Realization

I went to the doctor for the first time this last Wednesday and in the process of our visit they did an ultrasound. When she finished and handed me the photos I just kept staring at the image and couldn't help but think, "wow, that baby's mine."

It's a different experience having 4 kids back to back and then waiting over 4 years to have another one. Up until now the reality of this amazing experience was overshadowed by the fact that I felt lousy and was gaining weight in spite of the fact that I couldn't eat sweets or drink milk. (You'd think that if you were going to gain 8 lbs I'd at least be eating a little more then bread, apple slices and vegetables.) In the end, the process still remains a truly remarkable one.

Here's to the second trimester, which I am officially in, and the hope that I will soon start feeling like myself again.

Christmas Chaos at the Prior House

What happens when you take 12 adults, 19 kids and a Yorkie and put them all in one room only a few hundred square feet.

CHRISTMAS CHAOS!!!!

Every other year we get together with Chad's family for Christmas. Of the 7 siblings, 5 usually show up with their kids and we all stay at Grandma and Grandpa Prior's house.

As a Prior family tradition, the kids all exchange gifts with their cousins, the adults exchange gifts, and then the kids go to bed (or downstairs since no one really sleeps) and the adults have their own gift exchange.

As an added bonus, several of Chad's extended family have moved up to Utah, and so on Christmas Eve we visited with Chad's Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Harold and all of their kids and their kid's kids.

We had the traditional chili, garlic bread and pies for Christmas Eve and then a big Christmas dinner on Christmas day.

I got a puff pancake pan from Santa and so Christmas morning, I made breakfast. My girls told me that after eating puff pancakes they can never eat regular pancakes again. (Rebecca held true to that when she went to a sleepover the other night and didn't have any pancakes for breakfast, just milk.) Silly kids.

As you can see, we have lots of cousins, lots of fun, and we look forward to lots of chaos every other Christmas. Until next time. Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas with Great Grandpa Clark

This last year has been a tough one for my Grandpa Clark. He lost his third wife in October while she was in the hospital undergoing treatment and has been in an assited living center ever since. Grandpa's memory has begun to deteriorate and so he can't live on his own. We don't know how much longer we have left before he begins to forget who we are, so spending time with him this Christmas was priceless.

My mom had me do a little shopping for Grandpa and so with our gift and all of my mom's we went over Christmas Eve to visit. Grandpa opened his gifts with us and loved them. The kids had fun watching him get so excited and I loved that fact that we could all be there together.

I love my Grandpa. He has been my "Go to guy" for years. He served in Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies, as a Mission President and a Temple President. My mom grew up having dinner with prophets and general authorities and so when ever I've had questions about the gospel, I called up grandpa.

My last memories of my Great Grandpa were celebrating his 90th birthday. Being together with grandpa this Christmas reminded me of that. I hope that his final years are happy ones. We love you grandpa.

Let it Snow,the Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

One of the best things about visiting Utah for Christmas is the snow. Living in Arizona, we have really missed the snowy cold wintry season.

Grandma and Grandpa Prior have a hill near their house that is perfect for sledding. After 4 days in Sandy, Utah the snow finally came and the fun began. We don't have all the snow gear anymore, but wet pants, shoes, sock and faces were nothing compared to the joys of sledding. For the next several days, while Chad was helping his dad finish the basement, the kids went out sledding. Occassionally we were able to steal dad away to come with us. Needless to say, the kids had a blast.

Lots of snow

Lots of smiles.

After trying to convince Rebecca to go down the hill standing up, Dad thought he'd give it a try. It didn't work out to well.

Bob's Wedding December 19, 2009

Our two week Christmas Vacation began with my brother Bob's wedding.

We are all so excited for him. His new wife Stacey is darling. They were married at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple outside of Salt Lake. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful reminder of how special marriage really is. I think we sometimes take our spouses for granted. It was cute to see my brother treat his wife with such care. I know they will have a great marriage.

Becca and Aunt Carrie

Sara being a little cuddlebug

Stacey, Bob and the parents.

Jake and Blaine after running around the dance floor. I don't know if you want to call them dancing fools or Jedi Ninjas. It was a cross between the two.