Getting Set Apart

So I finally got set apart for my scary but exciting church calling. I don't know that I have really felt nervous to be the Young Women President (I am positive that being the 2nd counselor for a few months helped me get over the nerves of working with the YW) but I have felt inadequate and overwhelmed and challenged soooooo it was absolutely wonderful to get set apart by our bishop. I love that God trusts worthy men with his power to bless the lives of his children, and specifically to bless my life. With that setting apart comes the assurance that God is not only on my side but that He is going to strengthen me and guide me (so long as I continue to do my part) so that I might be the instrument in His hands that is needed at this time. I love serving in the church. I love that I have an opportunity to grow and learn from my leaders and my God as well as from the beautiful and unique girls that I have. I hope that the girls enjoy having me as much as I am enjoying them!

On the Eigth day of Christmas

On the Eighth day of Christams

we're nearly out of rhyme
So we sang 8 Christmas carols
To enhance our Christmas time

On the Seventh day of Christmas

On the Seventh Day of Christmas
yummy treats in bags with bows
for friends to be delivered
7 dozen chocolate covered Oreos

(Thanks for the labels Brooke!)

On the Sixth day of Chirstmas

It's the Sixth day of Chirstmas
six secret acts of service
for family, friends and strangers
to keep the Christmas spirit with us.

Christmas pic

Well, I really wanted to get family pictures done for Christmas cards but it just didn't happen. So when Tyler woke up for the day (he is working nights)we headed over to the nearby park and had a friend snap a few pics and with some crazy kids and a setting sun, this is as good as it gets!



I have to add a few pictures of the boys on the bridge, the boys absolutely love collecting rocks to throw into the lake from the bridge. They can't get enough of it and it is adorable. Sometimes we bring bread to throw in for the ducks and the boys quickly adopt the policy "one for me, one for the ducks". I love my boys!!!

On the Fifth day of Christmas

The Fifth day of Christmas
Is a different kind of sort
We'll read Christmas stories
While sitting in a fort

On the Fourth day of Christmas

On the Fourth day of Christmas
we simply could not forget
to exchange our '09 ornaments
with those that we love best.

To: Isaac From: Mom and Dad

To: Holly From: Tyler

To: Ashton From: Mom and Dad


To: Tyler From: Holly

On the Third day of Christmas

On the Third day of Christmas

we've often heard it said
it's quite some fun to decorate
a house of gingerbread

On the Second day of Christmas

On the Second day of Christmas
2 sets of monkey jammies
for little boys who like to play
with their Daddy and their Mommy

On the first day of Christmas

On the First day of Christmas
we thought it would be groovy
to plop down on our comfy couch
and watch a Christmas movie

12 days of Christmas

So this is the first time Tyler and I aren't going "home" for Christmas and are celebrating together with our boys. I LOVE traditions and so have been trying to come up with our own and so we start with the 12 days of Christmas. This year is just with our family, although I have one to do for friends that I had planned to do this year but didn't because we were to start the day Ashton became terribly ill with RSV and pneumonia and was hospitalized for 3 days...So although we missed a few days I insist it still be done so here I will post Day 1 and Day 2, tomorrow Day 3 and Day 4. Then we will be caught up and will hopefully be able to stay on schedule! (FYI: Ashton is doing fantastic, he is doing well enough to be home and as the fatigue wears off he is reverting back to his old energetic adorable self! We LOVE you Ashton and you too Isaac, it was hard to be away from you for so long!!!)

Catch up

So I hate getting to this point...A month has passed without a blog entry which means that I am letting darling moments slip into memories soon to be forgotten (how I hate that! Why can't I retain the thoughts, feelings and adorable sights that I experience). We were driving home from a baby shower today and Ashton wanted me to hold his hand, so of course I did....nevermind that it isn't safe to steer and change gears with the same hand. He didn't want to let go and it was wonderful. Small, warm, smooth...I love when my children are affectionate with me, when they smile at me with their eyes twinkling...I know my children love me and I know that they know I love them. My family is my greatest treasure, they are what I live for...and because I absolutely love my time with them I am going to play the catch up game...