Pictures from Matt

We got a short e-mail from Matt today.

Talking to him yesterday, he expressed that

he thought he could possibly be transferred

today.  Well, his suspicion was true, he

is now going to Thousand Oaks.  It

is closer to L.A. close to the coast.

His new companion is from out East

somewhere.  He is still a zone leader.

He was looking forward to a change.

He loved Bakersfield but felt it was 

time for him to move on.  

He did send the following pictures.

 Chases baptism on Dec. 17th.

 I think this is the mission presidents kids.

 Matt said that at a ward party, the members

had made each of the Elders scarves for

Christmas.

 Matt and his companion and the other set of

Elders in his apartment pulled their

mattresses into the living room so they

could sleep near the Christmas tree. 

 Matt's Christmas loot.

Yesterday when we spoke with Matt, he expressed

just how much the members there take care of the

missionaries.  He said they had so much

Christmas stuff from them.

It was so fun talking to him yesterday.  I kind of feel down

today because it is over.  I was looking so forward to

just hearing his voice.  Comforted to know that he is

still the same Matt just a bit more mature and a 

fabulous missionary.  

Christmas Day 2011

 Christmas morning we got to go over

to Steve and Brookes and watch the kiddo's

open their Christmas presents.

Emily was thrilled with her new kitchen!

 Camden loves cars!

 Emily also got a cash register and all the fixings

to play store.  She loves it!

 Natalie got a beautiful snow globe from Steven and Brooke.

I have never seen one quit so beautiful.

 Camden got a new soccer ball from Natalie.

 Steven and his family.

 Santa really did come to our house this year.

It was kind of a "different" Christmas with no kids at  home.

Natalie must of came to our house while we were at

church and filled our stockings and left presents.

I thought that was so thoughtful of her.

It made my day.  She will probably never know

how much I appreciated that kindness, it meant

so much.

 After church the kids all came.

Wynn had to go to work for a couple of hours but

planned on being home for when Matt would call.

Camden loved his sled from Grandma and Grandpa.

 Actually, Emily and Camden both loved 

to have us pull them around in the sled.

The kids were so much fun!

 Always time for a nap!

 Oh my, we got treated so wonderful for 

Christmas this year.

I loved each and everyone of my presents.

I have such thoughtful kids.

 But, the best present of all was getting to talk to Matt.

We put the phone on speaker and we all just

sat around and listened to him talk.

It was very entertaining. 

He is doing so well and was so happy.

Warmed my heart to know he is okay.

I knew he was but something about

hearing their voice  I just got the

reassurance that he is just fine.

Mother's Day is along time from

now.  

Then. . . 

Drum roll please. . . . 

While we were on the phone with Matt

Sam announced to us all

that Hailey is pregnant!  I was so

surprised and yet so happy for them.

So fun how he told us when everyone was

there to hear the news.  Yup, July 7th,

we'll get a new little grand baby.

We couldn't be happier.  They

will be great parents.  

We then enjoyed the movie

Mr. Poppers Penguins.

It was a perfect day!

My heart is so full and I feel so thankful

for all my many, many blessings. 

Family is everything and I'm so glad

we got to spend this special day with them.

Wynn's Mom and Dad were with us,

My Mom, my Aunt Pat and Uncle Sam.

I'm so grateful for a wonderful family. 

Steven and Brooke are off to Island Park to spend

some time with Brooke's family.

Sam and Hailey are off on a 5 day ski trip.

My Mom went to Utah to see my brother and his 

family.

I guess we'll just settle in and get some

things done around the house. 

Christmas Eve at Grandma Hayes'

Christmas Eve Eve, (Friday night) Wynn took us all out to

a Mexican dinner and then we

came to our house and watched

a move.  It's always nice to be

around family.

Every year, we spend Christmas Eve at my

Mom's house in Rigby.  All the cousins, Aunts

and Uncles get get together.

This year we did lunch which freed the

evening up so everyone could

get ready for Santa Cause.

It was a great plan. . . 

 Natalie bought all the stuff and her and I

made penguins to share.

Aren't they so cute?

They were a huge hit.

(olives, cream cheese and carrots)

 This year we had four different types of soups,

homemade bread, green salad and pie.

 The $5 gift game is always so fun.

Everyone brings a $5 gift.  We put them in the 

middle of the floor.  We start with the youngest

and they get 1st pick.   Then the second 

youngest chooses a new gift or one that

is already chosen.  Get it?

It's always fun.

 Steve, Brooke and our little Emily.

 Sam and Hailey

 Aunt Pat and Uncle Sam

Every time Camden sees a camera

he says, "cheese."

Oh my, he is so cute!

After a fun afternoon, Wynn, Natalie and I

went with Steven and his family 

to view the Christmas lights

around town.

4th B'day!

December 21st was

our little Emily's 

4th birthday!

What a fun day. . . 

 Brooke hosted the cutest

birthday party for Emily and

her little friends.

It was a ladybug party!
 Emily loves ladybugs!

They played a ladybug

bean bag toss!

 They made ladybug princess wands and they

even  had ladybug masks.  

 The ladybug cupcakes were

just the cutest!

 Pin the dot on the

Ladybug.

(Camden loved it too)

 Then on Wednesday night

we had a family

party for our little Em's.

 More presents!

 I can't believe Emily is already

four years old.  

She has brought so much love

into our lives.

We love you Emily!

 Steve and Brooke gave Emily

the cutest trunk for her

to store all her

princess attire in.

Camden loved being inside it.

I feel bad I didn't get a picture

of Emily in the princess dress I

made her for her birthday.

My battery went dead before I 

could get one.  But, here is

a picture of the dress without

the princess.

Our Special Day. . .

Today was a special day. . . 

Emily will turn 4 years old tomorrow

and so today I got to spend most

of the day with just her!

No Mom, no Dad, no Camden just

Emily and Grandma Monk!

 We started our day by visiting the 

visitor's center at the

Idaho Falls Temple.

Emily loved the nativity.

 As we entered the visitor's center,

it warmed my heart as Emily said,

"Look Grandma, there's Jesus."

 Emily loved playing on the computer and

coloring temples from all over

the world.  We looked at the temple in England where her

Dad Steven served his mission.  We looked at the New Zealand temple were Uncle Sam served and we also looked at the

Los Angeles Temple were Uncle Matt is serving his mission. 
We couldn't find the Finland temple where Aunt Nat served her mission nor could we find the Portland temple where
Emily's Mom and Dad were married. 

 Emily wanted to know is Jesus was

awake in these statues.

 The bronze statues were just beautiful!

 Off to the Museum of Idaho where we enjoyed

an Old Fashioned Christmas.

 Emily loved all the different Santa's there.

 We even found the Grinch.

 The Gingerbread man was so cute!

 We had to wrap Em's up in a blanket because she

forgot her coat.  It worked, we would just wrap her

up when we were outside and then off the blanket 

would come when we went inside.  

 Then... off to Grandma's to make our very own

Gingerbread house.

 Isn't it so cute?  I loved how Emily would so carefully

place each piece of candy.  She took such great

care in decorating her masterpiece!

 Wouldn't be a complete day if we

didn't color!

We took turns and isn't it a beautiful picture?

 Off to the basement for just some "play" time.

Wouldn't be a day at Grandma's if we didn't 

have a tea party.

I love you Emily!

You are such a special girl.

Thanks for spending the day with me.

Can't wait for your birthday party tomorrow.  

Love,

Grandma Monk