Lil' Josh's Baptism

Josh got baptized on December 29, 2009.

His birthday is in November, but he wanted to wait to be baptized until 'big' Josh could be there to confirm him. So since we were all there for the holidays, today was the day! They got special permission to do it during the week when we all could be there.

The dinner afterwards. Josh is in there somewhere. I can't believe I didn't get one picture of him!

Jan put on a delicious spread.

Katie and Nick.

Uncle Jack holding John.

Abby fell in love with my dad. After they opened their Christmas packages from us, she tied my dad up in a bow and called him a present!

It was a family affair. His own Grandma Davis led the music, his Grandpa Davis played the piano, Elizabeth gave the opening prayer. Aaron gave an amazing talk on baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. His dad, Mike, baptized him, Josh confirmed him, and Jacob closed with prayer.

The spirit was very strong and we could all feel it.

We LOVE you Josh.

Congratulations!

Family Baby Shower

Jan, Ann, Adrianne, and Meredith hosted a family baby shower for Natalie and John right after little Josh's baptism. It made perfect sense to do it that way since quite a few family members would already be there.

We held it in the Primary room and Jan and Ann decorated it really cute in blues, yellows, and browns. Meredith hosted for the event!

Getting ready to play the candy bar game. Pick a slip of paper that has a baby phrase on it and match it to one of the candy bars on the floor. LOTS to choose from and some were pretty hard!

Adrianne passing out the 'clues' from one of John's winter hats.

Pretty flowers.

Jodie, Angie, Natalie

Julie, Katie, Melanie, Bethany, Brooke

My mom and Julie, holding the guest of honor.

Jan and Johnny.
He didn't make a peep. Good baby.

Gift time. Auntie Lisa's. Everyone wants to have an Auntie Lisa, now!

She is always so generous.

Hmmm. What can it be?

Says it all!

From Great Grandma Sigie.

This was hilarious. We all had a good laugh.

Lots of changing and poop protection!

Hahahahaha!

Karley, Christine, Abby and John.

Christine, Karley, and Elizabeth. Yikes, she just started in YW. I remember when she was born. Does that make me old?????

It was such a nice evening. Little Josh's baptism, dinner, then the shower, all the while a pretty significant snow storm happening outside.

By the time we cleaned up, scraped down the car and headed up Parley's there was quite a bit. It was a slow but peaceful drive home. Quiet music in the car and all the beauty outside capped the night perfectly. There was a sweet feeling all being together.

Thank you to everyone. We love you so much!

Skating

Midway has an outdoor ice skating rink.

It is just off Main Street at the Town Square.

It is pretty good size and lots of fun.

Shaun, Meredith, Josh, Christine.

Karley, Mere, Chris.

Ready for the Pairs team at the Olympics. Not. Haha!

All on their feet!

Good-bye!

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is an amazing thrill.

I didn't go this year because I stayed home to visit with my parents, but the others took off for the 3 hour with lunch trip.

Christine and Karley, her friend who joined us the 2nd week of the break, were bummed they couldn't drive their own. BUT, in one of the meadows, the guide let them have at it, and they LOVED every second of it and did very well. Look out everybody--they will be 16 this year and it will be here before we know it. Next year she can drive her own snowmobile. Christine is chomping at the bit to drive already. Josh has let her drive his car up into the driveway and park it. She does very well.

Christine and Shaun

Robert, Karley, Christine, Shaun, Meredith, Josh.
It was snowing during their ride and they loved it!

We welcomed them home with hot chocolate and then hot showers!

Grandma and Grandpa Great

My mom and dad and sister, Lisa got here on Monday, the 28th. The drive was clear and smooth from Arizona.

Grandma-Great and John.

Grandpa-Great and Johnny.
They got all the loves and cuddles in that they could.
Posterity.

p.s. Did anyone get a picture with Auntie? I thought I did, but nothing is on my camera???

Christmas Day 09

Unveiling all the stocking surprises!

Feel down all the way into the 'toe'. You never know what might be hidden there...

Robert had Josh's name this year. He surprised him with a set of Star Wars legos. Josh has been a lego fiend since he was a little boy, and has recently taken up the hobby again! We all had a great chuckle over this gift. It was the perfect choice, Bobby!

Shaun had a gift for all the guys. A beanie from their favorite NBA team.

Duff: Celtics

Josh: Celtics

Shaun: Celtics

Mike: Lakers

Robert: Kings

John: undecided (for now!)

