Millie

Welcome to the world Millie Joy Maughan.  This is my beautiful new niece that was born on January 18th, 2014.  Congratulations to two wonderful parents.  She is beautiful.

Pictures

 I had a girl friend come over and take some pictures of the kids.  She took 380 pictures and then put them onto my compute.  Over the next couple of days I went through them ALL and edited the ones I liked.  AND HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!!

2 months old

Eli is 2 months old.

Weight 11 lbs 12 oz and in the 75% tile
Height 21 1/4 inches and in the 25%tile
Head 37 inches and in the 10% tile

bikes

My twins aren't little anymore.  They are big enough to have bicycles!!!  I can't believe how cute they are riding their big-kid-bikes.

 

Kaden's 5th birthday

January 3rd our sweet Kaden would have been 5 years old.  Happy Birthday Kaden!  We love you and miss you.  Right after we lost Kaden, my dad had me talk to a sister who had also lost a child.  This sweet girl gave me some great advice.  She advised me to "keep Kaden alive".  So each Christmas we hang up Kaden's stocking next to ours.  We talk about him and we celebrate his birthday with an animal cake. 

This year the twins were so excited to have another birthday party.  Micah helped me pick out the design for the cake.  Savannah helped make the frosting.  And they both decorated it all by themselves.  As a special treat to went to Applebees for lunch and then came home for the cake.  We sang to Kaden, blew blow horns, and then played with balloons.  At the end of the day I show the twins Kadens book and talked to them about their brother. It was a sweet day.

 



While we were sitting around the table Micah asked, "Is Kaden going to eat any of his cake?"

Savannah said, "No Kaden is in heaven."

Micah said, "Let's save him some."

 

New Years

 

 

It is crazy to think it's already 2014.  I am excited for a new year and the adventures it will bring. 2014 is the year we will start "normal life" as our family moves to Lewiston and Leif begins his employment.  2014 is the year, my twins become Sunbeams at church, and start the Moms-as-teachers-program.   2014 is the year we will go to Disney World with family, and then move closer to that family.  I am thinking this is going to be a great year!!!!

 

And to start off the year, there is no better way than with New Year's Resolutions.  I have never really enjoyed the New Year's Holiday itself.  In fact Leif had to work this year, and Eli feel asleep so I did too.  But I have always enjoyed contemplating my life and making Goals.  I believe in goal making.  Last year my resolution was to read the Old Testament cover to cover.  I finished it!!  It was boring at times, but it was accomplished.    This year I have a very similar but more intense goal.

 

For 2014 I am going to be more diligent in my scripture reading.  I will study (not read) my scriptures for 30 minutes a day.  I know that by studying each day for a set amount of time, my life will be blessed.  I know that my trial will become easy, and that I will find answers to my questions.  By doing this for 365 days, I am hoping that scripture study will become a habit.  And reading scriptures is a commandment, they are Gods words.  It's something that everyone should be doing everyday anyhow.  And I am very excited to start.  

Lewiston Idaho

It's official.... we are going to be moving to Lewiston, Idaho.  Leif has signed a contract with St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  He will start work as a hospitalist this summer.  
We are VERY excited to move back West and be close to family.  Lewiston is a city of perfect size for us and our family. It is a small town but has everything you would need.  There are 2 rivers that run through the city, which makes for good fishing and recreation.  We are super excited. 

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was a very quiet, simple, warm, and peaceful couple of days.  It was nice being with just our little family.  But we are so so excited to move back closer to home.  Christmas really is about family.  And we are ready to be closer to our lovely relatives.

 

On Monday night we had Bob and Becki over for a ride to the Polar Express.  Each person got a ticket that was punched throughout the movie.  The twins were so excited about their tickets that they never let go.  During the movie we had some great laughs.  Then at the end we all got a bell that showed "we believe" in Santa.   We all wore our bells because the Savannah made sure of it!!  After the movie we drank hot-coco and ate sugar cookies.  Then the twins got to open their presents for Bob and Becki.  Micah got a tracker and Savannah got a life size doll.  She named the doll Baby Jane.  And then we found out that Jane is Becki's middle name.  We sure have enjoyed being friends with the Mays.  They are a great couple.

 

 

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed the Florida weather and went to Highland Rec. Center.  Leif and I played a match of tennis while the twin ran around and Eli slept.  They just got done building

an outdoor workout area along with some play toys.   There was a really interesting swing there that I had never seen before.  We all loved it!!  I think Leif had just as much fun playing on it as the twins did.  It was a fun morning just being outside. 

Then in the evening our traditions started.... we started by sitting around the table and reading the Nativity from Luke.  As we read, the kids reenacted the scene by using little figurines.  After reading it, we watched it on the BYU channel.  Savannah was so cute.  She told me that the angels in the movie weren't real, because they didn't have wings.   She is sure getting mature.  We then opened our cans, which held our new Christmas Pajamas (well Leif's were recycled) .   After getting our pajamas on we opened one present each.  Micah was so excited about his new trucks and Savannah loved her ponies.  The night ended with setting out cookies for Santa and watching a Christmas show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning was funny because we had to wake up the twins.  It was 8:30 and they were still sleeping.  So Leif and I plugged in the Christmas tree, played Christmas music then ran into their room yelling, "Santa came... Santa came." (I am hoping next year it will be reversed.)  

 

The presents this year were simple.  Micah got a few cars and balls.  Savannah got a big Minney Mouse and some art crafts.  They both were excited about the gifts they picked out for Mommy and Daddy at the Dollar Store.  Savannah got Mom some lotion and Dad a key chain.  Micah got Mom some chap stick and Dad some nails.  And they were so excited to see Dad open up the painting they made for him.  We put the painting right on the wall where last years hung.  It is amazing how much they changed in one year.  The presents were all open by 11:00 so we played and talked with family until dinner.

 

For dinner we had the Rigby's and Resses' over.  It was great dinner with lots of ham and pie.  Kjersti got us Ticket to Ride as a gift... so we played it with our friends.  And I lost!!  But it was a fun night.  Merry Christmas 2013.  

 

 

 

the after mess of Christmas

the kid table

Christmas Party

I hosted the 3rd Annual Christmas Gift Exchange again this year.  I wasn't going to do it because of the new baby, but I am glad I did.  I have really grown to love the girls in the Seminole Ward.  These girls are what I will miss best about leaving Florida.  We had a great night.  There were great gifts.  I walked away with new shampoo and conditioner.   We all walked away laughing.  It was a fun night.

 

8 Year Anniversity

December 17th was our 8 year anniversary. WOW!!!  Because of Leif's schedule and our new born little baby, we didn't get to celebrate the way we would have liked.  BUT we did get a babysitter for the twins and went to the movies.  We watched Hunger Games II and took little Eli with us.  During the movie we took turns holding Eli and then I nursed him.  SO it wasn't the most romantic date. 

 

The night of the 17th, we did get to have a little dinner alone.  The twins went to bed early and Leif and I enjoyed home-cooked Orange Chicken with Angle Food Cake.  We made each other cards and exchanged gifts.  It was a simple and sweet anniversary.  

 

 

8 years ago

 
 
 

man have we changed!!!!