WHITE CHRISTMAS!

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year! We loaded up the car with two kids, a big white dog, a TON of stuff and all drove to Pocatello, Idaho to Grandma & Grandpa's house. The trip went surprisingly well and breaking it up into two days was definitely the way to go! We drove 6 hours the first day and then stayed the night in St. George, Utah - which Taylor was thrilled about. She loves staying in a hotel! She's so funny because even during the drive she would tell us that she needed to go to the bathroom and when Jordan would say, "Okay, Tay we will stop up here at the next gas station" her reply was, "No, I want to go potty at the hotel." On the second day we drove the other 7 hours it took to get to Pocatello. It was SO nice to get there and see everyone! We had a fun little road trip as a family! Lots of memories!

While in Idaho we got to spend 8 wonderful days with Jordan's family in their new house that they just finished building in November. It was SO beautiful! We also had the opportunity to witness a White Christmas! A VERY white Christmas! Pocatello actually got hit with one of the biggest snow storms they have had in years. In fact, the last storm they had this big was in 2003 - which was the last time Jordan & I were there for Christmas. Pretty crazy! It's was freezing (below freezing), but it was SO beautiful and fun and we kept warm with frequent trips to the hot tub and drank hot chocolate at least twice per day. It was so fun having everyone together! The girls were spoiled once again and I think they created some wonderful Christmas memories!

Playing in the snow in Idaho! Taylor was off to help the boys get the 4 wheeler unstuck. (Sorry it's sideways)

More fun in the snow! Bentley never lasted very long outside in the cold. Her little Arizona nose was bright red within minutes!

Dancing on Christmas morning!

Christmas Pictures 2008

We went to the Mesa Temple earlier this month with some of our friends to look at the temple lights and take advantage of taking our family Christmas picture for 2008! We had such a great time and the weather was next to perfect. One of the perks of living in Arizona during this time of year I guess. I think Jordan and I have gone to see the temple lights almost every year we have been married and it's a tradition that I love to share with our girls now. This year was a special one because Taylor is starting to understand so much! Her and her little friend, Talan were SO intrigued by the nativity and getting to see baby Jesus. Every time we ask Taylor, "Why do we celebrate Christmas?" her reply is (with a BIG smile on her face) "It's Jesus' Birthday!" What a special time of year it is - I'm so thankful for my family!

These are the family pictures that turned out - Thanks Jess & Ryan for taking them for us!

Good little buddies! Taylor and Talan.

My beautiful girls!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA SUSIE!!!

MY DEAR, SWEET, BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, OUTSTANDING, AND ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MOTHER CELEBRATED HER 47TH BIRTHDAY ON DECEMBER 12TH AND WE JUST LOVE HER TO PIECES! SHE IS SUCH A PERFECT MOTHER AND EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR GRANDMOTHER! WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH MOM! HOPE YOUR DAY WAS A GREAT ONE AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED!

MY DAD SURPRISED MY MOM WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL AND DELICIOUS LOOKING COOKIE BOUQUET FOR HER BIRTHDAY. EACH COOKIE HAD ALL OF OUR NAMES ON IT (INCLUDING TRIGGER AND THEIR CHOCOLATE LAB, CHESTER). IT WAS SO THOUGHTFUL OF GRANDPA WALLY - I JUST WISH WE LIVED CLOSER SO WE COULD HAVE TRIED ONE!

Already a VERY MERRY Christmas....

We really have so much to be thankful for these days. I felt the need to write down a few of my recent thoughts to remember exactly how I have been feeling lately. First of all, I love my family so very much! I am absolutely LOVING getting to spend so much time with my husband and as a family. Jordan was working an 2nd job at night for the past 7 months just to keep us going strong. For the past three weeks things are finally back to normal and we are able to spend that valuable time together - what a blessing it has been. We all seem to be more relaxed and more patient with one another..........just all around happier. It makes me realize that being together really is all that matters.

