Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve tradition continued once again this year. Starting off the evening by attending Christ Memorial's Christmas Eve service at 5:30. Payton came along this year and clearly enjoyed all the singing and dancing. Bryan & I were both pleasantly surprised at how well she did during the service. It was really fun watching her face during the children's message when all the animals came down and the little girls danced. I am so glad we took she got to enjoy such a wonderful service on a wonderful night.
Following the service we went to Bryan's parent's house for a wonderful meal. It has been a tradition since I've been around and I know that it can't last forever with the little ones so it was fun to enjoy it maybe for the last time. We even let Payton open a gift from Mommy & Daddy which was a big hit with her.
We added a new tradition as well, before putting the kids to bed we read 'The Night Before Christmas' and left milk & cookies for Santa. It never really appealed to me to do the 'Santa' thing because it is not something we did in my house growing up buy Bryan has insisted and I have to admit it was kind of fun. She doesn't really get it yet but I can see where it will get more fun in the years to come.

Christmas Cards 2010

I was SO late getting cards out this year...if you received one you know that and are probably laughing at me but what can I say...? I was waiting to take our normal family picture in front of our house but that never even happened so I have learned from this and that picture will be taken very early next fall. :)

In any case, here are the different cards I sent out. (I couldn't decide on just one:)
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Genzink Family Christmas

Our first family Christmas party is over. I hate having family Christmas so early. It doesn't seem as 'Christmasy' to me and I hate that. But despite the fact that it was a week early we still had a wonderful time celebrating with the family. My mom made a wonderful meal of Prime Rib...my favorite, mashed potatoes...good work Heather, rolls...I'm sure they were home made, right Bec? :), and green bean casserole, they weren't even too runny honey...good job Bry. The kids were awesome as usual. They were very polite & patient during the gift portion of the evening which is not always easy for two, five & seven year olds. Charley enjoyed his first party, didn't fuzz once. When he was tired enough he just fell asleep sitting by Papa.
Payton had a good night. She got a Leapster2 and a Woody from Toy Story as her 'big gifts' from Papa & Amma, some games, a Leapster case, a puzzle, book, and a few other things from Papa & Amma. She also got Pet Shop pets from Ava. (Normally we all get all the kids something but this year we decided to 'pick' names. Noah & Charley had each other and Hannah had Ava, Ava had Payton and Payton had Hannah. It worked out really good.)
It was a wonderful night with Family.

Love you all!

Family Pic

P & C in front of the TreeAmma, Papa & grandkids

Hannah (7), Noah (10), Charley (3 mo), Payton (2), Ava (5)Matching PJ's from Amma & Papa.
Everyone with their fav gift. (Noah's is in front of him because he always gets stuck with Charley...sorry Noah...but you do a WONDERFUL job with him)

3 Months Old

To Our Charley Bear,
You are now three months old and we are fast approaching your first Christmas. This time of year is a favorite in our house & I am sure you will feel the same when you are bigger and can understand.

You are growing very fast and becoming a big guy. We have moved on to size 2 diapers and you are almost out of your 3 month clothing. Eating is one of your favorite activities and do a lot of it. We have been trying to stretch out your feedings to every 4 hours instead of three but you have not taken a liking to it at all so usually we only go 3 1/2 hours. You are getting mostly breast milk but like to have about 2 extra oz of formula after every meal. Mommy is working on this so it doesn't have to happen. I figure you are getting about 4 to 6 oz. No wonder you are so big.
We are thankful you are now sleeping from 8:30/9:00 pm to 7/8 am. This has only been happening for the last week and a half or so but it has been really nice for mommy not to have to get up at 5 am to feed you.
Naps are a challenge. Daddy said it was time for you to take naps in your crib, and he is right, but you do not like it. Even as I write this you are crying about it. You would much rather be in a blanket on the couch with me. Kinda a Mama's boy. :)
Other then that you are happy. You love to watch Payton play and love being talked to.
We love you so much Little Man and pray you continue to grow up healthy & strong.
Love always,
Mommy, Daddy & Payton

December Prayer for my Children

Dear Lord,
I pray my children boldly speak about Jesus and become a leader and standard-bearer for the cause of Christ rather than for the causes of the world.


Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
"¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^a]">[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT)
" ¹⁷ Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment."

Charley's Baptism

We were blessed today to celebrate Charley's baptism. With bad weather looming last night I was a little nervous that we were not going to be able to celebrate today but the Lord held off the snow for us. Trent officiated the 9:30 Watershed service and again did a great job. Charley was an angel & smiled the whole time. Even though the water (Jordan River water) was a little chilly again...oops! (I did however boil it this time. :) Payton was a great big sister and held the bowl of water without spilling which I was a little nervous about but she did great. All our family and friends were at the service to witness this blessed event in Charley's life. Thanks to all who made it out on this cold Sunday morning. We love you all!

After the service we celebrated with the family at my parent's house with some lasagna, garlic bread, salad and of course cake & ice cream.
It was a great way to celebrate Charley & what God is going to do in his life.
Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!
Attempt at a family picturePic without grumpy PaytonThe cake - I had to post this because it was a headache to get this cake but in the end it turned out beautiful.

Good Report

Charley had his appointment with the Cardiologist this morning. We are happy to report that it went very, very well. His murmur is known as a Ventricular Septal Defect, which is a hole that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. This causes oxygenated blood form the lungs to mix with blood coming back to the heart from the rest of the body. If this hole were big it would cause a lot of extra blood to be pumped to the lungs and back to the left ventricle so that the left ventricle would enlarged...not good. Charley's is a very small hole that does not cause the heart to over work itself which means it is not putting any strain on his heart and does not pose a problem for Charley. The doctor expects it to heal on it's own but will check it again in a year. We are very thankful for all the prayers & praise God that Charley will not be effected by this what so ever. (*Sorry to any medical people out there if I got any of this wrong...I am NOT a medical person. :)

On a side note...he did get weighed again today & is now 14 lb 2 oz!! Yup...gained 1 lb & 1 oz in 3 weeks!!!! He clearly does not have a problem eating & gaining weight. :) Can everyone say PORK CHOP! (We love you buddy!!!)