Merry Christmas 2009

If I find a better copy, I'll replace this one. This received a very small circulation of non-blog-followers.

See the tiny baby in the pictures? He’s our new baby boy, Andrew Mark, born October 27. Getting him here and taking care of him has been our biggest project of 2009, but a worthwhile one – much better than sending out early Christmas cards. He started out life as a big boy (9 lbs. 5 oz.), and he doesn’t show signs of slowing down. He’s chubby and snuggly, and we all love giving him kisses and watching him learn to smile.

Noah is now 19 months old and a funny boy. He loves all the common little boy games, including flinging food and jumping off stuff. His dare-devil ways led to a broken leg last month, but it barely slowed him down. He says a lot of words these days, like yelling, “Football game, go, go, go,” and, “Oh, man!” when Gary watches sports.

Being 3 has brought awesome things to Josh’s life, like getting to play soccer and be in our neighborhood co-op preschool. Soccer was a big hit, in fact, just the other day he prayed that it could be spring so he could play again. He loves learning new things, and right now is arguing with me about whether or not I need to press the Q. (I guess he wins.) Josh brings a lot of fun to our lives.

Gary and I are happy to report we still have our same jobs (Gary with the legislature and me with the boys), and are doing our best to keep up with everything. It does get to be a circus around here much of the time, but who doesn’t like a good circus? We are so grateful for our boys, each other, and all of the other extra stuff we are blessed to have. I liked this Christmas card because it reminds me of the peace that our Savior Jesus Christ brings to us. May we all enjoy this peace this coming year as we seek after Him.

Meet the Fam

Yes, these pictures were taken in May, but I never posted any, I really like them, and I needed a little breath of spring air after the freezing week we just had. Plus, I never put them onto my computer until last night when making the family calendar . . . so, meet my family! These were taken at my parents' house in Idaho.

Yes, there's an extra boy in the middle at the bottom. He's our cousin Kevin, and he's part of the bunch since he's hung out with our family and traveled here and there and everywhere with us his entire life. We love him.

Yep, seven girls, no boys. Go ahead, stare and count, we're used to it.

Sister #2 - Cindy, with husband Nate, and children Tate, Sophie, and Braden.

Recognize these jokers? That's right, I'm #1. At least in one thing.

Sister #3- Sarah, with husband Dave and baby Madeline.

Sister #4 - Katie, with husband Paul

Sisters 7, 5, and 6 - Kayla, Hannah, and Kristen

Dad and Mom

Melody's Hula Class

Once upon a time ten years ago there was a girl named Melody who went to BYU-Hawaii and took a hula class. Her teacher told the class that part of hula was using your eyes and facial expressions, and that to get full points the students would need to use them, too. Melody and her friend watched the other students in the class, and saw this one girl who apparently took the advice to heart. Not only did she really get into the hula, but she had all sorts of facial expressions as well. Melody and her friend would chuckle and say, "Wow, she must really want an A."

As so many good heroines do, Melody ended up in Provo, where she had a pretty decent winter semester despite not being in Hawaii. When the semester was over, she found out she was getting a new roommate for the spring. When the day came Melody emerged from her room to greet the new girl . . . and it was the crazy hula-class girl!! Melody and the girl had a fun time being roommates, even though they ended up having to do their hula at the ward luau. (Most likely the roommate's fault, but the menfolk told Melody she did a good job.)

The roommate grew up to have three little boys, one of which she was driving to preschool this morning while listening to a Hawaiian CD given to her by her sister-in-law. She heard the hula song she'd once danced to, and thought, "I wonder if I've still got what it takes?", then laughed and laughed the whole way home.

How to Get the University Donation People to Hang Up

Guy Who Called While I Was Cooking Dinner: Hi, I'm from BYU-Idaho, and I'd like to discuss your experiences with us and what you can do to help out some of the things we're doing up here.
Me: (While stirring two different skillets on the stove) Okay. (He sounded nice, so I thought I'd be gentle.)
Noah: Food, mommy, food, mommy, mommy, mommy, (While screaming loudly and pathetically) . . .
Guy: So first of all, did you graduate from Ricks?
Noah: Screams! Neediness!
Me: No, I actually never went to school up there at all, it was my husband that did.
Andrew: Waaaaaaaah! (Sounds much further away then he should, given that he was just barely sitting on the couch with Josh.)
Guy: Okay, well what we're doing -
Me: Just a second, sorry. (Covers the phone) Joshua! Where is Andrew? (Runs upstairs trying to find baby. Sees him on Josh's bed with a burp rag over his face, screaming away. Picks up baby.) Still Me: Josh, why did you put him here? (Keep in mind, Josh carries Andrew around kind of by the neck, and he had to have carried him all the way up the stairs for this.)
Josh: It's my bed, he likes my bed.
Me: (Remembers the phone) I'm sorry, go ahead.
Guy: It sounds like you've got a lot going on right now, I can call back later.
Me: Okay, have a great night!

So, that's how you do it folks. I'm not saying it's easy to replicate yourself, but it was so effective. (BTW - I'm all for donating money to education. It's just awkward to explain to a guy on the phone that my 3 year old doesn't want a receipt saying someone else is going to college in his Christmas stocking.)