Elody at 6 1/2 months, finally sitting without support

Finally, on Dec 26th, Elody stayed sitting up without support, playing with a toy while we were separating laundry.

Christmas 2009

Christmas week was a hard week. Beauchene and Elody were both sick and very needy. Matt was working in the garage
on Jileigh's shelves and the girls' doll house most of the time. I missed being able to go to Matt's family dinner party, which was emotionally hard on me. Matt did bring a plate of yummy food for me. I spent the evening holding my two babies. I am grateful to my parents and Candy for calling me regularly checking up on me and the kids.

Christmas day was nice with the kids. Matt's mom came by but we were asleep and the kids didn't wake us up. I missed being able to visit with her.

Ward Christmas dinner

Matt stayed home with Beau since he was sick and I took Talon, Safia and Elody with me to the ward Christmas party. Angelique and Jileigh went to Mesa with Matt's mom to see Grandma J (Matt's Mom's mom )and Grammy (my mom). Shari is my friend that has been Elody second mom at church while I lead the music. Shari held my Elody so I could pay attention to the nativity play and take pictures. Talon was Joseph and Safia was an angel. Shari has really been a good friend to love my baby. After this evening is when Elody started getting sick too.

The kids each got a turn to sit on Santa's lap. That's when I really was able to find out what the kids wanted. Talon asked for a nerf gun, Jaren a basketball, and Safia a doll.

Snow day at Matt's mom's house.

The Saturday before Christmas, we went to Matt's mom's house to play in the snow. She got about 9 inches of snowfall in her large yard. Matt and the kids made an igloo. I went out and helped for a little bit while Elody slept. I started a snowball fight. We had a nice day together.
Beau and Elody stayed inside the whole time.

Elody at 6 months old with her bear

I just can't seem to take enough pictures of her!

Thanksgiving 2009 at the ranch with Matt's extended family

We spent Thanksgiving day with Matt's extended family at the Ranch. The kids enjoyed their day playing with their cousins. We all enjoyed our visiting. Grandma always requests that the men in the family sing together, "We Elders of Israel." It sounded so nice.

Cousin fun

I have been babysitting (Matt's sister) Esther's little girl on Wednesdays. This particular Wednesday, I had Candy's Brandon and Sariah for a couple of hours too. I put the girls in pig tails and took a picture of them together. They really enjoy being together.