...just like {GRANDPA}

 We spent the night at my parents house the other weekend and I came into the office to find this little cutie pie, with Grandpa's reading glasses on, "working" on important matters at Grandpa's desk!  Oh my...this boy takes my breath away!  He is so pure and so genuine and adores those he loves.  He adores grandpa and wants to be just like him and when I asked him what he was doing, he giggled and told me I was FIRED (fi-yuwd)!  (another cute thing he has been saying lately...)  

"Mom!  I am doing very important things here!  .....just like Grandpa!" 

Family {TRADITIONS}

We dedicate a lot of our time together as a family! We love to go on picnics, play at the park, go camping and boating, play silly games at home, swim, have family movie nights, sing together, go on vacation, and spend time with our extended families which are very close and a big part of our lives. Marty and I feel very blessed to live close to our extended families and have opportunities to spend time with them often. 

 

 Here are some of the fun traditions that we enjoy as a family:

 

Our Little Family:

Bedtime Books, Singing & Prayers

Family Dinners

Daddy-Daughter, Mommy-Son Dates

Father-Son Outings

Girls' Day Out

Spring and Fall Mini Vacation Getaways

Christmas PJ's

Christmas Advent Calendar

12 days of Christmas Service

Pumpkin Patch/Carving

Family Home Evening & Scripture Study

Birthday Surprises

Family Movie Nights

Saturday Work-Then PLAY days

 

Marty's Family Traditions:

Game Nights

Birthday Lunches with Nana

Grape Harvesting

Father's Day Campout/Vacation

Cousin Parties

4th of July Breakfast

Christmas Karaoke Party

Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's

 

Brigette's Family Traditions:

Sunday Dinners

New Years Eve Dice Game & Party

Soup-er Bowl Gathering

Easter Dinner & Egg Hunt

 Summer Time-Share/Vacation

Camping & Boating

Sister's Fall Getaway

Halloween Bash

Christmas Lights

Christmas Day Brunch & Gift Exchange

...BAH HUMBUG!



..."They belong in an asylum...the whole lot of them!"  -Ebeneezer Scrooge

 

 



 Marty and our nephews performed in our local community theatre's production of SCROOGE:  A Christmas Carol.  The boys have been performing in the play for the past five years and this is Marty's second year!  Each year there are auditions and luckily they were cast once again this year.  Marty and I have always loved musical theatre and it is so cool to actually see how things work behind the scenes with directors, stage directing, lighting, the music, the cast dynamics, and all the drama behind the drama. Aside from being away from us while practicing, Marty loves it and Ethan and Nyah have loved it even more.  They know every line he delivers and every song in the play!  The kids and I decided it would be fun to sit-in on some rehearsals this year.   It was really cool to see how it came together.   Nothing compares to the live shows when the cast feeds off the audience and the energy is so electric!  Marty is hoping that we will consider joining him next year and the kids are already talking about what parts they would like to play. 

 Marty played two roles in the play along with being in the support cast during larger musical numbers.  Here he is as Courier taking a quick picture with us before the show.   In some of the very first scenes of the play, Courier and Ives petition Scrooge for funds in support of the needy and poor..

 Austin and Adam played several key roles this year.  They were also asked to be dance captains for many of the scenes where youth are learning steps and choreography.  They opened the show in their role as Chimney Sweeps!

 Tanner was also a dance captain and is a favorite of the directors for sure.  He has landed several speaking parts and always does a good job in the support cast! 

 We loved having Machelle and Kristy watching the show on closing night with us!

 Marty also played Mr. Fezziwig, a jovial socialite who throws a grand party in celebration of Christmas.  He has lots of lines, music, and dancing to perform in this scene and his performance is well received!  It just comes naturally to him to be funny and the life of the party!  Mrs. Fezziwig took a moment to take a quick photo for us! 

 Jacci Florence, the director AND the Ghost of Christmas Past is a HOOT!  She is the most dynamic and comical actress.  The twins LOVE her scenes and she makes the show along with her real-life hubby who has played SCROOGE for the last 18 years!

 The Ghost of Christmas Present is wonderful in this production and the kids love signing along during his scenes with Scrooge.  "I like life.....Life likes me!"

 Nyah used to be really afraid of SCROOGE because of his grumpy nature in the play.  It has helped this year to have gone to some rehearsals because she gets to see him out of character and playing with all the kids.  He always took the time to wink, high-five, or talk with her in between scenes and she has grown to really adore him.  She just giggles now when he is grumpy!  Kim Florence, who plays Scrooge is a gifted actor who is the heart of the show.  This version of A Christmas Carol is heartwarming, comical, and the music is contagious!

