An update...

Hard to believe we are already in the full swing of summer! Life has been treating us pretty well so I can't complain too much. :) We were so excited to welcome a nephew (after 4 nieces) to the family in June - I am so anxious to go and meet Landon! He is being adored by his big sisters, although rumor has it that Kayla won't change diapers, hahaha. The 4th of July was a "blast" as always. Good food, great friends and family, and great fireworks. What more could you ask for?

Another huge milestone was Justin getting his mission call to the Dominican Republic. What a wonderful blessing it was to be there when he opened his call! I think a piece of my heart is going to leave with him when he goes in October. I love that kid so much and can't believe he is ready to go on a mission - time certainly has a way of racing by these days it seems. I was grateful to be there with most of the family when he went through the temple just a few weeks ago. There is so much comfort knowing everyone in the family was worthy to be there - including the ones who couldn't make it. That is something not everyone gets to experience in this life I am sure and I am humbled by the blessings the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon us. I am grateful for the righteous lives and examples my brothers are to me. They are all pretty cool guys :)

Good times!

Time went by too quickly the last few weeks! It was such a joy to have Jeff, Amy, and the girls here. Kayla was so excited to go to Sea World and Grammy got the 3 girls matching outfits for the occasion. It was precious to watch the girls play together and see Hali'a follow Kayla everywhere she went. Jon gave La'akea such a beautiful blessing- what a special and sacred event that the entire family got to be a part of! Now, Mom and Dad and Grandma Betty are off to Missouri to watch Jeff graduate from medical school. What an amazing accomplishment and I know me and the whole family are so proud of him! He is going to be an amazing surgeon :)

Happiness is...

being an auntie! We are so grateful for the safe and healthy arrival of niece #4, La'akea Maren. Nothing brings a smile to my face faster than being with my nieces. I am so very grateful for the special relationship I have with Hali'a. She truly is a blessing to me and our whole family. I am excited to get to know La'akea and know what a blessing she is. I look forward to the days ahead when Kayla and Jocelyn come- its better than Christmas or birthdays :) Families are forever - xoxoxo

Hilarious!!!

Soto...enough said!

And so the countdown begins...

until my very favorite holiday that is! St. Patrick's Day is my all time favorite holiday, and no, I am not joking :) One of the items on my "Things to do Before I Die" list, is to go to New York and see the big parade. Some day I will! For now though, I will celebrate by wearing lots of green and eating lots of potatoes! Hehe. Another thing on my bucket list is to own an Irish wolfhound- hence the picture. Since the Westminster Kennel Club dog show is on right now, I only thought it appropriate to post a picture of a dog :) My dad once asked me why on earth I wanted to own a horse for a dog. Made me laugh!

In other news, not much else is going on. We are so thrilled to have found out that Jeff and Amy are expecting a baby boy!! He will be the first boy grandkid/nephew after four girls. Super excited and I have already found some awesome stuff for the little guy. It should be a fun and eventful next few months with the arrival of babies! What a blessing to have such an amazing family :)

Life has gone to the birds :)

One of my best friends I recently took a day trip to Solvang and had so much fun! Our first, and my favorite, stop was to an emu and ostrich farm. We got to feed those mean, stinky birds and the experience was quite memorable. I must say, at a few points I thought Lynette was going to have a heart attack :) The rest of the day we shopped, ate, and visited one of the missions in town. It was nice to get out of "dodge" - even just for the day. (p.s. those things in my hands are dog bowls screwed onto metal dustpans. That is what the ostriches ate out of and what they tried to steal from us!)

I can hardly believe that another has come to an end! Where does the time go? As we get ready for Christmas I can't help but think about my year and reflect on what I am grateful for. First and foremost I think would have to be families. I am blessed with so many great family members - husband, parents, siblings, sisters-in-law, nieces, aunts and uncles, cousins, and yes, even my dogs are my family :) We lost Jeff's grandma this year, saw Jeff, Amy, and the girls, welcomed Jordan home, and got good news about new additions to our crazy but wonderful group. We have made great memories and some sad ones too. Life is not always the easiest and I think we have definitely had more than our fair share of trials, but I imagine we can all say that about our lives. I am grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ - to know that even when I don't see or understand it, there is a plan bigger than me for my life. I am grateful for friends to lift and support. I am glad I have a job when so many don't. Even though some days, well, really suck let's be honest, I am glad I have a job to go to and that I am capable of working. My life is blessed even when I don't want to admit it and would rather wallow in my trials. I am super grateful for a husband who helps me recognize that! This Christmas may we all look for all of the wonderful things we have instead of counting all of the things we don't. May the Lord be with us all this beautiful time of year - xoxo