a VERY VERY VERY Merry Christmas!

I hope your Christmas was as Merry and Bright as ours!!!

Our precious time with family, the amazing food and the giving and receiving of WONDERFUL and generous gifts was a perfect way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to celebrate our many blessings. Of course the blessing we love most is this little boy! He was a blast, keeping everyone laughing and keeping me continually thanking my Heavenly Father for letting him be a part of our little family.

Christmas morning:

Bauer's first Daddy Dunk on his new hoop!

giving his Yammie big kisses thank you!!

as you can tell, he never stood still long enough for a clear picture.

He's sporting his blazer jersey and showing off his power tool.

We already can't wait for the batteries to run out of those things! haha

It truly was one of the best Christmas' I've ever had. My mom made each family a full queen sized quilt, which is just amazing!!!

(Ours, already on our bed although i have no shams or anything. We LOVE LOVE LOVE it!)

she also made my dreams come true by making me this lap blanket that I've wanted for years! She made one for all my other siblings before I was married but the process is such a headache she swore she'd never make me one. I've bothered her about it lots since but I also got the "dream on lady" look. Well when I opened that box, you would have thought i just won a million dollars! I am soooo excited and have already used it so much. It's very special to me. Thank you Mom!! You're truly the best.

And last (well last one I'll post about to save you all from being tempted to come rob us!) but certainly not least--

My name is Haley, spelled S P O I L E D!!!

I use to say, i'm not spoiled, my parents just love me more than yours love you. But I can admit it now. I haven't had a computer since we moved to Sisters but I wasn't expecting this!!! I can never thank my mom and dad enough for all they do!

It truly was one of the greatest Christmas' I've had. And not just because of the gifts, but because of being able to be with Andrew and Bauer and my extended family, being able to reflect on my Savior's birth, life and mission, and being able to gain 2.5 pounds in a matter of 3 days.

We're "Knee Deep" in snow!

I mean seriously-- there's a ton of snow on the ground! Bauer loves it!

In other news, this is seriously the place we call home!! I know I post scenic pictures a lot, but I am in constant awe! Wednesday was the most beautiful day-- here's the morning and night shot. And don't worry, this is from inside my house-- the front wall of our family room is all windows...this is why!!!!

Not only did we get 3 huge boxes of presents from Grandma and Grandpa Ellis this week, but we put the boxes themselves to good use as our nighttime family activity! I don't know who had more fun, Bauer or his parents.


I've also been thinking a lot about my time in Ecuador. I can't believe I'm coming up on 4 years since I went. It seems like just yesterday. I wanted to post a trillion of the most precious pictures and memories, but we don't post pictures to protect the privacy of the orphans and the nuns. I am soooo eternally grateful for that experience. And as I reflect on the blessings of my life during this holiday season, I will never be able to forget or dismiss the amazing affect those amazing children had in shaping who I am today. I don't talk about it too often now, but I think about them most everyday, wondering where they are, what games they're learning to play, what trouble they're finding to get into ;) and what their future may hold. They have so little, but love so much. I'm grateful for the volunteers that continue to go--to love those children as much as I did and do. I know my Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of them, and he knows and loves them. I can't wait to meet up with them on the other side, to embrace them, espcially my precious little Chio and to see them all be embraced in the love of a family.
If you or anyone you know is willing or looking for an opportunity to serve in orphanages oversees or are interested in sponsoring a child or orphanage, please contact me or go to orphanagesupport.org

this painting by Del Parsons depicts the Savior with our host family (the Roseros) and many of the orphans I had the privilege of loving.

OSSO is changing the lives of so many kids, and as you get involved I testify that it will change your life as well. I am eternally grateful to OSSO, to my parents, and to my then fiance Andrew who gave me the opportunity and support I needed to be able to meet and love those children.
To my OSSO girlys who keep up with my blog, please know how much I love you and cherish the time we spent there together. I miss you all!!

if Bauer could talk he would say...

"Easy ladies, there's enough of me to go around..."

"Mom, sitting still was soooooo 2 months ago!"


"But seriously, how can you tell this face NO???"

Snowy Days and a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

The snow is here in Sisters and Bauer has had a blast out discovering what it's all about. I love to get him all bundled up and watch his little body truck around outside. He loves to eat snow and then his hands get too cold and he wonders why he thought that was a good idea...he's sooo busy and is ALWAYS on the move!



My family decided to come our way this Thanksgiving which was sooo great! It was a blast packing into my parents home in Black Butte and enjoying the holiday together. I even upgraded from the pickle and olive tray to the homemade rolls this year-- quite a jump if you ask me! (and yes, my rolls turned out, phewwww)
The fire was going all weekend, the snow fell, and the kids loved being together and outside. Mom put an amazing meal together (suprise suprise) we took a family walk/sledding adventure and then finished the night off with our traditional family bingo and pie. A perfect thanksgiving!


I have sooo much to be thankful for, I don't even know where I would even begin. I thought about blogging about something every day, but I decided to try to really express it more out loud, looking that someone into the eye and trying to express to them my complete gratitude for them, the qualities they hold and teach me, and the support they lend me. I found it started with expressing more detailed and specific gratitude in my prayers, then making it even more a part of my everyday conversation--it quickly became very powerful. I think it was contagious and it definitely brought me more joy and helped me smooth out feelings of frustration throughout my day. So I hope the people in my life don't have to read it, but really know how I feel about them. And of course, all things I have and all things I am have come from my Heavenly Father. I pray that I can show more gratitude in obeying the commandments, serving others, living up to my temple covenants, and magnifying my callings I hold here in the branch here. I'm so grateful for my faith, for my family and friends, and for my Savior, who loves and knows me and who makes it possible to become better every single day.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!