Our Family

Friday, January 9, 2015

My Jackson

As I sat here nursing my youngest I couldn't help but to snap a couple pics of my Jackson.

My kids often have a hard time sitting at the table through a whole meal. They will eat a few bites then feel the need to get up and go do something then come back for more. They don't always do that but occasionally they do.

Tonight... Every time Jackson returned to the table he popped up on the bench and tucked his feet underneath him. It's a little hard to put into words the thoughts and feelings that went through my mind but how interesting it is that he just plops up there and pulls his feet underneath him. Such a boy little move. This little guy has SOO many characteristics of our Savior that stand out so clearly. He LOVES pleasing others yet he STANDS for what's right. He LOVES helping others and lifting them up when they are in need. He SACRIFICES for the happiness of others. He FORGIVES so quickly. He is OBEDIENT.

I love my Jackson.

Friday, December 5, 2014

There's always one

How it really goes with our family photos:

There's always one......

Eyes Closed

There's always one...
Looking Off

There's always one...
Hand gesture

We get quite a few of the funny faces

We have to have some regrouping time

There's always one..
"I AM SMILING!"

And there's always an...
I'M DONE photo.

But a midst all those personality shots, we do seem to catch a few great ones...

Although sometimes it's stressful to get family photos done and although they never seem turn out the exact way you see it in your head, I wouldn't trade any of these photos with anything else. I LOVE this family.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Cleaning.... Old style

Jackson spilled water all over the floor so I gave him a towel to start cleaning it up. He got down on all fours and started wiping. He commented, "I can't believe I'm cleaning like in the old days."

This is us!

Welcome to our Family Website! We decided to start a family website so that our family and friends will be updated on what we're up to over here on the East Coast. Brian and I met in October of 2003 and were married in August of 2004 in the Vernal, Utah Temple. It was a beautiful wedding and we still have pictures up on the walls of that very special day. We didn't wait long to start creating a family. We welcomed KennaDee in our arms in May of 2005, Jackson joined us in November of 2007, Nicholas "Nico" arrived July 30, 2010 and our baby girl Reagan joined our family on January 17, 2014. As a family, we enjoy going to the park together, visiting new sites, watching movies, cooking, playing outside, and basically doing anything as long as we are together. We moved to Virginia in November of 2007 and we really like it here. It is very green and beautiful. Everyone needs to come out and experience it. We love the ward we are in and hope to stay in the ward boundaries for a long time. We love attending church and learning more about the gospel and how we can strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We continually have to thank our Father above for the sweet blessings He has given our family.

Brian

Brian graduated from Brigham Young University in April of 2006 and started working as a Public Affairs Specialist for "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. in June of 2006. He loves it. It is a perfect job for him. He loves music and we are able to attend all the concerts the Band puts on. The public affairs office is in charge of several things but to sum it all up in a short and sweet sentence: Brian, basically does all he can to promote the Band. He deals with media, publishes articles about the Marine Band and has recently been given the title "graphic design specialist."

Apart from his day job, he is working on writing a children's book which the children themselves are helping him illustrate and write. He is also improving on his photography skills and hoping to get his own website built for his free lance design work.

Shara

I graduated from Utah Valley State College in April of 2007. I graduated in Elementary Education and love teaching children. Right now, I am enjoying staying at home with Nicholas and Reagan. There is just no other job that can be so fulfilling emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I don't know who is learning more...me or them. The great thing is, is that we are learning and growing together. During the day, we love to play at the park, cook, clean house (Nico really likes helping - I hope it sticks with him for years to come), read books, do puzzles, watch movies (mainly anything with power rangers, swords, or fighting).

I am also a member of Herbalife Inc. I enjoy helping others develop a nutrition plan so that they can not only get to the weight they want but mostlyto achieve healthy, active lifestyle. I strongly believe that if you are healthy and active, you tebd ti be a but happier with life in general.

KennaDee Joy

KennaDee was born on May 21, 2005. She has become very active and loves to run around, play outside, watch movies, help me cook and clean, and play with dadda. Since she has been born, she has lived in 7 different homes: 2 in Provo, 1 in Orem, 2 in Maryland and 2 in Virginia. She has quite the personality. Upon meeting her, she seems very shy but once she gets used to her surroundings, watch out! She can be demanding, but she is very sweet and already has her daddy wrapped around her finger. She is very smart and knows it. KennaDee is a joy in our lives. We absolutely love and adore her. She is a precious daughter of Heavenly Father and we hope to teach her all she needs to know to develop her own testimony of Jesus Christ and be able to withstand the temptations of Satan that she will be faced with.

Jackson Brian

Jackson was born November 23, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland, although we were living in Woodbridge, VA. He is a joy in our family. He loves his siblings so much and adores his older sister. Although it is hard for him, he is always willing to sacrifice for the happiness of others. He is considerate, patient and VERY loving. He LOVES to rub your neck and cuddle and give kisses. He also loves playing sports, watching super mario bros, and wrestling with his brother. He has many characteristics of Christ that we all admire.

Nicholas James

Nicholas was born July 30, 2010. This boy is a firecracker. He knows what he wants and he is always determined to get it. He is not afraid to stand alone and I'm hoping that will carry with him throughout his life. He is stubborn and hard headed yet at the same time he ALWAYS thinks of his siblings and wants to be with them all the time. He is very picky about his friends but once you make it on the list, he's completely loyal to them. We love him dearly and are grateful he was sent to our family.