive enough because that's what he did and hasn't worn a pull up since. It was perfect timing too, the week before Thanksgiving so we didn't have to deal with trying to be so on top of it with everyone around and going every which way. He did awesome too when everyone was here. YIPPE!!

Thanksgiving

Well we had a very busy Thanksgiving here. Dave's whole family came home including Grandma and Grandpa Kay. That was so nice to see them for a few days. I worked on the night before Thanksgiving so I was mighty tired by the time I got to sleep that night. But it's worth it when everyone is visiting.

It was also my 30th birthday! AGGGHHH I don't feel that old so I'll just keep on pretending I'm still 21. I had a good day, food was delish of course isn't Thanksgiving dinner always soo good!! And I had a coconut cream pie instead of birthday cake much better if you ask me. So when I walked in form work this morning I was welcomed by most of the family singing me Happy Birthday. So sweet. I'm so thankful I have the families I have.

So while everyone was here all us girls finally got to go see Twilight since we were all waiting to see it together. I almost didn't wait but I held out. Good movie though so I'm glad I waited. Now I can't wait for the others. Anyway, it ended up being a good time with everyone here. Dave took Boyd pheasant hunting with all the boys on Friday that's tradition and some of us crazy girls went shopping at 4 in the morning on black Friday. We did get some killer deals though. Here is a pic of Dave's whole family. Getting bigger but there are still 4 that aren't married yet and so it'll get growing even more pretty soon I'm sure.

The whole Kay klan!!

9 Years!!

So yesterday was mine and Dave's 9 year anniversary! So we went out to this way nice restaurant called McCormick's a seafood place that flies in fresh seafood everyday so they print off the menu the morning of so they know what kind of seafood they have. So we sat down and they gave us our menu and at the top they had printed off HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! with the date next to it, it was so sweet. I just thought that it was romantic that he thought enough to mention it was our anniversary so they would do something special for us. I can't believe it's already been 9 years. YIKES!! I'd love to say it's been just pure bliss but lets get real here. We've definitely had our share of adversity but our love has proven to be stronger. In our short marriage we've been through a lot, but I'm glad that we've learned to take those challenges on together and face them head on and be there for each other no matter what life throws at us. Because life has definitely thrown us a few curve balls!! Dave has been a great husband all these years and he is a great dad to our kids. I love that he is always wanting to take them out hunting with him and involve them in all of his hobbies even if it's harder to plan with the kids going with him. He is very a very loved man in our lives!! I am very proud of all that he has done to give our family the best life we can have and in supporting me in pursuing my dreams. I love you babe!!!

Birthday Cake

When I woke up yesterday morning I was reflecting on the day Aubrey was born. I always do around fall anyway but I was remembering all the little things that happened that day. I remember being so impatient during my surgery to see her and wanted to rip the drape down and be done just so I could look at her tiny little face. I remember the first time I saw her and touched her tiny hand and thought oh my sweet baby why do you have to go through all of this. She has been through a lot in her short life and has taught me to appreciate all the little things in life and I think that's why little things are more important to me now than before.Being Aubrey's mom has been no doubt the greatest gift I have ever received. I don't know 1 person that she has ever met that hasn't been affected by her in some way. Even if it just brings a smile to their face that day.
Here are just 7 of the many reasons why I remember everyday why Heavenly Father let me be her mom. Even though it wasn't easy keeping her here, He let her stay.
1. She is a miracle.
2. I've been able to watch her grow into such a loving little girl.
3. She is so giving and is such a good example to me.
4. She loves to be cuddled with still even at 7.
5. She's so independent.
6. She always tries to do something no matter the obstacles or how hard it looks.
7. She tells me she loves me everyday.

After a rough night Aubrey finally got to have her Birthday cake. Just 1 day late. But of course we didn't have candles so I made some out of lollipop sticks and ribbon. Hey who says they have to be real candles. Improvise,adapt and overcome as my dad always says. So she got to blow out her 7 "candles"

My improvised "candles"

Blowing out the candles before they just went out

Yewhoo I did it!!