Family Pictures

So my cousin Tina took some family pictures for us. She is awesome! I wasn't sure how they would turn out because Jed was trying to run out of all the pictures, and the ones he isn't on his way out, his mouth was full of candy. So of course I was frustrated with him and hoped my smile wasn't forced in the pictures. Then there is Josh who rarely keeps his eyes open for any pictures, McCaden's fake smile, and Austyn's unpredictable moods. All you mothers know exactly how I was feeling, THE PRESSURE OF FAMILY PICTURES!

That is why I think Tina is so awesome, we have a lot more great pictures, but here are a few. You are quite the proffesional Tina, Thank you for giving us such beautiful reminders of our family at this time. Just click on the picture for a closer look. Check out some more of Tina and her awesome photograpphy at www.tinabeanphotography.blogspot.com you will love it.

We never take pictures of us as a couple they were long over due.

I love this picture of Josh and the girls, all their beautiful brown eyes. We also got one of Jed and I and our almost matching eyes.

These were two of my favorite pictures they were laughing and Tina caught their perfect little faces the way I see them when they are truly happy. The one where McCaden is kissing her just reminded me how nurturing McCaden is and Austyn's freckles are priceless!

Those smiles right there make it all worth it.

With all the fake smiles we actually got some really good ones of McCaden. When I look at these I can't believe how grown up she is looking.

She is actually quite the poser lately and did so good for Tina.

Oh this boy such a trouble maker but cute enough to get away with it.

Christmas Fun

Our family had a wonderful holiday season. I love Christmas but I have to admit it is a very emotional time for me, and has been since mom died. I blame a lot of it on stress and just being tired. Yet, I know this is not the only reason for my suppressed emotional issues to resurface. My mother made Christmas amazing at our house, the spirit, the love, the magic, the tradition, all of it. The holidays as sweet as they are bring back the reality of her absence, reminding me of what I am missing not having her here, and I struggle to enjoy it every year. Don't get me wrong I know I am blessed and I am thankful for all the Savior has given me. My favorite Christmas gift was watching these beautiful, happy, healthy children enjoy the season. Love you all and have a happy new year.

Christmas Morning! It was fun to see Jed playing with all these boy toys. We don't have many but our collection grew this Christmas. We could not get him to open any presents he was fine with whatever was out, so the girls opened everything for him. I love the picture on the left because he is so excited about his 2 dollar walmart candy cane that says meow. He still loves that thing.

McCaden wanted a guitar last year and got one that just made noise. She told us this year that she still wanted a guitar. A real one this time not a fake one! Oops! Austyn didn't ask for anything except a notepad and a pen. Adorable as this was I had no idea what to get her, she loved the guitar. The girls also got a barbie house from us, so Santa brought them Ken dolls in their stockings. McCaden opened hers and literally threw it across the room screaming "Gross it is a boy Barbie, that is disgusting" Austyn watching this all, opens her Ken and repeats the exact same thing. Josh and I could not stop laughing that was not the reaction I was going for, but the fact we have it on tape makes it so worth it. They now like their Ken Barbie once they realized that he could be Troy and the girls could be Gabrielle. (They love High School Musical)

Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma Fellers. She always gives the kids matching PJ's and they love it. Here is a picture of the girls and boys. Jed refusing to have his picture taken again.

There are 24 grand kids and things can get a little crazy. This is a picture of all the grand kids listening to Grandpa read the Christmas Story. I love it because all these kids know the story of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. You wonder with all the chaos and excitement for presents if they really know what this season is all about.

These pictures are mostly for my sisters I remodeled our barbie doll house we had growing up for the girls. I was nervous to do this because it was still the way my mom had made it from the very beginning, but it was so dirty from being in a garage the last few years. Anyway I was really happy with how cute it turned out and my mom would love it too. I feel bad sometimes when I think of all the crafty things I try and do now days, my mother use to beg us to do crafts and scrap booking with her.

The kids with their PJ's from Mom and Dad. Jed refused to stand by them for a picture. He is letting me know here that he is furious with me, and I still think he is cute.

We took the kids to see the lights on temple square. We try to do this every year that we don't have a newborn or very small child, because as you can tell from our noses it gets cold.
We met some friends we haven't seen in awhile and had dinner and then rode tracks down to temple square. They have three kids and in the same birth order as we do 2 girls then a boy. As we were getting their coats on McCaden and their oldest daughter pointed out that the kids that were the same age, had matching color coats. They thought this was very fun.














Oh how cute, we all have bright red noses.






Austyn is always the first one done with the cold.
When she is tired she tells us her "legs are done working" She said she just needed to rest a minute, she got up quickly once she realized sitting makes you colder.










Here is a picture of the kids and their matching coats. Poor little Jed had to be strapped in the stroller after this picture, there was way to much water and he wanted to play in it all. Brrrrr.....








Jed and Austyn on the train ride home. Jed sat like this with his arms crossed almost the whole time. He thought he was so big on the seat with the kids.