So grateful to have my girls!!

Last week I had a great gratitude moment. Last week Derek and I were laying in bed watching t.v and Derek was just flipping through the channels and he happened to stop on Oprah and we watched it for a minute. There was a mother on who was on a mission to stop texting while driving. She then shared her story of how her little 7 year old girl was riding her bike home from school when she was hit by someone who was texting that killed her. She shared her experiece of how aweful the sight was to see her daughters body laying there in the street and then she talked about the last night she had with her in the hospital. The doctors had told her that her daughter wouldn't make it through the night so she told how special that night was between her and her daughter. She said that she rocked her all night and sang to her and just memorized her face. Of course by the end I was just sobbing since of course it was easy for me to relate to the story with my two little girls about the same age. So I hope out of bed and went down to my daughters room and layed in bed with them and thought so much about my blessing and how much these two little angels meant to me. It was a special night and a special experince I had. I left with a new challenge that even though the days are so crazy and filled with what seems to be a million things to take care of. I am going to take time every day to spend one on one with those little girls I am so grateful to have with me.

"Winter get away"

A family in our ward owns this beautiful cabin up at Sundance that we were able to use for a 3 day weekend. It was so much fun. My dad brought up his guitar and taught the kids some new songs. They loved that.

The kids played and played in the snow. It had a perfect sledding hill just out the front door that was such a blast, and Derek also built a huge snow cave that the loved playing in.

Of course Grandma Chalmers had to make matching p.j's for all the kids. She is way too amazing!

It turned out to be the perfect weekend. Some went skiing while other relaxed and played with the kids. We did some art projects with the kids and played games and had way too much food. Overall it was a total success!!

2010, bring it on!!

We had a really fun New years eve party this year with a bunch of our cousins. We played games and ate some goodies. The older kids played rock band all night and we had some fun crafts provided for the younger kids. It was a lot of fun and I can't believe how well all the kids did staying up until midnight. They all stayed cheerful and had so much fun with cousins.

Santa, Santa, and more Santa

Went to go and see Santa who visits Lexis pre-school

These are from the Downey Christmas party that we have every year. The kids love it because Santa always stops in with a special present for each child. The adults love it because we always have a prime rib dinner that is to die for.

Christmas morning. We had such a great Christmas. Santa brought the girls "american girl" dolls which they were so excited about. The boys got lots of "car show" things they cannot get enough of lightning mcqueen right now. It was such a fun morning.

Kali and Lexi playing with the beads that Santa brought. They wanted to get all dolled up to go to Grandma Chalmers for Christmas dinner.

Christmas night at Grandma Chalmers. Of course the kids had to wear elf hats all night. and the boys loved Grandpa Chalmers train.

Caroling with the Downeys

Fun night Caroling with the Downeys. They are such great in-laws.

School fun

Kali had some fun things going on at school in December. First off at Orchard the first graders have a fun "Polar Express day" They get to wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite stuffed animal. Santa came and visited and they had little elf helpers around the class room. And Kali's favorite part was that Santa gave each child a bell off of his sleigh. Then Orchard also every Christmas does a Christmas sing where each grade performs 2 songs for the parents. It was adorable.

Still playing VB and lovin it!

I have been playing volleyball a lot lately and I love it more than ever. This year we put together a team of some old college friends. I played with these girls at UVSC and we had so much fun talking about old times and great memories. Thanks girls for another fun season!

Kids performances

We got to attend Kali and Lexi dance class this december. They wanted to show the parents what the kids had been learning and give them a chance to show off a little. It was so adorable!! Their dance teacher Mrs Ashley is so great with the girls and they love her so much. Lexi has her twin cousins Sadie and Saylor in her dance class. They have a lot of fun together.

Kali has also gotten really good at gymnastics. She was asked this year to advance to the more competitive class. She had gotten her backhand spring down perfectly and almost her back tuck.. It is fun to go and watch her cause she is the smallest in the class. All the other girls are quiet a bit older and they love to kind of play big sister to Kali. She loves it and is really enjoying gymnastics.

Lexi Turns 5

Lexi turned 5 this December and I can hardly believe it. We already did her birthday party back in October, but we still did some fun things to make the day special for her. I think the highlight for her was getting to decorate her own birthday cake. She is such a sweetie and I can hardly believe that she is 5. Love you little Lu!!

Girls night out

Derek was out of town and so I took the girls on a date with me to go and see "New Moon" They loved it almost as much as me. TEAM JACOB

Family Pictures