Christmas 2007

I thought I would add some words to our wonderful Christmas. It was a very quiet Utah Christmas, but also very enjoyable. Sean didn't go to work for 2 weeks which was my most favorite Christmas gift. The girls enjoyed having Christmas at home but did miss Grandma's house and all their cousins. They were so excited Christmas Eve, it was very cute to see them make cards and write notes to Santa. This year they left him hot chocolate and celery - we were out of carrots. Christmas morning we woke up and opened gifts and had yummy christmas morning breakfast. After Christmas dinner, Sean took the girls sleding and I got to take a short nap - Another of my favorite gifts. That evening we all went to Enchanted. After Christmas was time to get our house clean and prepare for the girls baptism. We cleaned our carpets, cleaned the basement, got new furniture - Yippy!!! And of course Sean got his Sony Bravia - we moved our 21 inch tube downstairs. We have been enjoying the clean house and a bigger TV that has a clear picture. Very fun!!

This Christmas...

This

Christmas

Mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Write a letter. Give a soft answer.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Encourage Youth. Apologize. Try to understand.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Welcome a stranger.

Think first of someone else. Laugh a little more. Be gentle.

Be kind. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Gladden the heart of a child. Examine your demands on others.

Express your gratitude. Speak your love and

Then, speak it again.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional - December 4, 1994

Happy 8th Birthday Megan & Emily!!!

All we want for Christmas...

...that money cannot buy

1. Our kids to be just as sweet during the teenage years as they are now (Sean & Laura Lee)
2. Qualify for the Boston Marathon (Sean)
3. No more school, church, mall shootings (All)
4. Our house to be magically cleaned every day (Laura Lee)
5. A baby brother (Megan)
6. Shake hands with the real Santa Claus (Emily & Megan)
7. No broken sprinkler pipes (Sean)
8. A Daddy that is only gone 3 hrs on Sunday (Laura Lee, Megan and Emily)
9. No more family pictures (Sean)
10. More family pictures (Laura Lee)
11. A south or west facing drive way (Sean)
12. An East facing backyard (All)
13. Triplets (Megan)
14. A California winter (Sean)
15. A Canadian summer (Laura Lee)
16. Sony Bravia 46" flat panel 1080p HDTV (Laura Lee)
17. 4 more hours in the day...after work (Sean)
18. 2 more days in the weekend (All)
19. A kitty (Megan)
20. A monkey (Emily)
21. Pets that feed themselves and clean up after themselves (Sean)
22. Kids that feed themselves and clean up after themselves (Laura Lee)
23. The Office and Lost back on iTunes (Sean & Laura Lee)
24. To have all our Grandmas and Grandpas back (Sean & Laura Lee)
25. To be closer to family (All)
26. Gas prices that make sense (All)
27. Ronald Reagan back in the White House (Sean)
28. Girls that practice violin and piano without asking (Laura Lee)
29. Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men. (All)
30. Happiness for all our family and friends (All)

One Special Moment in Time

Last Sunday Megan and Emily had the opportunity to play their violin for the Primary Sacrament Program. They played "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" as a duet and then in harmony for the chorus. Everytime I think about how well they did I just smile with delight. They played the song perfectly with great sound and perfect bows together which was a huge accomplishment. Even Daddy was amazed with the girls and how well they did. Practice times are not always the smooth happy days - sometimes we just did a 5 min practice or just 2 measures to figure some notes out. But over the past 4 months we followed my Mom's (Elsie's) motto that I grew up with - PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING AS LONG AS YOUR WILLING TO WORK AT IT!!! It was very nice to have both my sisters and their families come to watch and support the girls - Thanks Tania & Keli Anne. Both Megan and Emily felt such a sense of accomplishment. Emily even said "I think I like the violin" and is now asking to practice. She passed off a song in 2 weeks which was usually taking 2 months. I am so proud of these 2 little almost 8 year olds - they make my heart sing!!!!

GO COUGARS !!!

Saturday's BYU game was a blowout from the first quarter, but we didn't mind. It was the perfect weather for a game - bright blue skies and 60 degrees. Emily and Megan love going to the games. I'm not even sure they watched any of it, but they had a great time shaking (or wearing) their pom poms, snacking, and singing the Cougar fight song. When we aren't physically at the game, they will try to extend their evening by coming out to see Daddy and saying, "Daddy is there a football game on?" I think they are 70% interested in staying up longer, 25% interested in being with their Dad, and 5% interested in the game. Daddy always gives in...

Halloween Fun!!