Jade is 3

Our oldest grand-daughter turned the big 3!  Jade is so smart and her attitudes and comments keep us rolling.  3 things I love about this grand-daughter of ours:
1.  Jade loves us unconditionally and thinks that our house is the best place to visit.
2.  She is so smart and remembers everything you tell her you will do or bring or say!
3.  Jade is the best big sister around.  She is quite the helper to her mom and dad.  I love when Jade comes over and wants to "help" make chicken soup (or chicken ramen).  She is getting to be quite the cook!!

For Jade's Birthday Party, Tyler and Jenny had everyone over for a wonderful bbq dinner with all the trimmings. 

 

The big "crowd-pleaser"?? Dora, of course!!

 Jade had so much fun opening presents, making princess hats and cupcakes.  Jenny sure knows how to put on a wonderful birthday party!
We also celebrated over at Grammy and Grampy's home with the traditional dinner and opening of gifts, culminating in the oh-so-favorite pictures!

Happy Birthday to our very favorite 3-yr. old.  You bring us more happiness than we thought possible.  We love you Jade!!

November Birthdays

In our family, November is one busy month for birthdays and celebrations!  At the beginning of November we celebrate a double birthday - Brad and Russ.  These two, like many cousins, have "shared" their birthday celebration forever.  One of the favorite parts is looking at each other's cards that Grammy has so carefully picked and "underlined" for how many "underlines" each got.  It is hilarious!

Then, our family celebrated Brad's birthday with a family dinner with Grammy and Grampy joining us for a wonderful feast.  Brad is happiest when his family is happy and together!

After Thanksgiving, we still continue to celebrate birthdays with Grampy and Jenny.  It's always a fun evening for everyone!

(Well, almost everyone!)

Whenever we have a birthday celebration over at Grammy and Grampy Rogers house, it is a family affair.  Those are some of our favorite memories.  Even as the cousins get older, they still hold to some fun traditions like train back or hair rubs and funny-face pictures!

 

Whatever the celebration, our family loves to be together.  At the Thanksgiving season, our Sunday evenings together remind us of the importance of families and how grateful we are that we are together and feel the blessings of the gospel everyday!

Happy Birthday Jenny!

Jenny's birthday is between holidays and at the end of the year.  It seems every year, I blog her birthday late.  Fortunately for me, she is understanding and knows that I love her just as much.
Things I love about this remarkable woman, wife, mom, sister, and friend:

*  She sees the good in everything.  Even when life is hectic, she sees the positive and strives to find balance between being a wife, a mother, and fulfilling her callings. 

*  Jenny is a devoted wife and mother.  Jenny and Tyler are perfect for each other and work hard to create a wonderful home and family life for their two beautiful daughters.  I've never heard Jenny complain about long hours or long nights.  I'm pretty sure she is the only one that is able to convince Tyler to take family pictures!  She is a wonderful teacher and example of faith to Jade and Lilly.  I love to watch her teach her girls about choices and consequences! 

*  She is willing to help, whether that is cooking, cleaning, or anything else.  When we have family gatherings, Jenny is in the midst of the group working to make it a wonderful event.  (Of course, Tyler is so supportive and willingly "watches" the girls so she can help!)

*  Jenny brings love and laughter with her where ever she goes.  There is a warmth about her that allows each friend and family member to confide and trust in Jenny.  Her laugh is contagious and she has a way to show love to everyone she meets.

How we love Jenny!  One year older has only brought us more love and happiness!

Utah Trip

Right after Thanksgiving, Aly and I took a little trip to Utah to share with the Roberts a very special weekend.  This trip was a little different as Aly is still recuperating from her accident and needed "special care".  With crutches and a wheel-chair, and needing to sit in the front of the plane due to the fact that she couldn't bend her knee, we got to be part of the wheel-chair brigade!

See all the white-haired people in wheel-chairs ahead of us?  There were 7 all together...and yes...Aly was the youngest!  But we got to be first in line since she needed to sit in the front row!

Nobody else on the plane....that was a first!!

 

We arrived to help the Roberts celebrate Jacob's accomplishment in achieving the rank of an Eagle, and also to hear Bryant's farewell talk as he would be leaving soon to serve in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission.  Since Aly and I had never been to Temple Square during the Christmas season, we ventured out one chilly evening to witness the beauty of Temple Square.  It was a wee-bit busy, but the lights and feelings around the temple were breath-taking!

We enjoyed our quick trip as the Roberts pulled out all the stops to make us feel comfortable in their home, fed us with delicious food, and pampered us with their hospitality.  We are so proud of Bry for making the decision to serve the Lord and dedicate 2 years in His service.  We are blessed indeed with family who opens their home and shares everything they have.  We love the Roberts!!

Just Because

 

Not in any order, but just a random funny moment that makes me laugh.  Lilly loves to eat...all...the..time!

 

or this

And They are Off!!

It was a sad day to say good-by to our favorite state-travelers.  Aaron was offered a job-transfer in Kansas City, Kansas and after much contemplation and excitement - he accepted the offer.  I think they will always be our travelers as they love the true seasons and the cold.  Where exactly THAT came from, I don't know!  But I do know one thing - we are going to miss them tremendously!!

Their cute home all packed into two cubes!  Savannah is quite the packer-upper!!

Saying good-by isn't really this fun!

First Steps

Aly went to the doctors this past week and the surgeon told her that she could start walking on her leg, that it was healing wonderfully and it was time to strengthen the leg.  So, before posting her first steps without crutches, we thought we would go back to her first steps and compare the two...enjoy!!

 

 

 

We are on the way to mobility!! 



Sweet Lilly Turns One!

This little angel had a birthday party with family, friends, and yummy food. Jenny and Tyler invited family and friends over for pizza and a celebration of this sweet angel.

Lilly has mastered the art of conquering hearts with her smile. She reaches her arms up, gives a few grunts to say, "Pick me up!" and then becomes the best cuddle buddy ever. Lilly is content with being held...as long as she is the center of attention.

How can you resist that face!?!

 

Jenny had decorated their home and had a cute party for all of Lilly's family and friends.

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful evening and enjoyed watching Lilly enjoy her first cupcake.

 

Afterwards, Lilly said good-by to all her guests....by the end, we think she was a little tired. 

 

 

 

We love our sweet Lilly-bug.  There is nothing better than to see a smile on her face as she reaches for you to hold and squeeze.  Life as grand-parents couldn't be better!!