It's been seven years since Rachel moved on to bigger and better plans. We still keep Aunt Rachel in our daily prayers as she serves her mission on the other side of the veil.
Danny and I finished the Book of Mormon, start to finish, in six weeks. What an incredible experience! And Joey made for quite the adorable distraction some mornings. :)
Joey graduated out of the carseat and into the cart!
Oh, how we envy him. This is the life!
I can't say it enough. Sophie is a natural mother! And she just loves her Po-Po...
Joey enjoyed all of Great Grandma Call's Christmas toys while we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with her.
The Hopebox Theater invited us back for a special Christmas show. What a wonderful night for our family, to laugh and think about Luke. I'm so grateful for such good people in our life.
Santa made a visit to the Ward Christmas Party!
Johnny drew this picture on the iPad one morning. He told me it was Jesus Christ when we was crucified. I marveled at the detail, which showed Johnny's understanding of this momentous event. Both of the nails...one in the hand and one in the wrist. The nails in his feet. And the way the earth mourned the death of the Son of God. I'm so grateful for the knowledge my children have of those things of eternal significance, and for Johnny's sensitive spirit.
I have missed Luke a lot this Christmas. Having Joey and his innocence and wonder has lifted my heart many times during the month.
The girls and I got to have a special outing so we could shop for their brothers and get some books that Claire has been wanting to use her gift card for. We enjoyed a hot drink and some holiday crowds on a Saturday afternoon. The essence of the holidays. :)
Eight months and too cute!
Happy Birthday, Great Grandma Lovell!
Danny smoked nearly 100 lbs of pork on three different smokers for his brother's Ward Christmas Party. It was quite the undertaking, and he totally pulled it off! I was never worried. :)
That time Sophie got Influeza A (even though she got the flu shot) and battled 105 degree fevers. Poor thing.
That beanie, tho!
Our second attempt at our cherry pie, for Pie Night with friends! It was gorgeous AND delicious.
Joey's first time eating spaghetti in the high chair! I love that he is so happy, and I love that he can feed himself! I hate clean up though... :)
The Downs sent us the best Christmas gift ever!! Everything we could ever want to make incredible Christmas cookies!
We brought up Luke's walker for Joey to try out. He loved it!
But I don't think he agreed with Claire issuing him a driver's "lissence". :)
Nick came home for Christmas this year, and insisted on taking the "OVs" (Original Vigils) out to dinner on him. I picked the restaurant (Pago in Trolley Square) and it was incredible!
I think Nick enjoyed himself. :)
While I was at dinner with my family, Danny and the kids decorated the tree. They found the perfect place to keep Joseph!
And the kids were a huge help getting their tree up.
Claire and Grace...BFF.
Johnny introduced Joey to the fine art of playing with cars. :)
With the help of the cute Juliano girls, the kids decorated their tree to perfection! We love it!!
Working out in the new basement is awesome...seriously what we always envisioned for downstairs.
Joey LOVES his present from Santa! I think Dad does too...we are so excited to go hiking!
My friend Sharon and her sister Kelly and their families joined us for an amazing smoked chicken dinner at our house on the day after Christmas. It was so fun to catch up and spend an evening laughing while the kids played. I have been blessed with some very good friends in my life!
Claire finished her Lego set that she got from Grandma and Papa...all by herself!
That day that all three girls had french braided piggies. :)
We enjoyed a fun play day at our house with Robbie and Kris and their kids, as well as David and Millie and their girls. These two babies are just too cute.