 

Ethan and Nyah wanted to take a ride in the Ghost of Christmas Past's Sleigh!

...a letter for {CHRISTMAS}

We were preparing to do Christmas cards this year and realized that if we wrote a letter to our loved ones, we could get the word out about our desire to adopt again.  We included adoption pass-a-long cards that we had made in hopes of making a connection.  

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We {WISH} you a Merry Christmas!

And while we are it, we thought we'd share our Christmas wish list for the year!                                        All we  {WISH} for Christmas is....

Less Pounds and Better Health!  Usually people want MORE for Christmas but this year Marty has been working on losing unwanted pounds!  He is doing a fantastic job and has put his heart and soul into getting healthy!   Marty wishes to continue working on his health in the new year.

Home Improvements!  This past year Brigette wished for a larger garden, new shade trees,  and some new paint in the house!  The garden did well, until our sprinkler system busted and watering became an issue but hey...who doesn't love dwarfed tomatoes!  Marty planted two beautiful maple trees and well... the paint is still in the works! This year she wishes that her many projects will get finished so she can start new ones.

Time to Dance!  Nyah, our compassionate little swimmer, completed her first clogging class this year.  Her teacher often commented on how well she listened and how quickly she learned new steps!  She has enrolled again this year and is enjoying the harder dance steps but just recently told us that she wishes to join a soccer team!  A girl has a right to change her mind!

More Sports!  Ethan, our tender-hearted social bug, decided he really wanted to join a wrestling club.  He practices with his club during the week and attends local meets on occasion to practice his skills.  His favorite part is shaking the opponents hand and performing escape maneuvers.  He wishes that he can continue wrestling and be as good as his daddy! 

More Time with Family!  Marty has been happy this year teaching his seminary students, serving in his calling, volunteering as a wrestling coach, and doing side jobs to help supplement his teaching income.  He was also cast in the musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol and will be performing throughout the holiday season.  The kids have loved attending his practices and seeing him perform.  They know all his lines and songs!  Marty wishes that Brigette and the kids will consider joining the cast next year so we can have even more time together.

Time Standing Still!  Brigette loves being a stay at home mom but doesn't love how quickly the twins are getting older.  They started Spanish immersion kindergarten this year and Brigette enjoys volunteering in their classroom.  When their teacher went on maternity leave, Brigette helped the sub create lesson plans and a schedule for the class.  It was fun to put her "teacher hat" back on for a while.  While she is happy to see Ethan and Nyah grow and experience new things, she wishes she could slow time down and keep them little, longer!

 A Chance to Grow!   Now is the time to set goals heading into the new year.  Marty loves to write and he wishes to take his writing to a new level and work on some professional development projects within the workplace.  Brigette wishes for more opportunities to play piano and plans to spend more time this next year creating pieces she can publish and produce.  Ethan wishes to conquer his fear of swimming and Nyah is wishing for a trampoline this summer and is making a plan to earn the money for it. 

Joy for you All!   In a world that is changing rapidly in many ways, our sincere wish is that each of you are finding happiness anchored in family, hope, service, a relationship with our Savior, and eternal treasures.  We consider each of you a blessing and gift in our life.

A little One!  We are so BLESSED!   We have our health, our home, a stable income, and most importantly our family and dear friends!  There is very little that we want or truly wish for.   Well,..except for one little thing.....  

We sincerely desire to add to our family and this may be our greatest WISH of all! We are hoping the Lord will provide a way for us to adopt again this year.  We have enclosed adoption pass-a-long cards in hopes that a connection can be made.  These cards are the latest tool for adoptive couples to find potential birth parents.   We would be so grateful if  you would keep us in mind when you become aware  of someone who is navigating through an unplanned pregnancy and may be considering adoption.   It would mean the world to us if you'd prayerfully consider passing along these very important and potentially effective tools. We have heard of connections being made through hair dressers, doctors, friends, neighbors or acquaintances.  As you may know, Ethan and Nyah came into our lives through a friend who referred us to their birth family.  We believe that when adoption happens it is because the Lord is directing it!   

We love you all and hope that your Christmas is filled with the PEACE that comes from our Savior and the JOY of family and loved ones!

