Lov'n this Girl

"Babies are such a nice way to start people."
--Don Herrold

Tessa is such a sweet girl. We took these photos a month ago. and She is four months old now. Renee's baby will be three months before I meet her and Susie's boy will be five months! So photos are priceless for preserving the moments.
I am thoroughly enjoying Tessa and I can't wait for her to spend time with family this summer.

Sisters

Here are some of my special sisters and a good quote I saw, modified a bit...

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.
You know wherever you go, she'll still be there."

I'm grateful for those relationships, familial and not! I'm missing you! And thanks for sticking around!

p.s. I enjoyed getting wedding photos out. I think it is a great idea to re-live those memories around Valentine's Day!

We love Missionaries and our dear friend Robert

Here's a photo of our Elders and friends, watching the Christmas devotional.
Missionaries carry a great spirit. We are grateful for the service they give.


We met Robert a few months ago when he started meeting with the Elders. He is from Latvia and came here to join his brother and see America. He found the Church! He decided to be baptized a week and a half ago. We really enjoyed the time we got to spend with him. It was a blessing to see him be receptive to the Spirit. It was also amazing to see his countenance brighten as he is finding peace in the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


Jared took Robert to the airport this morning. He is traveling to Germany to live with his dad and find new opportunities for work and growth in the church. Another friend is far away! :( --but we hope to keep in touch with him.

We are in the trenches

I had to get this shot as I changed diapers for two. Not for much longer though! We are Potty Training! Slowly but surely. I think...

And no I didn't stage the shot. I didn't even realize they were both posing the same. I remember I was telling Jordan to take his hand out of his mouth and not even paying attention to Tessa.

Michael's busy-ness

Michael LOVES his school! He also enjoys practicing reading and writing at home. He likes to make "books" with his artwork and words. He remembers (nearly) all of his creations and I have realized that I have to keep them. --So we have stacks of his works. I wanted to share some of my latest favorites:

Because of some letter reversal :) and misspellings, I will clarify.
This page says "The" little cat can dance and the little cat called mom

This next work using a snowflake stamp was found under the Christmas tree for "M" and "D." and another one for "Dad."
--Some priceless efforts from Michael.

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

Sometimes we take quick walks around our neighborhood. Today I came home with the stroller basket full of precious sticks, leaves and rocks. Jordan added the rocks to his collection in the entry table drawer. I discovered his spot a few weeks ago. We also have a display of dozens of seeds, fallen from the palm trees, on the living room shelf.



This is some of the daily excitement for our two boys.

Good luck to my sister in law, Susie, who is expecting her variety of little boy in few weeks! and Congratulations to my big sister, Rachel! She just learned last week that she has one coming to her in June!
I am also very excited for a friend whose adoption of a little boy will go through in February!

Flora of Florida

I love these trees on the way to Michael's preschool.
Jordan "agreed" to be my model for the photography of them....



The first week of January felt like early fall--with just a slight chill in the air. Jordan's sweatshirt and jeans found their way to the closet. Then we had some really chilly days the week before last. Change is always nice... Sad, but I am already anticipating the humid and hot spring and trying to squeeze in more trips to the park.

Best Wishes to You in the New Year!

So far I flopped on my intent to send letters (or even a mass email) to friends and family.
But that doesn't mean that I have forgotten the valuable relationships of my past and present. Especially at this time of year when I reflect on the most meaningful things in life-- the love from great associations is my heart.
Gandhi said, "Where there is love there is life."
The people I am blessed to know bring me great happiness and joy.
It is my hope that in the coming year, we can fill our lives with greater love. --the eternal love of Christ. May we live life to the fullest through Him.

I love to see the Temple!

I had really looked forward to a visit to the temple around Christmas and we finally fit it in this week. Wow! --I think I enjoy it more every time I go. What a peaceful, extraordinary, and perfect place. Even if distance makes the heart grow fonder, I don't think I can handle the separation.
On the drive to the temple, Jared and I were talking about places we want to live after law school. When we left later that day, I told him that I decided our home had to be close to the temple.

Michael was really sweet to explain to Jordan that this is Jesus' house. He wanted me to take his picture. But I still had a hard time convincing him not to climb on the walls in the garden and run around the grounds. grrr


This is my view of Tessa in the car on the way to the temple.
The big reason our four-hour trips are so nerve racking is the goal to get there without a crying spell.

icing on our Christmas cake

We made the plunge and bought Sea World passes. (Yes, we're spoiled) For the price of one Florida resident ticket we can go all year. And we go to the temple in Orlando anyway....
Excuses aside--it was a blast. What a thrilling place. The performers and trainers are incredibly talented and the animals are beautiful.

There was plenty of holiday cheer to go around also! This was a huge Christmas tree with huge Aqua ornament balls.
:) Yes we were in coats. 50 degree weather is rough!


--fun Christmas on ice show


Shamu!




This was in the tunnel under the shark tank.
The boy's amazement made the trip worthwhile.

--underfoot aquarium

another "Tessa Today" post

I can't get enough of this girl! We love her smiles.
I had to share these pictures to show off her chubby arms and toes....
She is the greatest blessing to our family of the (past) year.

Christmas 2009

This Christmas was our first without family. We enjoyed recreating our favorite old traditions from home and also trying out a few original ones. All in all, it was a great experience, --some fun times and some special moments to remember too. There are too many to list but I wanted to mention a few things I loved about this Christmas.

• Christmas movies like "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn" and "Little Women"
  

• Tastes of the holidays: chocolate oranges, candy canes, clementines, wrapped chestnuts, This list could go on forever. (but I missed Grandma's peanut brittle!)
  

• the magic of Santa in the eyes of two boys
  

• lessons, testimonies and devotionals centered on Christ --his love, sacrifice and example

• Christmas dinner hosted by a supermom with three kids younger than mine....

Tessa was the baby Jesus for our Christmas Eve program!


p.s. This Christmas wasn't really "without" family. Thank you for the cards, phone calls, and gifts that helped us to feel your love. Christmas is a wonderful time of drawing close again with those you love. We are grateful for you and we love you!!

"snow angels" at the park

We went to the park a few days before Christmas and Michael decided to try a new version of snow angels. We are still hoping to make a sand(snow)-man at the beach. We went on Monday but it was too windy and "cold"!

Anyone for camping?

We got a great tent for Christmas! (Thanks!) Now we don't really have an excuse to not go camping....
We've heard Key Largo is nice and Koreshan State Park in Estero. Anyone?