What A Week......

We had such a great time this week together as a family. Wednesday we went on the Polar Express, and Saturday the kids got to go shopping with the Utah Jazz Bear. The best part was that we got to go together as a family.

I haven't felt good, I am having issues with my gall bladder, and Chloee had the stomach flu yesterday, so I have kind of slacked in the picture department. Here are some long overdue pictures...

Polar Express Train Ride with KBER 101 and Make-A-Wish. Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Chloee showing off her cute little haircut....


Daddy and Rhett hanging out together on the train and on the bus.....




We had lunch at McDonald's in Heber City before boarding the train.....






Showing off their tickets to board the Polar Express.....


YAY!! Finally on the train!!










Chloee helping read the story of the Polar Express on the way to the North Pole....










Here are the kids sitting on Santa's lap.....








We all had a great time and are so thankful to everyone who sponsored this event. It was so nice to get on a train and forget all of our worries for a day. The kids each got a present from Santa. Rhett got an Indiana Jones Potato head. It was the perfect gift. He loves his tato heads. It was an amazing day.

Beary Merry Christmas with the Utah Jazz Bear Saturday, December 13th

Yesterday we were invited to have the kids go shopping with the Utah Jazz Bear and some of the fire fighters from Salt Lake. They each got partnered with two volunteers and were able to go to Wal-Mart and go shopping.

The best part about this though is that Andy and I got to help once we got to Wal-Mart. They didn't have enough volunteers to work at the registers so Andy and I got to help put stuff in bags as the kids came up with their things. It was so fun watching kids of all ages come up with their items. The cutest thing was the little boys that had gotten their mommies something. No matter how many kids came through those ones always got to me. Many of them would tell us that it was just them and their mom's that lived together.

It made me realize how fortunate I am to have Andy. He supports me so much, and although we don't see each other as much as I would like to, when we are together we have a blast, and no matter what, if I need any type of support he is always just a phone call away. I know there are many women out there who don't have that support and they are raising their kids on their own.

I know what it feels like. I have been down that road. There was a time when it was just me and Dakota. I consider myself extremely blessed to have such an amazing husband and father to our children.

Anyhow, here are some pictures from Saturday.....

Chloee and Andy Dancing.......


There is something about the bond between a daddy and a little girl that is just amazing........


He is her hero......


Hunter and Rhett hanging out....Best Buds......


Hey...Whazup.....


Daddy and Rhett......They're pretty tight too.......


This was the only shot that I could get of Dakota. We had to be up at 4 am to be in Salt Lake by 6:30 am so he was a bit on the sleepy and grumpy side. We're so not morning people around here........


This is the family that took Rhett shopping. They were so cute with him. AND, they even knew some sign language. How cool is that? Apparently they were on the news with him as well, but I totally missed it. This time it was on KSL channel 5 on SportsBeat Saturday. I am hoping they will run it again tonight so we can see it. I emailed the station and asked them if they would post a link on their website as well, so far I haven't seen anything though........


This is Rhett with former Utah Jazz player Mark Eaton, he is 7 ft 4" tall. He just dwarfs Rhett in this picture, but he really is the nicest guy ever.....


Here is Rhett with the Utah Jazz Bear...They were pretty tight that day too......


And here is Rhett with Santa. Apparently Rhett said "Santa!!" on the news. Man I really want to see that!! We actually "know" this Santa. One of his kids draws with Andy at the art studio. Rhett LOVES Santa this year.......


We had an amazing week, it was so much fun and it was good for Andy and I to be able to help. It is so hard and so humbling to sit there and watch your family get help, and wanting to be the person giving the help rather than receiving it. Does that make sense? This way we were able to give back even if it was in a small way, and we also got to hang out with some of the dancers from High School Musical. Chloee has met these guys twice now, and so she is "officially" friends with them.

We are so thankful for the joy of being together as a family this season, and for Andy having a job where they are willing to let him switch his days around so that he is able to go with us. Life is full of joy this year, and we don't have to have money to experience the joy.