Belated Holiday Wishes From The Glad's

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

A belated holiday greeting from The Glad's

As a family we have been very blessed. It has been a good year, full of adventure. It is great to look back and see how much Sasha has changed, how much I have grown (and shrunk - hopefully still shrinking), and we are so thankful to have had Braden join our family. We started the year with our Family Christmas, following a wonderful time with our families for the 2006 Christmas season. A short time later got the wonderful news that our family was growing. We were a bit nervous though very excited. We also began to discover several allergies that Sasha was developing. This has started us on a much more healthy diet (at least when she is around). I have spent a lot more time shopping at health food stores as she can only eat something with a label (not processed in plants that process dairy, peanuts or tree nuts), or fresh. This has prompted me in learning quite a bit about some of the benefits of organic foods, since these are a rather prominent part of her diet. Thankfully her allergies haven't proven too severe as of yet, but we are doing everything within our power to give her the best chance of outgrowing them.

It is such a wonderful experience to be able to rediscover the joys that are part of this world through Sasha's eyes. Looking back at pictures throughout this past year we can hardly believe how quickly she has grown up. We are truly blessed to have her as part of our family. She is so independent, without which I don't know how I would have survived the first trimester of this pregnancy. Each and everyday brings with it new discoveries, she learns so quickly. We are proud to be her parents. It has been refreshing to be reminded of how wondrous the world around us really is. As you can see in many of the pictures we have had a plethora of fabulous experiences to look back on.

Though initially a little disappointing it turned out to be a blessing that Brit was unable to find an internship this summer. He had the opportunity to focus on and pass the Patent Bar Exam. This has proven beneficial in job hunting. He has been studying hard, spending many, many hours at school, and doing his best. He has made some great friends through school who I am thankful have helped keep him sane in his many academic endeavors. Brit has been a great father, it is wonderful to see how excited Sasha is to see him everyday, and absolutely loves spending time with her "mawie" whether reading, playing, or just hanging out with him it is the highlight of each of their days.

We have been blessed to have Braden join our family. As we take the time to look back it is hard to remember what life was like before four (and especially as two), we wouldn't trade it for anything (maybe a good nights rest occasionally :) j/k). Having Grandma Andersen come as we welcomed him home was a very much needed and appreciated extra set of hands. We loved having our families join us for his blessing in November and to be able to spend a little time with them. It is always a wonderful time to be with family. It has been great to see what a great little brother he (and big sister Sasha) has been, we are thankful that they are such great friends, and take such good care of each other.

As difficult as pregnancy can be at times it truly is a blessing. I am thankful we are able to participate in bringing a couple of our Father's spirits into this world. Though it is difficult to be away from family it has been a wonderful experience for me. I have been blessed with some of the greatest friends that anyone could ask for (near and far). I am learning how important a ward family is, and am so thankful to those who have reached out to us, and helped take such great care of us.

We are looking forward to this year and all of the excitement that it will bring. Especially watching our kids as they continue to learn and grow.

~Love~
Brit, Hilary, Sasha and Braden