I seem to only want to blog when I have way too many pictures and way too many activities to feel grateful about.  I never seem to remember how to put pictures in order of event, so backwards I go but the blessings remain.  (I think the pattern I see is I blog quarterly). 

The Christmas season is over and the new tree is going into storage.  Another great reason why I should never move, I can store my tree without having to pull it apart.

 Christmas day evening, dinner with the Hardcastle family.  It was so nice because every member was able to be here.  I know how much that means to Grandma, Charlene,when that can happen.  Plus its a good time to get to know the little Hardcastle s.

 Our growing family got together before dinner and opened our gifts to one another.  It's always a challenge to find our time to be together, but the kids are great and we can come together and enjoy the day and watching the kids, and seeing all our blessings at once.

 Out second stop of the morning was at Karen's for our traditional breakfast.  Eggs, ham, juice, scones, honey butter, and gifts, and gifts and fun.  It can be chaotic but it's always worth it.  This tradition was started by mom and was very important to her that it continue, but we now wouldn't have it any other way.  When the kids were little, Kim and I would give them the choice of staying home and having a quite family day, and they never wanted that, so chaotic or not this is our way.     

 Our day started with stop #1, to see what Santa brought to the Lafeen kids.  Hyrum was so excited and said "this is just what I asked for", train and blocks, but he did mention that Santa forget a train, It was funny that he would remember that.  Kate was just overwhelmed at us wanting her to be excited, but she loves Minnie Mouse, and Milo was just relaxing.

 Our home Christmas Eve.  The gifts have multiplied and the bikes were out together.

 This little photo means a lot to me.  I was teased a bit my other family members for wanting to do this, but I may never have this type of little threesome again.  The kids had fun dressing up and seemed to enjoy the fun.  I took a lot of pictures, this may not have been the best one, but I am so happy to have gotten it.  

 Kate's birthday, #2.

Photo of the year!  Kate loved the trees, but not the shopping.

 The 2 girls and kids and I went to the 'Festival of Trees.  We walked fast and saw a lot.  Kate loved the trees, and was constantly pointing out cute things on every isle.   

 My new tree, after 15 years of the same tree or a fresh tree, I broke down and bought a per-lit flocked white tree. Decorating it in red, sliver and white gave me such good childhood memories. I'm not sure I have ever loved a tree as much as this one.

 It's a GIRL.  Jodi and Trevor throw a great gender discovery party and we all found out together that they are having a sweet little girl in May.  We are all so excited, and I know they are too.

 Thanksgiving at our home.  Lots of people and lots of great food.  Everyone came and brought such amazing food.  Kim and I only had to cook the Turkeys, dressing (stuffing), and gravy, and set up the house.  The rest of the food was delivered with the family.  What a fun day with visiting and  kids playing together.  Truly a day of giving thanks for family.  

 Hyrum's birthday #4 he is such a good gift receiver.  He will say with every opening "this is just what I wanted",  Melanie makes such cute cakes and often has to make them twice.  The Hook cake was just one of her many amazing pieces of art.

Jessica with the future Elder Lafeen

 Missionaries coming home.  Paul Hardcastle and Travis Latham (No Picture of him)

 Milo's blessing day.  What a sweet little boy to have in our growing living family.

 Pumpkin picking, painting and decorating contest.  We try to do this every year and it's a lot of fun.  We actually had more painting than carving this year.  I did end up carving a few of my own later, I've got to have some glowing candles on the porch on Halloween night. 

 The adorable Smee (Milo), Tinker Bell (Kate), Hook (Hyrum).  I know the manes weren't needed.  

 The mean old(old) witch.  I love my ring and bracelet   

Our blessing are many, the year has been long.  We certainly have our personal struggles, and aches and pains a plenty, our work can be demanding along with Kim's Bishop responsibilities, I love my Primary calling, but no matter how rough the days seem to get our grand kids, children and all our extended family remind us our blessing out-way the struggles.  I am grateful for our lives our families, and our blessing that come everyday.   

Nothing better...

 I have so many pictures, obviously many and most off my phone and instagram, but I need to put them all in one place. So much has happened in our little, but growing family.

So there is nothing better in life than.........

  ...The beginning of new life, Milo David Lafeen, born Sept. 20, 2012.  7lbs, 11oz, 20 inches long.  Health and happy, with 10 fingers and 10 toes. 

....A happy husband and 3rd time dad who is happy and  ready to catch a baby, just in case he might need to.

...2 little, 18 days apart, 2nd cousins.  Quinn T. Howden born 9-2-12.  These 2 adorable little boys added to the Petersen great grandchildren. As seen above:  Quinn, Ellott, Hyrum, Milo, Wyatt, Molly, Jack, Kate, Braydon.    

 ...Excited brother and sister getting ready to go meet their new little brother. They were at grandma and grandpa's from the night before and had waited all day for the time they could go to the hospital.  I just have to laugh at this adorable pose.  Hyrum acting all cool and Kate all excited, but in real life all you have to say is "cheese" and she is ready for the camera.

  

...Having a professional photo-op.

...Welcoming home a cousin.  Paul Hardcastle arrived home from South Korea, after serving a 2 year Mission.  His parents and sisters were so excited, along with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  

...Having wonderful adult kids.  We were able to spend time together in Jackson Hole, during the yearly Jackson Hole outing.  We had a beautiful condo. Kim and I were so grateful for all of their help in caring for 2 little kids while their mom and dad rested and came home with Milo.  5 days is enough to wear out 55 year old people, who understand and remember why being parents is for the young.

 ...Having your heart warmed by little kids who love each other, who cry if the other crys, who want to play and be together, or struggle to get the whole holding hand thing just right, who make us grateful for sweet little people and want more to join our family.

... For having extended family that we can share time with.  This is just part of the Hardcastle group that meets yearly in Jackson.  This is at our traditional huge breakfast, after some were lucky enough to hear the Elk bugling. 

 
 ...Watching 2 little kids entertain themselves with logs and dirt.  They were playing a made-up game of "2 little Caterpillars laying on a log, one fell off and then there was one", we played it over and over again.  They were, of-course adorable.


 ...Proud Grandpas.

 ...More Kids and dirt.

 ....A spontaneous outing to the Brigham City Temple open house.

.... A lovable 16 year old family member.  We had to put Simon "down", what a horrible term, but he had gotten very weak, and couldn't hold his own weight for more than a few steps.  Kim and I had been watching him and getting more and more concerned.  The many problems he was having, we knew, were not treatable.  

Simon was given to Gordon when he was 11 or 12 years old and he quickly became a good companion to both Gordon and Matt.  All of us loved him, me maybe not so much at times, but he was a lovable happy pet and great with the grand kids   We knew it was Gordon's decision  but both he and Matt knew he couldn't go on and face another winter in this condition.  They both watched him very crossly all weekend.  I really didn't think it would affect me like it did, but as a mom, I hated seeing my adult sons so emotional and upset.  Life is hard with a lot of challenges, and we are grateful for them all.    

 ....A loving mom, mother in-law, grandma and great grandma.

 ....A grandpa who is willing to get on all fours and play with the grand kids.  This was at a park on our long drive home from Jackson.  The kids needed to get out of the car and I think Kim needed a play time rest too.

 ....Just playing...

...Being entertained by electronic devices no matter where we are.  Paul's plain was delayed and Hyrum needed a diversion.  As always the I-phone works.

....Date Night.  We tried a new restaurant in Farmington, and  ended up enjoying an outdoor concert as well .  

Nothing better than...New life, very young life, middle life, older and older life.  Nothing better than family no matter the age or place.