Christmas Day 2011

Christmas Day was such a wonderful day.  We were able to get up, open "Santa", get ready for church, sing in the Sacrament Christmas program and then come home and relax.  We played games, watched movies, ate leftovers and then went to Kyle and Ally's for dinner and more present opening.  It was a super great day and we were grateful for the time we were able to be together. 

Hadlock Christmas Eve Bash 2011



We had our annual Hadlock Christmas Eve Bash and like all the other years in the past, this one was so much fun.  We getting together on Christmas Eve for a Christmas program, presents from each other, the gunny bags from Grammy and Grampy and Christmas dinner.  All of the kiddos come dressed in their Christmas best and we enjoy one another as well as being together.

gINgERbREad HOusEmAkiNg pArTy

gINgERbREad HOusEmAkIng pArTy - dEc 2011

For the past few years, our family has had the tradition of getting all the cousins together on the Hadlock side of the family and making Gingerbread Houses.  TONS of candy, cookies and a hot cocoa bar. Each of the kids had their own apron with their names on the apron to take home with them. 

How much fun do the kids have making their creative houses and loading so much candy on those houses.  Some are decorated very neatly and some are well, just all CANDY!  In our house, the kids can eat them if they want on New Year's Day but most of the time the candy is already picked off. 



North Pole Experience

We did the most fun thing as a full extended family.  All of my brothers and sister along with Grammy and Grampy and their families went to Greer to the snow and to head to the "North Pole".  What a great time.  There was tons of snow so we could sled and build snowmen as well as have snowball fights.  We were able to visit the North Pole and see Santa and his working woodshop.  Once again, our boys were super great with their smaller cousins and were just great sports at the North Pole.  We had a blast and we would love to do it again next year. 

Bryson's Ordination

Last night, all of Bryson's local family and friends gathered together and ordained Bryson was ordained to the office of a Teacher. AND...Hunter was able to participate in the circle. I am so proud of Bryson as well as Hunter for being worthy to receive and utilize these very precious gifts. My only question...when did I get so old?!?!

Happy Birthday Bryson!

Can you believe he is 14?  Love, love, love him!!

Bryson is 14!  I can't believe that 14 years have gone by and Brian and I have had the pleasure of having this gift in our life.  Bryson completes our family perfectly and is such an important part of our family.  He loves his big brothers and from a very early age, he has tried to be just like them.  Bryson is so funny and makes us laugh with his jokes, impressions and silly antics all the time.  Bryson has had many challenges in his life but has always fought hard to be strong and steady.  Bryson has an amazing testimony even though it is very tender and he has a hard time expressing it.  He shows such diligence in keeping the commandments and many times I am taught by this young man.  He also has a tremendous love for those that are in need.  He demonstrates that love through his actions to friends, family and sometimes even people he doesn’t know very well.  He is very compassionate and an example to me of the pure love of Christ. 
Bryson - I hope you always know how much dad and I love you and how special you are to us.  From the moment you were born, you have held both our hearts and we would make any sacrifice or give anything for you.  We hope you have a great birthday!  Love Mom and Dad

Grateful for all my sister-in-laws...

I think that I am so lucky to have blessed with so many WONDERFUL sister-in-laws.  I have 8 in total (Karen, Joanna, Jaqui, Verla, Corie, Rachel, Kimberly, and Crystal) and I couldn't be more lucky.  These women are all such examples to me and oh, so talented.  Each one of them are unique and bring many qualities that have enriched my life in ways that they probably don't even realize.  They are all such great moms and each have their unique trials but move through those trials with grace demonstrating to me and those around them their courage and conviction to what they believe.  I consider them all to be my sisters and I am truly blessed to have them in my life. They are among my greatest treasures!

