Denver

In October, Richard had a business trip to Denver, Colorado. Since it was relatively close he could drive and WHY NOT bring us along? We had a wonderful time traveling there and back with Daddy and spending a little bit of time at night with him. We left snow in Utah and enjoyed 75 degree weather during the days. During the day the girls and I had a blast going to the Denver Children's Museum (SOOOO WAY MORE THAN AWESOME), walking around downtown Denver, and going to the Zoo. We got to see our friends the Grays and that was SOOOO SWEET of them to invite us over to dinner! We even made it back JUST IN TIME to go trick-or-treating. We LOVED Denver and the drive out. It was soooo beautiful. We are SOOOO going to go back for a trip. And someday when we live in Spanish Fork, we'll be 20 minutes closer :).

My favorite picture from the trip:

Stretching our legs at a mall on the way:

We thought this play area at the mall was the coolest. We wished we had one in Utah. NOW we do!!! Hooray! Haven't seen it? Go to Provo Towne Center Mall by the theaters.

The night we drove in, we stopped at the Children's Museum. We were kind of raggedy from our long drive but had so much fun and we were glad Daddy could go with us. The girls and I went back the next day. I didn't take any picture that day. I had my hands full of two little girlets.

Dinner at a diner on the 6th Street Mall strip.

The zoo was awesome. There were 4 baby tigers and like 2 or 3 baby giraffes. SOOO COOL!

It was hard to take pictures when someone was doing this all day:

The girls and I walked around downtown Denver. It was an adventure. Here is an old church:

Public park (I think this is a Non-White park :) ). I turned so many heads with me and my two whiteys. We were fine as I knew we'd be. People looked pretty shocked though that I was daring enough to walk through.

The state capitol:

I tried to get Abi to stick her hand up and "pick" the nose. She refused. :(

The Grays:

Abi and Bayli became quick friends! :)

Getting a load off

I hesitate to ever speak my mind because I always seem to offend. This is not intended to offend, I just need to speak my mind. I understand that things come up and this is not meant to make people feel bad. I just need to express how I feel.

Is this bad luck or what: about 70-80% of the dates we have planned since we had Kate have fallen through. Yeah, 70-80%.

Sometimes the reasons are totally legitimate like people get sick. I say THANK YOU for not sharing!!!! Here are the reasons though that I love:

"I forgot"
Me:"Are you still able to watch the girls tonight?" Them: "No, I have other plans."
My favorite: "Someone else needs me to babysit tonight, and they REALLY NEED IT."

hmmmm....

When I have asked people to babysit I've gotten shot down...a lot. Here are some of the reasons why:

"I have grandkids." hmmm...
"You need to have your family do it."
"I'm just too busy this week. Ask me again someday." (Do you know how many times I babysit when I'm exhausted and extremely busy and it is absolutely inconvenient?)
My favorite: "I have to clean my house." I've gotten this one more times than I am willing to mention.

We tried planning 2 dates this week. They both fell through. I just am at the point where I can't take it any more. I'm the youngest (yeah I know that explains a lot) and I'm just not the best at parenting. We love our girls so much and we want to be really good parents. We just need a break now and then to refocus and be more refreshed to be better parents and to keep our marriage going strong.

I don't have family here. I don't have anywhere to go to put my feet up and have a break for a few minutes. I feel like I'm all alone sometimes. Yeah, I know my perspective is skewed and it needs help. I just feel like I'm drowning and can't even focus enough to try and change my perspective!

We want more children....LOTS...but I have no idea how to do this all alone? Heaven help us!

Elf Yourself

We couldn't resist either. I love this!

Our Christmas Letter

Don't feel bad if you didn't get a Christmas letter. Only my Grandma in Georgia is getting one. We're having a low key type of Christmas and so this is all you get: :)

Dear Family and Friends,

This year has been filled with a lot of fond memories. We were able to go to Disney Land as a family towards the beginning of the year and more recently a trip to Denver, Colorado. We've also been able to get out to several other local family destinations and watch the girls explore new places. Abi (3 years) has become more independent and since Kate (1 year) has learned how to walk, they have begun to play together more and more. The best entertainment we have now is watching the girls play together and playing with them.

I had the chance to be in a car while it started on fire, which was quite exciting and Dedra has been developing new talents such as sewing and improving her existing talents for cooking and crafts.

We are now starting in on a new adventure as we have placed our house up for sale. We are not quite sure what will happen but we are doing what the Spirit directs us to and we know that things will work out however they are supposed to.

We hope the Christmas season finds you with peace and happiness and that you are able to remember the first and best gift of Christmas. We love our Savior, Jesus Christ and we are grateful to be able to serve him.

With Love,

Richard, Dedra, Abigail, and Kate