Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas 2009
It’s already that time of year again! Merry Christmas to all!!!!! I love this time of the year, with all the colors, the excitement, family, friends, love and the Savior!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Here is a quick update on our family happenings…..

Brayden turned 8 this year and was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in July. Words don’t give that experience justice. It was a day I’ll never forget. Brayden loves cub scouts, 3rd grade, football, karate, basketball, piano, swimming, playing with friends and of course his family!! Brayden is such a good big brother and son. Brayden seems to have grown leaps and bounds this year…in height but mostly in who he is. He is so responsible, helpful and mature. He’s fun to hang out with too.

Adelyn turned 6 this year, started 1st grade, took swimming lessons, played soccer, did gymnastics and is still taking piano lessons. Addy is and always has been such a big helper. She loves learning and doing her school work. She is a natural gymnast. It’s so fun to watch her grow and develop into such a beautiful girl- inside and out.

Sophie turned 4 this year, started preschool, and did gymnastics. When she’s not at preschool and Kolby is down for his afternoon nap I love hanging out with just Sophie. She is such a determined girl. If we can just steer her in the right direction, she’ll do great things!!! Sophie loves to write her name, color, do puzzles, ride her bike, do crafts, and play. She has such an imagination; it’s fun to play with her.

Kolby will turn 2 on Christmas Day and he sure keeps us on our toes. He loves trying to be as big as the other kiddos. He actually can hold his own. He loves to make everyone laugh. He’s busy and curious about everything. He’s a tough kid, yet he’s accident prone too….so I guess it’s a good thing he’s tough. This past year he’s broken his wrist, cut his cornea, had x rays of his leg, and a cat scan on his head and he almost always has a goose egg and bruise on his forehead. Poor Kid. I promise, I really do take care of him.

LeGrand has had some big adjustments lately….well one in particular. In August LeGrand was called to be our ward’s new Bishop. He’s still the Principal at the Springville Seminary. He coached Brayden’s Football and Basketball teams, helped coach Addy’s soccer team, and He’s at every school activity for the kids that he can be; he also attends almost all their karate and gymnastic classes. He faithfully takes me out on our dates, speaks at EFY and we are Session Directors for EFY…I’m seriously amazed at how much he does. He’s always either serving those around him or being an incredible husband and father. I don’t know how he does everything he does, he even does it all so well. I’m thankful every day to be married to such an incredible man.

I love being a wife and mother. I find my day filled up with all the daily things that have to happen in order to keep your home running smoothly. I wish it always ran smoothly, but what fun would that be? I’ve served as the Relief Society Activities Chair (enrichment leader) for the past 2 ½ years, and this Sunday I was released and got called to be the Nursery Leader. It will be a fun change. I’ve had the opportunity to help take care of my Grandparents who live in Provo since August. It has been a good experience for me to spend more time with them; it also makes me more aware of the blessing of health. I hope I can always be healthy enough (physically and mentally) to take care of myself and my family. Trying to juggle being a wife (and a bishops wife at that), mom, granddaughter (home health care nurse), room mom, Nursery Leader, friend…(the list goes on and on) is sometimes a challenge. I’ve been humbled and I know that I absolutely can’t do all the things that are required of me without the Lords help. I’m grateful for Him in my life.

I truly feel blessed this Holiday Season!!! I hope this letter finds all of you healthy and happy! We love you all!!! Once again, we hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Love,
The Laings- LeGrand, Becca, Brayden, Adelyn, Sophie and Kolby

Family Pictures - Oct 2009

In October our AMAZING sister in law, Helga, who is a photographer, took our family out for our annual photo shoot. She is sooooo talented and I'm seriously in love with all these pictures!! Thank you doesn't seem like a big enough word to express our gratitude to you!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I would recommend her to anyone!!! If you are looking for an amazing photographer, Helga would be the one to call!! Check out her Photography Blog here http://reflectionsphotographybyhelga.blogspot.com/

Here are some of the pictures she took.....Starting with our Family Pictures.... Which one do you like best?

...some cute couple pictures!!! Oh how I love my Man!!

...Pictures with our kiddos...

... just the kids....

Brayden LeGrand Laing - 8 years old

Adelyn Elizabeth Laing - 6 years old

Sophie Kathryn Laing - 4 years old

Kolby David Laing - 22 months old

With such a skilled photographer and cute subjects, it's no wonder why I was so pleased with these!! Thanks again Helga!! We love you!!

Field Trips

Sophie went to the pumpkin patch on her first field trip ever. I'm so glad that I was able to go with her. She loved riding in the bus and on the tractor, and especially picking out the perfect pumpkin. What a sweetheart she is!! I love you Sophie!!!

Adelyn went to the Big Red Barn too, but they went to the Apple Orchard. It doesn't look like it was that cold, but it was bitter cold. It was windy and it was freezing wind. We weren't dressed as warm as we should have been. But at least we had each other to help keep warm. It was so fun walking through the Orchard, everyone got to pick their own apple. The kids loved it!!!

While we were walking thru the orchard it started raining. We got to the tractor and headed back, but by then it was really cold. Some kids were crying, and I said, "well at least it's not hailing." Right after I said that I bet you can guess what happened. Yes, it started HAILING a lot!!!! We were all soaked and freezing when we finally got back to the Big Red Barn. There wasn't anything to do except laugh about it and to try to keep all the kids from crying. Adelyn was so cute, and brave even though she was freezing too. I'm so glad I got to go and Freeze my tail off with Addy. I love you sweetheart. I love being your mother and I'm so glad I get to go on field trips with you!!
Adelyn also went on a walking field trip. We walked to the Library. It's always fun to be involved. I love going on field trips with the kids.

Brayden and I went on a field trip to the Planetarium and the Children's museum in Salt Lake. We had so much fun.

I'm glad Brayden still gets excited for me to come to his class and so sit by me on the bus!!! I love you kiddos!! You are growing up into such an amazing young man!! I love you Bray Man.