The Air We Breathe

Whenever Carter gets a cold it usually lasts a long time. Especially when the air we breathe here in Utah is so lovely at this time of year! Last year Carter got Bronchitis three times and they were worried that it was because he has asthma. Every time he got even a small cold, he would get a cough instantly and an ear infection to go with it! (Luckily and thankfully, the ear infections have gone away since we had ear tubes put in this past summer! It has been the best thing for him!) So now, when he gets a cold in the winter, not only does he get a cough, but a cough that lasts a long time and he starts having a hard time breathing. So, last night, I couldn't stand watching him sit there any more as I could hear every breath on the couch, and I took him into the urgent care. Carter did really well, but it was a VERY long wait. There is only so much a mom can do to keep a two year old happy in a tiny little room! But when we finally got to see the doctor, the first thing the doctor said was.. "Does he have asthma?" I told him that doctors keep bringing it up as a possibility, but he hasn't been officially diagnosed. But no matter what he has, he wasn't breathing well, so they put him back on breathing treatments with a mask (which has been very helpful) and some other medicines, which Carter hates and we have been struggling all night and day to get him to take them. But he is breathing and since then, his coughing has gone down significantly. Thank goodness for modern medicine, even if it's been a struggle for this little guy to take, I am very grateful! Let's just hope he can start sleeping again!

Oh What Fun We Had!

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at the Scott's house and we were SO Excited to open a package from Chad, who is on a mission in New York! On Christmas day, we were able to all individually talk to Chad, he is doing amazing, but how we miss him!


We had a gift exchange on Christmas Eve, and Neil got some new disc golf Frisbees... surprise, surprise! He, of course, loves them and can't wait to put them to good use!

The sweet Chris and Kimberly! They were lucky enough to head out to sunny California on Christmas. As I'm sure you can't hear the jealousy in my voice!

The also sweet, Ben and Amanda! We love them as neighbors!

Here is Neil's sister Heidi and her new fiance Jeff! Congratulations Heidi! We are super excited for you! Our nephew Ethan, is the other little guy!

Heidi was so sweet and bought Carter this sweet toy for his cars. It kept him entertained all night! He loves it!

Jill and I, we were waiting for everyone to get ready for the acting out of the Nativity. I didn't get very good pictures of it, so I didn't post them, but EmmaLee was Mary and Carter I think was a Wise man.

Here is all of us decked out in our New York attire that Chad sent to us! Thanks Chad!

That night we got home super late, so EmmaLee only had time to put out a few pieces of candy for Santa.

CHRISTMAS morning!! It was So fun this year! Our kids made it amazing! They slept in until almost 9:00! They were both so excited and it made everything worth it. Kids are the best!

Neil and his new watch. We searched online for forever for that! Behind is a magnet board that Neil put together for Carter. It took a lot more time to make than we thought, but it turned out great. I decorated it with letter's and numbers. Carter is loving it, and it's cute to see him recognize all the letters.

EmmaLee posing in a new outfit she got from Jennifer from Christmas! When she put it on, she said "I could be a model with this on!" Then this is how she posed!

EmmaLee got a new twin size bed, so Carter got her bed. He had been in a crib up until then! We got him some new sheets and he was so excited to sleep with his pillow pet and his Woody! EmmaLee was also very excited to get a new bed! She kept saying all night, "is it time to go to bed yet, I'm so tired?"

This is Neil and I before heading out on Christmas day.

Later, on Christmas night we spent dinner at my sister Jodie's house. It was delicious and fun to see everyone and their gifts.

Neil had a fun time playing with the kids!

My sister Jodie and I. Can't you tell we're sisters?

My parents drove down from Idaho and we were able to see them for a couple of hours that night. They had a busy day and tried to visit as many people as they could while they were down here. My poor Dad, you could tell he was in pain. I asked him about it and he said his knee was still bothering him. He has had a lot of pain in his legs and he even had a knee replacement, but the pain has never gone away. But he is the very last one to complain! I am the youngest of 10, and I know that he used to work three jobs to support all of his kids. I seriously never remember a day that he didn't go to work. Whenever he got hurt or sick, you would never know it. And my mom, having 10 kids at home, I don't know how she did it, she must have had a lot of patience. I remember her saying that there were nights when they'd barely get to see each other, so when the kids were all in bed they would go and get an ice cream, or something to spend time with each other. I just can't imagine all of the sacrifices they made to have a family with 10 kids. We didn't have much, but our needs were always taken care of. I will always be grateful for amazing parents and such an amazing family!

My New "Nephew"!

So, this sweet little guy, Carson Hunt was born on Christmas Eve, 2010. He has a very special place in our family's heart because the first day that EmmaLee found out that Laura was pregnant with him, EmmaLee made sure she, and each of us prayed for him every night. We thought of him daily and are so excited to have him here! In this picture, are the proud parents, Travis and Laura!


At only five pounds, this little bundle of joy is so small, yet so sweet! My sister Jodie and I went to visit. I'm going to call Carson my nephew... even though technically he isn't. Travis, is actually my nephew, but since he and Laura are more like a brother/sister to me, it's easier to explain that he's my nephew. I am actually his Great-Aunt!


Jodie and Carson

Babies are such a miracle! I can't wait to have more someday. There is something about them that make the world so much of a better place. Kids make the very best of times and also some of the worst! However, the very best out-weighs the bad.

