Nicoles's Birthday

Happy Birthday Sweet Nicole! You are such a blessing to our family! Your children are flourishing with the touch of your gentle hand. Bret's tribute to you on instagram was great. He loves you and so do all of us!

Baby MacLynn

What an innocent, gorgeous child. Our family is so blessed! Kelly and Heath thank you for sharing your family and this new grandchild with me. I love everything about her, and your family. I had such a great time being with you. I loved all the yummy food, all the coming and going at all hours of the day and night, all the dancing and cartwheels, the bouncing of balls, all the taking of pictures, but mostly all the love that was poured out on this tiny baby. I am going to close my eyes and imagine I am on your couch with everyone watching her every breath. Love abounds in Elgin!

Jamie's Birthday

Happy Birthday Day Jamie. Can you really be 33? What fun memories Dad and I have of being with you in Arizona.  You live a life as happy as you face. We are all glad you belong to us. One of my New Year's Resolution is to do better on sending Birthday Wishes.

The True Meaning of Christmas

This is the Grand Miller Family the morning before their Christmas Adventure. My thoughts have been with them very day. I have seen bits and pieces from instagrams. My heart has wanted to be in their back pockets. I can't wait to hear and see all about their Christmas Houses. In Elder M. Russell Ballard's conference talk he challenged us to pray each morning for an opportunity to serve someone. I am trying to imagine what the world would be like it each person that has enough and to spare would accomplish something like the the Millers have done this week. We would have little homes all over the world with warm clothes and food. . .  maybe enough for all. Now that would be Christmas!

Christmas Eve

This brief moment was Christmas at it's best for me. Bret and Nicole were in charge of Christmas Eve this year. The food was scrumptious, every one's mood was high in anticipation of the Big Man's arrival, but dearest of all was the moment Bret knelt around the baby Jesus and spoke with the kids about his love for the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas. Then we all gathered around as his offered a Christmas family prayer. Blessing in detail each family, Chicago to Athem, Grandma to Jeff, all of our personal needs.  Thank you Bret and Nic. You carried Christmas in our door.

Lets get together

Kim, Jamie, Nicole, and Kelly, lets go in our minds to Kelly's today for lunch. She has a bike for each one of us and we  could ride around her little lakes. There are hundreds of geese everywhere. They are honking and flying in big Vs. The leaves are golden the air is cool and moist. You would never believe you are in Chicago. Nicole you could bring chocolate eclairs, Kim you could make your yummy cashew salad, Jamie your chocolate turtles, oops two chocolates, Kelly your chicken basil sandwiches, I'll bring fresh rasberries and peaches.  We could put a big blanket out and lay and talk for 3 hours and you could feel little Mac kick and roll, and then everyone will have to hurry back to your busy lives. I love the women in our family! You are strong, you have light, you are wise, you are loved by so many. Thank you for being the kind of mothers this world needs! I love-a-love-a you. This will be our October trip. I will think of something grand for November.

Kim

Happy Birthday Sweet Kim!!!  My computer just worked! I love these two people!!!  Kim I love your gorgeous hair, soft brown skin, bright eyes and happy smile. I love that you like to be with Jason all alone. Like riding the Sun Dance Ski Lift on the night of a full moon for you Birthday. So romantic! I love how you go on trips alone and motor cycle rides through the leaves. I love how you mother your tribe every school morning, and help everyone to leave with their homework ready. I love that you took time to go to the Relief Society meeting with me on your Birthday. . . one of my favorite things of the year. I love your Halloween Decorations and Jayne's decorated room. I love that you share your life with me. Guess I just plain love you.

Matt

Heaven

Tomorrow is the Day!

Tomorrow at 4:30 in the morning (If you can believe that one) Tom will be heading to Monticello with seven of his horses to sell. We are still trying to figure out how to sell all these fancy horses he loves. I have good vibs on this one.

The 4th

Jenny you are beautiful!

 Is it possible that Jenny is this grown up?  Jenny I love how you just roll with us, and you don't even roll you eyes.  Never change.

I will nominate this as the best picture of the 4th.  I am thinking of sending it in to the Daily Herald. It shows true family love, a sister helping to hide her sister"s butt.  We missed Emilee this year and there was a big hole. We missed Kelly and her troup. We missed Matt and we have for a long time. But I think in spirit we were all there. Somehow all our hearts should meet right here in this gutter each 4th of July.