What a wonderful Christmas...

I know it sounds weird, but I sincerely believe that this was a "life enhancing" Christmas. It's always wonderful to be together with family and remember the true meaning. We tried to watch "The Forgotten Carols" with the girls, but they didn't make it through very long. I was hoping to read the Christmas story, but that didn't happen either. I think we did really good though.

Here's one of Jen and her stash.

The girls got "Gator Golf" and had a wonderful time with it. After we got everything finished at our house, we headed over to Tremonton. Here's Lindy, Tyler, Rod and Megan opening presents at my parent's house. Emma was quite disappointed that she didn't get a "big girl" bike at our house. Luckily, Santa's elves made the drop over at Mom and Dad's.

Rachel was also excited for her bike.
Lindy and Rod brought out their Wii Fit Plus. Its got a lot of great games that improve balance and all that. All of us were having a wonderful time trying to ski, play soccer and whatever else...
Emma was laughing hysterically while playing this. You have to lean to hit the soccer balls with your head, but not get hit by the tennis shoes or panda bears.
We told Rachel to lean just a little and this is what we got...
My aunt Sherrie has been very busy with wood carvings. This is one that Dad got. It called "What's next on the List" and has Megan, Dad and Tyler standing by Grandpa Great's tractor. The funny part is that Dad always has a case for his glasses in his shirt pocket. Well, so does the carving.
She also did an embroidered picture of a lighthouse for Eileen.

Alan also got a carving of "I'd bid $1 on that". She is amazing and they all turned out so great!
Just to throw a picture of me in, I got some desperately needed new hats. This also includes the wonderful one from Florida that is on my head... I really was excited, just apparently not for the picture.
I really feel that it was a great Christmas. We were given a present that paid off an existing loan. It was something that has been a pain in the neck for awhile and we were going to pay it off with this year's tax refund. Now, Jen will be going to Florida for a brother's wedding in March and we'll probably be off again for Christmas (where it's actually warm). We'll also be able to pay off everything except the van and my student loan. Like I said, this was a "life enhancing" Christmas. Not because of what we got, but the thought that went into everything was given. I hope that I can be more thoughtful of those around me and of those that have given so much in the coming year. Of course, all of this just points to the real reason for the season. What a wonderful gift each of us has been given by our Savior! May we all try to be more like Him in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

Just about to Christmas...

I've lost count now how many times Emma and Rachel have asked if its Christmas yet. We keep telling them that Jen has the number to Santa and will tell him that they aren't behaving. Of course, we're just kidding. I'm thrilled that they are so excited. It should be a fun one this year.

As far as I can tell, we're all done with most of our shopping. I think we've got one or two more things left.

Josh went home on Thursday. It was so good having him here. We hope that he'll come back soon and the girls have been ready to plan his next trip out.

Jen is feeling better. It seems that she's not so nauseous and is getting a bit more rest here and there. Here's the beginning of trimester 2. Not too bad, I figure.



Our work party was this week. We went out to dinner and then saw a Christmas play. It was really good food. I've decided that it is probably the best place I have ever worked. I'm really glad that I got the job.

We'll have more pictures this week. Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Snow, snow and a bit more snow...

So, Uncle Josh is here and its been great! The girlies are wanting to do everything with him and I think he's getting a bit wore out. He's been helping me with my paper route (which is awesome) since he's used to being up earlier. He's awesome at making balloon animals and we used him at a Pack Meeting. Here's an example of a monkey in a tree...
He's also got skills when it comes to gingerbread houses. Something that I've never realized was that gingerbread houses, which come in boxes, aren't usually "fresh". Never eat them.

Its been snowing quite a bit. The girls went out to play in the snow while we were shoveling.



We've got the work Christmas party on Wednesday. Jen's been a bit under the weather with a migraine or two and she hasn't been able to get rid of her coughing. It isn't anything serious, just would be nice to have her stop.

Getting ready for Christmas, but not much else going on...

Oh Christmas Tree....

It's been a great week... if you don't count the temperature. It's been really cold out lately. The girls have had to try to keep themselves entertained...