This was the year of the fleece blankets. Here is Robert with his. There were also Celtics blankets, and Lakers blankets, and a baby one for John.

For Duff's family: Ute's for Mike and Julie, Ann and Brandon

BYU for Jack, and Jan and Mike

Meredith looking on while Josh opened.

John's first Christmas!

He was so good and just took it all in.

During this week, he started smiling on purpose, tracking with his eyes, and cooing.

He likes his paci/passy. Yay!

Mike and Adrianne taking it all in.

Blurry action photo of Christine. She has been asking for a Kindle for two years.

Santa finally brought it to her and she was TOTALLY surprised!

Her expression was priceless!

Mike with his Boos cutting board.

The only gift he wanted and was sure he wouldn't get.

I found an awesome deal on it.

Santa surprised us all and brought a Wii and Rock Band!

It's pretty dang FUN!!!

We had a bunch of points to redeem from our AMEX card, so one of the things we got was a belgian waffler. Yummy waffle breakfast with lots of toppings for Christmas morning.

...and of course more Rock Band for most of the day, except when the games came on! The men went to the game room to watch, and we gals rested. Whew!

Dinner was our left over prime rib sliced thin for french dip sandwiches with whatever else from Christmas Eve.

English Trifle for dessert.

Beautiful day. Wonderful season.

We are grateful for and love The Savior whose birth we celebrate with such happiness. And it was special for this to be our 'on' year with all the kids and spouses and new baby.

Christmas Eve 09

"The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care....."

The funeral potatoes ready to go on each side of the table.

Rolls piping hot from the oven!

Laughing at the table. The prime rib was delicious. Mike seasoned part of it with a rub from Kristin, and then the rest of it with a garlic/horseradish rub that was amazing.

Green beans, Sarah's salad, and some corn to round it all out.

Appetizers before: shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, wrapped cocktail weinies, crudites.

Johnny slept through dinner with Auntie Christine.

We had our traditional family program, the reading of the Christmas Story, some counsel from Dad, and then our traditional movie of Mary, Did You Know? which we did watch twice and I cried both times. Then family prayer followed by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, (animated version)

Everyone off to bed "In Hopes That St. Nicholas Soon Would Be There"!

Happy Birthday: Brooke and Bekah

BROOKE

BEKAH

We send all our love to both of you. Have a great day and enjoy the uniqueness that is yours.
Happy Birthday!

Provident Living for January 2010!

Yes, family. It is me 'nagging' again about Provident Living/Emergency Preparedness/Food Storage. BUT it is the start of a new year and we must be obedient and vigilant. Last year saw many changes for our family some wonderful and some not so much. Look to the sidebar on the left and scroll down. This month is all about paper goods. The fun thing about this one is that by the end of the month, it will look like you've done a LOT!

SO. Let's get off on the right foot and get going on this. As far as amounts are concerned: get what you can and put it away. Even if it is completely minimal. It adds up over time and you are making progress.

Love, Mom and Dad

Milestone

I got a call from Natalie a little while ago.
John slept from 9:45pm last night until 6am this morning.
So happy for them!
Boo hoo for the rest of us who didn't have babies who did this at 6 weeks old.
But he seems to be following his mother in this. She started to sleep through the night at 6 weeks old too. Our only one. Out of 5 she was the only one. Two, didn't sleep through the night until they started kindergarten. The other two didn't until they were around 9-12 months.

Not fair. Hahaha!

Greg's Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday.  I love him a lot.  He doesn't know it, but I do.  He has his own definition of love. We have been apart for more than 15 years. He has different beliefs and values and standards in his life now, and it makes it hard to be together.  It is not enough for him to agree to disagree.  He wants everyone to believe his way now.  I cry many times for the loss I feel of not having my brother. 

BUT-- I think of him more often than I admit publically and hope he finds true happiness in his life one day.  I have made peace that some things will not be resolved in this life, but am hopeful that through the atonement they will in the next.  I love him and hope he has a great birthday.

It's Been A Whole Week

...and I haven't had time to blog! But I have a lot of pictures and journaling to share so stay tuned! Still in Utah. Kids flew home today after we blessed John in Provo. Gramma and Grandpa decided to stay a couple more days and rest up and relax. We head home tomorrow with just as full of a car as we came with in order to take everyone's Christmas home! But it was all worth it. We had a B.L.A.S.T.

Until then----------