The Sunday after Christmas

Boy, has the time flown by. We can't believe that Christmas is over and the new year is just around the corner. The question is --do we say twenty ten or 2 thousand 10? Guess you can say it how you want it is the same year right? This next year thanks to the raving reviews for our first published book, we are thinking about becoming authors and publishers. Seriously, it was a really fun project and we loved doing it mostly because it was all about each of you.

Anyway, we had a great time with Laurie, Dan, Hyrum and Darin for Christmas. Laurie looks way good already, and Dan was really lots of fun with the games and of course answered all of our computer questions. We got to hold Hyrum much more that he is used to. He is such a cutie and so calm!! We hope we spoiled him good.

We are still trying to decide if we like Darin's whiskers. He looks a lot different with a dark shadow. It is funny how no matter what we were doing, eating, playing a game, or watching a movie, if his cell phone rang and it was a certain track star from Spanish Fork, he ditched us! Go figure---

We played lots of games, watched movies and ate, ate, ate. Dennetts spent some time with us Christmas eve and the day after Christmas. Grandpa and Jo came for Christmas dinner, Jo brought deviled eggs and seemed to really try and be interested in all of us. Grandpa is really slowing down. It makes you wonder how many more Christmases he will be here with us. It was a "lovely" dinner with some of the best food of the year made by Darin and MOM. Have you all had your fill of toffee, chocolate, etc.? It seems so easy to gain a few extra ounces this time of year.

Saturday we got up and dropped Hyrum off at Jo's then we headed to the Temple to do some family sealings. It was awesome to think of how long some of these people had been waiting for this great blessing. Most of them were born in the 1700's. There were sure a lot of Mary Knapps.

We will be heading out tomorrow for Utah to be at Tanner's blessing. It will be so much fun to see some of you for this special time for Doug and Mary. Speaking of blessings, we have so many. You all are the best ones we have. The Lord really has been good to us this year as always. We wish you a great New Year and hope that we will get to spend much time together.

Con mucho amor-
Los viejos

All aboard......and God bless us all--every one!

Merry Christmas to you all! I am trying hard to convince myself that it really is Christmas--since the kids and I picked oranges this morning--and both boys were in t-shirts and shorts! But--we decided that since we would not be traveling this year for Christmas, that we would take the kids to Williams, Arizona and take a ride on the Polar Express.

I was afraid there wouldn't be snow--but lucky for us, there was plenty! And I think the kids enjoyed that more than the actual train ride. They kept eating it--I hope it wasn't yellow :)

On the train they gave us cookies and hot cocoa and then read the story of The Polar Express before we got to the "North Pole"--it was magical if I dare say. Santa boarded the train and gave each child a jingle bell--which I had to tuck away before we got back to the hotel. Jingle Bells has never sounded so hellish....3 bells clanging away--and of course, Kelly is teasing the kids saying he thinks their bells are broken--so they try to shake them even harder. Talk about a perma-headache...but it was fun and I enjoyed getting away--even if it was for just one night.

I hope you all enjoy Christmas and know that we are thinking of you...and cheeseballs! I made empanadas yesterday and it made me feel nostalgic...thinking of the Christmas's we've had at home (you may want to grab a tissue)--and it really made me homesick and I miss you all. Christmas has always been a favorite time of year for me--and that is mostly because of you all--the memories are fun and I love telling my kids stories of home. I wish you all the best and love you all! Merry Christmas! I hope you all take some time in the next two days to think of Katie dancing to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"--and think of her saying, "And God bless us all--every one..." Then...and only then...will Christmas be truly complete! By the way--after reading Amy's post, is anyone else nervous about Trey???

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Bite!

Dear Fam,
Just thinking about you all and hoping you are having a good Christmas season. Last night we took the kids to visit an old widow in the ward - and it reminded me of Wyatts, Jane and Jerry, and all the visits Mom and Dad took us on as kids. That was as much a part of Christmas as opening gifts. I wonder how all those old friends are doing.
On Saturday we went swimming at the Legacy Center - we figured it would be pretty empty and it was - we had a great time. All except for Jace - who clung to Scott or I for dear life and cried about half the time.
I wanted to give you all a chuckle (courtesy of Trey). Sadie was holding our cat Giselle, and Trey leaned over to the cat, and in a menacing voice - he saide "Giselle, you are Jesus's prisoner" I think he gets these things from Scott's side!!!!
Mom - I am going to use your orange drink recipe that you posted for Christmas Eve - should be yummy. Anyways, Love you all and hope it is a Merry Christmas!! Love Amos

Hey, it's Grandma's first post!!!

We are getting readier for Christmas all the time. Weatherman says snow, butt so far it's just not happening. We'd like a white Christmas, but not on the roads!
We had a special experience at the temple yesterday. The young couple that just went through last month asked if they could go with us so we could help them know what to do. It was their first time back since they had been sealed. It was an awesome experience. Dad and I have been so blessed to work in the Spanish branch. Our lives have been enriched in so many ways. The Lord has been good to us for another year. The best gifts of all for us are you--our family--. We couldn't ask for anything better than to see you all active in the church and teaching your families the gospel. We love you so much!

