Elder Andrew Howe

Today we woke up at 4:30 am to take Andrew to the airport. He flew to the Missionary Training Center in Salt Lake City and in six weeks, he will fly to Santiago, Chili, where he will serve a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are all so proud of Andrew and are so thankful for the wonderful blessing he is in each of our lives. I am so excited for all those lucky people who, too, will be blessed by Andrew's testimony, his tender heart, and is love for the gospel.

 Kenzie LOVES her Uncle Andrew and would rather go to him than anyone else if he is in the room. She even goes to him over her own mommy. She is going to miss him so much.

At the Burbank airport.

What a handsome missionary.

Saying goodbye.

I can't believe it will be two years before I see my little brother again. I am going to miss him so much!

After lot's of tears were shed we were welcomed  to the day with a beautiful sunrise, a tender mercy from Heaven.

Makenzie finally realized that Andrew wasn't coming back home with us.

Daddy's face is priceless!

The New Year

Shane and I went to Independence for the new year and, again, I was really bad about taking pictures. However, I DID take a few. For New Year's Eve, our good friends, the Whitney's, came over to celebrate with us. We ate good food, played lot's of games and, of course, sang karaoke. It was so fun to spend time with some great people.

It snowed in Independence a week before we got there and there was still plenty on the ground during our stay. I wish I had a better picture of the mountains but they were absolutely beautiful covered in snow.

On New Years Day we all went shooting.

And it was FREEZING!

She is just so pretty!

Zach's girlfriend, Rachel, came to spend the week in Independence with us.

Needless to say, she fit right in :)

I love him!

Christmas Day

On Christmas day, before Shane and I headed over to Carole and Steve's, we went on a hike to the Nike Base with my family. It was a chilly but beautiful day. I have always loved going on hikes with my family and I couldn't have asked for a better way to start our Christmas day, basking in the beauty of the world Christ made for us with the people who mean most to us. Nothing in this world is more wonderful than family.

Grandpa sharing his wisdom with Zachary.

Emma and Kellie climbed down to this ridge to throw rocks. Then Andrew and Makenzie joined them. See that little red ball in Andrew's arm as he is throwing his rock? Yes, that is my baby girl and, yes, I was extremely nervous the entire time.

What a good-looking guy!

Kenzie loves her uncles. I guess it's easy to see why :)

Grandpa and Mom

Aunt Susan

Zachary looking out over the valley. You could even see a little bit of the ocean from way up there.

Aunt Susan and Uncle Michael.

Isn't he just the CUTEST?!!!! I love this man!

Dad and Mom

What a handsome husband I have!

Christmas

Christmas started out with a beautiful package from our Aunt Carolyn. As always, she sent lot's of goodies, both to play with and to eat.

Makenzie could hRDLY wait to get the presents out so she could climb in her new box.

We were actually able to wait for Christmas to open them! Thank you Aunt Carolyn!

Last year we didn't have stockings so I decided to make some this year :)

We weren't going to get a Christmas tree this year but Jay and Allyson surprised us and brought this beauty to us!  I have loved walking by it every day, getting whiffs of it's beautiful aroma.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Shane's aunt and uncles to celebrate. Sadly, I didn't get many pictures of our evening, but we had a really nice time getting caught up with all of the family on Carole's side and finishing off the night with a few rounds of Catch Phrase, of course (a Christmas Eve tradition).

Kenzie kept crawling into the doggy bed at their house. It was precious!

Climbing stairs is exhausting!

This is Shane's Aunt Jan and her two beautiful daughters, Jamie and Kristen.

On Christmas we exchanged presents and ate a delicious feast. Steve is lovin those new sitting pillows he got from his Secret Santa :)

Makenzie testing out my new pregnancy pillow that Steve and Carole got for me.

A White House lego's set!!! Jay is the BEST brother!