Happy Easter!

I love spring! Although it is often snowy or at least cold here in Colorado on Easter, it still seems to signal the start of spring. No matter what the weather, we are always happy to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Easter signifies a new beginning. With the (early) birth of our youngest son we have had a chance to contemplate how truly blessed we are as a family. We are so grateful for the knowledge we have that our Savior lives, and that because of His sacrifice we all will live again. Happy Spring!

Gavin comes home

March 25th was a very happy day for our family. Gavin finally got to come home! We were all thrilled that he passed all of the necessary tests. Daddy and Logan came to pick us up, and since the older boys were both at school Logan was the first big brother to meet little Gavin. Each of the boys were thrilled to have the baby home and to hold him for the first time. I was ecstatic to have him home, and be able to sleep in my own bed!

Number 4 a few hours before Spring...

Only missed being a spring baby by about 2 hours. So I was on bedrest since last Tues because my blood pressure was up. I went in on Friday so they could check how the baby was doing and that's when my Dr. told me my pressure was higher than before bedrest and I was heading to the hospital for evaluation. After a few more tests, an ultrasound, and a consultation with a specialist I was on my way up to Labor & Delivery to be induced. Eight hours later (and this time only a few pushes) Gavin came 5 weeks ahead of his due date.

He had a short stint in the well care nursery and then it was off to the NICU to make sure he was getting enough oxygen. But since then he has been a champ and has made amazing progress. He upgraded from his stylish oxygen hood to those nose plug things and then just this morning came off of it all together. He started nursing and is eating well. Now we are just keeping track of his blood sugar and jaundice. He'll probably get to come home in 3 or 4 days.

His brothers can't wait to meet him since little kids aren't allowed in the NICU. We are thrilled of our little addition to our family!!!

(5 lbs 8oz, 19", born at 9:56pm)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Chris' birthday falls just 4 days after Braydens, so it is probably fair to say that he often gets the shaft. After throwing a bash for Brayden, I do not seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for Chris on his special day. Sorry babe! We certainly do not love Chris any less, he is just a lot less demanding. This year the kids and I decided to make Sugar cookies instead of cake, because Chris doesn't really like cake. He enjoyed those, and then we put the boys to bed and headed out for a late dinner just the two of us (thanks for staying with them Collin). It may not have been a very exciting day, but I think Daddy knows just how much we really love him. You truly are my sanity and my happiness babe. I can not imagine life without you. I love you!

The Big 5!

My "middle man" turned five on Sunday. Friday night was party central, as we invited the fam over for a spider man themed celebration. Mom and Dad had "fun" spinning a yarn web on the ceiling, and daddy made an awesome spider man cake. Brayden was thrilled to have his cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas and mom dad and brothers in attendance. Thanks to Grammy we had a huge balloon fight and a good time was had by all. Thanks everyone for a fantastic evening. Happy birthday Bray, we love you!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning is usually spent with Grammy and Grampy, but this year they were out of town, so for the first time ever this bunch of Snellies had Christmas morning in our own little home. What a morning it was! The boys started out sitting on the stairs for the tradition pictures, as they not so patiently waited for Daddy to get up. Each of my boys enjoyed looking through their stockings from Santa, and opening presents from each other. After a new football, skateboard, blocks, and lots of candy the boys figured Christmas morning was through. One final hidden present from Santa brought a reaction that I will always cherish and never forget. The smiles on their faces were priceless! If they didn't before that day, all of my children truly believe in Santa now. Thank you "santa" for making Christmas morning unforgettable!

The Magic of Christmas

One of my favorite things about Christmas is seeing the smiles on my children's faces. Sometimes it is because they are getting presents, but often it is because they are giving a gift that they have worked hard on, or because they are spending time with family and friends. To me the magic of Christmas can be seen in their faces. We had a wonderful, magical Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is our time to celebrate the Holidays with the Whitmill side of the family. Part of our tradition includes a Christmas Eve devotional. Some years this means a church devotional with one of our wards. Many years we have been invited to participate through spoken word or song. Even when there is no organized devotional the Whitmill family puts on their church clothes and heads to the church to sing and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful tradition that I cherish. I appreciate my parents lead in helping all of us to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Aunt Lisa, Uncle Dustin, and Cousin Cohen were in town. We had so much fun watching little Cohen play with the boys. He is sweet as can be, and he did a great job enduring the endless loving/torment that his 3 cousins had for him. We even took family pictures, and most of us are smiling!