Tanner turns 8 and get's baptized

What a very special day this was for our family. The spirit was very present and we had many of our close friends and family (Grandma and Grandpa Giles) to share it with us. Many kind words were spoken to Tanner and my heart melted as I agreed with all the nice compliments he was given. He really is a sweet and kind hearted boy. The program also included a wonderful talk by our dear friend, Ashley Morris, on baptism. I was privileged to talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Our neighbor and dear friend , Jake Lane, played the piano while Blake, Tanner, Sydney and Courtney sang "If the Savior Stood beside me". Mike, Dan Morris, Tom Moore, Tom Macdougal, and Greg Bashaw sang "How Great Thou Art". Mike baptized Tanner while Grandpa Giles Confirmed him and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost.

It was a spiritual day and our hearts were full of Love and Joy for Tanner and especially for Our Savior and the wonderful blessing of Baptism.

New years eve was a blast

We spent New Years Eve as a family at our friends, Kristin and Tom Moore's along with most of the Auburn Hills Ward. It was busy with kids and people everywhere and was a truely enjoyable celebration. We had delicious food, games, great conversation, and even banging of pots and pans (for over 35 minutes). We concluded the evening listening to Tom play his guitar and sing for us. Did I mention we did not get home and in bed until around 2:00a.m. The next day Mom and Dad slept in until 9:00 while the others woke up in between with Tanner not making it out of bed until almost 12:00. The other 3 late nights prior deffinately did not help either.

We are blessed to have wonderful friends and so many things to look forward to for the upcoming year.

Christmas was wonderful

Christmas this year was sweet and simple. We stayed home and spent our Christmas eve making our yummy Navajo tacos. We also had yummy apple Carmel dip (from our friends-the Mulligan's), and yummy cream cheeses dip (From the Larsen's). The kids opened a gift (actually 2 because they also opened their pajama's from sweet Aunt Susie and Uncle Kurt). We read from Mathew in the scriptures. We sprinkled reindeer food outside for Santa's reindeer and made sure the cookies were set out. But, mostly we spent quality time together enjoying the wonderful gift of family. Because we enjoy each other so much it comes very easily for us.

Christmas morning was magical. Blake then Tanner then Sydney woke up. Mike nudged me to listen to their sweet little voices whisper excitement about seeing the stockings by the tree. After a bit they came in to tell us that they could see the stockings by the tree and so they knew Santa had come. They were trying hard to be very patient as we waited for Courtney to wake up. It took about 30 more minutes for her to wake up and then we all ran downstairs full of eagerness. Blake especially loved his bb gun and chauncy Billups jersey, Tanner especially loved his sweet baseball bat and webkin, Sydney was elated to get a robe and slippers, and Courtney did not need to go any further then her purple phone and pretend "real" vacuum, Mom was elated to see that dad had listened to her want for a robe, and dad seemed happy with his new "holeless" dress socks.

Ounce we had opened presents, we had cinnamon rolls and scones. They were delicious as dad had made a yummy honey butter to put on top of the scones. Mom cheated and made rodes cinnamon rolls (still feel guilty).

We played a game of Monopoly where I (mike might argue that he-because he stepped in at the very end) beat Blake.

We hung out all day in our pajamas all day. We made a homemade orange/lemon chicken for lunch. Mostly, we just enjoyed eachother all day.