It has been a little while since we posted anything new. Here it is. A few photos from our weekend in SLC. This trek has become a family tradition that kicks off the Christmas season. It was great fun to see everyone, especially those new babies Lucy and Sailor. I loved seeing the not so new babies of Blake and Lindsey. Caleb and little Spencer are adorable. I even got a smootch from Spencer. Brian Stokes Mitchell was amazing in the concert. Brunch with Mom and Dad, RJ, Don and the kids was fun. It was great to see everyone and catch up on the family. We hope you all have a wonderful and merry Christmas and most happy new year.

Happy Birthday Gpa!

I always love this time of year for many reasons, but one really important one is that when Mike has his birthday, I am not quite as much older than him, as I am the other half of the year! Ha! I took him to lunch on his birthday, then we went out with our good friends (and Stacie's Parents) the Spencers and Sandi Stiles (Monte had a trial and could not make it!) Wendy Spencer's birthday is the same day as Mike's so that is alot to celebrate!! We will have Mike's family birthday dinner on Sunday, and once again Trav has consented to make Mike' s favorite Cambodian Pineapple chicken and rice Thanks Trav!
I am so grateful for Mike in my life! He is the most wonderful companion! He is so kind and caring and I appreciate him more than he will ever know! Love you, honey!
I returned to work part time this past week, and I was pooped by the end of the week! I had to train two classes yesterday, and it about did me in! Wow! I continue to feel better all the time...just mostly tired and cold, but that, too is improving. I am so blessed!

We Are Blessed

Thanksgiving night we hosted a little slumber party with all the grandchildren. To have our children and grandchildren so close to us is such a blessing. We are truly thankful we can have our grandchildren with us just about whenever we want. Some people insinuate we are less than sane when I talk about all the grandchildren spending the night. It is a joy for us to have the laughing voices, the pattering feet, the screams of happiness as they run around our indoor track, the little boy roars that Bo and Beck "scare" us and each other with. I won't deny that their endless energy can wear us out. Fatigue is forgotten when Anson sits next to and cuddles with Grandma or Bo wants Grandpa to play This Little Piggy with his toes, when Eden pretends she is a baby and wants to be held or Beck dances like only Beck can (the boy has rhythm). We are blessed. Our blessings increased Saturday night when Stacie and Travis gave us the happy news that they were expecting! This coming on the tail of Kendra and Barrett's announcement a couple weeks ago combined with the February arrival of Tucker and Michelle's baby was almost more than Kim could stand. Yes...she cried a lot! After the happy news was delivered and as we listened to the little kids playing, running, screaming happily and yes, fighting, we looked at each other and said, "We are going to have seven".

Baby Botkin (Tucker & Michelle) due February

Baby Bishop due April

Baby Botkin (Travis & Stacie) due July

Thanksgiving Night slumber Party with everyone in their PJs.