Saying Hi......Hi!

Just wanted to say and let you know what we have been up to lately. Not much really, but we had a fun three day weekend this past weekend. It is always more fun when Scott is around. We took the kids sleigh riding, and did a bit of bowling. It was kind of slushy snow so we didn't go too fast, butt I didn't mind. We spend a lot of the day on Monday with Scott's parents. His parents are having some health problems, and frankly it is sad to watch them get old - they are so awesome. I hope my kids can build a few memories with them while they can - Bryson asked as we were going whether Grandma would know who he was. She seemed to this time - so that is good news. The kids are getting anxious for good weather to show up. I have to remind them that it might be a ways off. We are on an official count down to Trey's Birthday and all he officially wants is "boy stuff." Bry and Dal are playing basketball now, and have games on Saturdays. They are fun to watch for different reasons, Bry's team actually knows how to play and Dal's doesn't so both are fun. Hope you all are swell and know we are thinking of you!

Amos

Watch out, Herriman... here we come!

Hi Family!

I just wanted you guys to know that Dan and I closed on our house this week! Yesterday we met with our amazing loan guy from Community Lending Group, our realtor, and the guy from the title company. After signing our names what seemed like a million times, it was official! We own a house!

The only bad part is that we can't move in for a few more weeks. We had to close early to get a good interest rate, but now we have to wait for the family who lives there now to move out. The latest we'll be in is January 29, but there's a chance we could be in sooner. I've got my fingers crossed!

We are really excited. It's a cute little house and I'm excited for everyone to come see it. Of course, since we only have one little couch for now, it might be on a BYOC basis (bring your own chair)...

~ Laurie

A New Year...

I can't believe it is already a new year--and what seemed like might be a slow month has suddenly filled up with meetings and homework and all sorts of business. I would like to be able

to say that I have set some fabulous new year resolutions--but I haven't had time to even think about that yet. Now that I am actually sitting--I think that my resolution will be to start each new day with a resolution for the day. Resolutions for the whole year never seem to work well for me--except for one--can I say that I am a better person at the end of this year than I was last year....

I hope the answer for 2009 is yes--it seems to me that each person added to the family and each new calling--every child that grows older--all of these things offer opportunities to stretch and grow (and you all know how flexible I am) (stop laughing)...but I feel like I'm trying harder now than I did before to be better--as a wife, as a mom, and for whatever I'm needed to be...

I just have to check myself and make sure that I'm doing what I'm doing for the right reasons--with the right motivation in mind.

I just recently finished a book called "The Shack" and it has really made me stop and think about my relationship with God. It's a good book--but be prepared--God is introduced as a big African American woman...it was hard for me to push past that...but I decided I had to be fair to the friend that recommended this book to me and finish it. I'm glad I did. I think I have been limiting myself in my relationship with God and this year I would like to really focus on having a closer--more real--relationship with Him. You know, reading my scriptures because I want to--rather than checking it off the "to do" list, that sort of thing--and yes, as hard as it will be for me--it means seeing others as He sees them and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Good luck, right? It'll be tough--but worth it! And to reference the picture so you don't think I'm too random--Kelly and I are on the "eating healthy" bandwagon again! And you'd be proud of me--I made chocolate chip peanut butter cookies today and haven't snitched a bit (the day isn't over yet...)

All in all, I am excited for what this year may bring--Dad always says, "Without change, progress is impossible"--and I believe that to be true...so good luck to you all with your resolutions!! I'm rooting for you!

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.