Christmas Paige

My sister, Heidi, gave this dress to Paige; it fit perfectly for Christmas-time... so I pretty much put it on her every week in December. She just looked too adorable in it.

I love this one; I can still hear her squealing.

Kaden loves squeezing those chubby cheeks...

Playing with her ruffles...

I love those chunky little legs....

A very Merry Christmas...

This was our first year being away from family for Christmas. We missed being with everyone, and especially this Christmas being the first without Ginger, it was hard to be so far away. I also knew, though, that if we were with everyone in California, it probably would have been a lot harder for me, seeing who was missing during that special family time. I definitely had my moments on Christmas Day, but it really mostly hit me on New Years Eve, which is always another special time for our family; I'll go into more detail later. With all of that being said, celebrating Christ's birth took on even more meaning for me this year, as I know it did for all of my family. What wonderful blessings are ours because of our Savior's life and His sacrifice for us.

Even though it was just us, there was no one else I'd rather be with on Christmas Day... Clint, Kaden, Lindy, and Paige. We had a very nice Christmas!!

On Christmas Eve, we got to have a nice dinner with a few families in our ward, along with a little program. It was a great night!!

Christmas Day...

Clint never ceases to amaze me. Breakfast was all ready when I woke up on Christmas morning... He made us eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and orange juice... it was wonderful!
Opening gifts and emptying stockings. I LOVE the $1 spot at Target!! Perfect!!

Lindy got some pretty jewelry.

...messy hair, chocolate on her face, still in pajamas... yet stunning!!

Kaden got some little horses, tools, a bat... but his favorite, of course,

was the free orange shoe-horn Daddy got for him!!

Paigey-girl got some little books and had plenty of wrapping paper to play with...
Clint's family has a tradition where you have a different person to make a gift for each Christmas. We had Clara this year; we made her this magnet board. Thanks so much, Emily B. and Jen Z!!! Now I want to make one for myself! :)

Clint's sister, Kate, made us a super cute family scrapbook, and these adorable animal towels for the kids!! Thank you, Kate!!

Kaden (he's only 3 remember) took this picture for us! He's got the Zierenberg-camera-happy genes in him I guess; we thought he did a good job! Here we are with the scrapbook.

And here are the kiddies just out of the bath with their bunny, duck, and bear towels! Cute!!

We had Christmas dinner with our good friends from school, the Cox family. Angie made ham and all kinds of delicious things for dinner, as well as yummy pies (Brad made great apple pie!). We had such a nice time with them, including doing some Wii boxing!

It was a wonderful Christmas!! Just yesterday Kaden asked me if it was almost Christmastime again. :)

Catchin' up... starting with Thanksgiving!

Yikes! Life got so busy during December that I didn't even want to think about blogging. Well, that was a mistake, because I feel like I'm so far behind now! I took a break from posting, but I certainly didn't take a break from taking pictures, so hopefully I can catch back up to the here and now quickly! Here goes...

Thanksgiving...

We were able to drive up to Stafford, Virginia, to visit Clint's Uncle Dave and Aunt Lynnae, and their 3 children, Sam, Blake, and Emma. It was so nice to be able to spend a few days with them and get to know them better. They have such a wonderful family.

Thanksgiving morning, Uncle Dave took us to see D.C.! It was only about 30 minutes away from their home. It was freezing (and I mean FREEZING) outside, so we mostly just observed it all from the inside of the warm car. It was sooooo neat to be able to see all of the beautiful buildings and monuments (even from a distance). I absolutely loved it. Hopefully we'll be able to go back sometime when it's warmer and walk around and go inside all of the buildings and everything.

All of these pictures were taken from inside the car.

We did brave the cold to see the Capitol Building; it was really neat!!
And to see inside of the United States Botanic Garden (Christmas tree picture). And Clint and Kaden and Emma got out to see Einstein.
I would love to learn all of the history about each monument and place there. It was amazing, and with it being Thanksgiving Day, it reminded me of how grateful I am to live in this country, even with all of the challenges we are facing right now. It truly is a blessed land.

We had a nice Thanksgiving dinner together and with some friends of theirs. That night the whole family had fun playing an interactive guitar/band video game. I was completely entertained; I tried the guitar for about 2 minutes and then promptly gave up my dream of ever becoming a rock star. It was especially fun to see Uncle Dave and Aunt Lynnae sing these rock songs and get into it with their kids; it's no wonder their teenagers absolutely love them.



The drive to and from Stafford was so beautiful; we drove past ranch after ranch, and we were in awe over the lush green grass, the perfectly painted fences, the cozy-looking farmhouses with their nice red barns, etc... Wow!
We also drove past a few Civil War battlefields; driving past those open fields gave me a feeling I can't really describe. The only word that comes to mind is "sobering."


It was a great visit!! We're so happy that we have family who live fairly close to us! It was a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving! Thank you Uncle Dave and Aunt Lynnae!!

64 and still good as new!!

