The worst bloggers in the world

While we have always known we are not the best at blogging, we finally accepted that we stink at it. Pictures and backgrounds are always a season off, and we basically slap pictures up and call it a day. Well that is what we are doing again! We had a great holiday, and a smooth move to Idaho. Despite having 3 kids in car seats and my sister and Natalie in the front, it was somewhat pleasant. Christmas was great with the whole family. Elena love babies- she would tend her cousin Graham the entire time. She still gives his pictures kisses. Elena is saying more and more words. This week it was erythropoietin. Get off it Ken Jennings. But really she is speaking more, and she finally got mom (after car, coat, etc)! She still points to herself though. Natalie started her internship, mike is a great stay at home dad, and Elena is a great mess maker. With nothing to do out here we are anxious for spring to come and for business to reopen in the area. Being with Natalie's dad is fun, and Elena learned "pa" very quickly. Alright already- here are pictures.

Merry Chistmas

I know this is silly, but I have been thinking about the term "happy holidays". I personally don't see why I need to be politically correct by saying happy holidays. Is it genuinely offensive to those who are not christian? I would love it if some one who celebrated kwanza or hanuka would wish me the same. When I wish someone a merry christmas I share with them something personal about me, I share my belief and at the same time share goodwill. Wishing some one a merry christmas is genuine, and it is the only holiday greeting that I can extend with genuine faith that they may indeed be merry. In the same way a Jew could only genuinely wish me a happy hanuka with faith that it indeed may be happy. Maybe it is too idealistic for me to think we can still be different and respectful. Or maybe what is the more saddening is that no one has a belief system any more. I love the idea from "You've Got Mail" that everything we do should be personal (Its not personal Its buisness- well not really). So I personally wish to all a Merry Christmas, and hope all will personally wish me the best from their own beliefs.

Embracing the holidays

I, like many out there, am a huuuge sucker for the holidays. You make a holiday flavored ice cream and I want to eat it, you make a holiday decor, and especially holiday baby clothing, and I want to buy it. Looking past the commercialism, I love holidays because life just looks a little brighter and love abounds more when we think of our families, what we have, and what we can give to others. As the leaves are almost all gone, I got to play in them with Elena and the Kendall's daughters Olivia and Chloe. These are some of the sweet treasures in life- the laugh of a child and the care free spirit of playing with them! we had a blast playing in the leaves and off-roadings with our strollers. We were rebels and went off the Provo river trail to explore- I really felt like a kid again when we (my sisters and I) would wander the hills near our house (no I don't think that was safe as a kid, and I am not quite sure where my parent were at the time either!). To help us remember how awesome we have it, Mike started a list on our door where everyday we have to write something down we are greatful for, no repeats, through the holiday season (not sure if he meant thanksgiving or christmas). I decided to share mine with you. We have only done it for two day, but I will update them weekly (I hope).

1- The sharing of testimonies. This can prick even my hard heart, and it helps me feel the burning of the spirit even when I have not made as much effort as I should to be feeling the spirit in my life. They help remind me of the spirit I can and should have consistently in my life.

2- Mike- I could write a dissertation on why I am grateful for him. He loves me despite my weaknesses yet encourages me to be better than I am; he sacrifices so much for my schooling, for my personal time and goals, for our daughter Elena, and for the gospel. He is everything I hoped we would be when I married him.