Another wonderful thing that our family has been able to do this year was decorate our house with Christmas lights. Not a big deal? WRONG! This was such a BIG DEAL to me! What an incredible moment for us! I can remember sitting in our little condo when we were first married and talking about how someday we would have a house of our own that we could put Christmas lights on. Here we are 5+ years later living in our first "real house" and we were able to take that step. I really can't explain the feeling that I get seeing our home each night with those sparkling lights, but it is something that I am extremely thankful for. The absolute BEST part of it all is the reaction from the girls when it's time to turn them on each night. Jordan will yell through the house, "Who wants to help me turn the Christmas lights on?" and the girls immediately stop what they are doing and run to let him know that they are definitely interested. I just love! It actually brings tears to my eyes to see their excitement. I LOVE seeing them so happy! Bentley cracks us up so much too because she will walk around pointing and saying, "WOW!" over and over as if she is looking at them for the very first time and it's the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. It makes my day! It's not even Christmas yet and in so many ways I feel like we are waking up each morning on Christmas Day. My children are without a doubt the reason I get that feeling.

Taylor helping her Dad and Grandpa Wally hang Christmas lights! YEAH!

To say that Bentley LOVES the Christmas tree would be an understatement.......she can't get enough of it. We have already lost several ornaments because she can't resist touching ANYTHING & EVERYTHING she can get her hands on!

Here it is - OUR HOME with Christmas lights for the very first time! What a fun thing!

Every morning we have to move the mouse. Taylor actually reminds me with this sweet, excited voice, "MOM, WE HAVE TO MOVE THE MOUSE TODAY!" I've even caught her playing with her toys and pretending like it's morning time and she tells them, "Guys, it's time to move the mouse!" Talk about a "make me smile moment" I love that she is creating those holiday memories! (NOTE: this is the exact same Christmas calendar that we used when I was growing up. Thanks, Mom for passing those wonderful family traditions on to my girls!)

This is by far the earliest that I have ever had all my Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped. It's not a bad feeling to have!

Just a few pictures of our home all ready for Christmas. It's hard to believe that we will have 1 more stocking to add for Christmas next year! CRAZY!

So much to be THANKFUL for.....

As I look at my life and reflect on all the things that I hold dear to my heart, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the blessings I have received all these years. So many times things seemed to go a different way than how I had planned them and suddenly I realize that the way they turned out is far better than I originally wanted them!

This Thanksgiving, I was so lucky to have my mom and dad and sister come and visit us and spend a wonderful week of family fun together. The girls were beyond spoiled and loved every second that they got to spend with their Aunt Paigey, Grandpa Wally and Grandma Susie. Thanks guys for absolutely EVERYTHING! Even though we all got hit with the stomach flu the day before Thanksgiving and missed out on all the delicious foods of that day, I am so thankful that I was able to share that special day with my family!

Another wonderful blessing that has happened in our lives recently which falls into the "not planned on" category, is that we are expecting baby Hill#3! The EVEN MORE WONDERFUL news is that we already know what we are having. We are pretty lucky to be able to say that we will soon have 3 daughters. It's another GIRL! We are due May 21st, 2009 and although it's quite a bit sooner than we were thinking, I know this little girl will bless and enrich our lives just as much as the other two have. How could we not feel so thankful?

Facing Forward....

Bentley is officially facing forward in the car. Her reaction to the change is priceless! She is 14 months old and you can tell she thinks she is just as big as her older sister! I absolutely LOVE riding in the car with my two girls!

Bentley LOVES her new car seat!

Date Night.....

A few weeks ago Jordan and I went on a date! We haven't been anywhere just the two of us since June for our anniversary and it was so nice to finally be together with NO children. He took me to the Mexico vs. Ecuador soccer game that was being played down in Phoenix. We had VIP passes and seats up in the loge with free food and so much freedom! I'm not used to going somewhere and being able to kick back and relax and have no responsibility. I enjoyed this time with my husband so much! We need to do that WAY more often! Thanks, Jord for always taking such great care of me!

Me with my love! Mexico scored a goal in the last 30 seconds to win the game! It was a lot of fun!

The girls the next day playing with our VIP passes. That morning when Taylor saw me she said, "Oh, mom you're back!" We missed them!