Welcome baby Allie

November 6, 2011 I boarded the plane to fly to see Brooke, Andy and Danika. They were awaiting the birth of their new baby. We thought she would be born on Thursday or Friday. If she was born on Friday her birthdate would be 11-11-11. Pretty cool! But, the baby had other plans for her family. She decided to make her appearance on her due date of Tuesday, November 8, 2011. The name they chose for their baby is Allie Dianne. She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. This is little Allie. She is beautiful. She is wonderful. Each baby born is a miracle. Allie is no different. I am amazed at each birth of the feelings of gratitude, love, peace, awe and happiness for these little ones.

During the birth Danika and I spent time walking around the hospital grounds. We weren't planning on being at the hospital durig the birthing process. But, while at a doctors appointment Brooke was sent to the hospital for testing to see if she was in labor. She was! Brooke checked in at 3:00 p.m. Allie was born at 6:06 p.m. The day after the birth we took Danika back to the hospital for more bonding time for the sisters.

Danika spet much time wandering around the hospital grounds. I had my camera with me and took hundreds of pictures of Danika doing many things. At one time she picked up a twig and carried it aroun...for hours! She also found a leaf. I found it later. I think she had put it in her pocket. I was getting ready to take another picture and someone came up to us and asked if we wuld like him to take our picture together. Very nice!

The night before I came home we went to Chuck-E-Cheese. We took a few family pictures of the newly expanded family.

Thanksgiving 2009

I have done it again! I forgot to rotate the picture before I put it on my posting. I just want to see if you can turn your head and still look intilligent! Yup! You did it! Danika seems to get lost in the pictures of all the grandkids, so, here she is. Isn't she cute, too?

The evening before Thanksgiving we got together for a pie night! Yummy! Life is short. Eat dessert first. After pie I had all the kids come with me into a bedroom to prepare a little skit. It was a little confusing to the kids at first. I told them what to do and then we went out and performed it. We put the song, "The Friendly Beasts" on the CD player and the children acted out the animals, Mary and displayed some pictures. It was short and sweet. The version of the song we used was with Bryan Stokes Mitchell and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is so beautiful.

Just another picture of the children at the end of the skit. Count these little ones...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. These are 9 of the reason I have much to be grateful for! Their parents and my other children are other reasons for much to be grateful for. Then I have my companion and eternal mate, Tim. Wow!

I really have so much to be grateful for. Each day it seems like I get reminded to be grateful. I have so much.

Today though, I want to remind everyone ANDREW COMES HOME IN 18 DAYS! I am down to pure excitement and tears. Every time I think of him coming home and having all of my children together for the first time in almost 4 years I get a little lump in my throat. Don't get me wrong, I love having sons serve missions for our Savior. But, because of Him, I have a family to love, cherish, be grateful for, and learn from. I just realized I lied. I said I got a little lump. Actually it is a huge lump that pushes up and into my tear ducts. Then my nose runs with my eye trouble.