Merry Christmas Nate!

This video is just for Nate, who's currently suffering through hot and humid weather in Brazil. Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2008

As the year comes to a close I can't help but think of all the wonderful blessings we have enjoyed this year.  Our kids are, relatively, healthy and happy.  We have some money in the bank and food in the basement.  Good friends and family live close and are willing to be here in moments if we need them.  And, we have learned a lot of lessons and grown closer as a family.

Livi is working hard in First Grade.  She has Grandma Sheree for a teacher.  She loves school and despairs when she's too sick to attend.  Helping others is one of Livi's greatest talents.  She helps mom, Anna and Jarom, friends at school, and anyone in need.  We love her very much and are grateful for her presence in our family.

Anna is enjoying her last year home with mom.  In the fall she will be entering kindergarten.  She is so excited!  Her favorite pastime is learning new things.  Be it from mom, PBS, or online.  Anna knows the words to every song she's ever heard and sings often.  Her talent is that of peacemaker.  One night when momma and papa where having a "discussion" she burst into tears and told papa "Stop being angry at my mommy!"  She helps us to be better, how could we not love and cherish that?

Jarom is growing like a weed.  He wanders around the house babbling in his own language.  He is such an easy going kid.  Climbing anything in sight is Jarom's favorite pastime.  We've found him on top of the kitchen table, on top of the girls bunkbeds, at the bottom of the stairs, and on top of the bathroom counter (dancing and watching himself in the mirror I might add).  He keeps us busy, but is a blessing to our home.

Matt keeps busy working hard at Cheetah, learning photography, and fulfilling his calling as Assistant Stake Executive Secretary (or is it Assistant to the Stake Executive Secretary?).  I'm busy couponing, blogging, volunteering at Livi's School, running, teaching Relief Society and caring for my home and family.  We are busy, but we're happy.

May this holiday season find you counting your blessings, looking for ways to do better, and enjoying your friends and family.

Livi's Letter to Santa

We found this stuffed into one of the Christmas stockings hanging in the living room the other night.  We didn't know she'd written it, but loved reading Livi's letter to Santa.

(Trans. 'Santa, I want a new pony, please.  Anna wants a princess.  Mommy wants a chocolate.  Jarom wants a new blanket.  Can you give my papa a new pair of work pants?  That's what all of us [want for Christmas].  Will you really bring those stuff?')