We made it out to get a Christmas tree. Once you figure in gas and food, it may not be worth it. However, that isn't the fun part. It was pretty cold, so everyone was bundled up.
I kinda think about the Christmas Story movie when the kid can't put his arms down...

Anyway, here is our find. We don't have a lot of room in the apartment, so we went with something just a bit bigger than Emma. I think we did pretty good...
Jen had to work in the morning. After we got back, she and I went to their Christmas Tupperware party. It was nice to have a minute or two with her, without the kiddies. She did pretty well within her group. She was in the top 10 sellers for the year.

Other than that, not much. We got some snow overnight. There was enough that my papers were late in getting to me this morning for delivery.

Jen's brother Josh is coming in from Florida this week. He'll be out for a few days before going into Basic Training for the Army Reserve and then a mission. The girls are looking forward to it!

Thanksgiving '09

It was a great holiday this year! My supervisor was gone away on vacation for the week, so I was slightly in charge. It wasn't too bad for my first "managerial" experience. Nothing too bad happened and we were almost able to catch up.

Work is going very well. I'm glad that I got this job. It's a lot of fun and a great place.

The bad thing about the Newspaper job is Thanksgiving. I never realized that it was the biggest paper of the year. It weighed over 3 pounds! I only had 83 to deliver, but they were bigger than the 114 that I have on Sundays. I was given plastic poly bags that allowed the paper to sit flat. Even with that, I had more than 2 laundry bags full of papers. I was told that my route is going to be shortened, so that will help.

Jen also survived the day after Thanksgiving. She was at the cutting counter and they ended up going through about 600 numbers of people that needed fabric cut. She was pretty tired when she got home. I think she's still enjoying it, even though it takes a bit out of her...

The girls are still the girls. We've found that we can't get outside as often as we'd like with the weather. We're trying to come up with new games and things. They are both amazingly excited about Christmas.

I think that's about it for now.

Park visit...

We're at the end of another week. Jen was working yesterday, so the girls and I went on a park exploration. We found this one right by the temple and had to stay and play for a minute or two. Is it me, or does Emma look a bit "tire"d in this one?
I can't tell if this is happy or evil. You decide.


I'm trying to think of anything noteworthy this week. We've been able to hire another person to help in Shipping. It'll be great to have the extra help. We may be able to catch up.

Jen didn't have to work much this week. She'll be there for the day after Thanksgiving. We may have to get her a large Cherry Vanilla Coke before the day is over. I'm hoping to be able to send her, mom and Lindy out to see the New Moon movie. I'll watch it, just when it comes out on DVD.

The girls have been obsessed with a computer game that Lindy loaned us. It's off of the Princess Bride movie and is quite entertaining. Emma is really good at it. I think they've been working hard on being funny at times and annoying at others. They probably think the same about us.

We're excited for Thanksgiving. It's always wonderful to be around family. I've been thinking a lot about what Jen is going through. I'm very thankful that she is willing to go through all of this to make our family bigger. Also, a big thank you to all those who are serving in the military, on missions and in other challenging capacities. I need to be better and expressing gratitude during the year and not just on the holidays.

Not much...

Sorry, we don't have any pictures this week. Things are going well. It's freezing cold here since the snow stopped.

I can't think of much that we did. Jen's youngest brother booked a flight from Florida to come and visit in a few weeks. It'll be great to have him out here. Hope we can keep him entertained.

Work is going wonderfully. It really keeps me busy and I like the people I'm with. I'm hoping I can get my paper route shortened a bit. That will help a bit on times I need to wake up at.

Jen's really starting to feel better. I wouldn't say she's at 100% but at least she's closer. I think she's got a first visit for the pregnancy this week. It's with a Nurse, not a doctor, yet. But, I guess that is how this clinic does things. The doctor will be later.

The girls are doing as good as they can, in spite of us. We haven't been very good at taking them out and about lately. Sometimes I wonder why they are so patient with us. Hopefully, we'll make it up to them.