Happy New Year!

We had a great year in 2011 and wanted to write a little something about each member of our family:
Hyrum is 14 months old and thinks he is the boss of our family. He started walking when he was 13 months and has done very well with just minor bumps and bruises. All of the kids adore him and love to sit by him at the table and in the car. Hyrum has learned some words like: mine, mama, up, all done, thank you, car car, ball and bye bye. He has also started imitating the kids when they dance. Hyrum enjoys music and often rocks out to mom's cell phone ringtone.

Eli is almost 4 years old and is "super awesome."(as he would say it) He likes going to preschool but won't sing the songs with the other kids around. Eli knows how to spell and write his name as well as spell the other kids' names. Eli loves books and playing computer games. Eli is very sweet and always finds me when he gets up in the morning to give me a hug. Eli did a very good job learning his missionary cowboy dance this year but was so concerned about doing it perfect that when he missed a step it put him in tears and he wouldn't finish the dance!

Kate is 6 and loves 1st grade. She is making new friends and learning how to overcome her shyness and speak in public. Kate loves any kind of toy and always has to have something to hug when she goes to bed. Kate is doing well in her "Let's Play Music" class and is starting to play songs on the piano. Kate is also a very good dancer and enjoys taking lessons from Aunt Jane.

Joseph turned 8 this year and was baptized and confirmed. We are so pleased he made that choice to follow Jesus Christ! Joseph also started attending scouts where I am the wolf leader. He has earned his Bobcat and is very close to earning his Wolf! Joseph is good at math and reading. He loves playing any kind of computer game and is quick to catch on.

Isaac is 10 and in the Webelos den. Isaac enjoys reading and math and anything relating to science. Isaac is always wanting to do an experiment or make something out of a cardboard box. Isaac enjoys playing computer games and writing stories. Isaac participated in the Children's play and he really enjoyed it and did a great job! It was fun to see him sing and dance on the stage!

I have been busy taking care of our 5 children and working with the scouts. I enjoy dancing with my sisters, singing with the ward choir and reading. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his incredible sacrifice for me! I strive to be better each day so that I may be prepared to meet Him when He comes again!

Nate stays busy at Ancestry.com and enjoys singing with the A Capellas in our community. He was called as the Sunday School president in our ward and is also a Stake auditor. Nate enjoys hearing about the cute things our kids say and fixing computers for our friends and family. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful and handsome husband to call my own!

We want to wish all of you a Happy New Year and hope this year brings happiness and love to you and your family!

Love,
Nate, Rebecca, Isaac 10, Joseph 8, Kate 6, Eli 3, and Hyrum 14 months

January 2011

January started a new year and new things baby Hyrum could do.

He loved swinging in his swing...


Kate and Eli played in the snow cave that still had not melted...


What a cutie!


Eli tries to be like his sister...


Hyrum tried to roll over in January. Actually I got a video of him doing it a couple times.


We would talk to him and he would study our faces and look like he was about to smile but then we wouldn't.

Like this picture...


Oh, there's a smile! Kinda.


Here he is back to studying our faces.

December 2010

December of 2010 started off with Hyrum's blessing day. It was really a nice day. Nate gave Hyrum a wonderful blessing and we had a brunch afterwards at our house.

Grandma Bentley holding Hyrum.


The handsome boy posing for his picture.


I think that's a smile...


My parents with Hyrum: LaVer and Eva Bentley


Nate's parents with Hyrum: Sam and Marcia Bartlett


My wonderful husband with our son.


Mom and Dad


Later on that month we took the kids to see the Christmas lights downtown.

We got the baby all bundled up so he would be warm.


Me and the kids by the pretty trees.


I love this view of the temple.


The kids enjoyed the reflection pool


Sweet Eli...


We let the kids each throw some coins into the pool.


Daddy with Hyrum who somehow fell asleep in the cold air.


He's so peaceful!


And there is the beautiful temple!


One Sunday I dressed Hyrum in this favorite Christmas outfit and had to take his picture.


He looks bored, doesn't he?


In December Eli wrote his name for the first time, even before he turned 3, what a smartie!


On Christmas Eve we got together with the Bartlett's to tell the Nativity Story.

This is Felicity with Great Grandpa Bartlett


Great Grandma too.


Ben, Joseph, Kate and Isaac.


I don't know how Eli did this, but we found him walking around like this!


I was trying to get Joseph to dress up for the story and he was being kinda grumpy about it.


Lydia, one of the wise (women).


I finally got him to dress up but he still had to roll his eyes!


Kate the Shepherd girl.


Hyrum, the baby Jesus.


Ben the Shepherd boy.


There were 3 babies born within a few months of each other so we had them be the stars of the story: Mary (Felicity), Joseph (Mack) and Baby Jesus (Hyrum).


Jarom played the angel that came to the shepherds.


Here is Joseph taking care of the baby Jesus.


After the festivities we went home and let the kids open their pajama present from mom and dad.

Don't they look cute!


Kate and Eli


Isaac and Joseph


Setting out treats for Santa


Ready to go to bed!


The next morning...

Here the kids are looking for the hidden pickle ornament that decides which one gets to open the first present.


Dad and Hyrum


Baby's first Christmas!


the kids all got their own umbrella.


We had a very nice and relaxing Christmas and enjoyed being together.

Hyrum continued to grow and develop...


one day Nate and the boys built this cool snow cave.


It was really cool and lasted for a long time!


It was so cold I think the cave lasted until February!


Well, that was our December. It went by quickly, but well. Looking back at the beginning of 2010 makes us realize how much we were blessed by the Lord. We started off the year by Nate being let go from Sinclair Oil and ended it with a beautiful new baby and a wonderful new job at Ancestry.com. It's wonderful to see the Lord's hand in your life!