Christmas Letter & Card

Hello Everyone!

I wasn’t going to include a letter with my cards because, well, we’re pretty boring and don’t change much. But when I explained that to Kevin he pointed out that this year we had a baby and he changed jobs. I guess that’s enough changes to merit a little note , but knowing how I can ramble, you’re going to get a full letter.

As I said, Dimples (otherwise known as Davin) was born May 6. We were all excited when we found out he was a he!!! He gets a lot of kisses around here and is a happy, patient little guy to put up with it all.

Erin just turned three. She is a girly-girl through and through. All the girls are in dance, but she of all of them loves it the most. Just don’t try to make her wear pants when she’d rather be wearing a tutu or there is a good chance she’ll stash the pants and wander around in her undies.

Kira and Audrey will turn seven in February. They are in first grade and love school—especially reading and recess! They are their teacher’s special little helpers when she needs things done, they really love reading to the class for her. While their personalities are as different as can be (Kira’s the shy, prim and proper perfectionist/Audrey’s the competitive and clever schemer), so far their interests are pretty similar and they are each other’s best friend.

Kaylee will turn eight in January and is looking forward to being baptized. She also loves reading and all things school-related (she’s in second grade). She now even looks the part of a bookworm as she acquired a new set of glasses this year when we noticed she had to squint five feet away from the big screen TV.

As to the aforementioned job change—we’re still in Idaho Falls and Kevin’s still an engineer at the nuclear site. He just has a new boss at a new plant. What am I up to you ask? Well, I still love being a mom and all the crazy stuff that goes with that. All in all, life is good and we hope the same for you!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,


Kevin, Tara and kids

THE New Family Pic

I had to photoshop Erin's head from another picture because she refused to look forward for the ONE picture everyone else cooperated for. I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out--you can't even tell that's a tweaked head!!!

More Family Pics

I know these posts are backwards. Live and learn. . .

Family Pics

My sister Mandy was brave and nice enough to take some pictures for us. It's no picnic taking pictures of babies and two-year olds!!! Thank you, thank you Mandy!!

All About Davin

So, I know I need to totally make over this blog, rename it and such, but that will have to wait for another day. The very least I can do is put some pics of our newest little guy. He was born May 6 and weighed 9 lbs. I know, that's large. He's such a happy, mild and content little guy--just like his dad so far--yeah!! And. . . he has dimples!! Another legacy from his dad. I love them. On to the pics.

Happy Birthday Two Months Late

So Audrey and Kira turned six. . . two months ago. . . Here's the pictures. Better late than never right? They both wanted princess cakes and since I'm no decorator they decorated these themselves. I think they did a pretty good job. I realize they're sleaveless which is a major no-no in our house but, really, frosting sleeves? Those are just too hard for me to pull off so try not to be too offended by their nudity ;0)

They got a whole bunch of stuff they didn't need but loved--just what birthdays are for. Thanks to the grandmas in their lives for pretty new dresses, a giant story book, and some new games to play--what spoiled little girlies!!

I can't believe they're six and they're not even my oldest!! That is so crazy to me. I love them so much and am thankful every day we got both of them. That first year or so may have been crazy but I can't remember it now and I wouldn't want things any other way than the way they are today. These two are so perfect for each other and they are such good friends. Sometimes I wonder if they share two opposite sides of a brain because they are nothing alike, but together they blend so well. When one is weak the other is strong, when one is sad the other cheers her up. They really have brought more joy to my life already than I knew was possible and I am grateful every day to get to share my life with them.

Kaylee Growing Up

Well, I have a few birthday pictures to catch up on so I'll do Kaylee today and you might get to see the twins' pics in a few days or so . . . Kaylee turned 7 Jan 21 and I can't believe I have a seven year old!! She is getting to be so grown up. As a follow up to the digital camera she asked Santa for, she wanted a mp3 player for her birthday. Since you can get the non-fancy ones pretty cheap these days Kevin and I obliged--although it was pretty sad to not be buying her toys for Christmas or her Birthday. I'm not ready to give up the barbies and My Little Ponies yet ;0( Here she is showing off her stuff. The cake is an mp3 player if you can't tell. I was pretty proud of myself and I've decided rectangle cakes decorated with candy is the way to go for me--I just can't do the decorating thing.

Grandma and Grandpa Bake hid a little surprise in the activity book they gave her. She enjoyed finding that as you can see.

To make her look even more grown up, she lost both of her bottom front teeth this week. Here's a picture of one out and one almost to go.

Baby Shower

My fabulously creative and cute friend Heather is hostessing a baby shower for me tomorrow night. I would feel really dumb if it was just for me, but luckily I have another friend who's due a month before I am to share this shower with. I'm putting the invite on here so if any of you out-of-towners or in-towners whom she didn't have addresses for want to stop in you can. Don't bring a gift or anything, if you feel dumb showing up empty-handed bring treats to share or something--that's the hardest part about showers for me, I feel like they're a gift solicitation when really I just want to see my friends and laugh and eat good treats and swap baby stories. Come prepared to share tips about raising boys since I'm fully aware they're a whole other breed of human. . .!!! If you can't see the invite, it's an open house 7-9:00 P.M. Feb 18 at Heather Ballard's house 1412 Avon Ln. Call me if you need directions (522-0359) it would be great to see you there!!!