Thoughts on Christmas and Gifts-Our Terrific Twelve

Many words come to mind when I think of Christmas.  Gifts are one of them.  While not the first thing I think about, it is, as we all know part of the package of Christmas.  And for me, I would just like to say that when I think of gifts I think of the 12 best gifts I have ever received.  I have listed them below in the form of pictures.  To be sure, these gifts can NEVER, EVER be replaced and they qualify for the worlds BEST ever presents one can receive.  I love you all for now and for always.  You are constantly in my thoughts each and every day.  Thank you so much for being my children.
I'm not at all known as being a poet.  But no matter, this little made up poem at least gets my point across!  The title ~ OUR TERRIFIC TWELVE

Juli my first born

I thank you for the good times

For all the joy you bring

Being the first in line

You've taught us many things

From the second you were born

Instantly my love came about

I knew that I would love you

Without a shadow of a doubt

Now that you have grown

With a family of your own

You never cease to amaze me

With the beautiful seeds you've sown!

Vance 

You have grown into a man

And with each passing day

You never fail to show

Your loving caring ways

When at first I saw your face

Instantly I knew

That each and everyday

I'd thank Heaven for you 

I'm sure your wife and children will agree

After all, they can clearly see that

You are strong, and brave, and true

And not a moment can go by

That I don't think of you!

Kimmie

By the time that you arrived

I had a clue or two

On how much mom's can love
And it stayed true with you.
You are my little angel
For me you left your wings
And now each day with you
Love and Happiness brings
Wonderful thoughts, and not just a few
You are so good and kind
And each and everyday I find
That I love each day I get to see

Your beautiful smiling face

As with 1 and 2

I love you and you and you!

Robyn dear is four

And while most would say what - MORE?

I had to say that yes

Because more is more than less

And four or more is best.
The moment that you came into my world
I knew totally for sure, that you would be my world
Now you a mama are
With your precious little star

I thank you for your self

And all the gifts you gave

Some are hidden in a box

And some, inside my heart are saved.

  Christie 

Seventeen months later

Another gift bestowed

And trusted to our family

Our thanks to Heaven owed.

You've blessed me so I have to say

I'd never have it any other way
God showed me that he loved me
Through His abundant grace
I knew that very well, when I looked upon your face

To her as well, a gift

Straight from Heaven fell

 Into her loving arms

Which bade HER heart to swell.

Aaron and Gregg

 With joyful hearts

And very full hands

Our precious boys, Aaron and Gregg

Stole a chunk of both our hearts

And tired out both our legs

Aaron is my rumble and tumble

Boy of 6 feet tall

Let's not forget he's humble

And a blessing to us all.
You are oh so strong and bold
My love for you be told
Each day I have you near
To you my love will always be here.

He's faithful good and true.

No matter what, I'll always love you!

When you both came into my heart
I knew right then, we never could part.

