Shelby turns 11!

My baby is now 11! I cannot believe that I am old enough to have a child this old. I am totally still 25 at heart. Well, back to Shelby: We are so proud of the young lady that she is becoming. (Notice that I did not say young woman... someone at church today actually asked her if she was in young women...No she is not in young women, I still have 350 days before we have to cross that bridge).

She is such a great helper (and believe me I need the help). She is a great friend, and boy does she like to play. She works hard at goals and makes good choices. She is very smart and equally creative. She is always looking out for the underdog and has such a big heart. She loves to shop and I am so proud, she is always looking for a great deal! (For her birthday she scored a coat at Aeropostale for $10. SWEET!)

Shelby just got a new hair cut that makes her look a lot older (I'm not sure how I feel about that). However, these pictures don't do it justice. I will know she has matured when she wants to do her hair BEFORE she wants to open presents. Oh well, we will take pics and post those later.

Anyway, I know I am a couple of weeks late, but Happy Birthday Shelby! Thanks for being such a great friend and helper. I cannot imagine my life without all of the itty bittys running around and although you are not so itty or bitty I am glad that we are blessed to have you in our family.

Love you sis!

I can't take the guilt!

I have so many holiday pics that I just can't stand the thought of them not being on the blog. So, although a month or more late, I am adding some pics of our holiday joy. We really did have a great holiday season, the only complaint I have is that they are over and that they went by so quickly! It really is a joy that each year we get to stop and celebrate the life that we have and the things that bless our lives. The family time is priceless and I recognize that more and more the older the kids get (thank goodness we have such a wide span of ages so that we can experience the joy and innocence at the same time as the learning and growth). So, from getting the tree to the holiday parties, to Christmas morning, here are some holiday pics!

Getting the tree

Finally, something worth blogging about!

Halle lost a tooth!

The joy that this brought into her life surpassed Thanksgiving, family parties, sledding, even Christmas presents. She took her tooth for her first post-Christmas show and tell and carried it in her pocket for a week before she could bare to give it up.

The first thing she wanted to do after losing her tooth was put in a call to the g-ma and g-pas.

Who but a six year old can look so cute with a hole in her mouth!

Still here, just hiding!

Just so everyone knows, No I am not off of the blogging bandwagon, I am just hanging off the back by my fingernails hoping to regain the strength to pull myself back up. I have some great pics and just don't know where to start. November was crazy at our house with a new primary calling (I am now officially the Prez), being in charge of the reflections program for our school's PTA, and well then there was thanksgiving. I also coached Shelby's volleyball team and joined one of my own, while wrapping up scouts and my stake calling (gonna miss the humanitarian work). December has not been a lot slower, but who could expect that? We have seen so many Christmas programs and had so many gatherings and "parties" that I can't even remember them. Hopefully I took pictures of the good ones. I will admit that I left my camera home on purpose this week because like I said in the beginning, I am barely holding on by a fingernail and one more picture may just be the one to put me over the edge! Merry Christmas everyone. I will not be sending cards again this year, I just can't make myself do it. Maybe for new years! But maybe not!