Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had as great of Christmas as we did!


On Christmas Eve, we played secret Santa where our boys (in dark of night and heavily disguised) anonymously delivered a gifts to a needy family.

Christmas morning was all about the fun presents!


Everyone got a fun gift from Santa, plus a fun gift from the family, and also some clothes and books.

Levi wasn't quite ready to wake up as early as his brothers, so he opened his first few gifts while lying on the couch in his dad's arms.

We got pounded with snow - which made for an awesome white Christmas!

Luckily, Santa had the foresight to leave some sleds around the tree, too, which we readily used on a slope near home.






We have had a great week and hope you did too!

ps - our Christmas letters are stuffed and ready to go. Hey, it's before New Years! Last year we didn't even get this far!

This is what I get for taking my eyes of them!

Ok, so I take a break for a few minutes to watch some cheesey girly show that isn't animated, so my boys take off for the upstairs bonus/play room. When the show ended, I went upstairs to check on the guys, and lo and behold, they had decided to make their own snack... chocolate pudding... Levi was on the floor, sound asleep, and covered in it! At first, I was just really relieved that it wasn't blood. Then the reality of the mess set in, and we got to work cleaning up the couch, chair, and Levi.

For the strength of youth...

When we lived in CA, there were just some amazing youth in our ward. Now they're growing up (which is amazing, since I don't seem to get any older...) and going to college and getting married. Amazing! Anyway, here are two young women from Sacramento who are singing in BYU's women's a cappela group Noteworthy. They are awesome, and I just thought y'all might enjoy listening to them sing. Courtney Jensen is singing the lead and her sister Katie is in the group. It made me smile, hope you enjoy!

Here's the Good Morning America Link:

If you missed the Larsons on GMA this morning, here's their story. I visited with Heather for a few minutes today. I think she looked great, considering that GMA arrived at their home this morning at 2:30 am. Some reassuring news: After seeing the story, a woman who has fostered Talon's siblings previously called Heather to let her know that she knew where Talon was, and that he was with a good family. At least that's something...

maybe there's hope...

As I sit here letting tears run down my face, I get a call from my husband telling me to check our email, and this is what I found...
The Larson's were contacted by Good Morning America today with interest in telling their story and will be at the Larson's home tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 2:30 a.m. to film. The Larsons wanted to thank everyone for their continued support as well as let you know that this film session will air tomorrow on GMA. Heather did not know exactly what time it will be on, but the story will air tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 16th on GMA.
I just can't help but think that a little national attention might help this case. Maybe there's reason to hope. So if you're interested, tune in...

he's gone...

I wish we could have done something to make a difference, but last night the tribal council came and took Talon away. It makes no sense - there is nothing right about this (he is more hispanic, caucasion and Irish, for crying out loud, than native american!). He goes into foster care on the reservation now. So many tears have been shed. Heather and Clint are devastated. Probably about 200 of us stood on their front lawn and cried as Heather carried Talon out to be taken away from them forever. We tried to sing, to do something that might show our love and support, but the sounds of sobbing were just as loud as the music. I am still a weepy mess today, I can't imagine how Heather's heart is breaking. It is awful. Please remember the Larson family in your prayers, and when you hold your children, be grateful that they are yours...
Goodbye, beautiful brown eyes. We will miss you.

for KSL's story, go here.

Heartbreaker in our neighborhood...

We have a beautiful baby in our neighborhood (ok, they're all beautiful!), who is being taken away from his family on Sunday. Our neighbors, the Larson family, have been working on adopting a sweet young boy. He was born here in Utah, matched through an adoption agency, and the mother signed all necessary papers for the adoption to go through. But the native american tribe from the birth mother's state (minnesota) have discovered that this baby has a small bit of indian blood in him (he's 3/16ths indian, which is less than the 1/4 required by the tribal constitution for them to have any say where he goes, but because enrollment is "low," they still feel they have the right to him), and they are coming to take him away at 6 pm Sunday evening. No judge will rule against the tribe, because the tribe is a "soveriegn nation" so no one will claim jurisdiction, and our judicial system is letting this happen. We are heartbroken, for this beautiful child will be stuck in the foster system on the reservation. We are trying to get the word out as much as possible, grasping at straws, and hoping to show support for this loving family. If you can come and support this family on Sunday night, please come and join us at their home. The Larson's address is 3376 W Bear River Rd. Thank you so much for any support you can give and please continue to pray for a miracle to allow Talon to stay with his 'Real' mom and dad, Heather and Clint. If you'd like to have a little better perspective on what their family has gone through, please take a look at their blog www.talonsadoption.blogspot.com.

