15 Years

15 Years ago

we were married.


And since then this,
our married years by the numbers.
5 children
7 homes lived in
4 college degrees earned
(3 by the hubby)
1 cabin invested in
11 different jobs
(between the two of us)
2 states lived in
6 vehicles owned
3 fish (only pets we have ever had)

One Eternal Family

Happy Anniversary Mr. Dean
Thank You for making me your Mrs. Dean

Rough Week

It has been a rough week for this little girl.

After missing a day of nursing
I thought it was a sign that she was ready to be weaned.
Not so much.

The second day went okay
but for the last five days she has gotten up on my lap
expecting the usual. And when she realizes
she isn't going to get that anymore
she throws a little fit.

On this particular day
NOTHING would calm her down.
Until her brother handed her a piece of ice.

Then she was NICE again.

I feel bad
because I know it is a comfort for her.
But it is time to move on.

Holiday Happenings

Happy New Year.

I am only a little late getting this posted
but none the less here is how we spent some of our time
this Christmas.

Our first adventure was going to TEMPLE SQUARE
to see the millions of lights
and the unique manger scenes.

A few days later,
SANTA came to our Ward Christmas Breakfast.

We had an excited,
no ANXIOUS three year old who
at the last moment decided that sitting on Santa's lap
wasn't a good idea,

but getting a picture STANDING next to Santa was perfectly acceptable.
His sister had NO issues with Santa.







We measured the younger kids
against our
Giant NUTCRACKER
to see how they have grown
in the last year.





















And we made
GINGER BREAD Houses,
using graham crackers, royal icing, candy, pretzels,
and marshmallows.





We also
decorated the house,
read Christmas stories,
sang Christmas songs around the piano,
learned about Christmas time in Germany,
made a Christmas craft,
read the Book of Mormon Christmas story,
drove around looking at Christmas lights,
wrote a gift to Jesus and put it in His stocking,
made and delivered neighbor gifts,
opened a new ornament,
wrapped presents,

and then Christmas Eve arrived
and SANTA came.

Another Christmas season come and gone.

I am THANKFUL this ritual is only once a year,
but ever GRATEFUL that publicly His birth is celebrated
and that we can rejoice in our SAVIOR
and what He did for us
All Year Long.

A Little HELP

We have a problem.

Our second born is much too creative for me and my hubby.
Here is a project he wanted us to complete with him.

He just wanted us to help him build a nutcracker.
He had everything worked out (in his head).
He even had figured out what and how many parts we needed.

The PROBLEM is
we are not that crafty
and we are NOT good at shaping and painting wood.

We tell him this and his next request...
build a Buzz-Saw Louie.

It seems simple enough to him,
but much too complicated for us.