Our Journey to Bethlehem

Last night we took our long journey to Bethlehem... Kentucky (about 30miles away). We sang Christmas songs and looked at all the Christmas lights on our way to see this live nativity.

It was cold and we were all bundled up in lots of layers.

The live nativity was so neat. The people in the tiny town of Bethlehem, Kentucky do this every year and take turns in the nativity scene (they must have been FREEZING!). The stable even had real animals in it including a donkey, a cow, and two sheep that the kids enjoyed feeding.

I loved that we were able to go as a family and do something fun but also focus on the true meaning of Christmas. As we drove away I felt such gratitude for this little town who do this great service to all who make the journey to Bethlehem.

Again thanks to our dear friends (practically family) Kristine and Brett for leading the way.

Caroling at the Nursing home

When I told the girls we were going caroling at the nursing home they were thrilled (not MY response when I was a kid). Hallie said, "That is my favorite part about Christmas because it makes them so happy and they just smile at us when we sing."
We decided to make some Christmas cards for the residents. Hallie and Megan wrote a special message and drew a picture in each of the 50 cards! They did such a great job and the people loved them.


We sang and sang and sang our little hearts out. One lady kept asking for "one more". She said, "I'm one hundred years old and I may not make it much longer!" I think we sang her 10 songs!

Thanks to Kristine and Brett for setting this up every year. It is a highlight of our Christmas.

Campbell Says

" Megan's gunna be a grandfawder and I'm gunna be a mommy." Megan tried to explain to him that that was not possible but he was very insistent.

In the back seat- "We're going SUPERfast! Are we winning mommy? Are we winning the race?"

Standing on the back of the couch (big no no) with one arm reaching up the sky, "To the Rescue!"

What I love about Our Kentucky Home

It occurred to me the other day that many of my Utah friends probably think that Louisville is a little town in rolling hills Kentucky full of white fences, fields, farms, and horses everywhere.

That's what we thought before we came here.

So, I thought it would be fun to tell you a few things about Louisville... our home.

Louisville has a population of 1,244,696 in the metropolitan area. To give you an idea of how big that is Salt Lake City has a population of almost 200,000 so just times SLC by 6... it is a really big city. Louisville lies on the banks of the Ohio River and the skyline is absolutely beautiful at night as the city lights reflect over the river and huge bridges. It takes my breath away every time we drive over the bridge into downtown at night.

Of course Louisville is famous for The Kentucky Derby and Derby is a big deal around here. The whole city really comes alive during the Derby.

And if you go to Derby you MUST wear a great hat. Here is Megan's Derby hat.

We live about 15 miles from downtown in a beautiful area.

We do have a lot of horses in Kentucky but one thing Trev and I think is cool is in Louisville the horse fences are usually painted black not white.

We have grown to love the black horse fenced fields.

The beautiful Louisville Temple is only 3 miles from our home.
It is not uncommon to run into this guy at Costco or the elementary school or of course at church. He has a son out here.

Fall in Louisville is absolutely GORGEOUS. You don't have to drive up to the mountains to get spectacular views. Kentucky is thick with trees and I took the above photo when I was just running some errands one day. That is a typical road out here (very skinny with trees up to the edge of the road).

The freeways (especially I71) are so pretty. That's right, I said the FREEWAY is pretty. There are rock walls with water trickling down them and moss growing on them. There are huge trees lining the sides of the freeway and green grass (don't need sprinkling systems out here because of the humidity) that grows up to the roads and covers everything.

When we came here from Utah it was the first thing I noticed.

This is our house (before we added the new room above the garage).

We just love living here. It is home.

First Snow

Louisville got its first snow last week. It lasted about an hour. ;)

Gingerbread

We've had lots of fun with gingerbread this Christmas season.
We went to one friends home and made this fun gingerbread house.

And then we got some gingerbread men to decorate as a family from another great friend.

Thanks friends!

Found Davis like this

Davis loves to wrap things (coats, towels, etc.) around his head and neck.

I found him like this the other day...

Davis turns 1

December 2nd 2008

December 2nd 2009

Wow, I can't believe our little man is 1 year old! Poor Davis was sick on his birthday so although he enjoyed his cake it was kind of a yucky day for him.

Davis is walking all over the house and follows me everywhere. He says "Mama" and "Dada" and he points and claps and waves and giggles. Davis doesn't play with toys instead he loves cellphones, camers, remote controls, and carries my old stethoscope around his neck (sound like anyone you know?). He is such a fun little guy and he is so happy and content.

I took him in for his one year and here are his stats:

24lbs 14 oz. (70%) and 30and 3/4 inches (50%)

Happy Birthday Davis!!!

Healthy and Happy Photos

Between the 6 of us we have been sick for a full month and are so happy to be healthy and out of the house again!!!

It's been a long time since I have taken individual photos of each of the kiddos so here are a few I took this weekend.

I can't believe how much they are growing. These kids are my life and they bring me so much joy!

Hallie 8years old

Meg 6 years old

Davis 11 months (he'll be 1 year in 2 weeks!)

Campbell 2 years old

Davis walks

Davis took his first few steps earlier in October but on October 31st something "clicked" and he started walking all over the place!

He loves to follow me around the house now. It's so cute... I'll walk into room and then turn around to see the little man concentrating on ever step and going as fast as he can to keep up with me.

P.S. He still doesn't know how to crawl!