Christmas 2008 Part 2

After spending a couple of days with my family we headed out to Joe's mom's house where total chaos ensued. But that is ok cause it is what we love about going to Mother D's house. We made several trips to the park and several trips down the slides.

Imagine 24 people all opening their gifts at once...can you see the wrapping paper and tissue paper flying thru the air? It was a sight to behold!

Zachary (notice the much loved hat) loving that fact that he got another dump truck.

I love this picture! Here is Gage, Zachary, and Peter ready to partake of some Sean's famously styled Mickey Mouse pancakes.

We managed to get all 14 grandkids to gather together (oh wait! Baby Dillon isn't in the picture). The only way to get them to sit together was to get them to make silly faces.

And here is Mother D with all of her children.

Amidst all of the loud crying, laughing, and occasional toy stealing...we had the best time. It has been about 2 years since we have all been together. There have been 3 or 4 babies born since then and it was great to see everyone all at once. Hopefully it won't take another couple of years for this to happen again. Love to you all!

Christmas 2008 Part 1

What's a Christmas blogger post without the token Christmas tree picture? We spent a couple of days at my parents house for Christmas. Despite the many "It's going to be a small Christmas" from my mom we were pretty spoiled this year. And I'm sure that it had everything to do with us coming out to California.

Here is Zachary sporting his new Cars jammies and playing with his favorite gifts from Poppy.

Oh Montana! What a ham she is for the camera. We took several shots outside by the pond. Yup, she's pretty dang cute.

Kameron and Montana trying to figure out the DS system.

My child spent most of the time climbing up and down the stairs terrorizing my sister's poor cat. But the cat did provide some excellent entertainment for Zachary.

My cute parentals. I'm so happy that we could spend so long overdue time with them.

Here is Zachary giving Nana one last hug before we leave. He was very generous with the hugs and kisses this time around. And we are proud to announce that his kisses are no longer open mouthed....thank goodness for that!

Sportin' the Hat

Joe came home a few months ago with this Monster hat from a promotional party the restaurant was hosting. Zachary has taken quite the liking to it. So much so that he rarely leaves the house without it. We did most of our Christmas shopping with him wearing it. I can only imagine what people are thinking (Monster Energy drink? Nice hat kid.) He has also started to smile every time I bring the camera out. My little smarty-pants....

Reflections

As I was working on a talk that I gave in Church this past Sunday I came across this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley:

"We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith."

I think that this is my new favorite quote. It has definitely lifted me admist some of the things that we have going on in our lives right now. The Son of God is the rock of MY salvation, MY strength, MY comfort, and the very focus of MY faith. I have spent more time on my knees these last few weeks than I can ever remember. I feel HIS power in my life and I KNOW that He does answer prayers. I grateful for this Christmas season and the gentle reminders that we have to reflect on his birth.

I often think about Mary during this Christmas season as well. I read a website called Segullah. When I went to read the posted essay today it was as if the writer had entered my thoughts. She definitely worded it much better than I ever could. Click here to read the essay and ponder.

I hope that we all take the time to take a step back from the holiday hussle and bussle to really think about the true meaning of Christmas.

P.S. Not to take away from the spiritual-ness of this post but....We are going home to California for the holidays! I CANNOT WAIT!

All Bundled Up

Doesn't he look like that kid from The Christams Story? Zachary kept trying to pick up some cars that he had on the ground and kept falling over...poor kid. It was way past nap time when we made it outside. He

fought me the whole time trying to get

him dressed to go outside. He lasted long enough for me to get the driveway shoveled. And he even helped he a little bit. I love his hat! He kept it on most of the afternoon and we were just laying around the house.

We got quite a bit of snow this weekend and more is expected today and through out the week. Maybe I'll finally get to build a snowman!

To Decorate Or Not....

Me: Zachary....what are you doing?

Zachary: Balloooooon mama ballooooon

Utah Jazz Game

Thanks to a gentleman from Church we were able to go to the Jazz game on Friday night. Zachary had a BLAST! Everytime the Jazz would score he would yell and clap right along with everyone else. And as you can tell from the expression on his face he loved all of the lights on the trees outside of the area.

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful for all of our growing collection of Christmas items. I do have to admit that I wasn't feeling very Christmasy until those got put up.



2. I'm thankful that Zachary will eat anything that I make for him. Thankfully (no pun intended) he can't really tell the difference between Dad's cooking and Mommy's cooking...yet.

Thanksgiving '08

So the last few Thanksgivings we have ended up in St. George with Jared and Andi (and kids of course). This year was no different. But mark my words we WILL make it to California one of these times! We decided to try something new and deep fry a turkey this year. I don't think that I want to eat a turkey any other way. It was SO GOOD!

Look at my man....so handsome!

So while Zachary was doing this...

The boys were trying to put together the fryer. And while the boys were doing this....

We were doing this!

And here is the end result...a yummy dinner with family!

We hope that your Thanksgiving was just as enjoyable as ours!