Happy Birthday Carson!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

To start off the season, I had the kids each make a Christmas count down. This seriously has been the best thing for them. Every morning each of them are so excited to tear off a chain as it gets smaller and smaller. Carter is starting to get it this year, and it's just going to make it that much more exciting!


This is a classic picture with EmmaLee and her babies! Carter, had to show off his boyish side and threw in the soccer ball.

This is our Christmas tree! I have it hidden behind the two couches because Carter still likes to pull stuff off. We haven't invested in any ornaments yet, but I'm starting to see that it's a good thing with Carter around. He's getting a lot better though. And look at his cute smile! He's starting to smile at the camera... finally! They both melt my heart.

They are playing so well together lately. They do know how to push each other's buttons... far too well! But they also are very kind and loving toward each other. They play a game where they both run around the house, and when they meet at a certain point in the hall, they give each other a hug and a kiss and say "Good job!" and keep on running. It makes me laugh! It's super cute.

Neil officially finished all of his class work, for hopefully the rest of his life! We were super excited and decided to celebrate by going to Winger's for dinner. (Which was SO DELICIOUS, I might add) All he has left is one full-time unpaid internship, starting January.

Every milestone is worth celebrating, I think! Plus it makes it so I don't have to cook, and I'm all for that!

Next we headed to Temple Square to check out all of the lights. I think every one else in Utah had the same idea, because it was a Monday night and the weather that day was a good 55 degrees! There were thousands of people there, but it was still fun to get out.

I have to admit, I don't love going to look at the lights every year because I am a wimp to the cold! I really am not a happy camper when I'm freezing cold. (My husband will agree, just ask!) But it was a perfect December night, and the best part about it was, it helped you remember our Savior, Jesus Christ who we are truly celebrating every year.

Look at me, I'm all bundled, hat, gloves, and a scarf! Everyone else seemed to stay warm with just a coat. There must be something wrong with me! Ha ha!

The nativity on the water. It was gorgeous.

EmmaLee at the reflection pool. So sweet.

This is where Neil and I got married! Oh, the memories! I feel like it was so long ago, not as a bad thing, just that I feel I don't know how I'd live my life without him.

Daddy and Carter! They sure love to play sports together.

I am so blessed! This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Even though I complain about the cold, I can't help but love Christmas time. It's wonderful to see so many people serving and thinking more about others them themselves. It's amazing what can happen when our lives focus on Christ.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

This is Neil and the kids heading out to play in the snow, when everyone was banned to their houses due to the Blizzard! It was pretty windy and the roads were bad, but we got more snow last night, then on the official blizzard day. It was a fun night to hang out though!


We were all prepared with flashlights a warm dinner just waiting for the power to go out! (Since the previous Sunday it was out) Thankfully, we didn't have to use the flashlights.


Neil and I on Thanksgiving. We went to Neil's parents' house this year, and it was delicious!

EmmaLee with her Aunt Erica.

We can't get Carter to smile or pose for the camera. We have to basically hold him down and make him laugh before he'll let us take a picture. Silly boy! But a cute one! This is him on Thanksgiving.

EmmaLee went to such a fun birthday party and she got her face painted! She really is growing up. One year ago, she would have never let anyone paint her face, but this time she waited in line very patiently with all of the kids and let the lady paint her face with no problem.

This is today at our Condo after the all day and night snow storm! Snow any one? We have plenty to share. We had to run some errands and my car is not the best in the snow. This morning taking EmmaLee to school was really scary! My wheels were moving, but not my car and I was sliding everywhere. But we made it safe thankfully! And I have to say, I'm just thankful to have a working car.

More pictures of the snow.

Getting Closer...

It's getting so close to Christmas time, so we had our family pictures taken. Thanks to our amazing sister-in-law, Jill! She was gracious enough to brave our family and take our pictures! Carter didn't love it, but we at least got a few that he smiled in. Thanks so much Jill!

We also are getting closer to our car getting fixed.

As of today, it's been in the shop three times, since November 2nd, when it first broke down. All I have to say is, it's giving us a hard time! However, I have to say thank you to all of you who have seriously helped us out! It's hard to ask for help and rides, but I appreciate everyone who has been so helpful.

Since Thanksgiving time is coming around, I have contemplated all of the things I am grateful for, and my car is one of them. It may be an old car, and nothing special to look at but I have taken it for granted. I also have realized that I have the best friends and family in the world, who have been so kind to help me out! Thank you, thank you!

Neil is also getting a lot closer to graduating! You're probably all sick of me talking about it, but that's the reality of our life right now, and I can't think of anything more I am more excited about right now. He had to quit his full time job three years ago to complete this program, and that was a very hard thing to do. Looking back on the past three years, I don't know how we've been able to make it. We for sure have been looked out for.

Last Saturday, Neil presented his Research with his partner Dave. They have put in countless hours and lots and lots of time away from home and their families to complete this huge project.

They researched Veterans who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, who are now enrolled in college, to test their vision relating to blast waves they've encountered. (That's in laman terms, of course but you get the drift!)

Anyway, they were the first in their class to present and did an amazing job. They are further presenting their study to the VA hospital in Utah and other places. Great job guys!

Neil and I, after his presentation.

Neil's mom. She was so sweet and came with me. She has raised a great son! And I will love her forever because of it!