Christmas at temple square!

Of course, if you live in Utah, every now and then you have to visit temple square in Salt Lake City at Christmas time. What a beautiful display of lights! The night that we were there, there were choirs singing in every building, so we stopped in the assembly hall to listen to a children's choir from Riverton sing. We took lots of pictures, saw the nativity display, and showed the boys the Christus stature in the north visitor's center. It was a fun night, and I think the boys even had a great time! It's beginning to feel a little like Christmas...
Love that temple!
The boys in front of the temple.
Zach by the water

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had just as much food, just as much fun, and just as much whipped topping as your mom would allow on this blessed Thanksgiving day!

What happened to all the food?

There are times where I wonder "Where have all the snacks gone?" I mean, I usually try to control snack time to a very short period of time right after school, then I start fixing dinner. But any time I try to do something where I can't keep an eye on the kitchen, it seems that I eventually open the pantry door to this:
At least it was just the craisins this time. The cookies are safe (for the moment, anyway... I haven't checked on the pantry in the last 4 minutes or so...)

Bath time!

Happy boys who like to take baths just make me happy!

All I want for Chrithmath ith my two front teeth...

About 2 weeks ago, my boys all had dental appointments. Caeden was told that he needed to start wiggling his two front teeth. Apparently, the teeth were loose a little while ago, but had begun to tighten up again when the permanent front teeth started moving in. Caeden overheard the dentist say that "We may need to pull them for him if they don't fall out before the others come in," so he has been diligently wiggling for about 10 days. Finally, this Sunday, one fell out while he was snacking on popcorn, and he let dad pull the second one (it was so loose, it was just hanging there!) We were so happy - it took a lot of courage to let dad pull it out! Yay for Caeden!

My little Einstein!

Jordan had a school project that he worked on for 3 months. It was a history of Einstein. Needless to say, I learned a lot about the guy during this time. It all culminated in a class presentation where each student presented a bio-riddle about their subject, displayed their project boards, and dressed up like their character. It was fun to see them all and best of all... we're done!!!

Our new bed!

Ok, jules, this is for you!
About 2 years ago Aaron and I bought a new mattress, but it didn't fit our old bed frame. Then a few months ago, we found a killer deal on a bed (it was 70% off, plus no tax added or delivery charges!) so we bought it. Julie has been asking for a picture, so here we go:

Isn't it pretty?
Now we just need to get the matching nightstands and dresser... One thing at a time...

Happy Halloween (a few weeks late...)

One of these days, I'll get on the ball and blog every other day and keep everyone up to date... maybe when we get a new computer that doesn't take 20 minutes to start up, or whose monitor won't go out (I think we have a short in the cord... ugh...) Anyway, I promised mom Halloween pictures, and even though we're half way to Thanksgiving, here they are!

Jordan was "The Unknown Ghost," he had glasses under the mask that lit up so it looked like he had floating, glowing eyes. Zachary was a Ninja warrior. This is actually the 3rd year he's been a Ninja, but I guess it works for him. Caeden was the Red Power Ranger. I found that funny, since he doesn't watch "Power Rangers," but he thought the muscles on the costume were cool. Jacob changed his costume a number of times. Actually, he didn't want to wear a costume at all, until he realized that if you wear a costume and say "Trick or Treat," you get candy! So, begrudgingly, he wore a Tigger coat and went trick or treating. He loved the candy, hated the costume, but now he won't stay out of the costume box... And our little Levi stayed home with me to pass out candy. He did enjoy the softness of Tigger after Jacob abandoned him, so here's Levi's after a hard night of candy-passing-out-ing.
Hope everyone had a happy Halloween, and no one's teeth are any worse for the sugar overdose!

