Christmas Pictures

So, in case you don't already know---- yes, mama misses her missionary. Our photographer Heather actually thought of this last year before Val left on his mission & we have been waiting 2 Christmas's to use this idea. The reason we didn't use it last year was we had taken our pictures with Val right before he left & I didn't want to do another photo shoot with her a month later, so I thought since this would be his LAST christmas gone, we would do it this year.

So here we are.... still standing on solid ground waiting for him.

We took our pictures in a kind of sort of wheat/hay field. Heather thought it would be awesome to put on our card .... the field is white & ready for harvesting. (or something along that line) But, I was such a crazy mess when it came time to do my card- I completely forgot about it... YIKES..

I do love our pictures-- the girls are growing up so fast & they are just amazingly beautiful!!!! What an awesome year this has been. Thanks to our friends & ward members in both of our wards-- Grove 3rd & Greenfield 2nd. We love all of you. Thank you for your prayers for our Missionary-- and please continue-- he has 9 more months as of today. I can't honestly believe that it has gone by this fast.

I am grateful for him & his desire to serve our Father in Heaven. I am grateful to my Savior for his Atoning sacrifice, I need it in my life daily- for I am still learning & making mistakes. I am grateful for my loving husband & best friend- who loves me, who honors his priesthood, who is the best father & the most handsome man EVER, who is ALWAYS forgiving, who has the best sense of humor & did I mention is my BEST FRIEND???? I am sooooo grateful for my two beautiful daughters- who continue to surprise me daily with their beauty, their humor, their divinity, their virtue, their benevolence & their grace! I am grateful for my parents-- my siblings-- all my family! I am soooo grateful for good girlfriends-- who love me even though they REALLY know me-- LOL! Oh and I can't forget my little nixy poo-- so grateful for him-- he loves me no matter what!

BABY GERMAINE IS HERE!!!!

Jack & Crew on Thursday morning the 8th of December. I went & picked up Natalie to take her to be induced @ Gilbert Mercy Hospital. Joe was going to get Jack off to school & Crew over to the Nielson's for the day. They were both so excited to meet their new brother.
The Germaine Family---
Natalie's new home for the next day or so.
Green toes w/snowflakes-- cute, huh?
Me, Natalie & Stacy. Stacy & I entertained Natalie & Joe for most of the day & evening. Stacy stayed pretty late and kept them laughing-- she has some awesome stories from her new job as a flight attendant.
Awe, look how sweet the new parents to be are.
Okay, Natalie is a true-- pioneer woman! So, we got to the hospital at 7:30 on Thursday morning and she delivered her baby at 11:03 a.m. on Friday morning. YIKES---- I think she pushed for like 4 hours or more. Seriousness---
Crew taking a look at his new baby brother----
He has some big feet--
C.J. & the new baby


I am already in love. He is so cute & snuggly.

The baby has a little bit of jaundice, so he has to go into the tanning bed. :) C.J & I walked down to the nursery with Natalie and took some photos of him in there.
It makes me think back to when Lil Val was born and he had to go under the lights. I guess I am just missing my little boy this holiday season. We are all happy that the baby arrived safely and healthy.

Oh Christmas Tree........

Ok, so these pictures aren't even the most recent of the tree- but I am trying to get my blog updated. I have added a ton more stuff at the top & the green stuff around the tree is actually even tighter if that makes sense??? I went a little CRAZZZZY this year-- but I LOVE it.....

I wanted to have a little fun. So, we added some spice to our tree called the color neon green.

I can't even tell you how happy it made me feel when one of my most awesome friends sends me a text after she had stopped by the house & said that she loved my tree & thought it was the best she had seen--- awe!!!!!!!! then she told someone in our ward about it- yay! I finally decorated my tree right for the first time in what? 20 years or so????? LOL!!!!

HOLLA---------LAST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT OUR MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving-- last one w/out our Missionary!

Our tradition is to get a Honey baked Ham, but-- Val wanted to get one from the store this year and bake it & himself. So, here he is & it actually was pretty yummy. I love the fact that my husband likes to cook & my daughter is going to be a better mother in the kitchen than I was/am.
Our little Julia Child's (Kenzie) wanted to make something of her own to take to Nana & Tata's for dinner-- so she found this recipe online for creamed spinach- it was the Ruth's Chris recipe. She made it with some help from Dad & it was awesome!!!

Give Blood!!!

She is "pretending" to be asleep. :)

It has been over a month since Kenz & I gave blood at our stake blood drive. It was her first time & she did awesome..... until about 5 min after she stood up. We had to go find a room in the church so she could go lay down & find a trash can... but, she is a trooper-- how many kids her age-- donate blood. Hooray--- to you Kenzie!!!! It is so important, if you can, to try and donate blood. You never know when you or a family member might need a transfusion-- so, think about it.