Christmas Fun

This Christmas Amber and Zane their little ones got to come to Montana. We had lots of fun with each other doing crafts, playing games, reading the Christmas story in the Bible and of course opening presents.

We made Rice Crispy Treat sculptures - this is Jasi's bunny


Jace, the eating machine was waiting patiently to "try out" the sculptures!


We even did some painting


Picaso Dalin painted a little bit of everything :-)

Flying High!

Our newest family member, Nikkie, was successful in her bid to make the Help Flight Team for St. Vincent's Hospital. We are soooo proud of her!! Dalin was waaaaay excited to go see her "honk-a-copter"!!

Amber and Nikkie


Dalin - in heaven


He smiled the whole time!

Announcements

As I was looking again at this recent picture of Amber and Zane and three of my angels, I began thinking about how the "announcements" of life are our mile markers. I was thinking about both Matt and Amber's engagement announcements and what wonderful people they both found. I was thinking about how they each have grown with their sweethearts. I was thinking about each of my angels and how excited I was at the announcement of each of their forthcoming arrivals. I love my family. I live for them and would give that same life for them. I am truly blessed.

Christmas long past

I found this little note while packing that my younger sister left for me many years ago and just had to share it. Jenny would have been only 10 years old and I was 14. This was 36 Christmases ago. (Christmases?? Is that even a real word??...and quit that adding in your head...quit it!) Jenny is the sunshine in our family. She always kept us laughing as she still does today. Jen, I love you!!

Life is Always Changing!

There are two things we can always count on in this life, Our Heavenly Father/ the gospel and CHANGE! Because of one of those, I have been closely in touch with the other. George and I have made the decision to move to Williston, North Dakota. George accepted a contract to work as a project manager for a development there for a modular home company. There are 104 lots so we expect that to be about a two year gig. After that??? Who knows!! We would love to be able to come back to Billings if the market here is moving again by that time. We consider ourselves so blessed to have our prayers answered with this work. Leaving is going to be extremely hard, but I know Heavenly Father will help take care of my family that I have to leave. My family is everything to me and being away from them is probably the hardest thing anyone could ask of me. But I know what happens when we are obedient and I know the Lord is directing us to Williston. So while I still pang for my family , the peace is greater still . I will send pictures when I can...Its going to be a fun adventure. Housing is incredibly tight in Williston, so the company we are working with arranged for a single wide for us and it was set yesterday on a lot in the sub division George will be working in. We are the first ones in the neighbor hood. (Well, there is another single wide right next door that was also set for one of the salesmen) But its in a great big open field. Kinda has that Iowa-out-in-the-middle-of-no-where look. OOOOOOOoooooo maybe we will see some UFO's! Hopefully there will be no abductions involved though. HAHAHAHA Love you all!!!!

Serious Protection!

On Sunday July 11, Tabby, Joe, Griffin, and LJ came over for family night. After dinner we had a short Family Home Evening lesson on the Armor of God. Griffin was our model and put on the armor as we read the scriptures explaining it. He had a great time being a warrior for Heavenly Father. It was a really fun evening.

A Special Surprise Visit

In the middle of June I got a most welcomed and unexpected phone call. It was Amber saying they were coming for a short visit and would be there the next night. WHAT A THRILL!! It was the longest few hours waiting for their arrival even though I was busy getting everything ready. It was so awesome to see them and feel my sweet babies in my arms!


My Jellybean smiling at his mom...oh how he loves his mom!


Papa and Dalin looking at a picture of Captain Moroni



Ciara showing off her missing teeth...just the right space for a straw she tells me!


A proud daddy and three incredibly beautiful kids!!



Jellybean is such a happy baby...but who wouldn't be when you are as loved as he is.

Ooooodles of Pictures!

Ok so I have lots of pictures and a LOT more I wanted to post but my connection keeps freezing before I can get them all uploaded....grrrrrr.....but here are a few and I will keep trying to get more on.

I was able to go to Utah last weekend thanks to Nikkie! I rode with her since George was unable to go. We had a wonderful time. Jace was blessed and we spent a day at Temple Square and another day at the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. It was such a treat to spend all that time with them - Friday afternoon till Tuesday morning!! Thanks to Rich and Ronda for letting us stay at their house. We stopped in Idaho Falls on the way home and spent a little time with Heather and Ella - icing on the cake! Enjoy the pictures and I'll get some more on soon!


