MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Morning, still in pj's at 3:00

Sam, our first time sledding this winter, we have been pounded with snow!

Charlie, singing in his school Christmas program,

of course 5th, 3rd, and 1st were the last to sing.

Brig and Olivia, more sledding!

Olivia and I have had so much fun singing Christmas songs. One I sing to her often to help her remember to be good, is Santa Claus is coming to town. Olivia also talks in third person and I think it is cute and shes the baby so I don't even try to correct her. The other day I heard her singing "Him knows when you are sleeping, him knows when your awake." Oh the sweet joys of motherhood, I couldn't stop giggling.

We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas day. The boys asked for the usual heroscape, pokemon, star wars, and more legos to add to our collection of a million. Sam and Dave got air soft guns, watch out! And Brig hasn't stopped playing his new DS, red for the Utes, Santa knows. I gave Dave running tights and a blanket. I asked for a watch and he is taking me to Switzerland in May to pick one out! Yahoo. Olivia got a barbie house and I don't know who is more excited, Livvy or her mom. We feel so grateful to have family in town and to all be together happy and healthy (although my poor mom just broke her toe last night and was still bravely making pizzas). We are so grateful for our many blessings, especially the gift of the atonement from our Savior. Merry Christmas everyone!

Christ is the Reason for the Season

We had an amazing experience last night that really helped us feel the true reason we celebrate Christmas. We went to a live Nativity in Alpine. We took hay ride (time machine) to a barn where we saw lots of animals and Charlie bonded with Max the camel (he even got a camel kiss!) Next we followed the lights to another barn, live music was playing as we visited a darling baby Jesus. We ended the perfect evening with about 5 cups of hot cocoa. Hopefully we can keep the spirit of the event in our hearts for the rest of the season. Sam said he was fasting today to find someone to help this holiday. I highly recommend this fun evening, I think it runs through Monday, so go!

Sam turns 11!

I can't believe Sam is 11 and in another year he'll be taller than his mom. Sam celebrated his birthday with a few friends and cousin Scott at Space Camp. They got to go in a space ship and simulate a 3 hour mission, even though the aliens blew them up at the end, they had a blast! We also celebrated in St. George and at Grandma's house and brought donuts to his class. Sam has been a delight since the day he was born, we love his witty sense of humor and gentleness. We are proud of Sam for receiving his arrow of light recently. Sam's favorites include: Food-hamburgers (esp from Nordic Valley), Movie-Kung Fu Panda and Star Wars Episode I, Dessert-Nachos Dulce, Candy-Heath Bar, Book-anything in print, Restaurant-Sweet Tomatoes. We love you Sam!

INTRODUCING GODZILLA

We have a new addition to the fam. Meet Godzilla our new/old leopard gecko. She is a hand-me down from a son to his mom (a school teacher), to her student (our cousin Taylor), to us (Taylor got a dog). Dave thinks she's disgusting, but the rest of us really like her.

Cousin Annie and Emily

Cousin Sara and Whitney

The cousins getting Pedicures in St. George

Aunt Dru was our professional photographer

Check out those cute toes!


Friday after Thanksgiving was one of those days where everything is perfect. First I awoke at 7 and hurried over to Walmart for a little Christmas shopping. The parking lot was empty, a lady was holding the last Lego Castle and gave it to me, and miraculously, there were NO lines! I felt like the cat who swallowed the canary. Next my sisters and I went on a gorgeous hike, followed by aerobics with the kids in the backyard, very Dan in Real Life-ish. The boys played football and no one was injured, too seriously. We went swimming with Matt and Amy and gang and it was sunny and fun. To top off the day we went with my adorable cousins aunt for pedicures, we were the only ones there and it closed right as we finished. Can you say "the Secret."

