Our Dear President Hinckley

My sister called just a few minutes ago....with the bitter-sweet news that President Hinckley has passed away. While you know he's old, and that it was going to happen within not too many years, it still took me by surprise and sadness. He will surely be missed.

After reflecting a bit, I have to say that I'm really happy that he's back with his sweetheart, Marjorie--I know he's missed her. I have to say that I feel really blessed to have lived during his time--to be a part of his stewardship. I have to pay tribute to his wonderful-ness...for the great diplomat to the world he was for our church, for the many temples he's brought to this earth, for the great humanitarian he was.

We really love you President Hinckley and thank you for your service to us, and to the world--such a life long dedication. You're truly an example of Christ--how we can all be Christ-like today. Thank you.

Our December

A lot has happened this December. Why does it seem that the month of December (busy by nature) tends to get jammed with even MORE? Overall, we had a good month. Okay...kids were sick--which is no fun--but still, we enjoyed our Christmas, had fun with friends, continued to teach the children what Christmas is REALLY about, and just loved being together. It was good.


Kyle made great strides this month. He has 5 teeth--growing further up, surface broken and all. That has complicated sickness, grouchiness and all that--but they sure do look CUTE on him! He is WALKING--yes walking on his own. He was 11 months (almost exactly) when he began. So...he is the earliest to teeth and walk!

This is a movie of Ky Walking his 1st few steps on his own.

(Click the Play button Twice)

Christmas day was a delight. Our VERY fortunate (and evidently on Santa's "nice" list) received some nice presents...from both Santa & Family. Thank you! Here are some Highlights!

Bryce got a Nintendo DS

Isabel got a Digital Camera (real)--in PINK!

Rory got a bunch of tools, a MEASURING TAPE (that he'd been asking for FOREVER) and a Tool Bench

Kyle was just happy to see all the paper flying and Christmas

(and he got a few cute baby-type toys)

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!

Mommy got some Calyx Perfume--I LOVE IT!

Daddy got some new Nikes for Basketball Playing

We got a lot of other great things too...pj's from grandparent (THANK YOU)...and fun toys from cousins & aunts/uncles. It was a great Christmas! We love you all!

Some other fun pictures from our busy month...

Rory Enjoyed the Cherry Cordial Mother shared with Him

Kyle in a Box

Kyle liked his bath in the sink...it helped sooth him in his "I'm sick and feelin' it" time.

Daddy & KyKy Passed Out Together

We hope your Holidays have been as Merry as ours.

Happy New Year to you All.

Merry Christmas

We went last night to our ward Christmas party. We had a nice ham dinner. Santa even showed up. The kids had a great time--we all did. Although, I'm not sure what Kyle thought about Santa. What do you think? I guess this is the normal - 1st Christmas - response to Santa Clause.

Mom, It's Hard Work Keeping You Up at Night!

So, the other day Kyle just crashed in his little walker. It really is hard work waking Mom up ever 35 minutes during the wee hours of the night & morning. Lucky for him, he can just pass out in his walker, on the floor, in the car...pretty much anywhere. I wonder how that would work out for me...if I just passed out while walking around, driving around, or if my kids just saw me hit the floor for a nice little snooze--I don't think that would go over well. I guess that's a perk of being a baby--the world is his to sleep in. Enjoy it now baby Ky Ky.

Another case in point....

Isabel's First Piano Recital

Isabel had her 1st piano recital. She played 2 songs, Indian Song & Joy to the World. She did really good--She was a little lady and curtsied when she was through with each song. Below are some pictures and a little video clip of her playing (hit the play button twice). I'm excited for how well she is progressing.

Citizen of the Week

So, Mom had a really busy weekend...making two posters! Bryce had been selected as Citizen of the Week. We got to make a poster board for him too. He took that in on Monday. Then Wednesday, he got to take his favorite book to share with the class. Friday, he got to take 5 of his favorite toys to school (I hope they all come home). It was a special week for him too. We had fun creating his board.

I'm so glad he enjoys school!

Star of the Week

Isabel was nominated to be her "Star of the Week" at school. We put pictures, stories and drawings on a star and she took it to school. As the Star of the Week, she got to be the special helper to the teacher in class, have lunch with her teacher, be at the front of the lines all week, and so on. It really is fun.

Today, I got to take her to school while she presented her star. She told about the pictures on her star and about herself. She read a "getting to know you" sheet, and then I got to read a letter from Daddy and I to her (I only cried a little bit). She got to answer questions from her classmates. At the end, they gave her an "Awesome" cheer.

She's been looking forward to this day so she even had me wake her up early and put curlers in her hair so she could look extra-great. She's our star.

The great thing was that Bryce was "Citizen of the Week" in his Kindergarten class...so I'll be blogging his fun week too soon!