My baby girl turns one!

Where does all of the wonderful time in life go? In the moment when times are rough we often wish for the time to fly by, and it sure does and then we wonder where it went. It seems just like yesterday when we started the routine of no sleep and crying babies, etc all over again. Now a year has passed and our little Oakley is one! What a fun time. I am so grateful for such a little sweetie. The memories of the first smile, the little giggles, discovering new things, the smell of a baby, and all of the fun little memories seem like yesterday. This is just a beginning to all of the new things that she will now discover. Her sisters are continually amazed at how much she changes and how much fun she has become. Camden is constantly telling us "She is getting to be such a big girl now. She's not a baby at all anymore." And this is so true. I am so grateful that we all enjoy her so much now. The days of the Camden and Kota praying "Please help Oakley to stop crying." are definately over. I am grateful for the fun times that shine through and we see that the tough ones are but a small moment. I don't think that we could enjoy Oaks anymore than we do. We love her to pieces!

At one Oakley is:

a tease

serious

into everything

loves the phone (or anything that looks like one!)

babbles constantly and is really starting to pick up a lot of words

loves it when daddy comes home

wants to be in the action of anything her sisters are doing

loves to dress up already (crowns, necklaces, etc)

loves to snuggle with mommy

gets cuter and cuter every single day!

New Years Celebrations!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We stayed at home and had a small little Christmas by ourselves. We did the usual Christmas Eve dinner, acting out the nativity, opening a gift, and then we watched a movie. The Grinch (which has been a hot topic around our house for some reason this year). We woke up the next morning opened presents and spent the day lounging and hanging out as a family. Everyone had a great time. The next week we went up to Granby for a few days for Darrick to work and to spend New Year's. Thanks to our friends, the Burns, for letting us stay there and for letting Darrick work. We had a blast. We went sledding, on a carriage ride, played in the snow, went out to dinner, and so many other fun things. We all had more fun up there as a family spending quality time together, than we did opening all of our gifts and playing with them. It was nice not to have all of the daily hussle and bussle and little crazy worries all about us. I am so grateful for such a wonderful family and I am so grateful for the love they show to each other. Family is all that really matter!

Visiting Santa

The girls were so excited to write letters and talk to Santa this year. It was time for the ward party and Santa was coming. They had practiced what they would say. On the way to the church Camden said to Kota, "Kota, you can't be shy. You have to just sit on his lap and tell him." They all did great! I think that this was the first year that we didn't have a cryer. Yeah!

Camden's Recital

Camden sure has loved preschool this year. She has made a ton of friends and sure has opened up a lot. I wondered how she would do singing at her recital. She still gets a little hesitant singing in Sacrament Meeting with the primary. She was a little nervous. I painted her fingernails that day and she chewed it all off before the recital was over. Despite all of that, She did awesome!!! I was so proud of her. She knew every single song by heart! Dad wasn't able to be there, he was working in Granby that day, so I had to man the troops, and take video all at the same time. It isn't the best, but it shows her and what a great job she did. What a cute kid.

Happy Birthday Dad!

It is that time of year for us that the birthdays keep rolling around. The kids love it, especially our little party planner, Camden. This time it was dad's turn. When I took the girls shopping at the store, they were adamant about the fact that he needed boy stuff. They seem to think that there is a shortage of boy stuff around our house, which is very true. Two of the girls gave him guns. One shot balls and the other was just a noise maker. With all of the football that they are forced to watch around here, they also came up with the idea for the cake on their own. Camden even did the BYU on it herself. Happy Birthday dad! We are so grateful to have such a great dad, and one that puts up with us and all of our girly stuff!

Here's dad and his 3 little princesses!

Uncle Devin

We sure love uncle Devin. Last year was so much fun living close during his senior year. We were able to watch him wrestle, play tennis and many other things. It was such a fun year and the girls sure got to know him well and sure love him. Devin received his mission call not long before thanksgiving, so we were lucky enough to come and see him before he goes. He leaves April 1st, so who knows maybe we'll get to see him again before then.
The best part about last year was that our little Oakley was born on Uncle Devin's birthday! It was such a fun suprise. I think that will always make him her special uncle. I think that he has a soft spot in his heart for her as well. During his senior year he started making her a box in wood working class. He finished it over thanksgiving and gave it to her. It is beautiful!!! The dark wood was from California and was one that only he was able to use. The light trim was from a tree that Devin and one of his buddies cut down. He had Oakley's name and birthdate engraved on the inside of the lid and from Uncle Devin on the bottom. I am sure that this is a gift that she will treasure forever. Thank you Devin. We sure love you!

Welcome Home Dallin!

Uncle Dallin returned home from his mission in September. We hadn't seen him yet, so thanksgiving was a great reunion. The girls sure had a good time getting to know him again, and meeting him for the first time. We are so proud of him and love hime tons! Way to go!