Jace wasn't too thriled about the photo shoot....can you tell? Hey Mom and Dad doesn't he look a little like Jenny when she was a baby in this shot? Not the crying part...hahaha



All the family that could come. From left: back row: Noel Cooley, Me, Travis Kotter, Rich & Ronda (holding Jacob Laidlaw) Kotter, Darcy (Kotter) Laidlaw, Ryan Laidlaw. In the front row from the left: Molly Cooley, Zane (holding Dalin), Ciara, Amber (holding Jace) Thomas Laidlaw, Jared Kotter.

I love my "punkin" isn't she beautiful?

Pete and re-pete......two handsome guys!

The beautiful family Kotter

My happy little Jelly Bean smiling at his mom.

Jace in his blessing outfit...lovingly given to him by his big brother Dalin.

Our future paleantologist honing her skills at the dinosaur museum.

YIKES!!!!! SCAREY SHARK!!!!

Duh duh....duh duh .. duh duh..... (humming the Jaws theme music here)

Dalin was fascinated with it all even though he's been to the museum before...so fun to watch those little minds whirling and soaking it all in.

Jace even had a good time too!

Not sure what this exhibit was, but the girls were having fun...

The miracle in the eyes of a child.

We saw a buffalo on the way home...not unusual but considering we were yards away from West Yellowstone it was a bit unusual.

Tank...what a funny dog...a soooooo good with Ella

Isn't Heather so beautiful?? (me, not so much...no makeup that day..)

My first hug and snuggles from Ella!!

We did so much more that weekend. I will keep trying to get more pics up.

Happy Easter

Sunday was a beautiful day - a little windy at times - but beautiful - for many reasons. Not only was it conference and Easter - the celebration of the greatest gift - but I got to spend it with my family. Matt and Chantile cooked us all a most delicious dinner of BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes and Amber brought the salads (snicker apple salad - yum) and I added some fresh baked bread. Jasmine made a beautiful cake for us - ALL BY HERSELF! WOW! It was wonderful and everyone had a great time. Before dinner we had an egg hunt (or eeeeg hunt as Dalin would say). After dinner Amber and I took a few pictures - some of Jace alone and some of her and Jace together. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that day:


Counting the goods.....



Dalin was catching on really fast and then wanted Rama (me) to keep hiding the eeegs so he could find them again.......and again..... :-)



Ciara having a great time on her hunt




My precious kids...



Beautiful Amber...such a graceful mother



Jace "jelly bean" Marohi Kotter...don't cha just wanna scoop him up and snuggle?!

Baby Jace is Here!!

We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the newest member of the family! Jace Kotter was born at 3:03 P.M. Sunday March 21st, 2010 in Billings, Montana. He weighed 8 pounds and is 20 1/4 inches long. We are all thrilled he is here!! Grandma and Grandpa Kotter...we love you and miss you. We will send pictures on a disc for you right away. We felt your prayers today!

A very happy new mom and dad!

Such a sweet little face. Only 3 hours old!

Plenty of beautiful hair.

Sweet little toes.

The oldest and the youngest of our grandchildren! Jasmine proudly cradling her newest cousin!

Safe in Papa's hands! All the grandkids know where their safety is.

A very proud dad!

...and he is immediately loved.........

I think my smile says it all....

We are a happy family!!

The BIG Day is almost here!!

Well, if all goes as scheduled we will have our 6th grandchild arriving very, very soon!! Amber's doctor is going to induce her tomorrow - that is if no emergency deliveries come in. So say a little prayer for her and our new little grandson!! I will keep you posted!!

Thanks!!

A BIG thank you to everyone for all the Happy Birthday wishes, cards, and gifts! On Sunday Amber made me my favorite meal - roast beef - and it was scrumptious!! Ciara decorated my cake - isn't it beautiful?!?!?! She did the sprinkles ALL BY HERSELF! It was a fun birthday.


Ciara's creation - so festive! ....and I have NO CLUE why Amber had to go and stick those arbitrary numbers on the top....pphhhh



We all had crazy fun!



Jasmine - "....sshhhhhh...don't tell Dalin I'm here...."
Dalin - "Is there something behind me?"



Happy 29th *wink* birthday, Rama!