This was a big year for our family! Thad and I took a big trip to Costa Rica to visit some dear friends there. It was a wonderful babymoon, as I was expecting our 3rd girl. We drove through the tropical rain forest, spent some time on the beautiful beaches, visited as active volcano and saw lots of amazing wildlife! Thad even got to fulfill one of his life dreams and went deep sea fishing! Maybe next time we’ll even catch something ;)
Thad has been developing his hobby of fishing. He goes fishing about 3 times a week, and has great success! We all love the yummy “fish bites” and the delicious fish tacos he makes with his catch! The girls love to go fishing with him. I even caught them playing “fishing” at home. Tessa would cast a “pole” (giant flower) over the railing, while Siena attached a bucket to it and put random toys in it, then yell! You got one! Hurry, hurry! Reel it in!
Thad started a new job working as an attorney in a law firm in Henderson in August. He works with some wonderful people, and really enjoys his job. Our family moved to Henderson to be closer to his work. We are loving our new ward and callings. Jamie is the Relief Society chorister and Thad is still waiting for his calling. The ward has been very welcoming and we have been blessed to make some wonderful friends already!
Our most exciting news this year was on July 26th, , Jamie’s birthday. Baby Leila decided to make her grand debut on that day, and was born in Cedar City at 9am. Thad had been driving from Las Vegas, and Leila made sure to wait until her daddy was there for the birth. She was born 15 minutes after he arrived, and she came so quickly that the midwife didn’t make it in time. Thad got to catch her!
Leila was born with blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair! I never thought that would be possible. Her hair is darkening now, and her eyes are now hazel. I have fallen head over heels in love with this little baby, and have decided to stay home with my girls this year instead of going back to work as a speech therapist for Clark County School District.
Siena (5) has grown up so much this year! She has also been an amazing big sister to Leila since she was born. She often gets her dressed in the mornings, and loves to hold her. If she hears her cry, she immediately runs to her to comfort her and sing to her. She and Tessa also help with diaper changes. They love being big sisters!
Siena started Kindergarten this year! We decided it would be best if we started home schooling her after the Thanksgiving break. We have been enjoying studying reading writing, typing, art history, painting, music, geography, science, cooking, sewing, and making jewelry.
Tessa (3) is our best little helper. She is always willing to help with the house cleaning and especially loves to help cook. She has been attending a mommy preschool with 4 other little girls. Jamie has been enjoying taking her turn in teaching the group. It reminds her of when she taught speech lessons in preschool in the school districts. This is Tessa’s last year in nursery. She will be a sunbeam in a couple of weeks. She is growing up so fast!
Leila is the cutest, sweetest, happiest baby imaginable! She wakes up crazy happy every day and loves to give us huge smiles! She has just started giggling and turned over for the first time this week. She has such a sweet disposition and likes to make a silly growling noise to communicate with us!
Now that we have 3 sweet little girls, we decide it was time to upgrade to a minivan. My former car aided in the transition by leaking oil so badly, it sped up the process. I’m loving the new (to us) Dodge Caravan. I never thought I would be a minivan mom, but it’s been a great blessing to our family!
We have so much to be grateful for this year. Wishing blessing to you and yours for the coming year!
