Happy Holidays to You!

This year was exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time as Chad opened the doors of Bright Smiles, Brilliant Dental Care in February. We are so excited for him! His office looks amazing and he has wonderful staff. It still seems so weird to us to not be students anymore. That was such a long road that we thought would never end and we keep finding ourselves pinching each other just to make sure that we aren’t dreaming.

We have really enjoyed living in a small town. It definitely is a complete opposite of what we were used to in New Jersey. We love having a back yard, a neighborhood that the kids can play in all day without Naomi constantly worrying or checking up on them, and most of all a garage! No more street cleaning tickets or cleaning snow off the car! The weather has been wonderful. Summer was hot and dry and winter was mild. Perfect!

In April, Naomi headed up to Canada with the kids for her Grandma Belle Smith’s funeral. The funeral was beautiful and it was great to be with family and be able to celebrate her grandma's life. There is just so much comfort in replaying a loved one's life and remembering all the wonderful things they did and said that touched yours. We will miss you Grandma Belle!

In June, Ethan and Edyn both had birthdays. Ethan turned 8 and Edyn turned 6. It was a special birthday for Ethan as our family headed up to Canada where Ethan was baptized in a small river at the Wolff cabin. What an experience that was. Even though it was cold that day he was quite the trooper when he waded out into the freezing water. We are so proud of him and very thankful for all our family and their support for him on such a neat day. It was definately a day that will be remembered fondly.

This time of year is always my favorite as we spend a lot of time reflecting on family, friends and most of all, our Savior. What a blessing to know that He lives and loves us. We only hope that we can be better at following in His footsteps in the year to come. We love you all and are so blessed to have you be a part of our lives in one way or another. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

* * * SNOW DAY * * *

My morning started out lovely with an automated phone call at 5:45am letting me know that school had been canceled for the day due to a lovely snow storm. I wasn't too happy about the early phone call but I knew my kids would be. Up they were at 7:30 in the morning and ready and raring to go play in the snow. Honestly, it was still dark outside! I had to laugh as I'm pretty sure I was the same way when I was that age. Ethan has seriously been outside all day. He left the house at 9am and has been playing with the neighbors building snowmen and forts and shoveling driveways. Ate a quick lunch and then right back out to play and here it is 6pm and he's still going strong out there. I think he's going to be pretty sad that it's off to school tomorrow. Here's some photos of us playing and working in the snow today.

Oh Tooth Fairy! Where are you?!

Edyn lost her 1st tooth yesterday! Well, really it's her second but this one is her first tooth that came out on it's own. Her actual first was extracted so it really doesn't count. I hope that makes sense?

This tooth had been loose for about a week now and yesterday when she came home from school she came running in the door with excitement telling me that the tooth fairy was going to be coming to our house that night. Off to bed she went that night with tooth secured snugly under her pillow, and believe me it was pretty snug under there! When she woke up to find $3 under pillow she was pretty upset because she didn't get $5. What?! If I remember correctly, I think I only got a dollar. I'm pretty sure inflation hasn't gone up that much. Anyway, I realized why she was so upset was because a toy she has been wanting is $5 from Hobby Lobby and she quickly figured it out that she didn't have enough to get it. After explaining to her that mommy had a coupon, yes-I actually said coupon, and after using it the toy would only cost $3. We now have a happy Edyn again. Ugghhhh, when I was that little, was my life as much consumed with toys as Edyn's is?!