Cooper's blessing

It was great to be able to support Sara and Chris as they blessed my nephew, Cooper. Uncle Mike did a fantastic job on the blessing. Cooper gets cuter and cuter every time we see him. I feel so grateful that we are able to attend so many of the family events in San Diego!

Sara's birthday

We headed to San Diego for Cooper's blessing. We all went out to eat the night before the blessing to celebrate Sara's birthday. It was fun time but sometimes it is hard to get quality time with that quantity of folks. We had my dad and Holly, my mom, Scoot & Jen, Megan & Kylie, Chris, Sara and their kids, my Uncle Mike & Aunt Janice, my Aunt Lisa and cousin Nathan, and Casey and Jenna. It was quite a crowd!

Jenna's blessing

I don't think Casey and I could have wished for this day to go any better. There were about 60 of our closest friends and family gathered at the Frei hom. The love in the room was almost overwhelming. We had two musical duets. Brett Berry and Liisa Frei sang "I Am A Child Of God". There is something about hearing a young man with Down's sing that song...I could not stop crying. And then my cousin's husband and daughter, Ken & Maile Berg sang " ___". It was a tear jerker as well. After the traditional LDS blessing given by Casey's best friend, Joe Dallimore, we invited anyone else to say a prayer or a few words of blessing or just to share their thoughts. It was so wonderful. We had quite a few people say a little something. One of my most favorite things was how diverse our group was and yet there was no contention or animosity, only love for our beautiful Jenna. My brother, Scoot couldn't make it up for the blessing so he sent his thoughts via video...

I was also so happy that we chose to have the blessing at home so that we could open it up a little more. Casey also said a few words about Courtney that were so touching. I probably don't say enough how incredibly grateful for him. He is the kindest, most loving, generous person I know. Every day I am blessed to be married to him. And I could not be happier to finally have our little girl! Our family is starting to feel complete.

Spaaa...aahhhhhh...

For Sara's Christmas, birthday, and my birthday, Chris treated the two of us to a day at Red Mountain Spa. One word...spectacular! We each got a facial and then joined back up for a couples massage. It was a perfect experience. Pretty sure that is what heaven is going to be like!

Wordless Wednesday

Grandpa Randy

My dad had a great time with Jenna and was a GIGANTIC help during my recovery!

WARNING...Photo of blood

I had my tonsils out December 29th. Everything went according to plan, and I have been healing really well. I hadn't been in too much pain, and I was able to get up a little each day. My dad drove up and has been a HUGE help! But last night, something changed. I felt like my throat was tearing itself apart. Every swallow was excruciating pain. The this morning I had a blood clot come out while I was in the shower and after that my throat would not stop bleeding. So off to the ER I went. Every time they thought they had the bleeding under control, it would start all over again. They ended up giving me a pill to help with the nausea because so much blood was draining into my stomach. They finally had to call my doctor in and he had to cauterize an artery on the back right side of my throat. Every time they would leave the room, Casey and I would try and get pictures on our phones of the fire hydrant like blood flowing out of my mouth. and then the gallons in the bucket. Unfortunately, we then lost the best of the photos off his phone, but we did manage to save this one...you're welcome, and enjoy...

Tick tock, tick tock

I am having my tonsils out tomorrow, so I had to hurry and get Jenna's blessing invitations completed and emailed out...what do you think?

Madsen Family Christmas

Christmas was a good time. Jenna was totally enthralled with the Christmas lights on Grandma Lor's trees. It was so fun watching her.

Christmas Eve

We decided not to head to Draper until Christmas morning so that Jenna could sleep in her own bed tonight. Our friends, the Berry's invited us along with the Frei's to their house for Christmas Eve. It was a great time. Good food, good friends, good entertainment. "Uncle" Bretty got to feed Jenna, which he was very excited about.