This Last Weekend...

So, our weekend was amazing. Lucky for our family, we have some pretty incredible friends - lots of them. This week the awesome Rudd Family stepped in and gave us, what I believe will be the highlight of our Christmas season.

They have some pretty deep connections to the MAKE-A-WISH Foundation and this weekend, they shared a little bit of it with us.

This is an amazing place and organization, filled with amazing people and families. I have watched our cute friends this year and I can feel the energy, the love, and the gratitude they feel when ever they talk about Make-A-Wish. There really is so much good in this crazy place we call the world. I am so thankful for the things that we got to see and learn and feel - we will never forget it.

Tis the Season....

In our family, the "season" begins today - not the holiday season, but the Moss family "Birthday Season"! Everyone (including the dog) except for me has a birthday in the next 8 weeks. So, today it begins with the big guy - the one we call dad and hubby - Happy Birthday Evster!

The first birthday I celebrated with this guy was way back when he was turning 23 and we were barely engaged. I loved him A LOT then, but I do believe I love him A LOT more now. He is one of the best guys you will ever meet. He's a great dad, a great companion and a truly loyal friend and we all know that those are getting harder and harder to find.

He's a keeper, that's for sure.

A Year Ago Today. . .

I just can't believe it's May 20, 2010.

One year ago today, we threw caution to the wind,

left home, left work, left school

and we left with our whole family.

We left with no regrets.

We left knowing full well that this might be the last time we all left together.

And so it was.

So, today, though I'm longing for last year -

I am filled with memories and gratitude for that wonderful 10 days

that none of us will ever forget.

I am so glad we had it and though it will never be the same without

Grandpa Moss - I hope one day we do it again...

and then maybe again....

There goes a little piece of my heart. . .

So strange to me that my last post (because I am such a slacker) was of our awesome family vacation with the Moss Clan. We took that trip because Grandpa's health was not so good - we wanted so badly to get everything in. I am so eternally grateful for all of the people that helped pull that trip together. Divine intervention, you might say, because you just never know. So here we are. . . at the place we hoped we'd never be, but so thankful that we KNOW what we KNOW. I love that Father-In-Law of mine, always have. I love the family he built and the things that he taught us, I love the Grandpa he was and the legacy he left. I love that there is a PLAN and that we are part of it. Though today, my heart still hurts, I am so thankful that we had him and that we will have him again, forever. XOXO

Grandpa Moss passed away Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at his home which was exactly where he wanted to be. His funeral was a tribute to all that he was - happy, fun, generous, smart, loving, and kind. I am so thankful for this family that he created. For the legacy he has left. . . we will keep building on that until we are all together again.

Valentines Day will never be the same to me.

A friend gave us a little plaque that says,

"The best way to have Heaven in your home,

is to have someone you love in Heaven."

I believe it.

Paradise Found. . .

We were lucky enough to spend 10 blissful days with Evan's parents and family. We decided kind of on a whim, that Grandpa and Grandma Moss needed a trip. They love being with their family and so what better way than to get out of dodge and hang out together for 10 days!

We spent the first 3 days with the Crow's and Grandpa and Grandma in

Orlando. We had a great time in Disney World though it rained like I have never seen rain! Complete with thunder, lightning, and my terrified 8 year old daughter.

Next we drove from Orlando to Miami and met the rest of the gang - boarded the awesome Liberty of the Seas and began the rest of our fun filled vacation! We hit St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and Haiti - all of which were beautiful and amazing. We had such a wonderful time and we are so thankful that we got to spend time with the people we love!

Our big family picture!

Game Over. . .

I am pretty sure next season can't get here fast enough. . . for any of us!

They were awesome! They ended up 16 and 4 and 1st in their region!

Go Sophs!

Great job Alex - love you!

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday. . . and Baptism

So we kind of like to do things all at once in our family.  Between December and January, we hit all 3 kids birthdays.  (They were all actually due in January, Syd came early)  Lizzie celebrated her 8th birthday on the 12th of January.  We had a party on the 16th because she wanted to go see "Hotel for Dogs" and it opened that day.  Good times -cute movie!  She was happy because she got the bike that Santa forgot to bring her and can't wait for spring to get outside and ride it!  We love our little 8 year old - she is the funniest little girl.  She told my mom she wanted either a stuffed monkey holding a banana, a sweater sewn by grandma (WHAT!?), or a trip to Disneyland with her cousins. . . ok. . . let's just say she got the monkey,

 holding a REAL banana.

These are her primary and school buddies - cute little girls - 

we love them all.

So then it was on to January 18th and big Alex's big 15th!  I can't believe he is 15!!  What in the world am I going to do next year?  I'm pretty sure I was just 15 and I think that is what bugs me the most!  His birthday was on Sunday and let's face it, that is kind of a drag.  He got lots of cool stuff for his new motorcycle, some xbox games and clothes and we still need to go pick out a new motorcycle helmet.  We went sledding with Crow's at the cabin on Monday, 

which was great and then we got him home in time to go to a movie with all of his friends for his birthday!  He is such a good kid with a great personality.  He torments me, but is so fun to have around.  As much as I hate him growing up,

 it sure is fun to watch!

This is Build-a-Bears version of Harvey the Hillcrest Huskie -his tag says

"GO HUSKIES"

We decided, what the heck, let's baptize Lizzie on Alex's Birthday - big family party for both of them. . . sounded like a great idea, and it was.  Lizzie looked so cute and was so excited for this day.  She just grinned and kept saying how happy she felt.  We were able to have almost all of our family there and except for a few friends with conflicts, we were so blessed to have all of them too.  Even though our house was crowded, I can't even express how lucky we felt to have all the people we love so much in one place.  Lizzie is a lucky, loved, blessed little person and I am so thankful that I get to be in her life and benefit from who she is and those who love her.  Alex had family and some of his friends and cake and games on xbox 

 and it was just a great night.  

We love our kids!