Work Party

Though I don't get to work much, my dentist's office was kind enough to invite me to their work party. It was a lot of fun. We just went bowling here in town. I love working with these guys even though it is rare. They are so fun, and Dr. Stobbe is such a good guy and a great boss. We ate and

bowled and had a good time.

Steve is so close to the BIG 30

Steve is another year older, and so much wiser too! We did an early birthday knowing we would be on the road for his birthday. We sang to him in bed and gave him his presents. We sure have a good Daddy whom we love!

He takes such good care of us, so we tried to spoil him.

Christmas through the eyes of children!

Kiana has been so excited for Christmas! She loves the lights. Everytime we pass a house with lights, she yells, "Mom, pretty lights!," and I better be listening or she will repeat it over and over. She loves this year that she can look out of the house and see our lights, thanks Dad for putting them up.

She has been asking Santa for a backpack with movies in it, where did she get that. She watches Dora who has a backpack and wanted one, and everytime she watches Arthur on PBS and he is going to school, she asks, "Mom, where is my backpack?", expecting me to get it right away. Now she can take more things to g-ma and g-pa's house.

We have definitely been so blessed this year and are so greatful for all we have. The girls were more than spoiled, not to mention Steve and myself. We had to do Christmas a day early, and were so happy to have Santa come to our house a day early. We had plans to go to Las Vegas, but with the weather forcasted to be terrible, we had to slip out early. We were kind of bummed to leave Kiana behind and didn't want to ruin her Christmas, but it turned out great a day early. Thanks to my parents for watching her and making Christmas special.

The girls are in matching Christmas jammies. Kiana loves to match whatever Maile has on, and she seems to wear it better, without throwing a fit.

This time of year is always so crazy, but we wouldn't change it. We love to spend time with loved ones and feel the holiday spirit. We love to reflect on the birth of Christ and are so greatful for his life and for the gospel in our lives. We have two beautiful daughters, a forever family, a nice and warm home, cars, a good job, the opportunity to continue school, food, clothes, and so many people that love us. We are truely blessed!

Grandparents

Steve and I both have Grandparents at the Senior Citizens Center. We love them tons. They have had some health problems recently and we have missed seeing them well. They were both doing good this week and we took some pictures of them!!

Jitter Bug

Kiana got this singing flower for Christmas from her cousin, and she just has to dance to it. Here she is dancing with her Aunt Jami!

She's pretty cute!
Kiana loves these Christmas antlers and puts them on her and Maile all the time.

Old Companions

I was so lucky to hook up with an old companion! It was so fun to talk of days long ago back in Chile. She was living in Cali. but is now here in Utah. Lucky us. She was my trainer and taught me so much, and helped me through some of the hardest first days away from family and in a new country. The first night we were out, me not knowing a lick of spanish, she told me I had to go and talk to some girls, and she would be right behind me. It definitely pushed me to get out and do it, and it was often like that in our companionship, just what I needed. Thanks MacDonald!

She is honestly the funnest person to be around!!!

Christmas parties

We love this time of year, when we are able to spend so much time with family! Our families are so important to us, and they do so much for us. This week we had a party at Steve's sisters. Her husband makes the best food in the world, he needs to be a chef. So, we all sit back and enjoy while he does the hard work. Thanks Tim!

Kiana had to be in the photo, but she was talking, and it didn't turn out!

Swimming

I haven't had much time to post lately, and Steve has been off work and school, so I thought I'd take a moment to post some pictures!! Kiana has been dying to go swimming, like the fish, forever. Her Uncle Ted was in town at a hotel, so we had the chance, with out a lot of people, to take Kiana and Maile. It was Maile's first swim.

By the end, Maile was freezing and tired. We changed her, wrapped her up, and she was out!

Kiana had so much fun, we couldn't keep her out of the water. I think she almost grew fins. We were dry and eating dinner, and she wanted to go back in.

Now, that is enough pictures of me in a swimsuit to last a lifetime!! Sorry.

Catch Up!

My baby is now 5 months. She is growing way too fast. Kiana and Maile get along so well. My bishop was telling about his grandsons that don't, and the older one sits on the younger, and I reminded myself how lucky I am (at least until they are older). Maile is sitting up pretty well, and rolling all over. She is not a fan of food, but I keep trying, I think, so far, she has liked sweet potatos the best. She loves to laugh, and even Kiana is playing too rough and I have asked her to stop, Maile is laughing so hard, which eggs Kiana on. They have so much fun together. They love baths together and Kiana loves to hold "baby Maile". Maile loves to try to stand all the time and is usually soooo happy, except at 12, 3, and 6 in the morning. Well, she is happy, I am not. I'm trying to decide if I can let her cry it out. I ignored her for a few minutes last night and she went back to sleep until 6:30, then I only had to get up once with her. Am I a bad mom? I am so greatful to be a mom! I sure have wonderful girls.
This is such a fun season, but there is much to do. Not only do we have Christmas, but many birthdays and anniversarys too. Steven and I have been married 5 years now and together 9 1/2. I can't believe it. We have been through so much... and I love him more today then ever before, even though I don't always show it. He is a great husband and father and he does so much for us. My mom and step-dad have been married 20 and we are so grateful for Keith. He has been a great dad and even a better grandpa. My kids adore him, and he is just what we needed in our family. He has never treated us like step-kids, and we love him so much.
So, I have been getting Christmas cards out, I hope I have your address, and that I don't forget anyone, well, I am bound to forget someone. I have so many wonderful people in my life, but only got 60 cards!!

Here is a catch up on pictures of the last few weeks, I haven't blogged forever.

My parents have some new kitties that Kiana likes to hold, by their necks. She carries them around everywhere and thinks they belong in the house with her.

This is Kiana with her favorite cousin at my mom's birthday party. She has to follow him around and do everything that he is doing. She is always asking about him and loves him to death!

Maile and Guiness are having a staring contest. It was really cute, but I don't know who won.

We had the ward Christmas party the other day. Kiana was so excited to see Santa, until is was time, then she froze. Luckily, he had candy canes, but then that was all that was accomplished. She didn't ask for toys or anything else. Maile was just cute. It is hard to do Christmas parties without Steve. I have to hold Maile and Kiana, the social butterfly, won't just stay by me, she has to run around everywhere.

Sorry we haven't blooged forever, just crazy life. Busy with Holidays, and babysitting and housework. My little sister was in a car accident last week, someone ran a red light and hit her. She's doing good, but her car is being funny and needs fixin, so we went a hung out with her the other day. She took me to Twilight again, and then out to eat. Kiana got to go to school with Dad for a little bit. It was fun just to hang out.

We are just happy for the holidays and gearing up for Christmas. Also, there is finally snow outside. We will have to go out and play for a few minutes. It never quite seems like Christmas until there is snow outside. We hope everyone else is doing good. Thanks for all your love and friendship!!