Just Because I Love You

To my sweetheart, Melissa:

Why wait for Valentine's Day? Love in full bloom is a great thing to have. Thank you. Truly, I love you truly.

Craig

(Okay, Kent, I know you are gagging, but about that I feel a bit like Rhett when he walked out on Scarlet.)

Formerly Miss Braceface

Madison got her braces off! Now good luck to all of you out there in your attempts to distinguish her from Mackenzie!

B-Ball Boy

I look forward to getting off work Thursdays to watch Clayton play basketball. He loves playing, and that makes it fun to watch him; he really hustles around so he can get a chance to shoot the ball.


I was never good at basketball, so I hold out hope for him. I figure that since he's got Besaw blood he stands a pretty good shot at it.

He's Got His Head in the Game

Clayton started youth basketball the other day, which he is really excited about because he says basketball is his favorite sport. He has lots of friends on his team, which makes it extra fun. We're still working on helping him understand that when you play with friends you share. As you will notice in the second video, he is pretty good at following parental instruction. Of course, it doesn't help that he gets such mixed signals! From where would you guess he gets his competitive instinct?

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve at Uncle Kent and Aunt Jamie's having a little party. The kiddos were definitely getting their groove on as they tested out an assortment of dance moves.


There was dancing, eating, reading, and just celebrating. We even had a mini fireworks show thanks to Kent.

Happy New Year to you! Good luck keeping those resolutions in 2009!

Snow Shovelers

Morgan and I had a fabulous time shoveling snow after a recent storm. She's such a good little helper that it made the job enjoyable!

On Christmas Day in the Morning

The kids seem to have the routine down now: On Christmas day in the morning, they excitedly jump out of bed to dump out the contents of their stockings. What time each does this is anyone'e guess, but they all know to eventually gather in Dad and Mom's room to share with each other what Santa brought. Then the processional begins: The march from the bedroom to the Christmas tree.

One thing for certain this Christmas has reinforced in my mind is that the best things in life aren't things. What can beat happiness together?

For sure, the kids are excited about the things they are getting, but it's the time together that makes it exciting. And afterward, the time we get to spend together with the new presents is truly special. Real gratification comes from seeing your kiddos figure this out. It's like realizing the Savior's birth is a magnificent occassion, but what He did with His life is divine.

It seems that Clayton will be very protective of his karate lessons!


The fun thing about Madison and Mackenzie this year is that they have arrived at the age when being cool starts to be important . . .

but the problem is it becomes so very difficult to contain themselves and keep that state of coolness. Thank goodness!

As you can see, we were blessed with a very Merry Christmas, and we hope you were, too! Happy New Year!