Happy Birthday Brooke!

We celebrated Brooke's birthday yesterday after church. Her real birthday was on the 3rd but she likes to stretch it out as much as possible. On Friday they went and cut down their Christmas tree and on Saturday, they went out to dinner. Sunday we had a family party and then on Monday Brooke went to lunch with her friends. Boy, that's the way to do it!

Emily with Great-Grandpa Monk.

Camden with Great-grandma Hayes and Grandpa Monk.

Our sweet baby Camden in the hat Matt made him.

Emily, Brooke and the birthday cake!

Hope you had a great day(s), we sure love you!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving this year was very different. Wynn had his 5th chemo treatment on the day before Thanksgiving. Because of this, we couldn't go to my Mom's. The Dr.'s have asked that Wynn try to stay clear of a lot of people right after a treatment. Afraid of him getting sick. Anyway, all my family was together at my Mom's and I was home. I felt so bad but it was nice having dinner and being able to have all of us sit around the table. Before we ate, we went around the table and we all got to say what we were thankful for. It was so nice and very touching. A very different Thanksgiving that what we usually have but I must say that I truly did enjoy it. We have a wonderful family and it was so nice for us all to be together.

Wynn with Camden, just five weeks old.

We made gingerbread houses but, shh, we used graham crackers instead of me spending hours making gingerbread. Guess what. . . they turned out just as cute!

Matt got real creative with his, something that was easy for him since he was using cardboard and graham crackers.
Just had to share a picture of me with my darling grand babies! Oh, I just love them so much, they make life so enjoyable.

Sweet little Camden!

He is getting more alert evert time I see him.

Austin & Shantelle's wedding

Sam's best friend got married last week-end.

Sam and Austin have been friends for a long time.

Not only are Sam and Austin friends,

Wynn and I are good friends with

Kaylynn and Loran, Austin's parents.

It was a beautiful wedding!

Austin and Shantelle looked so happy!

We wish them well in all that they do.

Such good kids that made good choices all of their short lives.

So glad they found each other.

Evidence that good things are so worth waiting for.

Sucker Making Night

Natalie is the R.S. president in her ward.

For a R.S. meeting, she had me help them

make suckers for the

Festival of Trees.

This an event that happens every year.

People donate decorated Christmas trees for

the community to purchase. The proceeds go

to the Developmental Workshop here

in Idaho Falls.

They also sale baked food items.

(This is where the suckers come into the picture)

We made 87 suckers to donate.

We had a great time!

Lady Antebellum Concert

Wynn and I got an early Christmas present this year!

Natalie gave us tickets to the

Lady Antebellum concert in Salt Lake City.

I was so excited! (Brooke got me hooked on

this group probably about a year ago)

The concert was last Tuesday night.

We left on Tuesday after I got off work and drove

to Salt Lake. The concert was held at The Rail.

It was so much fun, we really enjoyed it!

Thanks Nat.

We stayed over night and then we went to the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday morning. It was so enjoyable to just not have to rush. It was a relaxing trip. We also drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Something we had not done before. Nothing really to come home for so we just goofed off. It was a nice, welcome break from our busy schedules. Wynn had his 4th cycle of chemo Thursday so, here we go. . .

Camden's Blessing Day

Camden's blessing day, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010.

Here is a picture of our family on this special day.

Steven, Brooke, Emily and Camden.

What a special little boy Camden is.

He just has the sweetest spirit about him.

What a special addition to our family.

We love you sweet Camden!

Halloween

Just had to share this picture of the cutest chicken in the world.

When she came to my door and said, "Trick-or-treat," I couldn't

resist, she got a whole handful of treats!

I love you Em's!!!

New Baby Boy!

Camden Wynn Monk

October 21, 2010

6 lbs. 8 oz.

20" long

Proud Parents: Steven & Brooke Monk

Loving Big Sister: Emily Elizabeth Monk

Emily loves Camden!

Here she is kissing him.

What a cute little family.

Proud Grandma!

Everything went really well for Brooke and Camden.

So glad that part is behind us. Although, don't you

just love the excitement of a new baby and oh, all

those sweet little baby smells and sounds.

I just feel so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law and son.

We walked into the hospital room and Brooke or Steven would just

hand that baby right over to me. They are just so willing to share!

I appreciate that so much, it makes it so easy to bond with the little

guy when you get to love and cuddle them all the time.

Emily is going through an adjustment period but doing so well.

She sure missed her Mom when she stayed with

Grandma & Grandma Monk.

I'm glad Brooke's Mom is coming to say for a few days.

It will be so great for them to have some time together.

Nothing like sharing your baby with your Mom.

I love you guys, thanks for being such a great little family!

You make us so proud!

My Dream Day!

I remember when Steven went to the temple 9 years ago. It was wonderful! When Natalie went it was so great! Then, Sam went and it so good but it just didn't feel complete. Now, my whole family was at the temple together. It was so good and I just loved it. I had to have pictures to document the event. It was just such a special day for us. . .

P.S. A big thank-you goes out to Brooke. She will be having a sweet little baby in just four days. I know she must of been so uncomfortable to sit for 2.5 hours. She was such a trooper and I love her for that. Thanks Brooke for your sacrifice, it will never be forgotten.

Matt's 19th Birthday party

I can't believe that my baby turned 19 years old.

It seems like just yesterday he was born.

I remember it vividly in my mind.

It was a beautiful fall day very similar to what it was today.

Matt was a beautiful baby and we were so excited to have him join our family.

We were then complete!

Matt has always brought so much joy and excitement into our lives.

What an awesome missionary he will be.

I drove to Rexburg and picked Matt up after I got off work.

We went and bought all Matt's temple clothes and then enjoyed lunch together.

Everyone arrived for our family party around 6:30 p.m.

We had chicken Fettuccine, Matt's favorite and it looks like Emily liked it too!

After dinner we carved pumpkins.

Our finished products!

Showing off our pumpkins.

The presents!

Emily loved helping Matt unwrap his gifts.

I have a feeling Christmas will be lots

of fun this year. . .

Sam and Hailey with their pumpkins.

Matt with his birthday cake!

We love you Matt, you are a special part of our family!!!