Nathan is always so happy when he sees you after his naps. I heard him playing around in his crib, so, I grabbed the camera and caught the adorable look on his face when he finally sees you and knows you are going to be picking him up. He does get pretty ticked if you look at him and then walk away...understandably so.

Yes...I was doing dishes and didn't notice how quiet he had become until I turned around and he was out cold. It was so cute and sad at the same time.

He loves his Daddy and his Daddy is quite the sucker for him as well. I caught them while that were hanging out in the morning. Pretty cute!

This is a picture of him with his cousin, Collin, who was born 3 days earlier than him and to top it off it is the son of Brett's twin, Justin. Pretty cool huh!

He is just so cute! I just love that smile. He makes the whole family happy when he looks at us like this. What a blessing to have this little man in our family.

Christmas update...Okay, I know I am really late on this one but here you go!

4 of the 6 brothers came over for Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner and then, of course, the Nativity. They went all out this year with homemade costumes (thanks Merrily and Jenn) and even added Samuel the Lamanite (from the Book of Mormon) which I wouldn't suggest because the kids totally lost focus when they got to throw rocks (ball of foil) at Samuel (uncle Shane). It was fun regardless and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Here is one of the few attempts made to capture all of the grandchildren together at once.

Santa came and visited on Christmas eve as well giving all the children one of their presents for the season. He was going to have a busy night so he stopped by early (so cool). Everyone was SO excited and taken back at the same time. ;0)

To top off the night, Zea ended up with strep throat. He was up all night (as were we) and was pretty miserable for a couple of days. Needless to say that Christmas day was a bit more relaxed and we ended up having Christmas dinner with the family a few days later instead.

Zea got a really cool helicopter that he loved and was so into that he wouldn't look up for the picture (that says a lot for Zea). Well, that and he was feeling pretty cruddy with the strep throat and all...poor guy!

Taft LOVED his 'human torch' costume in case you couldn't tell. I thought it was pretty fun to watch him. He has no idea where it comes from he just really thought it was cool to be a "flame man" and wanted it for Halloween, so, after Halloween sales we picked it up and I am pretty sure you will see it again in October. ;0)

Nathan was pretty excited about his one of two presents (the other a teether). He enjoyed having the guys pop up at him....he is so cute!!! Thanks for the present Grandma & Grandpa.

Okay, so, I think Brett was the most excited this year of all. He and all his brothers got these crazy Nerf guns for Christmas. This is a picture of him and his twin, Justin. They opened them together and I swear they were both 12 again...pretty cute I must say!!!

Turn of events

Okay, so besides being sick for another week (I hope this doesn't become a yearly thing for me) things have been good. We have had a turn of events though. Brett is still working for the Orthopedic surgeon part-time but they aren't giving him anymore hours right now. We need a full-time job. Well, a week ago his "part-time" job with EmCare (the ER company...they hire out contracted P.A.'s to 5 different ER's). He was going to work 1-4 shifts a month. They told him that they have lost 3 full-time P.A.'s and they want to hire him but they first want him to work full time shifts for a month or two before they actually hire him...fine with us! He will still get the hours and work just not the benefits until he hired as full-time. By then we will know what is really happening with the Ortho group and will have a full time & part time job until then. Although that won't start until March we are so grateful that, once again, the Lord is making this work out for us. He did say to be patient and we have had to be but now that it is starting it is all coming together. He did his orientation for the ER yesterday and really enjoyed it. He said it was a lot more orgainzed and clean then the one he worked at in Philly...what a shocker! ;0) That was a hospital right in the middle of a horrible area that was overworked and run down. If you have lived there you would know what I am talking about. They have some of the best hospitals around and some...not so much. I love Philly but that didn't surprise me...it did Brett a little which I thought was funny. I guess he just felt that all hospitals should be fairly similar in those things. Anyhow...it has been another turn but a good one. Not to mention that the ER job pays more...always a bonus. We really have been so blessed!!

