Happy Birthday Ash

So, following tradition here is a big happy birthday message to my sister Ashley. Ashley is one of those people you wish everyone was like. I love to be with her, love her commitment to kindness (really one of the best and nicest people I know), love hanging out with her. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful sister who I can honestly say is one of my very best friends. You truly are one of my most favorite people. Thanks for being you.

Merry Family Update

Merry Christmas family and friends! Here is a quick update on what we have been up to this year.

We have loved our new neighborhood in West Jordan. It is wonderful to have kids...everywhere!!! We miss our old friends and neighbors but feel we are where we should be, we love it.

Richard had a hole in his heart repaired in May. Thanks to the amazing technology we enjoy, he felt totally great the day after surgery! He feels that he has much more energy. We live in such an amazing time. He also was able to travel to Peru for work. He enjoys playing basketball, researching games and playing games.

I was pregnant for most of the year (quite an accomplishment the 4th time)! I am glad to no longer be hot and uncomfortable all the time! I got to visit San Francisco with my Mom, sisters and brother in June. It was such a great getaway. I am always busy doing "Mom" stuff...but in my spare time I love to blog, exercise (=)), cook and eat out!

Kaela was baptized this year. She is getting so old. She is so sweet and loves to play with her friends, sing Hannah Montana and make us smile.

Sam is our big six year old who started Kindergarten this year. He is always smiling! He loves playing with friends, video games and Lego's.

Karissa is...well Karissa! She love to keep us on our toes. She started preschool this year and really enjoys it. She is a beautiful little girl who loves messes, yelling, littlest pets and anything that belongs to her brother or sister.

Addyson was born August 24, 2007. She is such a happy smiley baby. She is truly a joy and we are so grateful to have her in our family. She loves squeaking, her swing and milk. Ah, to be a baby again.

We are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends who make life such a joy to live. So thankful for the gospel and the joy it brings us. So grateful for the birth of our Savior and the amazing blessings we receive because of his life. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Treats

I love Christmas treats! I have to say I have loved all our neighbor goodies we have received this year. We almost ate all the popcorn from the Johnson's in one sitting tonight. Mmmm!!! So, I have been working the last two days on my annual Christmas treats...caramel pretzels. It is fun to make them, although lots of work! I have made these for neighbor gifts for the last few years and now it doesn't seem like Christmas unless I make them! Only one more day of work until they are done.

Happy Bday Ian

Just a quick birthday shout out to my cute little brother...who isn't so little anymore. Happy 24!! Some things I love about Ian: your never ending health and exercise tips, your jokes, your ability to take a joke, how you can liven up a party, how you make just about anything more fun just by being there, your amazing self taught music abilities, your music and laptop addiction, your personality..YOU! Happy Birthday E!

If only!

Last night was Kaela's annual Christmas dance concert. I am happy to report that I survived another year. It is such an ordeal...driving in the traffic, fighting the crowds, waiting forever for two minutes of excitement, so on and so on (you dance Mom's know what I mean).

Anyway, one trial every performance is Kaela's makeup (she has the most sensitive eyes that water every time I put anything makeup within an inch of them). Our awesome neighbors (Nordquists...you are the best!) agreed to do Kaela's makeup for me. They did it in record time and we only had one glitter in the eye incident. Kaela and I had this funny conversation on the way home:

M: Wasn't that so nice of Kenzie to let you borrow her makeup?
K: Yes.
M: We should really buy that makeup on the internet, it was so easy!
K: Let's just have Santa bring it to us so WE don't have to buy it.

Right. If only life were that easy. Maybe Santa can bring Richard a new car so we don't have to buy that either.

p.s. For my old dance friends, that is Melissa Bird's daughter next to Kaela, small world huh?

There's magic in the air!

From the snow to a visit from the big man himself...it has been a Christmas week. We are enjoying this Christmas season and excitement that surrounds it, especially with little kids. I think I smiled for an entire hour when Santa visited us at the Brough family party this week(check out our pictures below). I just love Christmas time...only 15 more days!

Check out my Slide Show!

It's that time

One of the main reasons I set up our family blog was to give updates on Richard's health. So, today and Friday Richard goes in for his semi annual scans. They do CT scans on his neck, chest and stomach area to make sure he is still cancer free.

He is two years out of treatment now and they told us that the two year time frame for healthy lymph nodes was crucial. So, if you have a little extra room in your prayers, please remember him! By the way, he is feeling great and looking wonderful, no need for concern, I've just found that extra prayers never hurt!