...right? :)
Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you and miss you! Thank you for being such a great father, companion to Mom, provider, teacher, example, and Grandpa!!

I showed the kids your picture and told them that today is your birthday. Here's what they said.

"Happy Birthday, Grandpa. I love you, Grandpa." Love, Kaden

"Happy Ber-day, Gramma. (laughs) Happy Ber-day, Grandpa." Love, Lindy

Love you, Dad. Hope you have a good one! (card in the mail!)

Summer, Clint, Kaden, Lindy, and Paige

Lindy-hopper...

Guess who runs the show around our house these days? That's right. Our own little Lindy-hopper (this nickname came from the 50's (?) dance "the Lindy-hop"). She's our big two-year old...

This picture says it all!

She thought she was sooooo funny not cooperating with taking pictures. Can you tell Kaden and Paige weren't amused? :)

She's a smarty... speaking in full sentences... and always making us laugh!

Lindy's latest occupation is dressing herself... this is Kaden's shirt (inside out) and Paige's pants (also inside out).

Backward and inside out... but too cute!

Wow!!

Yes, that's right folks, she is reattached... We thought 4 or 5 months before the "baby" came would be sufficient to have her weaned from the binky. Well, when Paige came along, Lindy was super helpful at first... always giving Paige her binky, etc... then she started "jokingly" putting them in her own mouth and would laugh about it... Pretty soon she became the "binky-snatcher." Now she calls them "my binky." Yikes. To be honest, it's not a battle I have the strength to (fully) fight right now... and I am not getting rid of Paige's binkies just yet (I'm pretty attached to them myself). How do you say no to that?!

One of our favorite things about our Lindy-bindy is that she loves taking care of her babies. She is always busy with them...
For her 2nd birthday she got two babies! ... she was on cloud nine.

She is especially such a good little "mommy-in-training" with her baby sister... she adores her and always makes sure I am going to do something to help Paige if she's crying or something.

Lindy is our little "Ms. Personality" ...until we leave the house. Around people she doesn't know she is very shy and often mistaken for grumpy because she's so serious... but at home... she is so much fun and happy (most of the time)! She is a BIG tease (to all of us)... and it drives Kaden crazy; he is her main target!... BUT they're best friends; there's no doubt about that! She's also really good at sharing her toys and can be sooooo sweet and loving.

Eating a warhead...

Here she is trying to open the mother's lounge door, despite my pleading with her not to... fortunately the door was a little too heavy for her. She was having fun hanging from the door handle. Sorry about the mid-drift showing. :)


Nope, those aren't strawberries. They're tomatoes! She loves them!!

We love our little Lindy-girl!!! She is such a joy!

Random fun

We got this car for a couple of bucks at our neighborhood yard sale. The kids love riding down our sloped driveway in it.

Paige was getting some floor time.... until Kaden came along. I could hear some intense giggling coming from the living room so I came to check on Paige. Kaden was beet red from laughing so hard and from Paige's weight on him. He's not normally supposed to hold her without my help, of course, but I told him to hold on tight so I could grab my camera. Too cute!! Kaden LOVES his baby sister!

Time to be put down. Look at that little face!

Paige becomes mesmerized with Daddy when he comes home from school. She gets so excited when he picks her up to hold her and spend some time with her.

Our brave little girl. Look at that form!

Husband tag!

1. Full name: Clinty-poo

2. How long have you been married?: 4 1/2 years

3. How long did you date? That's a tricky one. Our first date was about a year before we got engaged, but we officially started dating about 5 months before we got engaged-- plus 3 months until married.

4. Who eats the sweets? Both of us

5. Who said "I love you" first? Clint

6. Who is taller? Clint, by about 7 inches.
7. Who sings better? Ummm... we're about the same, but Clint is definitely a better dancer!

8. Who is smarter? Clint!

9. Who does the laundry? Almost always me.

10. Who pays the bills? Whoever gets to it first.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do... closest to the baby/kids.

12. Who mows the lawn? Clint

13. Who drives? Clint

14. Who admits they are wrong? Both of us.

15. Who kissed who first? We kissed each other... the night we got engaged!! (Can you believe he made me wait that long? Jk, I'm grateful I had a very good boy)

16. Who asked out who first? I asked Clint first (for an apartment date), which was not normal for me. I'm more of an old-fashioned kind of girl, but Clint seemed totally "safe" to ask out--I had no interest... until we went out and he started working his magic... he was a "glower."

17.Who wears the pants? I like to let him think he does, but we both know who really does... it's in my blood. Heehee. Ok, really, we both do.

Seriously this boy never ceases to amaze me; he is such a wonderful and thoughtful husband... and my favorite person in the world to spend time with; he makes me soooo happy! And he makes me fall in love with him over and over and over again!

You're the BEST, Clint. I love you!!!!

I tag Maria!

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow!!

We were all so excited to wake up this morning and see everything covered in snow!! It usually snows maybe once a year here in Virginia, so it was a fun (and beautiful) sight to see! We were afraid it would melt and be gone the rest of the winter, so we decided to make the most of it. We bundled the kids up (well, kind of) and we let them go outside to play.

