My Good Friend...

...who moved away from me. How good a friend could she really be if she left me to go to Ohio? Today is Erin's 29th birthday and she has been my fabulous friend for the past six years--ever since we moved into Illinois together! I realized that we have hardly any pictures of us together, except for crazy ones with us in costume, being silly, etc. No "serious" photos that you could slide into a sappy "friends" frame! But seriously, Erin has been a great friend and sister--she's been with me for two pregnancies and subsequent hospital stays, my graduate degree, book club meetings, lunch/brunch/breakfast at Egg Harbor Cafe, frequent Sunday dinners, a Nauvoo trip, and many more day-to-day activities. I miss her and wish her another wonderful year until her next 29th birthday!

President and Sister Hinckley

In Mansfield Park, Jane Austen described the marriage of her heroine and hero in this way: "With so much true merit and true love, and no want of fortune or friends, the happiness of the married [couple] must appear as secure as earthly happiness can be.-Equally formed for domestic life, and attached to country pleasures, their home was the home of affection and comfort."
To me, this illustrates the partnership of President and Sister Hinckley, now reunited to continue their earthly happiness in the eternities. What a beautiful example of love, compassion, caring, responsibility, friendship, loyalty and dignity they have given us. While we will miss President Hinckley, how wonderful for these two to be together again! How grateful I am for the knowledge of eternal families and that our relationships on earth will continue after death.

The Little Ones...

Wow--the babies keep coming and coming and coming--here's the list of little ones so far, with updates on newly pregnant family/friends:
Beth and Jeremy had 5th boy Joseph Samuel in October
Jen and Dale welcomed Andrew Reed in September
Ryan & Ruth Ann welcomed Jeffrey Lionell on December 22
Brandon & Wendy--Sweet Caroline arrived January 10
Debbi & Jon--TWIN boys Ben and Henry came January 18
Allison & Nate--Olivia arrived January 24
Heather & Gabe--Noelle Elizabeth arrived early January 10
Geoff & Ky--baby boy in February
Megan & Dave--baby boy in February
Beau & Nicki--their 4th boy coming in May
Keith & Lynsi--baby ? in May--they're keeping it a surprise!
Eli & Brittany--we hear it's a baby boy? in May
Katy & Paul--baby in June
Natasha & Josh--baby in July (these last three will be cousins! check it out here)

The Men of Austen

For you romantics out there, here is a compilation of the Austen heroes (and some of the less heroic as well) to go along with Jane's quote.

Jane for the Day

I'm obviously behind in doing this. I've been particularly busy this weekend and haven't even had time to watch Sunday Night's Masterpiece which was Northanger Abbey. So, I'm throwing out a quote today from that novel, which is not one of Jane's most popular. The heroine Catherine loves reading novels and often lets her imaginations run away because of said novels! Here she is...

"Only a novel"... in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.
--Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen

Persuasion by Jane Austen

What a lovely way to spend your Sunday evenings! Masterpiece Theatre is running a Jane Austen series which started last night. Each Sunday evening presents a Jane Austen film, some new and some the all-time classics! If you're a Jane lover, make sure you check it out on Sunday nights! Last night was "Persuasion" and it was very good! I enjoyed it immensely and because Paul was out of town, he also enjoyed not having to watch it! I am also particularly looking forward to a new "Emma" starring Kate Beckinsale!

Cue the tooth fairy!

Matthew's first loose tooth--and apparently the first permanent tooth is right behind it! All of a sudden it was there right behind his baby teeth. Matthew has been flossing to make sure his loose tooth is nice and clean should he lose it soon! (I must also say that we took these pictures after Matt had eaten a rice krispie treat--his teeth normally aren't that gunky!)

Halle's Standing!

Halle is now standing on her own and even dancing--she's just too chicken to actually pick up her foot and take a step! Once she does, look out!

Skiing

The kids went skiing with Paul this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Because this was his second year on the slopes, Matt has graduated onto the blue runs and can probably ski better than me! Afton will be our social skier--she loved the lodge, the hot chocolate, and making snow angels--skiing was fun because she got new pink goggles! She did well too and really enjoyed skiing with her dad!

Christmas Journal

Now that I have gotten my pictures from my camera onto my computer, I'll share a little of our Christmas with you! The kids were so excited waiting for Santa--Matt got into bed with us at 6:30 and whispered that he heard Santa clomping around upstairs. They were all thrilled with the gifts from Santa and the many presents from grandpas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, and cousins!


Christmas wouldn't be complete without a visit from Cousin Eddie (aka my brother Chad)!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to Grandpa Walker and Granny Kate today! We hope you have a great day and another wonderful year together!