ODE TO BRIG

Brig turned nine on the 2nd of December. We have celebrated all week long! First we had a party in St. George with the Allen clan. The next day he partied with the Johnson crew. Then on his actual birthday mom brought him breakfast in bed, then checked him out of school and took him to Cafe Rio and toys-r-us. Also his class surprised him and sang to him and each classmember made him a card. As if that wasn't enough, Dad took him to see Bolt the following day. And to finish it off we played at Jump-on-it tonight. Can we say spoiled? He is just so darn lovable its hard to resist. Brig's favorites include: Food-noodles, Dessert-apple pie (which disappointingly we did not have at Thanksgiving), Movie-Transformers, Restaurant-Sweet Tomatoes, Color-Red, Book-Fable haven, Candy-Red Vines. Happy Birthday Brig, we love you!

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend in St. George. We missed Judd and Jackie and Hank, but Emily flew in from Canada and it was party time! The highlights were watching Twilight with the girls (but not watching my aunts eat popcorn off the floor!), Golden Swirl, pedicures, swimming with the kids, running with the sisters, Sam and Brig's b-day party at Pirate Island, riding horses and tractors at a farm, and of course Thanksgiving dinner in Zion. We are so grateful for all of our blessings!

I LOVE MY FAMILY

First, I have to say I love Kangaroo Zoo. My sisters and I discovered this little gem soon after it opened and we are their number one clients. Where else can you sit and sip Diet Coke while the kids expend as much energy as possible. My boys wear shorts and tees and make me feel their sweaty hair! Just one the many joys of motherhood. These pictures aren't the best, but it is all I have of Jackie and her ADORABLE boys' visit to Utah. Emily also came from Canada and I don't have any pictures of her with her darling new haircut, but we had so much fun! I have treasured the time I have been able to spend with my sisters who now live so far away. This past month has been filled with many emotions both of great sadness and incredible joy. Two people near and dear to our hearts passed away. They were amazing examples of one who lives a Christ-like life. My heart has grieved for the family left behind while at the same time rejoicing in our knowledge of the Gospel. I was recently called to teach Relief Society and my first lesson was on the Second Coming. I cannot stop pondering on my worthiness if the Savior came tomorrow. I feel such a strong desire to be a kinder, more faithful person and to tell all of my friends and family how much I love them and how grateful I am for their strength and support!

We Love Halloween!

You may have noticed that Olivia is in two different costumes. She wore her Diamond Castle Princess dress to the school parade and it ripped. We went to exchange it and came home with Princess Ariel. As you may have also noticed she is the social butterfly of the family and finds friends everywhere. The cute little witch is our next door neighbor and Liv's best friend (no they are amazingly not twins).

The grand kids would not allow us to skip trick or treating at Grandpa Charlie's office. They scored oodles of candy and we all got a treat to be with Christopher (or Spidey with muscles) who came all the way from St. Louis!

Clones were popular this as you can see. Sam was just thrilled Brig actually wore a costume this year. And of course Sam has to be something SCARY. He complained our house wasn't spooky enough and put bloody legs and shoes coming out our garage door to spook the neighbors.

We passed a billboard of women in costumes and Charlie gallantly stated that none of them were as hot as his mom. But he ate his words when he saw what a hideous witch I made. Whitney, Adrien and I all dressed up to help at the class parties. I think we got a little carried away!

FALL SPORTS!

Our little monkey Charlie has decided to take gymnastics.

Check him out on that pummel (?)horse

Brig had an awesome soccer coach and team this year. The best part was practicing in the coach's spacious backyard. He can't wait until they start up again in the spring.

Sam joined the HAST swim team. He just participated in his first meet on Saturday. Watch out Micheal Phelps!

WE LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!

We have decided to stay put in the good ole UC for now and I am so excited. We love our family and friends here and we would miss awesome American Fork Canyon.

We spent many Sunday afternoons hiking the Timpanookee and Alpine trails. Dave even spotted a bear one day while running, yikes! I would even miss my early Saturday morning runs down the canyon.

This summer we also spent several afternoons hiking around Silver Lake. We had fun showing our friends, the Lindseys one of our favorite places, the Brighton Cabin. We even saw a mother and baby moose, it was awesome!