Surprise!

We LOVE a good surprise! Who doesn't?! This past weekend we had the best surprise we've had in a long time.... our friends the Malufau's came to visit us from St. George. We had such a great time, the kids played like they never missed a beat. But this surprise gets better, not only did our friends come, but we got to go to the beach! And I know you are thinking it is November and we probably stayed inside and watched movies, but you would be wrong. It was perfect, 55 degrees and beautiful blue skies and all the sand we could ask for. We love our friends and are so thankful they came to spend some time with us.

 make over time

 slumber party at the beach

 sunshine and fun at the Oregon coast



Head Count

It's that time of year, time for the annual counting of children. We counted and they are all here, all four of them! We made it another year. Matt and I feel so very blessed to raise these four ever growing children. To say the kids are thrilled that the holidays are upon us would be a slight understatement. With that said we thought we could give you an update on the kids likings, I know a few of you have asked for gift ideas so hopefully this will help....

Kaine

LOVES music and apps. He is still playing the piano and viola at school, but is teaching himself guitar at home.  He enjoys artists he likes include Coldplay, The Piano Guys, Bach and anything classical. Kaine is always looking for a fun new app to play. He spends about one weekend a month camping with his boy scout troop, he'd love to have his own stuff he said.

favorite characters: The Avengers, Ender's Game

favorite animal at the zoo: elephant
favorite color: neon orange and neon green

favorite food: pizza (still, always)

favorite treat: Hershey's Cookies and Cream candy bar

measurements: shoe 8.5 mens , shirt 16/18  youth, pant  16 regular (although almost ready for 18)
youth

Lilia

LOVES creating. If she's not coloring then she is usually beading up a necklace. Playing dress us is another favorite.

 

favorite books: anything  "easy to read" levels 1 and 2.  We are working on sounding out words  and she is thrilled to be able to read.

 

favorite characters: Camilla the Cupcake fairy (book character, she doesn't have it, just a favorite from the library) Fancy Nancy, My Little Ponies, Strawberry Shortcake
 

favorite animal at the zoo: giraffe (three years in a row)

 

favorite color: pink and brown

 

favorite food: lasagna

 

favorite treat: York peppermint patty (three years in a row)

 

measurements: shoe 1, shirt 6, pant 5t

Eli

LOVES motorcycles, superheroes, and using his imagination. He is often going on a "campout" or fighting off bad guys.

 

favorite books: he is still into board books, he is just starting to enjoy being read to

 

favorite characters: Batman, Superman, Minions (from Despicable Me) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars
 

favorite animal: polar bear

 

favorite color: red
 

favorite food: corndogs
 

favorite treat: m&ms
 

measurements: shoe 10,  shirt 4t, pant 4t

 

Levi

LOVES keeping up with his siblings. He is my good "helper" around the house, always pretending to do what I am. We have a small set of tinker toys he plays with often, so I imagine he might like wood building blocks or even more tinker toys.

 

favorite books: still not there yet, he just likes running off with his sisters :)

favorite characters: Minions (from Despicable Me), Woody from Toy Story

 

favorite animal: the sea lion
 

favorite food: waffles
 

measurements: shoe 5, shirt 18 month, pant 12/18 month

 

Family Ideas

 

 

We LOVE spending time together. Trips to the zoo, park, and a good hike all find themselves on our weekend calendar. Camping is something we look forward to almost all year, we plan to camp more next year.

We enjoy: a fun movie to watch together or a game of Twister or a couple of hours at the local jumpy house.

favorite food: tacos and Jimmy Johns

measurements: 6 and holding strong :)

Thankful

2013 has been a challenging year, a beautiful year, a year full of joy, a year with a loss that could never be overlooked, a year in which we have so many blessings to count.

 

We are so thankful for one another. It might seems silly, but it is true we are a happy family, happy to love and play and cry together. We know families are forever and we are so thankful we have one another to spend eternity with. We are grateful for our families. This year has reminded us just how precious family is and how dear we hold you people in our lives, whether we share blood or bonds of friendship. We are full of gratitude for a wonderful home, our healthy bodies and sound minds, the food we find on our table, clothes to keep us warm, cars to drive us where we please, vacations, employment, and the list goes on and on. But above all we are thankful to have a Savior, Jesus Christ to guide us back to our Heavenly Father.

 

I read this quote about gratitude and I hope to be able to live the principles of it as I know they are true.

 

Happy Thanksgiving family and friends! We love you all and are ever thankful for the blessings you bring to our lives.