chapter one

i love your hands

The other day we were returning from our "hot date" (as the girls would say), and I happened to look at your hands as you were opening the door. In that quick moment, I thought to myself, I really love those hands. We both laugh at the size of your hands. Remember the time the man stopped us on our way out of the temple to take a look at our hands together. He had been sitting close to us and couldn't believe how big yours were compared to mine! He was amazed that your great big hands don't crush mine. Just the opposite. They protect me. They make me feel safe.

Your hands remind me how hard you work. They bring back warm feelings of gratitude for the many late night and even all night labors of love you have given as you've completed one of the many projects I have dreamed up. When I think of your hands, I think of how capable you are. Each time I have a need, those hands think of a way to make it happen. They make me feel loved.

I love the way your hands have become just as comfortable dressing a barbie doll for one of your little girls as they are changing a tire. I love the way use them to give priesthood blessings. I love to watch them holding the tiny hands of your little girls or bringing peals of laughter as you tickle them. They love it. So do I.

I don't know if I've ever told you that. That I love your hands.

how do I love thee? let me count the ways.

(With Valentine's Day approaching, I've been thinking about all the people I love. There are lots of them. And of course, I've been thinking about my biggest love. The one who makes my heart so happy. After all, I think he's filled up my heart with so much love, it's given me room to love all of the others a little better. Maybe that's how love works.

So, babe, this one's for you. Happy Valentine's Day.)

. . .I've been trying to think of something extra spectacular to do for you for Valentines Day. I don't know that I have spectacular in me right now. But I want you to know how much I love you. How much I appreciate you. All of those things that I maybe don't say enough.All of this made me think of how you keep encouraging me to write a book. A blog book. You had this great idea, see, that I could write a little bit each day, and people would keep coming back to see what happens the next day. Well, I think it is a great idea. And so I'm writing a book. It's called, "Five Reasons Why I love Courtney". Really intriguing, I know. In time, maybe I'll think of a better title. But for now, there it is. And in all actuality, I don't know how many people will flock to read it. But that doesn't really matter. As long as you read it. After all, you're the hero .  I'm the heroine. And this is our story.

snow much fun

During Christmas break, we got together with some of the cousins for a fun snow day. Uncle AJ and Courtney pulled the kids around behind the snowmobiles for a few good laughs. Everyone had a great time!Kadin, Uncle AJ, and Emmy Sadie braves the uncles.
Cole

Creighton, Courtney, and Kate

Sadie and Ryenne

Ryenne and Cole go for a wild ride!

all I want for Christmas. . .

Finally! Kate has lost a tooth! Two, in fact, and just in time for Christmas. Most of her friends started losing their teeth in kindergarten, and so Kate as been so anxious to have the tooth fairy finally visit her. When she started to feel her teeth get wobbly back in October, we told her she would for sure be able to sing the "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" song. But as Christmas crept closer and closer, she still had her two wibbly, wobbly teeth! Finally, just days before Christmas arrived, she was ecstatic when her first fell out. Her second followed soon after. And I don't think there has ever been a more excited toothless girl!

Kate was completely satisfied with the efforts of the tooth fairy, which resulted in a gold dollar under her pillow. She made her presence known by the large amounts of fairy dust left on Kate's pillow, in her hair, and on her cheeks. Kate thought that was the best part of all.

She was so proud of her toothless state, that she asked the dentist at her recent appointment if she could get a discount on account of her missing teeth. Less teeth to clean, right? I had to laugh - the best part was watching the dentist try to stammer out a response. Unfortunately, we still had to pay the full amount. (Although he did try to make us aware of his generosity by explaining that when older patients come in with false teeth, they do get a discount.)

I guess the tooth fairy can only get you so far.

yummy in my tummy

Claire decided to go for the real stuff. Well, as real as it gets for a five month old. You know, peas, squash, sweet potatoes. And the verdict? She loves it. She eats like a champ! Pretty soon, we'll bring on the chocolate.

the ghost of christmas past. .

Okay, I know it's the middle of February, but this is how I do things lately. Besides, this is our family history, so if I don't get these posted, the girls will wonder what ever happened to Christmas '08. Here's the story:

christmas eve
. . .sticking with tradition, we gathered at Grandma C's house for our annual Christmas Eve dinner and of course, the acting out of the nativity. This year, Grandma added a new dimension to the nativity. She asked each family to take part by representing one of the people told of in the nativity story. The girls and I were asked to represent Mary, and Courtney was asked to share the feelings that Joseph may have had. For our part, the girls chose to sing the song "Mary's Lullaby".

