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!