9 Years

Although it only seems like yesterday, we've done so much in our 9 years together: 6 jobs, 4 moves, 3 kids, 3 college degrees, only 3 ER visits, countless laughs, a few tears (mostly the happy ones), overflowing joy and unconditional love. Happy Anniversary to my best friend--I love you and look forward to many more years together!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to Sarah and Andrew who married 4 years ago on December 27 in the Salt Lake Temple after a huge blizzard! It made for beautiful pictures, even though it was very cold!

Early Christmas Present

Our nephew Jeffrey, son of Ryan & Ruth Ann, arrived on Saturday, December 22. Congratulations to the whole family! We're sure Jacob and Grace are thrilled with their new little brother.

Taking the Stairs

Halle now goes up and down the stairs with great ease. It's fun that she can get to wherever she wants to go. As soon as she started going up, I taught her to come back down backwards. It only took her a day to figure out to turn around at the top of the stairs and back up until she started going down. She's enjoys her newfound freedom!

Happy Birthday Grace!

Cousin Grace is 2 years old today--she will be a big sister soon! We're sure she's having a great Christmas and will have a great year! Happy Birthday from your cousins!

Night in Bethlehem

Our ward Christmas party was a night in Bethlehem. It was really a great idea and the activities committee put a lot of effort into the night. The kids made instruments, "leather" sandals, bought food and attended Hebrew school. A program was also put on depicting the events of Christ's birth.

Uncle Ryan's Visit

Uncle Ryan was interviewing for a pediatric dental residency in Wisconsin, so he was able to spend a couple days with us. We're hoping they come out here so we have family close! We took him downtown to the aquarium and also to the ward Christmas party. The weather, airport delays, and our family's flu bug may all have helped him decide against us though! Thanks for coming out to visit Ryan!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Sorry we're a bit late--Nana's birthday was on the 8th! We hope you had a wonderful day--we love you!

Visiting Santa...

Matt informed Paul that he wasn't going to sit on the Santa's lap because he isn't the "real" Santa, just one of his helpers. He ended up being willing to do it for a picture and also to relay his wish list of Legos, a Wii, and a remote control car. The Wii is a new item on the wish list and it's very hard to find--my first experience with actually having to canvass the states of Illinois and Utah as well as the internet trying to find one that's not $500 on eBay. If you find one--just the original with the sports pack, buy one for under our tree and "Santa" will pay you back! Afton's wish list has gotten so long that she's now asking for things for her birthday in May. She has now narrowed it to an American Girl Doll bed and Jasmine doll and also maybe a Sleeping Beauty doll to replace the one that Sampson chewed on. Santa's already on top of all that! Halle is asking for nothing, because what else could she possibly want? That, and she's not speaking yet! I am asking Santa to bring her some hair--I would like enough to put a barrett in the front!