The New Year

I have at Christmas and New Year- a time to think about the year coming. I base it on the year past I guess. Last year this happened or didn't. This year, what will it bring. What or who will we be missing when next Christmas comes? Will I be here? Will my Mom? or your Dad? I know Lucy has already made it to the other side. What can be harder than that -except another loss. Can't outguess it. Really it's hardly in my hands or control. I do have control to be greatful and enjoy what is here. I am supposed to be the author of my life. That seems like a thin veil of control. But, as it is, how do I know who I am and what I stand for if I don't experience these things and try to dictate the response to life.
So, another year I am grateful for, down to my tonails that I am here and so are you, my family. I loved seeing you this Dec. I don't know why I am still in Utah but-where would I go? I can't follow everyone around. I would have been a constant at Vic and Molly's if I had know the time with Lucy was so short. Maybe that's the purpose of some of these things- to value these little precious moments.
So another year ahead of us. May you find and enjoy the moments, try hard to make yourself who you want to be, and remember, we have each other- Love MOm

Its a Major Award!

I WON! I WON! I WON! Its a major award! Whoever has the photos of our gingerbread contest entries- post them for all to see! No- mine wasnt a house like this one. It was a sick man in the hospital with an upset stomach and a broken leg. He even had an IV! Yeah! Even Jack agrees that I won!

thank you all!

Thank you all who helped me paint my house! I love the way it looks now and am so grateful for your patience and efforts to help me get as much done as we could. I hope you all had fun along the way, too. I enjoyed working with you (though you did most of the work) and know I could not have done it without you. Thank you for your help!

The gingerbread house

(not to take away from Peggy and her terrific news...)

The TROPHY is out and lit at our house.

And whoever is the lucky recipient (most likely us) will ALSO be receiving two tiny dinosaurs that Thacker has supplied from his own collection.

Maybe shoved-in-and-can't-get-out would be better than saying donated.

(Luckily they're both not near any lights...one is in the chimney because he was trying to be Santa, and the other "climbed" in a window.)

And the Big Day Is......

May 7th.

A Repeat Performance

Allie has been wanting to copy this move ever sense she saw this picture. My kids love to sit on my feet or stand on my hands but we have never done the feet to feet stand. Thanks again Peggy for the fun memories!

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Happy Birthday Sam!

(Yes, better late than never)
Words can not express just how wonderful a brother, uncle, friend you are to us. And because I cannot express it with words, I have put it to an interpretive dance for you, which I am doing right now! Happy Birthday Sam! (some things are better left to the imagination)

Irmaozao!
Querido Irmao, Feliz Anniversario! Sabe alguma coisa? Aquele email que voce nos mandou alguns meses atras a respeito de sues sentimentos sobre a familia e outras coisas que escreveu em seu journal, eu penso nisso muito. As vezes sinto mal sobre como sentia que sua familia nao se apoiava e como voce vejo o mundo. Eu acho que voce e eu estao mais similar do que voce pensa.  Eu sentia mais perto a voce depois aquele email. Eu gosto muito a aprender sobre voce! Voce sabe muitos coisas e gosto ver o que voce realmente pensa sobre vida. Voce e  muito profundo. Eu te amo! Mesmo que nao consegue escrever en portugese mais  espero que qualquer coisa que voce entende, compreder que eu vou sempre te apoiar! Eu amo voce cada! Voce e MEU irmao!

Sam!

Happy Birthday Sambo! My favorite things about Sam are... He took me on my first date here in AZ! He threw a surprise party for my 19th (and hardest) birthday! The funniest movies I've been too- I laugh hard but mostly cause Sam makes it so much funnier! Jenny's kids still scream "SAM!!!" when he walks in the door! Its like he's a pop star! He always gives me a valentine on Valentine's day. I remember on his mission, he found a box of crackers (?) with his nickname for me on it-Wembly! And he took a picture and sent it to me with a letter. I felt so special! Sam has a great way of doing that- making everyone feel special and loved! Well, YOU are special and loved Sammy! Did you know the super hero shirt for family photos what HIS idea?!