Brett's First Post: Ode to Angie

So how does this thing work anyway. Is this thing on... hello? I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all of Angie's hardwork. She really is such an unsung hero, as all of you wives and mothers out there are. All through school and then moving and starting a new "I can't hide behind the cover of a student" life has been a big, hard transition, and Angie took the brunt of it. Being at home and waiting to start working these past five months has emphasized that so much more. You're awesome Babe. We could never have done it without you. Do you know what my favorite part of my first day of work was? Walking in the door at the end of the day and seeing you and the boys, and feeling the warmth, love, and spirit in our home. That feeling coming home is proof of how hard you have worked to build a home we have always hoped to have for our family--and you are doing it. So to Angie, and all the other unsung hero mothers and wifes, good job. You guys rule. You make the world go 'round, and without you, where would we all be? We owe it to our mothers, and our children owe it to you. Oh, and us husbands owe it to you to. We're pretty lucky. On the lighter side, here's my favorite proof of her hard work.

I love you Honey. I couldn't ask for a more perfect wife and friend. You're hot. Especially at 6 'o clock in the morning. Brett

update!

We finally have the news that we have been waiting to say. Brett got his first official job. He was hired a while ago (very part-time...1-3 shifts a month) with a company that contracts out P.A's in ER around here but he hasn't started that yet because you need a separate license (credentials) for each hospital that you want to work in. That should be starting in February. This is the real job. He was hired by a Orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Seip. This is Brett's first pick as an occupation, so, we are pretty thrilled. He is starting out part-time because until he gets credentialed he can't assist in surgery so he will only be working on clinic days but then he will go to full-time and they are starting him out with benefits as a full-time employee anyhow. It is only 4 miles away and we are thrilled. He was supposed to start on Monday but he went today (Friday) to sign some papers and Dr. Seip has him start working for a few hours while he was there. He is a very nice doctor and well respected. He has been working for about 30 years and will be a great doctor for Brett to learn from. We feel so blessed to find such a great job in a field that Brett loves, so close to home, and with a great doctor. We have truly felt the Lords hands working in our behalf all this time. We are so grateful!
Other updates...Nathan is now in 9-12 month clothes (12 month in his zip-up jammies), sits up and has his first tooth. He still smiles all the time and lights up the day for everyone.
Zea is still full of energy and opinions. He is very loving and very funny. He loves trains still but now is into hot wheels also. He started his first day in primary on Sunday and is not a fan. He doesn't want to be "a big boy...I want to be a little boy and go to little boy class". That is the same feeling he has about being potty trained...yes, we are still trying. I am waiting for him to show more interest before I really get after him but I am starting to wonder if that will ever happen. Time will tell. At least he should be potty trained by the time he started kindergarten. ;0)
Taft is taller (he looks like some 6 year olds). He loves Nathan and is very good to him. He loves his hot wheels but his passion is video games. It is scary how well he can do them. He taught himself (by watching closely...not being shown) how to get on the computer and go to the miniclip video games website. We have had to put a password on all the computers because he kept getting caught sneaking on them. He is a great boy and very smart. I am not looking forward to him starting kindergarten in the fall. Glad I still have some time.
That should do it for now. I will get some Christmas pictures out here soon but wanted to let you all know about the job. Thanks for those who have asked and for the prayers. We feel it is working out as it should.

Moments of the boys

The boys got caught playing games on the computer in the office. I have to say I am proud that Taft can figure out how to get on there but that makes me even more concerned because now that he can do it himself I will have to watch him that much more carefully. I am glad that are bonding though, even if it is getting into trouble. ;0)

A classic shot of Zea after he spilled some milk on himself. It was pretty funny but he didn't seem to think so.

Brett's parents have a train that goes around the Christmas tree. It whistles and everything...pretty cool! They have a hard time not touching it, can't say I blame them, but they are doing pretty well all things considered.
Okay, this was so funny. Zea has a pair of P.J.'s that zip up, so, he can take them off easier now. Well, the other day he came down the stairs like this and when I asked where his jammies where he said, "they disappeared" making the motion like this in the picture with his hands. I couldn't help but laugh. Props on creativity. This child often gets out of trouble because he makes me laugh...got to watch this one! ;0)

Nathan is learning to sit up by himself. He is pretty good but must still be supervised as he tumbles over quickly. Isn't he so cute...we just love this child and his smiles.