Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday 2008

"Happy Birthday to you"..... Recognizing a birthday, some one's very existence, is done all the time. There are so many different ways that people celebrate but the theme that resonates is that of GIVING and RECEIVING. These two things are a perfect pair. Today is the paramount birthday. Happy Birthday Jesus Christ, my Savior. As I was sitting in church last week a 3 week old precious little baby boy was right in front of me sleeping. He was so tiny, so peaceful and the parents on each side of him were glowing with pride and hope. Can you really take in the fullness of the miracle of Jesus' birth? He is perfection that came to US just like that precious baby boy in church. We celebrate Christmas in so many different ways but this year, a year that has been so rich with adventures and relationships, Christmas is more simplified in my heart as a day of "good tidings of great joy". Why? There is so much uncertainty really, but not with the life and love of Christ in my heart. It's not always easy but when I live with my heart, the life of Christ which all began today removes my fears, improves my hope, and reminds me that the greatest gift of all is love. There really is no greater love than that of our Heavenly Father shown to us through His son, Jesus Christ. Our Father gave to all of us the greatest gift of all and receiving this gift is life.

So....Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!!! Celebrate life today and have peace for tomorrow because the One we celebrate today is the very person who holds our tomorrows.

*MG*

SNOW DAYS IN LAS VEGAS!!!

The beginning of the snow
about 2 hours later

The snow is sticking to the palm trees....what a rare sight.

Now, the snow is sticking to the road.....CRAZY

About 4 hours after the snow began. The palm is pretty weighted down. I was really worried about our big tree in the front yard falling but fortunately it stood strong.

Our new neighbors coming over to play int he snow for a little bit before we headed out into the craziness of snowfall in Vegas to head to the Rebel basketball game. We ended up making it to and from safely. The game was really fun. During the game the girls heard from friends that school would be cancelled due to the snow. Really, can you believe it? We got to stay for the entire game since school was cancelled and enjoy and really nice Rebel victory.

Ahhhh, Tryce kissing his very own snowman.

Yes, snowmen in Vegas get palm branched for arms.

Gentry helped out. Aubrey is sleeping in until lunchtime....seriously.

Thanksgiving and Halloween 2008

Mylee and Tryce playing with their booster seats while eating pizza after a Rebel game Thanksgiving weekend.
These little ones were trying to take a nap on Thanksgiving day. Guess what....none of them stayed put.

Gathering up some full plates of wonderful food contributed by everyone.

Kevin digging into the potatoes

As Doug was carving the turkey he came across this little silver thing. He stops and tells everyone to come look. He claims it is the bullet that killed the Turkey. It really did look like it but actually it was the tip of the thermometer from checking the temperature of meat. We all got a good laugh.

These were just the appetizers....Yummy

Tryce and Mylee having fun Halloween weekend in Utah

These two got the hang of getting candy really quickly. They did a good job and had a lot of fun together.

Tryce with Kyle Briggs

Megan and Gentry

Spencer and Aubrey

Dallon had a spook alley that was really fun and Kevin and Holly had hot dogs and hot chocolate and games. They had a lot of friends come. I didn't get pictures of Dallon and Ally...bummer

Mommy and Tryce before a Halloween party in Vegas

Greg and the Girls before the party.

Thank you to Stan and family for inviting us to a really fun party and to the Briggs and Yeager's for taking care of us in Utah for the weekend. We really had a great time.

Happy "12th" Birthday Gentry!!

Wow, it really gets me that you are 12 years old. You are really growing up. Gentry is such an amazing BIG sister to Tryce. She is so so helpful and Tryce really enjoys all of Gentry's attention. She has become a little OCD lately. She got some new necklaces over Thanksgiving so she got every outfit ready for every day of school this week. She hung each separately in a row on her wall with Jewelry and everything. It looked like the doors of a dressing room where they display clothing on the outside of the doors. She loves to play school, still. She will be getting all kinds of new school supplies today for her birthday. I strongly encourage any preschoolers or grade-school children to drop by. They will definitely learn something. Gentry you really are a sweetie. You have a tender heart and a strong mind. I love that you are able to make independent decisions and aren't easily swayed by the popular train of thought. I'm excited to see what you become in the new year. I love you with all my heart. Mom