Grateful for my brothers - Brett, Scott and Jared

I am pretty lucky to have been a big sister to my brothers and sister.  I think that my brothers are awesome.  They are great examples to me and they exemplify what it means to be family.  We all live so close to one another so getting together is always fun.  They are all such great dads and I love watching them with their children.  It reminds me of growing up with them.  I love their sense of humors and they way they treat each other.  I love how strong they are in the church and their testimonies.  I am truly lucky to have great brothers and I consider them my greatest treasures. 

Grateful for the Blessings of the Temple...

Since being in my new calling as Primary chorister, one of my favorite songs is "I Love To See The Temple".  I learned the first verse but until this year never even heard the 2nd verse.  For those that don't know, the 2nd verse says:

I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday

To covenant with my Father, To promise to obey

For the temple is a holy place, Where we are sealed together

As a child of God of I've learned this truth

A Family is Forever

What a truly beautiful message.  I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple.  I am grateful to be sealed to the love of my life and our beautiful children.  I am grateful to know that our family continues into the eternities.  I am grateful to attend the temple often and imagine what it will be like in the Celestial Kingdom.  It helps to motivate and recommit to be better. I am looking forward to going through with each of our sons...well sort of looking forward.  

I am ecstatic that a new temple is being built so close.  I love to see it going up and every time I see (on my way to Costco) the words to the Primary song always pop into my head.  I truly feel blessed to live in this time when so many temples are going up and access is readily available.  I am grateful for the blessings of the temple and I consider them one of my greatest treasures. 

Grateful for my dad, Dave

Every little girl should grow up with a dad like mine.  I saw a vinyl lettering sign the other day that was for a little girl's room that said "Prince Charming did come - it was Daddy!"  Growing up, that phrase is how I felt about my dad.  Too me, there was no one stronger, more handsome or more invincible than him.  I knew that when I was with him, he would protect me and keep me safe. 

One of my dad’s greatest traits is his selflessness – something I think that he inherited from his mother.  My dad is always giving of himself.  Growing up, he always put our needs and the needs of our mom ahead of his own.  Another trait is soft heart and the way he feels passionately about things.  Growing up, I saw him become very passionate about things that he believed strongly in or if any of us was taken advantage of.  He also can be very emotional, something that he inherited from his dad and I inherited him.  He often jokes that he can’t watch a greeting card commercial without getting teary eyed.  I love that about him – he taught me that it is okay to show emotion either passion or humility in any circumstances, no matter who you are.
    

My dad has a strong testimony of the gospel. Over a year ago, at Peyton's blessing, he bore his testimony so that his children and grandchildren would know of his love of the gospel.  I cannot express to you the Spirit that was felt not only by me but by my boys as well.  Recently, Bryson, who really struggles with bearing his testimony because he gets overcome with emotion and the Spirit, bore his testimony again.  I was very simple and sweet.  I told him later how proud I was of him – and he commented “I remembered what Grampy said about a testimony is the things you know to be true – not a whole long talk – just a simple testimony.  So that is what I focused on.”  I am so grateful for a father and Grampy to my boys who continues to teach them even though he many not know it.  They know without a doubt that their Grampy knows that the church is true and loves the gospel with all of his might.  What a gift he has given to his children and grandchildren! 

I am grateful for my mom, Dianna...

I am so thankful for a mom who is involved and wants to be a part of my life.  From a very early age, my mom was volunteering for all kinds of extra activities so that she could be a part of what I was doing.  Countless concerts, pageants, talent shows, classes and various other activities and the one thing you could be sure of was that my mom was right there supporting me and helping me.  She made countless sacrifices for me and on my behalf.

The greatest attribute about my mom is that she is almost always positive.  Where ever she is, that is the best place to be - no matter where it is.  She always tries to encourage us to not be discouraged and not give into the disappointments of the world.  Very rarely do you see her sad or discouraged.

Her grand kids all love her.  They love how fun and silly she can be as well as how loving and caring as well.  I love watching her as she interacts with my older boys as well as how she is with the babies.  I love her very much and I admire her greatly.  She is another one of my most prized treasures.