And we're having a.......

The new year also brought this exciting news,...which means in addition to bidding farewell to counches (see post below), we are also bidding goodbye to PINK and welcoming BLUE!!

Here is a video of Livvy sharing the news (and the name debate) with great g-mom!

Beginning the New Year - 2010!!

Here is how we began the New Year!!


First, we said goodbye to the old by getting rid
of our beloved couch and loveseat to make room for
"new" hand-me-downs.


We made room for our "new" hand-me-downs,
hung curtains (thanks to Aaron's mom who made them
with very little help from me), and re-arranged our
living room! (Actually Aaron did the re-arranging and
did a fabulous job!)

We had dinner and Canasta/Wii night

with our good friends Cal & Whit.

All this fun...and it's only the beginning! Here's

to more fun times and memories in 2010!!

Ending 2009

Here are some pictures that show how we ended the last few days of 2009!

No words needed!! We had a blast!!


I visited with some friends (previous mission companions),
and their cute girls! It was fabulous to see them!

Our Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone else did too!!

Christmas Eve Fun

Our enjoyable Christmas Eve....in pictures!

Livvy and Santa!

And here are the cookies and the note she left for Santa...(which she wrote herself)

It read:
To Satu Frum Livi
Ples Bring Me los uv pasints thak u Olivia (and she included a hand-drawn heart by her name)

Christmas Time

I LOVE LOVE LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!


I love the kindness and friendliness people show during this season (the exception to this comment is if you are found out and about shopping on the 23rd or 24th of December, which is why I avoid it).

I LOVE MAKING AND GIVING CHRISTMAS GOODIES!!


It has definitely become a yearly tradition for me, being passed down from my grandma. Being far from my family during Christmas this is one thing I do that brings back all those warm, fuzzy, memories of Christmases spent at home. I also love the festivities shared with family and friends during the season and the opportunities to give to others in need.

I LOVE THE BREAK TO BE ABLE TO SPEND FUN TIME AND MAKE GREAT MEMORIES WITH MY GIRL!



I LOVE BEING ABLE TO VISIT AND SEE FAMILY & FRIENDS!



I LOVE TO SEE THE JOY THAT COMES FROM SIMPLE GIFTS!!


It doesn't have to be big or pricey. Sometimes the best gift is to be remembered with a card or acknowledged with a smile. In this case, it was the passing along of a Dumbo toy I had when I was little.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LOVE TO REFLECT ON OUR SAVIOR'S BIRTH!

In particularly this year, (and probably becuase of my pregnant state), I have found myself pondering more about Our Savior's mother Mary. Her thoughts, feelings and the emotions she must have had carrying THE baby destined to be the Savior of all mankind. I have also felt myself overwhelmed as I pondered the faith and strength of Joseph...and the despair he must have felt as he scrambled to find a place for Baby Jesus to be born. Below are 2 videos of songs that really touched me this year, both from the perspective of Mary.





How grateful I am for this time of year and ALL the wonderful joy and blessings it brings to me, my family and others!!

Livvy's Dance Recital

Here are the videos from Livvy's dance recital. She performed 2 songs and LOVED performing! (Not really a shock for those of you who know her well).

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (only watch this the first time through. For some reason it put it on here 2 times so the whole video repeats...which is why it appears to be over 5 minutes long. Really it is only about 2 and a half minutes).

Belle's Christmas Waltz


And here are some pictures!

Livvy with some of her dance buddies.

Livvy with her teacher Miss Cassidee

Livvy and Mom on performance night!

Livvy with that winning smile!