Dear Friends and Family,
The year began with the excitement of a new baby—or in our case babies. With the anticipation of two boys on the way, we decided to go on one last trip as a family of five to Florida to visit my sister. The girls had a blast boating, playing at the beach, and going to the zoo. Despite how much fun we had, I vowed never to take two-year-olds on a five hour plane ride again.
After our vacation we decided to take it easy for the next few months. I was dealing with cholestasis, a liver disease in pregnancy that only allowed me to sleep a few hours each night. With a twin pregnancy and chasing three toddlers around, I went into pre-term labor in June. Cason Henry and Rhett Emerson made their debut seven weeks early on June 21st weighing 4 lbs 6 oz and 4 lbs 7 oz. We instantly fell in love with our precious baby boys.
The boys spent a month in the NICU while they grew and learned how to eat on their own. They are six months old now and are the sweetest little guys in the world. They both love being held and only cry when they are hungry or tired. Rhett loves milk, standing up, being sung to, and laughing. Cason loves people, rolling, cuddling, and sucking his thumb. We blessed our babies in October, surrounded by friends and family.
Scarlett and Shayla are almost three. They both have big personalities and are one hundred percent girl—lots of crying, screaming, and dressing up. Shayla is a demanding little thing and will yell at you until you give her your full attention. She has her own sense of style and loves to carry purses filled with toys around the house and take care of her dolls. Scarlett is constantly bouncing, dancing, or singing. She’s fearless with most things unless it involves someone she doesn’t know, like Santa. Scarlett is very polite, has the biggest appetite, and probably listens to me better than any of her siblings.
Kinsey is four now and growing up before our eyes. She attends preschool where she is learning to write all her letters. She also takes gymnastics class, which she loves, and whenever she wants to show me her moves at home she must be wearing her “gymnastics outfit.” She is the biggest helper and absolutely adores her little brothers. She favors Cason because he’s smaller and she can carry him around the house like a real mom. She has a huge heart and is always thinking of others. Kinsey is very inquisitive and loves to talk and tell stories.
A few months ago we decided it would be best to move into a home with four bedrooms on the same floor. Within five days I found a house that was in the process of being built and we made an offer. The next week we prepped our old house for sale, put it on the market, and had two offers in two days! We said goodbye to our first home after only owning it for two years and are now living in a new house that we love. I’ve been having fun decorating the house and making it feel like home. I’m extremely busy taking care of five kids under five, but also very grateful to be able to shop online and pick up my groceries from the comfort of my car.
Eric remains busy at work but tries to come home during his lunch break to help with the kids. He has various projects in the works to help grow his chiropractic business while still volunteering at Provo High School to treat the student athletes. He takes great care of us and has been like a second mom when he is home. Every morning the girls ask where Daddy is and every evening they run into his arms when he walks in the door.
We feel gratitude more and more each year when we look at the beautiful family we have built. Our hearts are full as we take inventory on all the help we have received in 2016 while commuting to and from the hospital and learning how to parent five young children. May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas and pass that love onto others this season and throughout the upcoming year. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Eric, Cindy, Kinsey, Scarlett, Shayla, Cason, and Rhett
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