Claire was right in the spirit of things!As usual, we traded white elephant gifts. And, as usual, some of them were quite stunning. Brayden was quite pleased with his new look. (So was Grandma C. We couldn't get her new Hannah Montana fiber optic hair extensions away from her. Sorry, no pictures available.)Claire, in her swaddling clothes. She did a great job in her casting as the Baby Jesus.Halle (aka Mary) and Matthew (aka Joseph) ride alongside Bop (aka donkey).The girls and I singing our song. (You can see Shawn was completely captivated by our talent.) What would Christmas Eve be without new p.j.'s?

Part of the crew. We missed the Stosich and Croney boys this year!

Christmas morning

. . .We had a great Christmas morning. Santa left lots of surprises and goodies for everyone. Guess we were all nice this year!

Ryenne received an authentic "Santa Certificate", which read:

Salutations Ryenne,

My records indicate that you didn't specify the style and size

of ballet skirt and ballet shoes in your Christmas wish.

I'm sure you understand that those measurements are

needful for my elves to produce the products to your satisfaction.

You are hereby summoned to produce this document at the following location:

Diva Dancewear, Brigham City, Utah

Where you will be properly fitted to a new ballet skirt and ballet shoes of your liking.

Merry Christmas, my dear child.

Sincerely,

Santa Claus

Pretty sassy aprons, I would say!

Kate's new gymnastic get-up.

Our local New England Patriot fan club president and his new shirt.
(Which he actually didn't like that much! Oh well- win some, lose some.)

Courtney gave me some money for new apparel (much appreciated!) and an overnight stay to the Anniversary Inn. (Extremely appreciated!) We went a few days after Christmas and had a fantastic time! When we got to the room, he'd arranged for them to scatter rose petals on the floor. What a cutie-batootie.

The biggest Christmas surprise of the day was a little box to the girls from Mom and Dad, in which was a key to the playhouse. We all bundled up and trudged through the snow to see what was in store. . .guess what? The playhouse interior definitely has a new look!

Even though it's not quite finished, they were pretty excited! Dad had been working through the night the weeks before Christmas, trying to finish it. Even Uncle Shawn and Grandpa Lloyd spent some long hours in the effort. Bop was waiting in the wings to do the painting. We were hoping so much to get it completely finished before the big day, but finally realized it was not to be. It always takes longer than you think, doesn't it! Nevertheless, the girls were still so excited and love that the playhouse has "walls" (sheetrock)! Once Courtney finishes up the trim, Bop will get it painted. Yeah! We can't wait to see the finished product. It's going to be pretty darn cute!

Christmas afternoon. . .
We spent the afternoon at Grandma Tam and Grandpa Lloyd's, where the girls were so excited to see their cousins and open their "Build-A-Bear" stuffed animals from Grandma. Pretty fun!

Later on, we braved the gigantic snowstorm to head for Grandma & Grandpa J's house. What a snowstorm! We had a few moments without electricity, and wondered if we would spending the night in Fielding by candlelight! It was a great night, and we definitely got a "White Christmas!"

What a lovely day.

bop and grandma croney's annual cookie party

The girls love this annual Christmas tradition! What could be better than decorating Christmas cookies, playing with cousins, and seeing Santa Claus all in the same night? What's there not to love?

The party started off with some serious cookie decorating, which I unfortunately did not get any pictures of. When the night is through, each child has a plate full of deliciously decorated cookies to set out for Santa on the big night.

Next, we gathered into the family room for a delightful talent show. Bop started off with his amazing rendition of "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater". Here you can see him stretching to prepare for the performance. I love this guy! And, with this incredible talent flowing through all of our blood, it's quite remarkable that none of us has been recruited by Julliard yet.
Ryenne shared her favorite song, "Praise To The Man." Very good Ryenne! I must add that if any of the bunch does have a shot at Julliard, it will be David. What a great kid! He played us an awesome trumpet solo, and then an equally great number on the piano. (And to top off all the talent, he's about the nicest guy you'll ever meet!)
Whitney, Halle, and Emmy had us all smiling at their "Jingle Bells" performance!Kelsey & Shawn and all of the kids. Hmmm. . .wonder why they're not in any rush to have their own?
Grandma & Bop opening their present from all the gang. Yard care for the summer! Hopefully they'll have a little more time for taking us all boating this summer. . .The highlight of the night? SANTA! Thankfully, the big man himself showed up for Grandma's party again this year! She invites him every year, but because of his big schedule, we can never be sure he'll be able to make it. We all know that some of the Santa's we see are only dressed up to be his helpers, because he can't be everywhere. But having the one and only REAL Santa Claus in person is the greatest! We all love to see him and make our Christmas wishes.

Thanks Grandma and Bop for another fun-filled Christmas Cookie Party!