Taylor's first Date- Davis High Christmas Girls Dance

Just after Halloween, TJ received a package full of startbursts ( no red-- TJ hates red starbursts) and a T shirt in it. The T shirt said, Wash the T shirt and see who would like to take you to the Christmas Dance. It had the names of several girls written on it. All of the names washed away except Michelle Davis. She was one of his sisters from Trek. The next day another sister from trek asked him too. He must have been a nice big brother!

Their "day activity" . . .sledding at Cheese Park in Bountiful (where TJ played T-ball when he was 5 years old.) The hill was fast and icy but they must have had a good time, when TJ got home he was so hungry and tired. So tired, in fact that he couldn't even pour milk on a bowl of cereal ( we have a new definition of lazy at our house now. :) He ate and promptly fell asleep on the couch for 3 hours.

Michelle arrived in a beautiful red formal. she looked like an elegant Christmas package and Taylor was very dashing in his new haircut and new suit. They made a handsome couple.

Last the best of all the game!

For 9 long and wonderful years, Stevie held the "Caboose" position, not only on our little family train but on the whole extended Hartvigsen Family Train. But now Stevie has moved up a car and Eli occupies the caboose. Grandpa Jay and Grandma Liz finally made it down to see their last Grandbaby. There are even 2 great grandchildren who are older than Eli.

Little EJ meet Grandpa EJ.

There once was a boy named "Harry"

Well actually, his name is Taylor and he had lots and lots and lots of hair. He thought he was super cool and his mom thought he was super scary. Taylor procrastinated for many, many months (8 months to be exact) the day he dreaded most... Haircut Day.

But finally mom could wait no longer and out of desperation she made a deal (maybe it was a bribe) with the long haired, hippy boy. " Get a trim before the Christmas Dance OR for 50 large ones get a full haircut." his mom decreed. Taylor being the smart boy that we all knew he was, took the cash and willingly sat on the hair cut stool.

The hair was long and thick and several inches had to be cut before the clippers could even forge their way through the dense covering. It took much time and effort but in the end emerged a dashing young man.

The people all throughout the land did double takes and their jaws dropped in astonishment. "Who is that handsome boy? " "It's TJ" someone yelled. And there was much rejoicing in the land! The handsome boy was a little sad and even a little more annoyed to have his thick locks shorned but $50 buys a lot of BURGERS fit for a KING. So in the end it was a good deal for all. Mom got her handsome boy back and Taylor got a lot of BK Rodeos! And they all lived happily ever after (until it was time for another haircut.)

And they called it "Puppy Love"

Well... maybe for Eli, it should be called "Puppy Terror!" Look at his EYES, he must be thinking , "what is this black, furry thing next to me?" This is Ashley Webb's christmas present from Karl. "Catalina" named after the island where they went on their honeymoon. "Lina" and Eli are just a few days apart, they are almost the exact same size, they both have big brown eyes (although Eli's eyes might be slightly bigger) and they both wake up at 4 in the morning to be fed and played with. Wow... Puppies are good practice for babies. Congrats Karl and Ashley on the new addition to their family.

Brooke and Katie with the "Babies"

Counting Blessings

Of course November is normally the month that we tend to reflect and contemplate our BLESSINGS, but this November, I am even more GRATEFUL than ever for the BLESSINGS that make my life so meaningful and rewarding. It is hard to understand why our little family has been so richly BLESSED. But I am humbled and GRATEFUL for the tender mercies of the Lord, who knows what I need and want more than I do, and has BLESSED me beyond my wildest dreams.

Topping the list of BLESSINGS is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father LOVES us so much that he prepared a way for us to return back to him. I can't even comprehend the LOVE that was required to allow His perfect son Jesus Christ to come to earth or the LOVE that Jesus had for us to suffer indescribable pain and sorrow for us. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus LOVE us so much, we can be with those we LOVE forever

Twenty years ago, when as a young Bride, I married Shawn, I had no idea how BLESSED I was to have found such a wonderful partner, friend and father to my children. I am so grateful to have him in my life. We could have never imagined the JOY that each of our children have brought us. The birth of little Eli has reminded us just how special and precious each of our children are. To watch them LOVE and ADORE their new little brother has been a true DELIGHT.

Brooke's HEART is completely taken by this new baby. She picks him up and LOVES him the second she walks through the door. Her new favorite past time is to snuggle up with him and take a nap. Any hard part of Brooke's day is melted away the minute she picks up Eli. Eli will never lack attention when Brooke is around.

TJ thinks the "yittle guy" is pretty sweet. He too seeks him out the minute he gets home. He takes the time to pick up and LOVE him. He is fascinated by the tiny baby and is amazed to see all the things that he has learned in his medical anatomy and human biology class in an actual growing body. Eli brings out TJ's soft and tender side.

Madi--mommy #2-- is over the moon with HAPPINESS that Eli is here. She was my constant cheerleader and # 1 encourager during the challenges of pregnancy. She kept telling me it would all be worth it and she was right! She can't wait to see him every morning and even changing diapers is privilege to Madi. She is THRILLED to have a real live baby doll to dress and bathe and feed and LOVE.

Stevie is so HAPPY to be a big brother. He generously shares his room and his heart with Eli. He LOVES to stop what he is doing to give Eli a hug and a kiss. He will be a great friend, big brother and example for Eli- There can be no doubt that Eli is the most LOVED baby brother ever to come to a family.

There is no Mistletoe needed~ when Eli is around the KISSES are free and plentiful!
Shawn and I, of course, couldn't be more in LOVE with sweet Eli and with eachother. With the birth of each of our children, we have a renewed commitment to eachother and to the Lord. Our greatest desire is to raise up children who LOVE the Lord. We are so BLESSED and humbled that our LOVING Heavenly Father has given us this opportunity.