Ashley's 8th Birthday Party

We have had a fun January. Ashley turned 8 on the 17th. and Will's b-day on the 14th. Ashley had her birthday party at the mall to get her ears pierced. She said I tricked her into. of course I told her it would be just a little pinch but when it was done she looked at me and said Mom they were needles. I had to chuckle at the way she said it. She will be getting baptized Feb. 9 and we can't believe our baby is not a baby anymore. She has quite the personality and is all girl. She loves jewerly and shoes and is more in style than me her mother. She is such a good girl and helper around the house. She is our complete joy and think she is the cutest little girl ever. I, on the other hand, have 4 more weeks until baby #4 is born. I have been cleaning every crook and crany and loving it. I enjoy cleaning and the self-gratification it gives me. Nolan has enjoyed his non-pre-school days playing on the Webkinz website, playing memory and having playdates. I, too, have enjoyed playing cash cows. Webkinz is a stuffed animal like the ty beanie babies. They are pretty cute. Deacon has started to say words and is fake laughing nowadays. He hates nursery and would rather be tickled by daddy in Sunday school. He is our entertainment. He is spoiled rotten and hate to think his world will change in the next month. He is still such a momma's boy. Will is staying very busy at the office and averages 27 patients a day. Thank you to Walgreens 24 hour pharmacy. 3 out of 5 of us just got done taking antibiotics for various illnesses. Until next time. Have a good day. Our favorite movie right now: Meet the Robinson's

Carly, Ashley and Brooklyn at the mall.


My favorite boys. Nolan, Deacon and Will

Back in time for Christmas

Christmas is here almost. We just got back from Isral and it is wonderful to be home. The kids have begged until we got them a Christmas tree. Dad's job is getting the tree up, and the lights on. Mom and the Kids work hard to get the ornaments on and the dog admires the work. Deacon jumped right in and would get the stuff out of the storage box and onto the tree. He loves being a "big kid" and is a good helper. Nolan and Ashley want to know where each decoration came from and what it means. Kramer is fascinated with the lights and just stares.

We are glad to be home and we have missed the kids. We are not back on a sleep-wake cycle and this has really hit Kim hard. Hopefully she will sleep better tonight. It is like the kids didn't miss a beat. They are back to their normal shenanigans. Arguing, fighting, wrestling, yelling. Ahhhh, and we thought we missed that. I think it will be a long time till we go on another vacation without the kids.

The journey has come to an end

Well everybody the journey is coming to an end. Tomorrow we leave on a plane to get back to our family. There is a mixture of excitement and sorrow. This has been an experience that will never be forgotten. Our view of the world has changed. We went to Bethlehem today and saw the shepard's hills. We also went to sacrement service at the BYU Jerusalem center and looked out over the old city of Jerusalem. It was inspirational. We are excited to see our kids and hold them tight. That has been the bitter in the bittersweet of this trip. Good night to you all and see you very soon.







Picture of the gardens at the BYU Jerusalem Center



Mom and Dad in front of an ancient olive tree at the entrance to the BYU Jerusalem center


A view of one wall of the olive wood "factory store" in Bethlehem. They had some beautiful pieces of hand carved nativities ranging from $50 to over $30k for a 1/3 size replica.

I finally got it. After days of trying!!!! Here it is...Kim and the Camel.

Walking where Jesus walked

Today was awesome. We spent half of the day inside the gates of the old city. It is the Nogales of the Middle East. Kids and old women begging for money, shop keepers that could put used car dealers to shame, and always having to check your pockets to see if somebody has taken your wallet. After all the excitement we had a wonderful afternoon in the Garden Tomb. We saw Golgotha and the tomb and the words of the angel touched my heart..."Why seek yea the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen." I have no pictures yet to post of the tomb but hopefully tomorrow. Instead I hope it will post a picture that I have of the Old City. Internet connection here at the hotel has been patchy. We shall see. We love you all, Shalome and Ahava (Peace and Love)

Will and Kim