Christmas Time!

We are so excited for Christmas!

We got to start off our Christmas

as always with

St. Nick Day.

The kids opened their stockings

happy to see all that St. Nick brought them.

What do you do to "give" this holiday season?

We also got to go to a nativity exhibit

in Lubbock, TX.

All of the nativities were beautiful,

but here were two things that were really cool.

This arch is made up of little cut out hand prints.

The children from this area in our church

did acts of service throughout the year.

Their service is written on the hands.

They then took them and made a mosaic.

An artist from Lubbock, TX

made this piece.

It was my favorite because it's

rare to see depictions 

of how Joseph felt being

the earthly father to

Christ.

 Nate has been more and more happy

with each passing day.

On Friday, Dec. 12th

we had our church Christmas potluck.

It was so much fun to visit with

friends

and

Santa.

Ali talked with Santa and

told him how she wanted pretty bracelets.

She has grown up so much.

Here is Ali's first time with 

Santa while she was still in the NICU.

Jake just stared at him.

We hope you have a great

Christmas.

Make sure you play

a lot.

Wedding and Family

For Thanksgiving

we got to go back to

Alabama

for a wedding

and

to visit with family.

We managed to get very little photos

with our family

this time.

Once again

the kids did not care

to take any pictures.

So here is our 

wonderful family photo

after the wedding.

Here is a picture of

the bride and groom and most of the cousins.

A great picture of

all of Jodi's family

except for one sister that was not able to make it.

Ali dancing happily and the only picture with proof that she was happy that day.

Though Ali would not allow me to take a picture

she did go dance during the reception.

Ali talking with the groom,

her cousin.

We love the views in Alabama.

Ali and Jake watching the Macy's parade.

In other news,

the house we are renting

had to have all of the water lines

replaced.

So when we returned from our Alabama trip

it was still getting finished.

Luckily we only had to go

one day without running water.

October Fun

Things have been 

wild and crazy.

We are back tracking our footsteps

to October.

The kids have been so 

fun recently,

and wild.

The kids are loving
books and laugh
when we read the funny ones.

They have also decided
they don't like pictures.

Like this one Jake is
trying to hide.

We had a Halloween party
this year at our house.

I went a little...
mad.

We all had fun at our

Trunk or Treat

at our church.

Mad Hatter

Alice

Elsa

Aubie

and

Pumpkin

Ali also had

a birthday.

She is now 5.

Can you guess what kind of

cake she wanted?

We put up more Halloween
decorations this year.

We also made
a Halloween wreath.

We think we did
an amazing job.

Though, I was like this
for most of October...
pinkie toe injury.

 

Jodi had fun with the kids at
the local pumpkin patch.

We hope you and your families
are great,

And remember...
Always give lots of hugs.

It's Aliiiiive!

It's Aliiiiiiive!!!

This blog at least... still.

We have been absent for

well,

awhile.

Ever since our 3rd was born.

3 kids makes things busy.

So if you are willing to see

cute pictures

with quick captions

I will run through 3 months

of absence in this blog.

First,

our vain attempt to take a picture of our

family.

Pictures of Nate - 1 month old

He is bigger now

and smiling more.

Grandma (Mimi) came into town,

and Grandma Glenn,

Grandpa and Grandma Westenhofer,

Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tomas, and their kids.

The kids got to go bowling.

Kids love movie time...

if you didn't know.

And popcorn.

And Cookies!!!

Monster Cookies!!!

They were yummmmy!

Jake loves Brownies,

all over his face.

We had work friends over when

Jake was pigging out.

And these great friends left Clovis.

Jodi and I had 

DATE NIGHT!

for Jodi's birthday.

We went to play putt putt.

8 years ago we played putt putt together

for the first time when we started dating.

We had a fun time on Labor Day

going to a small amusement park

called Joyland in Lubbock, TX

It was fun.

Tummy and floor time.

These two love each other.

most of the time.

In other news,

Adam hurt his toe again.

Old fractures die hard.

X-rayed now, even though

it was never done years ago.

Results: negative (bad)

bone floating around,

old dislocation fracture,

and still causing me some pain when

I have my foot in my shoes,

which is often.

I'll be going to see

a podiatrist

and we will see what can be done.

Also,

Allergy testing is not very fun.

Lots of needling.

Results: Negative (bad)

some mild reactions to grasses and other plants,

worst one?

Chocolate/Cocoa

I know you are probably saying,

"That's horrible" or "That's awful."

I agree.

I did get to do something fun though recently.

Photography!

I took pictures of this lovely

couple for their engagement pictures!

They are now happily married.

One of my favorite parts of this summer,

I got to go on a trip

with Ali (just the 2 of us)

and visit the temple.

She loved spending time with her Daddy

and not having brother hog my attention.

I am so thankful for

the blessings we have

received because of our

faith in Jesus Christ.

Here is a picture of the 

beautiful Lubbock, TX Temple at night.

So remember,

stay silly out there.

If you don't smile and laugh,

who will?