At 7am it was still FREEZING out!.. so their "playing" lasted less than 5 minutes, but was still a fun and new experience for them.

Lindy, actually, was less than excited about the snow. "It get me dirty!"
I don't think she even touched it with her hands at all. From the look on her face you'd think it was some kind of green slime or something. Pretty funny! I think it was mostly because she was still sleepy.

All Kaden wanted to do was throw snowballs.

"Mom, we'll go play in the snow, and I'll frow (throw) snowballs at you!" ...Or at least one snowball! He threw one and then his little fingers were about to fall off. We need to get some mittens!

"There is Sunshine in my soul today"

Ever since November began, my emotions have been extremely close to the surface and often overflowing, knowing that this day was coming soon. Today is my sister, Ginger's, birthday; she would be turning 31 years old today. It's still hard for me believe that I can't call her today to wish her a Happy Birthday. It all makes me miss her so much more than I already do. I also can't help but think of Jason and the kids more today; I wish I could just make it all better for them somehow, but I can't... and actually, I know that there is a reason for all of this heartache... it's all for a greater purpose. I have had that comforting reassurance numerous times since she passed away.

.

Today I am celebrating her beautiful life. I am so grateful she was born... and is forever one of my sisters! What a precious gift. The joy she has brought to my life (and soooo many others) far outweighs the sorrow that her death has brought. Once again I'm so happy to have the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to know this is only a temporary separation.

.

I was looking at her blog a few days ago and I came across this post. I loved it, even though it once again made me cry. It is so applicable to the situation now. Ginger posted this in January right after our Grammie passed away. Everything in blue is what Ginger said...

There is Sunshine in my soul today
That was the opening hymn at Grammie's funeral service today. It was the perfect choice for the occasion. This is going to sound really strange, but her's was the best funeral I've ever been to. I really enjoyed it. Did I cry? Of course, but mostly I found myself smiling as I listened to the speakers share their thoughts and memories of Grammie. She was truly an amazing woman as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
I will miss her but I know I'll be with her again.

My little family

My BIG family!

How awesome is this picture of the 13 of us?? I love that we were all able to be together.

See what you did Grammie? You raised your only daughter right.

I seriously have the best family.

Love it. Her testimony and love shine through. Yes, I cry (and last night I really cried), but we know that this life on earth is only a speck on the eternal scale... and then we'll all be together again... forever!! I will cherish those words from Ginger forever.

One more cute little post. Ginger had (and I'm sure still has) such a great sense of humor. I love this next funny post she did; I can totally hear her telling it; it brightens my day.

Cheese Anyone?
Brady wanted cheese. He was digging through the fridge and reaching for my bag of grated cheese which I didn't want him to have because I really don't like cleaning up little shreds of cheese from the table, the floor, and the bottoms of my socks. I handed him the 2"x 2" remnant of the block of cheddar cheese that was wrapped in plastic wrap. He took it to the table. I heard him chuckle. "Somebody colored on my cheese Mommy." Colored on your cheese? Oh dear. That can't be good. I hurried to the table. Yep, it was nice & green with mold. There was a neat semi-circle missing where Brady's little teeth had already taken a bite. Are you gagging? I was.

.

So funny. :)

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Miss you, Ginge. Love you, too! Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Brand!!

Hope you have a great day, Brand, although I know it won't be the easiest. You deserve it!

I love you! And Happy Birthday to Alan, too! :)

Love from all of us!

Happy Birthday, Heids!!

Thinking of you today, Heids. We love you!! You're amazing!
Summer, Clint, Kaden, Lindy, and Paige

Hooray!!!

It's official... almost. Proposition 8 in CA, which would restore the definition of marriage to be between one man and one woman has just about passed! What a blessing! Even though Clint and I are in Virginia now, we are still registered to vote in California, and I was grateful to be able to be a part of this great cause, even if from the sidelines. Many members of my family (and friends) have been there in California in the thick of this battle, putting extraordinary amounts of time, money, and effort into helping it pass. Prayers, fasting, enduring persecution, knocking doors, waving signs, making phone calls, going beyond their comfort zones-- all to stand up for what is right and moral. You're all awesome!! I know the battle's not over, and we may lose it next time around, but we know we'll win the war in the end! :)

Those against it want people to believe (and maybe do believe themselves) that this is because we are against homosexuals. This is not the case; we are against immorality. We know that these people are beloved children of Heavenly Father just the same as we are, but we also know that "marriage is ordained of God," and changing the make-up of that sacred union would be contrary to His plan for us... His plan which, if followed, would bring the most exquisite joy and peace to us.

I could talk on and on about all of the reasons we had to stand up for this issue, but nothing says it all better than The Proclamation on the Family, which expresses our very core beliefs on the family unit. You may think it's long, but I believe that every word and every sentence was divinely placed, and it is worth it to read again and again. It is powerful, and I know it's true.

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

"We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.


"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

"We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

"We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."