Sambo Rambo

Happy Birthday Sam! And for the 34th time, I am so sorry that I messed up your 3rd birthday. Really I am. But I am so happy to share my birthday week with such a great older brother. I have always felt a special connection to you because we share this. You are such an amazing person. I have always been so impressed with your thoughtfulness and care for other people. You were always routing for the underdog. And the underdog needs someone like you on their side. Wish we didn't live so far away from you. My kids are missing out on one of the funnest (or is it most fun) uncles ever. All the kids we ever babysat for loved you too (which can be a problem when you are 13, trying to earn money, and you have to compete with your older brother) . You were always a favorite. You are all of our favorite. We love you!

Sappy Sirthday Sam

Sappy Sirthday So Sou. Sappy Sirthday sear Sammy, Sappy Sirthday so SOU!!!
Sam is great for the following reasons:
1- He is HILARIOUS ( and we all know it)
2- He is Pleasant and fun to be around!
3- He is Tall
4- He is Strong & Manly!
5- He is very thoughtful
6- He is very personable
7- He is fun to play with Children with ( and what I mean is, playing with kids is.. Ok, but if you're playing with and Sam are playing with kids together, its sooo fun!!)
8- He is understanding
9- He can take a joke
10- He can give a joke ( this is different than being hilarious, trust me)
11- He likes to travel
12- He doesnt mind sitting around on Christmas Eve, watching the Grinch and doing puzzle after puzzle. trust me, I've tested him on this.
13- He has great advice on living healthily.
14- He reads his scriptures often and in mass quantity. (Trust me on this, I've slept next to him at many family functions, and he'll be up late into the night reading them)
15- He's a home owner
16- He drives a sweet truck
17- He's so fun to ski with!
18- He always comes for Christmas, even if its just gonna be me and him (& the Parental Units, .........and Bear.)
19- He still calls me Munchkin.
20- He is so creative! (Dont make me bust out pictures of past years ginger bread houses People. You KNOW what I'm talking about...... speaking of that... I call Sam on my team this year).
21- He's willing to be my teammate in the gingerbread contests!
22- He's an educated College graduate
23- He's very spiritual
24- He's very close to the Holy Ghost. ( I know because you can tell just by looking at him)
25- He's got strong muscles.
26- He's always prepared
27- He's got nice teeth.
28- He doesnt complain
29- He's up for a challenge
30- He can make any boring board game more interesting with new rules and new ways to play ( remember the "Speed" rule in Mexican Train? All Sam).
31- He's good at getting and keeping friends
32- He cares about his brothers and sisters
33- He's willing to help you, even without being asked.
34- He makes me feel at peace when I'm around him
35- He is loved and appreciated by his Heavenly Father
36- He is loved and appreciated by his WHOLE family........ and Bear.
37- He is great by nature. He cannot be anything else, but GREAT.

Amazing Samsonite

Happy Birthday brother! You are amazing! You have an indestructible strength [like the luggage alluded to or the bible hero]. You are unique - you aren't a copy or immitation of anyone or anything else in this world. You march to the beat of your own drum and consequently have a depth to you that sets you apart from the teeming masses of humanity. Unbreakable, unstoppable you keep growing and developing. Those untainted by the world can see your goodness and strength - thats why kids love you immediately and completely. You have been challenged incredibly in this life, but I have no doubt that you will rise above each and every challenge. And at the end of it all you will find yourself a being of incredible glory and power. You're also really good at drawing, have a very cool rearview mirror ornament and grow a sweet beard. We love you Sam and hope it is a good day for you and the beginning of a great year!

Thank You Thank You Thank You

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of these birthday wishes! I wanted to respond to each one (and I did finally) because I wanted you all to know how much each of you means to me and that each post means a lot. I feel like I am behind in about every way these days and scrambling to keep up. Having a 4th doesn't feel all the different than 3 in some ways and in other ways... wow, I feel thrown for a loop.

I feel really old too. Ha!

Jappy Jirthjay!

Remember when we used to sing happy birthday with the first letter of someone's name? I loved that tradition! Since then I've tried to do it with other people but no one seems to get a kick out of it like we do! That is never the case with you though because you can always win people over easily! We love you and your fun, enthusiastic personality! We hope you've had a wonderful Birthday and we're really looking forward to seeing you at the Dec Thanksgiving, however long we'll be able to spend with you!