Our branch party last night brought out many people--some new members, some less active and some non members. The primary children put on a simple pageant and it was great. The food was the same as always rice-beans-tamales and three milk cake. Of course, there were piñatas for the kids. Wish you could have all been there.

Any way--have a great week. Love you all.

Thoughts from Dad

It has been an amazing experience for me to study the November Ensign and take notes on the talks of the apostles and prophets. I want to share an idea with you. As you know the Branch President has to pick the topics for the 4th Sunday, "Teaching for Our Times", for the year and I always use talks from the conference talks of the previous General Conference. Well this year as I was studying the talks, I decided to take just a "one-liner" from each of the talks of the apostles and members of the First Presidency. By that I mean, just one thought from each of their talks and write them all down on a paper that I keep by my bed and read each day. This helps me stay focused on what the current church leaders are telling us today. Maybe this would work for you.

Don't forget just 10 days until Christmas. I hope this note finds you all happy, healthy and still with your sanity. We had my dad's Christmas party last Sunday evening and it really has changed since the grandkids became adults. It is much more boring and the caroling lacks....It is hard to see my dad getting so old, but then he is pushing 87. Well, in the spirit of Elder Bednar's talk may I just say that I love you all and am so happy that I was picked to be your dad.
I pray for each of you each day and think of you often.
Love,
Dad

Christmas Time - Oh Sweet Joy.......

I think it is finally starting to come - the Christmas Spirit I mean. But not in the ways I thought. I have been thinking a bit about how fast time is going, especially as I watch the kiddos grow way too fast. And mostly, I am just grateful for my fam. And that includes all of you!!! Also - do you not just love the sweet food! I made my first batch of toffee for the year and most of it is now conveniently located on my hips, but in hind sight (pause for laughs) it was worth it. Hope you all are swell and doing the fun little things that make it Christmas. Love Amos (Do you not love the classic almost crusty Jace is dishing here?

Hyrum's Blessing

I just wanted to say thanks to all who came out for Hyrum's blessing. I think it went really well and I loved seeing so much family together. I posted some pictures of the event on our blog, www.maxlds.blogspot.com for those of you who just can't get enough of Hyrum and need to see even more pictures...

I thought for you all I'd post a little video of Hyrum for you all. He just started smiling this week and it's been so much fun! This is him just this morning, smiling and with the hiccups:

Isn't he the cutest?!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We are so glad that we drove to Idaho yesterday after Hyrum's blessing, which was great. It has snowed most of the day today and it is nice to be inside by the fireplace! It has been cold enough outside to make it slick on the roads and that makes it nerve-racking to drive, but then you all remember how that goes in Idaho!

We have so much going on with faculty parties, work parties, Branch parties, Grandpa Knapp's party, that we are trying to find a time to put up our Christmas tree! The snow makes it more like the holidays, but the Christmas tree really brings the Christmas spirit.

Here is a "tip": (no cream cheese--sorry Krista)

To make your home smell nice and have a great hot drink just try this recipe:

Spicy Orange Drink
Bring to a boil 1 gallon water and 2 1/2 cups sugar
1 12 oz. can orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice or 2 lemons juiced
1 T whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
Simmer and enjoy!

Put in crock pot for a sweet smelling house and to have all day long!

This week will bring lots of activites for us all. Good luck Darin as you finish up your classes at BYU. Janie will still be moving things around at the new house. I hope you are all baking and making fun Christmas goodies.

Happy Birthday to Brielle and Christopher this week! We sure love you all!

I'm so impressed....really....

Amos--you deserve a round of applause! Pat yourself on the back! Head to Arctic Circle! You did a great job on your first post...hope to see more coming soon! Call me if you have any questions...

Now family--we are seeing lots of HAPPS being posted--how bout those tips and dips? Tis the season...

And, how many of you vote that we post a video of Kate doing her "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" dance on the blog? Do you think we can convince her to do it?

Love you all!!

My First Official Blog (could you die?)

First, I must say thanks to Kris for the blogging lesson. I am way excited to do this!!

Last night, my fam and I put up our Christmas tree, trying to put it up faster than Jace was taking it down. Jace's favorite part was taking off all the ornaments on the bottom branches. Trey loved finding the old ornaments that he made in preschool last year, Dallon danced around while hanging (?), Bry helped Scott put the lights on, and Sadie tried to make sure all the breakable ornaments were on her eye level and not Jace's. I love pulling out the old ornaments, it seems like there is a memory with a bunch of them (tissue please).

Can't believe Christmas is so soon. I sure do love you guys and am excited to keep in touch better. - Love Amos

PMS This picture is the fam at Yellowstone when Jace was tiny.

Testing

Hey fam, just testing my blogging skills. Thanks for the lesson Kris - I BLOG!