 Love,  Marty. Brigette. Ethan. Nyah 

                                                                    

...a getaway with {SISTERS}

 

Machelle, Nicole, Dad, Jodie, Paige, Brigette & Kristy

Park City~2013

 

We had the best time on our annual Park City getaway!  Paige flew out from New York and it felt so great to all be together.  Dad, in true fashion, came up to treat us to dinner at Ruby's Tuesday.  He requested our usual corner booth and we got the royal treatment.  The manager had remembered us from previous years and thought it was awesome that we kept the tradition of going there and joked that my dad was super lucky to have six beautiful dates!  They gave us free dessert and promised to see us next year! 

 

I adore my sisters!  I truly feel so blessed to have been raised by parents who taught us to cherish our relationships with one another.   We love to laugh about the days when we would fight over clothes, bathrooms space, or other trivial things.  We spend a lot of time reminiscing about the fun we had growing up and how the older three took care of us three babies!  I think that is why we are so close.  Our lives were intertwined and we supported each other in everything each other did.  We still do....

 

While in Park City, we always hit the outlets to do some Christmas shopping.  We enjoy that part of the trip because it is fun to do it together and find great deals, but our favorite time in Park City is our time talking, sharing, laughing, singing, and goofing around!  We shed tears as we remember Mom and her legacy.  It is a blast and I look forward to it every year!  Thanks mom for starting this tradition long ago and for looking down on us as we continue to cherish one another! 

{DISCOVERING} new things....

The kids and I just recently headed downtown with our dear friends to the children's museum.  It was so fun to play with Heather, Parker, Mitzi, Carter, and Kaylee.  Ethan and Nyah were a little devastated to leave our first day there, but we returned the next week and stayed for 4 hours!  It was a treasure to watch them have so much fun and spend time with amazing friends! 

 

 Ethan pumping gas into his cool red car!  Everything here is so life-like and the kids were amazed!

 Nyah and Kaylee loved playing in the grocery store!  I think Nyah could have lived there sorting and helping customers!

 Ethan enjoyed playing at the HUGE water table.  Levers, ramps, and all sorts of gadgets were at his fingertips!

 Ethan and his good friend Carter played construction crew!  They were hilarious as they shouted out orders while "at work!"

 Kaylee and Nyah checking out the life-flight rescue helicopter!  They took turns taking care of patients....

 Little Parker was so sweet and fun to watch!  He was ready to go checking in patients to the emergency room!

 The "hospital staff" bringing a patient to the rescue helicopter!

 Pilot Carter and Co-Pilot Ethan touching down on the helicopter pad!

 We returned the next week for more fun!  Nyah wanted to go straight to the grocery store!

 Ethan and Nyah building together....

 Parker was so cute playing the mailman! 

 Nyah came out to check the mail....

 Ethan had fun taking care of his customers!

Nyah hosted a lovely meal for another little one she met while playing.  She loves to take care of others.

 Ethan back working in the emergency room.  This was definitely his favorite part of the museum!

Nyah took a moment to play the piano.  Oh,...how I hope she loves piano as much as her mommy!

...these fine {WOMEN}

I feel very lucky to have these wonderful women in my life....MY SISTERS!  They each carry qualities that remind me of my sweet mom and I'm so grateful for each of them.  I couldn't ask for better sisters, aunts to my children, and best friends!  I am so looking forward to our Park City getaway this month!  Paige is flying out from New York and I am so excited to see her! 

I miss mom everyday,...but thankfully each one of these fine women keep her legacy shining.....

I see MOM in....
Machelle because she is a woman of FAITH!  Machelle is a rock and never waivers from the most important things to her in this life;  her family, her faith, her relationship with her Savior, and her role as a mother!  For Machelle, family is EVERYTHING and so was it for our Mom.

 

I see MOM in.....

Paige because she is utterly SELF-LESS like mom was.  Paige gives so much to her family and finds JOY in serving and loving her husband and children without complaint.  Such profound quiet strength!  Mom was the same way!

 

I see MOM in.....
Kristy because she is COMPASSIONATE and ever forgiving!  Kristy would give those around her anything she possessed if she saw a need.  She LOVES to LOVE her family and dedicates so much of her daily life to all of us.  She is also the only one we would trust to make Mom's special Christmas stockings and take care of our Dad!

 

I see MOM in....

Nicole because she makes everything BEAUTIFUL around her.  Nicole is the master planner, decorator, and hostess.  Her hospitality and attention to detail mirrors what Mom did so effortlessly!  Nicole takes care of everyone and is a huge TIE among us which brings me comfort!

 

I see Mom in....

Jodie because she is STRONG and gracefully handles everyday life with an attitude of gratitude and playfulness.  She never complains but instead makes each day important and doesn't waste moments planning for that rainy day,...but instead puts into action the desires of her heart!