Nice Quote

“We have a duty to secure the physical safety and well-being of our children. However, some parents place undue priority on temporal and material possessions. Some are far less diligent in their efforts to immerse their children in the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Take Heed to Yourselves! comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1971], 221). Remember that having religious observance in the home is as important as providing food, clothing, and shelter. Parents can also help children discover and develop their talents. We are responsible for the talents we have received. Children who are not taught that they are accountable for their time and talents are increasingly subject to the foolishness and unrighteousness that are so pervasive in the world (see Mark 7:20-23).
Quentin L. Cook, “Stewardship—a Sacred Trust,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 93

Mandy Girl

Well it has been an eventful week, which I will blog about later but for now I just wanted everyone to know that Mandy and Mama are headed to the hospital. Mama spiked a temperature last night/this morning (5:30am) and was complaining that her leg hurt a lot. We got her a blessing, some mortin and then she slept for a little longer. Mama emailed the doctor and he wanted them to come in and get checked out so they are on the way to Texas Children's right now. If you could keep her in your prayers that would be wonderful. I will let you know what happens as time passes.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning is fun always fun.  Mandy and Nathan woke us up early and we unwrapped presents.  It was early enough that when I got back to bed it was before 7:30 am.

Nathan got what he wanted a Nitendo DS (I think) some small game thingy (you can tell I care a lot) from Santa and Mandy got a horse stable and horses from Santa.  They both got fun gifts from Mama and Daddy and have been spending many hours playing with them.

Just as an aside I made a bunch of Christmas bags to "wrap" the presents in this year and boy was it nice on the wrapping end and on the clean up - yeah for being able to sew!

Christmas Eve

Each year we have Christmas Eve together (this year is was smaller than usual :( because of Cyndi, Asia and Bob's family's absence), but we still had a great time.  We met at the Turpin's and had delicious food, great entertainment, presents and a movie.  Beth and Dallas joined us so it was perfect.  I hope that every family has such as great time as we do!

 

Bella

Beth and Lizzy

Katherine and Victoria

Beth and most of the kids dancing to "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" - Aunt Beth is great for making it fun for all the kids.

David is so sweet with Joy!

 

On to the entertainment for the evening - in every sense of the word.  Mama, Daddy, Beth, Mandy and Nathan and I sang and played the bells or piano (Nathan) to Jingle Bells as our "talent".  It was a sad little production but we had fun!

Mandy then played "Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas" and we all sang along - pretty good for a 6 year old!

Then it was the Leavitt's turn and Katherine read to us the story of the candy cane and what it represents.

 

Then the Turpins took their turn - they did 4 things really.  A puppet show, Jessi read a story and then we sang "Away in a Manager" and then we snuggled in for "Prep and Landing" a 25 minute Christmas story about getting ready for Christmas and believing - it was really cute.  Since we had it at the Turpin's we got to have Bella there too - we are lucky!

Here are some just random pictures from the night.

Joy loves Uncle Brad and while we were watching the movie she was insistent that he read to her.  It was very cute!

Making Gingerbread Houses

As with tradition we made gingerbread houses.  Mandy and Nathan did a great job.  Here are some pictures of the construction and finished product.

Turpin Girls Photo Shoot

I wanted to take some pictures of the girls to get more exposure and different looks so I dragged the Turpin girls (minus Bella) to a near by park and took a bunch of pictures.  Here are some of my favorites of my beautiful nieces.