Tis the Season...

It is my goal to not be a scrooge this season and try really hard to remember why we are really celebrating Christmas.

Last year James' cousin Monte Shelley and his sweet wife Elona sent us this book he wrote. We read part of it for FHE last night and it really reminded me why we celebrate and how some of the traditions that seem so commercialized really do point to Christ if we change our focus on how we view them.

Here are a few that I love that connect Santa to Christ:

*Santa dresses in red (atonement) and white (purity). When Christ comes again, he "shall be red in his apparel (D&C 133:48-51).

*He ascends into and descends from heaven (3 Nephi 11:8; 18:39).

*His coming is in the night "as a thief" who enters not by the door (D&C 106:4, 1 Thes. 5:2, John 10:1; 20:19)

*He invites little children to come unto him (3Nephi 17:11, 21)

*Little children believe in him.

*We are invited to become as little children.

*He knows if you've been bad or good.

*He rewards every person according to his works.

*We don't get everything we ask for.

*We are not always grateful for the gifts we receive.

*Santa gives children unearned gifts that they cannot get without him. Christ offers us the unearned gifts of immortality and eternal life.

If you are interested in this wonderful book, they have it available at this website: http://www.sviewp.com/

We hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Jordan's Eagle Court of Honor this SUNDAY!

Jordan will be receiving his Eagle with two other boys in his scout troop this Sunday. All three of them worked really hard this summer to complete it. They are great examples to all of the scouts in their troop! Their troop will have 9 or 10 boys receiving their Eagle by the end of this year! They really did motivate each other to get it. Here is a little video I made Jordan of his experience...

Thanks for coming Fall! Stay as long as you want!!!

Hallulluah!!!!! It's finally Fall!! And it even feels like it! Now, to keep it around for a full season :)

Fall Weather...come out come out wherever you are!!!

Maybe the blog makeover will make me think it's really cooler outside! I am so ready for summer weather to be OVER! Nothing like crisp mornings where it stays dark at 6am, walking outside without feeling a need to reapply your deodorant (sorry, gross I know!), baking in the house without feeling like the AC needs to be cranked down even lower, .....am I the only one? Sunshine, we love you, but it's time for a little hiatus!

Happy Happy Birthday Jamey Dear...

We look like babies


James and his sons on the scout encampment this last summer


James with Jonathan and Larry Fitzgerald and Amare Stoudemire at the awards banquet this summer


Our crazy family with James acting the most crazy!!


James with one of his famous hairdos he allows the kids to give him on Sunday afternoons :)

My hubby is 42 today! He is such a trooper!! I am so grateful for the hard work he does everyday to provide for our family. I am grateful that over 16 years ago, I made the choice to spend the rest of my life with him!
He is a great dad, husband, brother, son, employer, friend, and much much more!

Happy Birthday James!! Love you!

Happy Birthday Wellington!

Today my brother Wells turns 37! He's a great guy who always keeps me laughing. Have a great day, Wells!

Showing off his biking skills by his house in Pinedale


Crying because our bigger brother Mason won't share the chocolate from Grandma Allen's house :)


Decked out for Pop Warner football with his famous cousins same number 11 (Danny White)


His wedding day with Mason as his best man


Probably the cleanest and most clean cut you would ever find him as a child (and an adult!)


Here's to many more great years that lay ahead!

Back again to wish my sweet Emmalee Happy Birthday!!

Yes, today is another birthday in the flake house.Emmalee is 11 years old today. She is such a great daughter!! She came into our home when a little girl was exactly what we needed!! Here is a little trip down memory lane at some of her cutie pictures when she was little (and when I used to scrapbook!)

Here she is at age 2 1/2 at the park looking as adorable as ever!


Emmalee posing in her darling Easter dress I made for her. It was the first and last dress I ever sewed for her :)



Sliding down the slide at the park by grandma pidds. She looks so happy!



Emmalee was the HAPPIEST baby ever!! I was thrilled, especially since she had two stinky older brothers to deal with :)



She had so much black hair!! She is only 3 months old here. I love her chubby baby rolls!!



Emmalee posing like a trooper with her cutie bow



I just love emmalee!!