Are you as tired of politics as I am?

Thanks, Julie, for inspiring me to add a little "Jib Jab" to my blog! This made me smile, I hope you enjoy!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Where have we been the past month???

Yee haw and Hallelujah!!! Sports season is over with!!! Sorry for the lack of updates on our part over here this past month, but jeez, we've been busy! Monday has been piano lessons and FHE, Tuesday was Zach's scouts, Zach's soccer practice and game, then Jordan's scouts. Wednesday consisted of Caeden's soccer games and Jordan's flag football practice, then Thursday was Jordan's games. Friday was Zach's piano lessons, then I'd usually drop because I (hopefully) had the rest of the night free, with no homework or piano practicing to be "encouraged." Saturday is that special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday, as well as the between the 3 games we have that day, and then Sunday is the beautiful, "rest-from-your-weekly-labors, but not necessarily a day-of-rest-day," and you'll understand why blogging has taken a back seat. As far as sports go, the boys won some games, they lost some games, and we all had a great time, especially when you consider that the weather wasn't all that bad and I never lost Levi or Jacob for an extended period of time on the field.

Why can't I ever get anything done?

Recently, I have gone from checking email and blogs daily to maybe once or twice a week. Why? you may ask. It is because everytime I walk into the office, there is "someone" (a someone who loves to climb up on chairs and tables) up there occupying the desk. So, if I don't update here very often, or respond to email for days, please know I'm just trying to reclaim my computer!

I wonder when the novelty of trashing the office will wear off for this boy? (If I don't catch him in time, then he will push everything off of the desk and start emptying drawers. Oh, I am so grateful that the file drawers have locks!)

Jacob's birthday!

Jacob's birthday was very low key! We got him a truck that hauls cars, a maze book,and a box of mac 'n' cheese. And what was he most excited about? The mac 'n' cheese... What a fun guy he is!
I can always count on Jacob to be the most exciting man on the block! He tells me he loves me, and then licks me to prove his point (he is into the "be a dog" thing!) He loves to cuddle (even at 2 am), and he loves to read his monster books. He has been the source of my greatest stress so far (throwing himself from the 2nd story window was one of my greatest nightmares!), and the source of my greatest mess (let's just say it had something to do with 75 lbs of sugar and 1 1/2 gallons of honey... if you lived within the continental US at the time, you probably heard me scream...). But he is tender and sweet, curious and full of energy, and he has taught us to love differently than any other. So, here's to you, Jake, and the hope that we keep you alive long enough to serve your mission!

Jacob chillin on the beanbag

Jake's first trip to Disneyland!

first steps

He loves brownies - just like his mom!

first buzz cut

Riding the pony

Hiking the Y with dad and brothers

Jacob "I guess I can't fly" Hall with his skull in pieces...

At the pond with his brothers

Playing in the snow

SeaWorld in 2008

Yay! We made it to 4!!! (he wanted a pudding cake, so that's what he got!)

We love you Jacob, and we're so glad you're part of our family!

Weekend of Fun, Continued

Caeden and Noelle Wilkins enjoying Oktoberfest at Snowird!

Ok, back to Labor Day weekend... (Week of busy-ness got in the way this last week!) After spending an evening at Swiss Days, we (meaning the Wilkins family and ours) went up to Snowbird to play.
We jumped on the bungee-trampoline,

rode the Alpine Slide,

did the zip-line (sorry, no picture - I was afraid I'd drop the camera and never find it again!),

rode on the mechanical bull,

went up to the top of the mountain on the tram,

then hiked down and rode the Peruvian chair lift down,
climbed the rock wall (Jordan actually made it to the top and Zachary came within a foot! - bummer that my camera battery was dead by then...), and then we took the kids home to collapse.
Sunday was spent attending church, eating scones and playing games, then Monday, the rainy labor day, we slept in, cleaned house, ate chicken tacos and watched "Bill Cosby - Himself." Ahh, it was a very good weekend!