The BEST Christmas present

This is Matt Christmas 2005. I decorated him in all of the bows and ribbons, because he was the best present. This was 6 months after our accident and I felt that he was a miraculous gift from Heaven. My Christmas present....one that will forever bless my life.

And one year later....our little angel was born. Both of my special boys are miracles and I am so grateful for their presence in my life. They teach me, love me, and make my life constantly rich and full.

A very special trip to Utah

This last weekend we ventured up to Utah to witness our wonderful friends get sealed as an eternal family. I looked forward to this trip and was SO happy to be there. They moved to Bayfield in May and I just had this "feeling" about Alesha. I just knew she would be a special friend of mine....and I didn't tell her that until we actually WERE friends because I didn't want to freak her out! She is so beautiful in every way and I know that our paths crossed for a reason. They were only here until October, when her husband Stephen, got a new job in Boise, Idaho. I was SO sad to see them go, and still miss them, but am happy for the path they are taking. He loves his new job (flying passenger jets), and she feels more at home in Boise. Mostly, I am so happy for them to be sealed eternally to each other and to their sweet little boy. I wouldn't have missed this special occasion for the world. They have worked hard to get to this point and I feel blessed to have been able to share in their immense joy.


I love my friend


I LOVE my husband


The "friends" picture...


A BEAUTIFUL ETERNAL family...


Congratulations Stephen, Alesha, and "Tripp". We love you!

Lovin' Fall in Utah

Look how happy Kaden is! He LOVES his mom and dad....that's why!






Our cute little family at Temple Square....I always love to go there.


Kaden with his Granna. She spoiled us while we were there!



I can't get enough of this sweetie


Matt with his brothers in Ikea...not sure what he's doing in this picture :)

Balloon Fiasco

"Come here big pink thing!"


"GOTCHA!"


Kaden was SO happy chasing this balloon around...he was entertained for at least 1/2 an hour. He was also the entertainment at the luncheon after the Russo's sealing. All eyes were on him....he just hated all that attention...HAH!

The infamous bottom lip....Kaden's sad face

Kaden has made this face since he was first born...it's sad, but almost funny because it's so cute! When he gets sad he sticks his bottom lip out...I love it. I FINALLY got a picture of it!




"Mommy, that kitty hurt my feelings!"

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Tin Man, Dorothy, little Lion, and Scarecrow...


Matt got SO many raves for his duck tape suit and his costume. (I had been wanting to get rid of it because it takes up space, but he promised me that someday it would be put to good use...and I am very glad he had it...it was SO cool!) He won the best costume contest too. We went to our ward building for "Trunk-or-Treat", and when we got there Matt said, "Babe, where's my trick-or-treat bag?!?!" I told him I didn't plan on him trick or treating, but he went around to all of the cars and talked and talked and got lots of candy. Just like Matt...he made friends with EVERYONE there; he is so sweet.


I love my little chubby lion.


Matt's heart says, "I love Dorothy"....pretty clever eh?

A Beautiful Fall Wedding

This last week Matt, Kaden, and I flew out to California for his mom's wedding. It was a quick trip but we had a great time and the wedding was beautiful. Traci married David Barnes, and we couldn't be happier. We love him and welcome him into the family. It's amazing how much a family can grow in one weekend! They were married on Oct. 27th in the Sacramento Temple and the ceremony was very special (and yes, of course, I cried like a baby!). We are excited for them to be together and to have Dave in the family. He is loving and fun, and treats us like his own kids.


We took this cute picture at Dave's house. I think it's great...I love the boys in the tree. His yard was pretty fun...it was huge and he had horseshoes, a trampoline, jungle gym, tree house....the perfect play place for boys...



YAY!!!! A new and different toy to play with!



This little boy LOVES to be outside in the sunshine. We went to Apple Hill, toward Lake Tahoe, and played outside, looked in shops, and had the best apple fritters. It was a fun day. Kaden loved watching the geese in the pond, watching the kids run around, and tasting new yummy foods.



Little red-headed Mohawk man



I am thinking we look pretty darn good together....what do you think?



So happy and in love....the happy couple coming out of the temple.



Handsome....HANDSOME men...



The whole BIG happy family....now the Barnes have 11 kids....plus 4 spouses and a girlfriend....and 2 grandkids...WHOA! (I guess that may not be a huge family to some...but I only have 5 first cousins...so to me this is a giant family!)



These two were like giddy young newlyweds....so cute. (No more teasing Matt for his OVERLY affectionate maneuvers....)



We took pictures at the Park's house....where Matt and I had our open house. It is still the most spectacular yard I have ever seen. The fall colors were amazing and made for GREAT pictures.



Traci's kids and spouses: Connor, Nicole, Matt, Jessica, Craig, Kara, Gabe, and Trevor.
Aren't we a GOOD-LOOKING bunch?!?!?!