year-end holidays in review.

the valley.

-We spent Thanksgiving up in Wayan with Kevin's mom's family.

-It was *freezing* cold outside.
We braved the weather to take Lee on his first walk around the loop to show him the sights.

- Turns out that I'm a natural at the old school Nintendo duck hunting game, who knew?
(Kevin was BLOWN away, those who know me know that I am ABSOLUTELY not a gamer.)

- It was, as usual, great to get away from everything (even cell reception) for a bit and enjoy the holiday with family.

-Christmas time proved to come so quickly for us.  Life just seems to be so much busier in December.

- We most anticipated having a child to share Christmas with us for the first time.
We spent the Christmas holiday with my family. (all 17 under the same roof)
Aside from at least one of the grandkids being up throughout each night making all of us parents a bit sleepy, it was delightful to be all together.
(Annie and David will be serving missions by the time next Christmas rolls around.)

-On Christmas Eve, as is tradition for my mom's family, we participated in a progressive dinner with the Twitchell family.

me and dave.

Lee decided *quite uncharacteristically* that the crowd was too much and cried like this (or worse) almost the entire night.

Scott and Dave singing a duet.

 -Each of my siblings (minus Alan who was with his in-laws) participated in the talent show at the first stop in the dinner this year. 

Matty introducing his piano number.

Ann singing "Astonishing".

The girls singing together.

He had brief moments of happiness.

-Luckily Lee found comfort in my mom's arms as well as ours so that we were still able to shnarn with our extended family that we don't get to see as much.

- Because of his fragile temperament, Lee was a spectator for the nativity and his cousin Emily had to sit in as baby Jesus.

- Lee woke up in plenty of time to participate in Christmas morning.

Waiting to see what Santa brought.

Coming down the stairs.

-Lee made it all the way through Santa (who doesn't wrap presents at our house) and opening one present before he decided that it'd be much more fun for him to go back to bed. He slept the rest of the morning.

Cousin Kami on Christmas morning.

The three babies under a year old; Emily (9 months), Lee (8 months), Chloe (6 months)

ann-dog.

emily.

chloe.

luke-y.

In the snow.

- Lee seems to be indifferent to snow. (and snow activities)




















- We really had a wonderful holiday season.  Looking back on 2012 for our family I can't believe how tremendously blessed we've been, most especially to have the miracle of Lee Daken joining us in April. 
We have found what Moroni (an ancient Book of Mormon prophet) wrote to be true:

Moroni 7:37 "It is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels administer unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief..."

We believe that God is the same as He ever was, and that He does want to bless us with **real miracles** in our lives, if we are willing to believe He can, in His perfect way and time.