Blog. Check!

When you haven't blogged since February, and the post that you did in February was trying to catch up for December, well, you can get a little overwhelmed by the idea of trying to catch up anything. I wonder where to start. I think of all of the things I should probably be doing. Then I start looking at photos and I get lost. Yes I get lost in all of my millions of photos. Well, maybe not millions exactly, but A LOT!!

You see, I like photos. I have always liked taking pictures. It was a hobby that my dad loves and he passed that on to me. It was always a link between the two of us. I remember helping him take pictures when I was little. I remember when he gave me my first camera. I am sure I have some of the pictures that were less than wonderful, but I thought they were fantastic!

I remember my high school photography classes. The magic of a dark room and developing a picture. (Yes I'm old!) I remember college photo classes and tromping around with Jon to bizarre places to take pictures. Then this hobby got lost a little while I was busy in school, then busy working. I was still taking pictures, you can look through my stacks of them if you don't believe me, but I was just capturing moments to store in a box.

With the birth of my children, the camera was constantly going. I think I have pictures of people taking pictures of my girls. (I know! I'm out of control!) One day I attended a photography class and the pictures were AMAZING! I suddenly realized what I could have, what my pictures could be! It has been a journey since then. It still is. But I'm enjoying it!

So I've been a more than a little engrossed in photography the past few months. And it's funny that I picked that topic to rant about considering the pics I chose for this post are just random photos. They just tell a little of what I have been doing.

Back to the pictures, where to start, or end, or even find the middle. I don't know. I'll just pick a couple.

These are some of my primary peeps. They honestly saved my life during Dec. and Jan. as Jon was MIA and I had so much to do. They rolled with my last minute stuff and helped me through the new year preparation and activity. I could seriously cry with gratitude. I doubt anyone else looking at it will cry, but it's a tear jerker to me.


Need I say more about this. My girls adore these two people! Can you tell why?

So this winter was a little rough and never ending. (Even now I'm wondering, will good weather ever come?) This little girl holds my heart in her hands. Her kisses, her "I wuv you"s, her dancing, her art work, and let's be honest, her naps, they were little rays of sunshine through these long months of gray. Just when I thought I couldn't take the cold anymore, she'd snuggle up with some love.

This little girl has definitely kept me busy. Music class, dance class, tumbling class, violin lessons, soccer, home-work, volunteering, not to mention the social life of a sixteen-year-old. But her smile makes my day, her love for her sister is overwhelming, and she is the best helper any mom could ask for.

I'm going to reach my arm way up, put it behind my back, and give myself a little pat. Blog. Check!

Christmas Day

Christmas day was great. We got to spend it with the Browns. Christmas is always our favorite day with them. Cindy always makes the best breakfast. We get to see all of the presents. Jon gets to play with Michael. It's just a very relaxing day.

This year Cindy had a stuffed bear made out of Steve's clothes for each of the kids. She is always amazing at thinking of the best ways to remember him.

My mom crocheted these beautiful bags for each of the older girls. I always love to give the girls a home made gift. This year I cheated a little. Thanks Mom!

Tyli got lipstick. Just don't tell her it isn't real.

Kate performed some of her beautiful violin music.
We also spent some time with Jon's parents. It was nice and cozy. The girls always love snuggling up with a book and chasing the kitty.




At the end of the day I got to snuggle with these monkeys . It was perfectly perfect.

Christmas Morning

This year we decorated our tree a little differently. I loved how it turned out. I know that I have a sweet little humble family room, but all decorated for Christmas it made me happy! On Christmas Eve Jon bring it down by the fire so we can celebrate Christmas morning by it. I liked it there so much I think next year we'll need to trees.


The girls were so excited. Tyli kept asking where Santa was. We had kept telling her that Santa was coming. Of course she was disappointed! She was planning on seeing him! Luckily she had all of her presents to distract her. The both got what they wanted. Ty had been asking for a Snow White dress and Madi wanted a Didj. Nothing like getting just what you wanted!

Christmas Eve '09

Every Christmas eve we visit the lights. It might be cold, but we love it. Then we come back to grandma's for a treasure hunt to look for our Christmas jammies and open cousin presents. This year we were accompanied by tired Jodi drama, but everyone was happy (namely me) my the end of the night.

Getting Ready for Santa and his Reindeer

On Christmas Eve day the girls and I were busy making preparations for Santa and his reindeer. We decorated cookies and put some water and food outside for the reindeer.

This year didn't seem very Christmassy. I don't know why, but I just found it difficult to get into the spirit very much. I found myself humming the song "Where are you Christmas? Why can't I find you?" more than any other carol. Maybe it was because Jon was working like crazy and I never saw him. Maybe because I was so overwhelmed with primary stuff that it was hard to make room for other things. I don't know the reason, but it just didn't really seem the same this year. Despite my scrouge attitude, the girls had a wonderful time and when it came down to the actual holiday, we got to be together and that was the best present of all.


Jon's family party helped a little. We had a "Bethlehem" theme. We wore costumes (at least everyone else did), had a special program, and had dinner picnic style on the floor. It was really fun visiting with everyone.



Jon was so exhausted that he seriously feel asleep in the middle of the floor in the middle of the party. He is zonked out!

Gabberts Together Forever

Scott and Jen finally got to be sealed to their baby in the temple. What a sweet special experience! It's just one of those times that you really can't recall what was said, but you just remember how you felt. I love seeing entire families together in the temple. What a small taste of what heaven will be like.
I was able to snap a few pictures after the sealing. (See photo blog for more pictures.) I just love seeing the joy that Scott and Jen have whenever they are with their sweet little baby. It makes me happy to see them like this.
After, they held the blessing at Jen's parents house. What an amazing thing to see this baby surrounded by so many people who love and adore her. I can see that she really is the star on both sides of the family. Who can resist such an adorable baby?
Jen had notes for people to write to the birth mom. I thought that was so nice! I am so grateful to this amazing person who made it possible for Scott and Jen to have this person in their lives. I can see that they really are different people because of this experience. Their happiness is contagious. I feel blessed as well to know she will be a part of all of us.