Our boy Gregg, a comedian he is

Keeps those smiles coming

On our faces and on HIS

His heart is huge as ever

And despite his funny jokes

I love him for forever

Because he is such good folk!
You have a lovely freckled nose
A smile that will dazzle
And dash away my woes.
From my head down to my toes
My love for you never will frazzle!

~~~~

As if life wasn't crazy enough for you know who

In bounced twin one and twin two
Emma so bold with her thick dark hair
Kaydee - much lighter and much more fair

Emma my funny, lovely little star
I love you tons, just the way you are
Do you know what you mean to me?
I'll show each day, so you can see
You're growing up right under my heart
My love for you, never will part.

Kaydee my love that came from above
My heart for you is full of love
I thank you for who you are
So bright and kind is the way you are
You brighten up my days
With your sweet and loving ways.

Truly you are such a special little pair
Two sweet girls left in my care
God had decided that me He would ask
To undertake such a ginormous task
Two precious babies in love did I fall
With the most beautiful babies I ever had saw!  (eeks, I ever "had saw!")

Makenzie 

Heaven decided that two at a time

While awesome and great 

This time there's going to be one

A sure sign from heaven that we were not done

Makenize is funny, loving, and bright

We all will admit, number 10 was just right

By now this momma has to admit

That having these babies is a perfect fit!
You brighten up my day
From morning until night
You have a special way
Of bringing in the light.

Janai

On the morn of her birth was one of great joy

All the children were present, boy oh boy!

With her cry she did wake all of the house

Brothers and sisters did come to take in the joy,

Of the baby sister, NOT quiet as a mouse.

Quiet or not, no matter at all

She is very much loved by everyone that she saw!

To mom she was perfect

Perfect as can be

The love in my heart is as large as the sea.

You are a joy, lovely, full of grace

It's wonderful to know, that I'm in the right place.

And Miss Mary makes 12

Whew! Look at that.

Just when we thought we were done.

Heaven sends yet another

To add to our fun.

Wait, did I say fun?

Yes, that and much more.

Mary Nowelle - 

Our pre-Christmas gift

Born in December I will tell

She gave my heart a wonderful lift.

From her first cry my joy had begun

And once again, all was just

Here under the sun!

I heard more than once -

You've got your hands full.

So much on your plate!

Oh yes I would say. Full? Yes they are.

But nothing, oh nothing, could be better by far.  

Our TERRIFIC TWELVE

Love of family...

These photos are precious.  Makenzie was so.....what's the word, happy/overflowing/joyful/emotional/etc. to see her brother!  It's been 11 months since seeing him and I can tell it made her day!  And of course mine!  

June was a month of many blessings....and road trips

Our family enjoyed an amazing trip in June.  From June 4th to June 18th we spent every moment we could together.  We took many photos much of the time but were careful not to spend too much time behind the camera so many activities were not recorded except in our memories.  During our time together we rode motorcycles, rock climbing, picnics, rappelling, (even the little ones-video below). We spent time at the park playing outdoor games, visited with family, went to a circus, went swimming, went to church, watched movies, played board games, talked, talked and talked some more and just simply enjoyed being together with all our kiddos.  We began in Wisconsin and our first stop was Utah, then on to Idaho, then back to Wisconsin.

Some photos of big brother Vance prepping the girls for a one way trip down a Utah cliff.  Emma seems more than ready to take on the challenge!

Janai is booting up for a side by side ride with her brother.

Here we are in Idaho with the kids having a summertime picnic.

Still in Idaho to celebrate two very special golden birthdays.  Makenzie turned 13 on the 13th and Christie turned 23 on the 23rd.  Robyn made this amazing homemade chocolate/strawberry cake with homemade vanilla ice cream.  How's that for a celebration?

We rode motorcycles in Utah and Idaho.  Here Emma is ready to take on the 600 alone.  (well, with daddy on the back, but she'll be on her own in no time)  We train them early! Gregg is riding the 650, Mary is ready for her turn and daddy is about to give a ride to Janai!

mom waiting a turn

My three sons

Daddy heading down first to be the belay person


Kaydee and Janai during our hike/rock climbing fun.

Makenzie is on her way!

Park City Utah is a beautiful town.  Here the girls and I are roaming around the town and hitting the stores.  It was a fun day out for the 7 of us.  (everyone else was dirt biking)

These sister's are quite a team.  Their love for each other is amazing.  Now that Robyn and Christie are married Kim has been spending lots of time with her 5 younger sisters.  Many a night I find all of them camping out on her bedroom floor watching a movie or just giggling as sisters do!

A sad day for Kimmy's dog Duke.  He has cancer and isn't expected to live very long.  One night he was doing poorly and to help relieve him Vance Jr. gave him an IV which helped him keep his meds down.  He is such a great dog.  Kim will miss him terribly.

 The kids haven't seen Christie or Robyn since Christie's wedding in September.  I seemed to have only gotten one photo of all the hugs.  And there were many indeed.

My boy Aaron.  What can I say!  He's great.  His entire family came together to be with him as he prepares and embarks on a mission to serve the Lord.  We are so proud of you Aaron and it is the prayer of your entire family that you serve with joy, faith, happiness, and love.  And we pray you will persevere and practice loving endurance each day and stay close to the Lord through constant prayer!

Christie and Jeff

Aaron with 3 of his sisters

Robyn and Luke

Our boy

The best 12 blessings of my life

Aaron and his 9 favorite sisters

We were so proud of our youngest girls.  They were so brave.  Mary, my 'baby' had the most precious thing to say about her fear - When I asked her if she was scared this is what she said, "I was at first when I was on the way top but as soon as I stepped over the ledge I saw daddy at the bottom and I knew that if I fell he would just catch me and I'd be okay."  Ah, the faith of a little child.  This is my hope and prayer - that each of my children will have complete faith in not only their earthly father, but most important, their Heavenly Father.

Thanks Emma for the video.  Someday you'll have to teach me how to do it!
By the time daddy and I took our turn it was getting dark so the last part is difficult to see

Border Patrol Agent Smith in the news

CBS 5 - KPHO

This is so fun for us to see our boy Vance Jr. in this video and the photos linked to the article. Just thought I'd do some sharing to the blogger world! HERE is a link to the full article.

Juli's Wedding revisited

I am revisiting this precious daughter's wedding because my Miss Emma added the wedding cd of photos to our computer. Upon looking at them again I was filled with joy and happiness as our family celebrated the first of what will be many weddings to come.

When I grow up I want to be as pretty as Juli!! (My little Mary told me this when we looking at them.)

The sweet new couple. Juli and Kelly Mckendrick. (well, new couple almost 9 years ago!) I would still call them newlyweds even now!

When Juli was married we had many little kids. Here is a look at us as we traveled to Denver to give our first born away.

Daddy hugging his little girl in our hotel room before giving her away!

Three of our 4 little girls smiling before the big day begins. Below Juli poses with her little brothers as our twins struggle over A bouquet of flowers!

Juli with her 7 little sisters. Our youngest daughter Mary doesn't like the idea of her sisters getting a photo without her in all their pretty dresses! She doesn't quite get the idea that she wasn't even born yet!

Our family isn't the only one with lots of girls. Here Juli is with her "new" sisters and her "old" ones! Husband Kelly has 15 siblings so Juli got lots of new sisters and brothers.

Juli, Kim, Robyn, and Christie. (The older girls)

A combination of both families.

For me, this was the next sweetest part of the whole deal. The day AFTER the wedding we caught up with Juli and Kelly and enjoyed a breakfast together before going our separate ways. It was kind of nice to be able to get a 2nd chance to say bye to my baby!

We enjoyed a long breakfast with the new couple since this mama just couldn't part! I wanted it to linger and linger.

Such a cute couple! Sharing a few moments from our breakfast meal.

I end this post with just one question.....

WHY DO THEY HAVE TO GROW UP?

I actually know why! And as hard as it is to see them moving on, getting married and having children of their own I know that it is just the thing that brings the greatest happiness and joy we could ever hope to find in the whole entire world and they want it as much as we (I) do!