Because I'm Loved....

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I have really been looking forward to Christmas this year because of Brent's age. Not to mention, last year we were homeless for Christmas so we weren't able to have our own Christmas Tree and decorations and things like that. It seems like Christmas just gets better and better every year. I have tried real hard this year to start Christmas shopping early so that I won't be stressed and can really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

We set up our tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving and I have been playing Christmas music and reading Christmas literature ever since. The best thing I have read so far is out of the December Ensign (our church magazine). The article was written by President Henry B. Eyring (the 1st Counselor to the Prophet of our church). Here is a link to the article: (click on "Home for Chrismas" on the left)

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD


My favorite part of the article is "Feeling the Joy of Giving". At Christmastime we are celebrating the Savior's birth therefore he is on our mind a lot more. This helps us to be more Christ-like and want to reach out to others. We also realize how much He has blessed us and this fills us with the spirit of charity and makes us want to give to those around us, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. I have felt this more this year than ever before!


My Little Elf:








The story of this clip begins back at Nana's house. We went there a few weeks ago and every inch was decorated with Holiday Joy! There was a little snowman about Brent's size in the Den that Brent was scared of. To help with this fear, Brandon showed Brent how to throw down the snowman and then tackle him. Well, while Brandon and I were gone that day hunting, Brent proceeded to do as his Daddy taught him and threw down the snowman and jumped on top of him. At our house, we also have a little snowman about Brent's size. As soon as I brought him out Brent knew just what to do. He picked up the snowman, threw him down, and harassed him. Now our snowman's head has popped off! Thanks Daddy! :)

A Mexican Deer

Brandon went hunting in Mexico this past week. This is another one of his "business perks". He was gone for 5 days and we weren't able to speak to him the whole time he was gone. It was really tough and we missed him a lot but he had a great time.



This is where they slept, ate, and bathed.



Brandon was in a room with 7 men and he was the only one that didn't snore. Needless to say, he didn't get much rest.



Have you ever seen a doe with horns? Well, now you have. This deer has no "male parts" but has horns. Crazy, huh.




This is one of two "trash bucks" that Brandon was able to kill. When the ranch owners don't want particular deer to breed they will allow others to kill them off.



This is the "trophy buck" that Brandon killed. He's a whopper! Brandon definately got spoiled in Mexico.

I am Thankful for Family!

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Hyde County with Brandon's Family. We had such a nice time. There are many things that I am thankful for but I am always most grateful for family. We are so fortunate to live close to both sides of our family. It's so much fun to watch Brent form close bonds with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and especially cousins! Brent LOVES his cousins Deanna and Kara. He face just lights up when they walk in a room. They are so good with him too! Here are some pics of the festivities...

Deanna, Brent and Kara playing in the floor at Nana's house.

Deanna baked and AWESOME cake for Thanksgiving!