Major disappointment!

I have been waiting for 15 weeks for the state of California to send me this death certificate for Josephine Martinez. I was really expecting to find her parent's names on it. Such a disappointment to see they are "unknown". Another road block. There must be another way to find her parents. On the positive side I have her exact birth and death dates and I know how and where she died....

Christmas Eve, Christmas and gathering to see Joni and Gino

I don't know why I don't have any pictures of Josh and Meg; they came to Grandma's on Christmas Eve. The came to dinner on Christmas Day. They came to dinner on Sunday and stayed and talked to Joni and Gino and the gang today. Maybe Meg is avoiding the camera since she looks ready to pop! Richard, Jason, Josh, Dan, James, Jack and Jonathan went somewhere and rode some fast go-carts Christmas Eve morning. They had a lot of fun. Then some of the guys came back and got schooled by Jonathan at Super Smash Brothers. We girls planned to go see Tangled with the kids, but by the time Dean woke up from his morning nap, Sophie and Tessa were going down for their afternoon nap. We had fun talking and watching the cousins play together.

Dean is a car/truck/wagon (anything with wheels) lover. He really gets into playing.

Tessa eating breakfast and talking to her cousin Dean. She loves her younger cousins and buttons. She favors anyone with buttons she can do up and unbutton. The Joe Parsons family getting ready for the Christmas Chimes at Grandma Ellis'. Erika and Dean enjoying Dean at Grandma Ellis' Christmas Eve gathering. Sophie and Tessa were so into Christmas that morning! It was a blast to watch.

Steph and Jack and Jason, Nicole and Sydney made it in the afternoon!! Dean impatient about getting his car out of the box. Tessa telling Grandpa what she needs (probably princess shoes and jewelry). Dean really would rather play with anything with wheels than sit around opening presents. Sydney came to stay after lunch on Christmas day. She is such a cutie! She loves everyone and come up and grabs your hand to have you do or get whatever she wants. Rock star Sophie tried playing her guitar while she rode, but she didn't have enough hands. She is usually pretending to be a horse, a dog, or a black sheep. Princess Tessa tries on one of her new outfits. The best Christmas gift was having my kids fly and drive here! Thanks for coming! The biggest surprise was Jessica's announcement that she's expecting! She tricked me by going running 10 miles the day before. Joni got back from Monticello in time to eat Sunday dinner with us. Everyone made it over to see them except the Kendalls, who were celebrating with James' family in Orem. Sophie entertaining us with "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" sung while riding the horse. The horse was a gift to Grandma and all of her grandkids. We all love it. Sophie wanted me to take a turn riding it after her on Christmas morning. Sydney in her Christmas dress ready for church! I attempted a shot of their whole family, but Sydney was not interesting in holding still and it didn't work out.

Almost all together!

We had everyone together for Josh's birthday dinner and a some Christmas stuff on Thursday night...

Except for Joni and Gino who were off to Monticello to spend Christmas with Gino's mom. We'll try again on Sunday. I love having everyone here!!

Jonathan accompanies the Bingham A'Cappella Choir at Candlelight

Night of all Nights

Today is a long one for him; Swim dryland work-out 6:00-7:00 am. School includes weights and a piano solo in seminary. Leaves for a meet at Skyline at 1:55 pm. Swims the 200 and 500 yard freestyle. Gets back to the school, hopefully by 5:15. Eats, dresses and back to Bingham for choir pictures and warm-up for the 2nd night of Candlelight by 6:00 pm. Last night lasted until after 9:00 pm. He won't have any trouble sleeping tonight!

Anticipation!!!

Tis the day before my kids start arriving and all through the house there's stockings and countdowns and work for my spouse.

The programs and shopping and planning are done, but the best part of Christmas has only begun. First Jason, Nicole and cute little Sydney, then James, Jenny, Dean and the next little Kendall, next Dan, Jessica, Sophie and feisty little Tessa, then the locals arrive and all will be gathered! You'll hear me exclaim as they all arrive; "Happy Christmas to all"! "And pass me the grandkids"!

Still pregnant!

Just in case you were wondering;
Meg's still pregnant! Its starting to look like she's going to have a basketball!

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Don't you love the decorated ladders?

A shower, great ward Christmas party and a fun Sunday!

I had Heather Bringhurst's shower here yesterday. So glad she's finally getting married! They have been dating for like 6 years!!

We had a great ward party last night! It was relaxing for me, but poor Jonathan had to wear a shepherd costume for the dinner and everything. He played this solo to start out the Christmas play...

He had to play the part of a shepherd, run over and accompany the rest of the shepherds for their number and then run back on stage until the 3 kings were ready to sing, and run back down to accompany them. He did a great job though! It was real fun cause Jack and Steph came and ate with us, too.

Richard spoke in church today. He did a great job. He spoke about the gifts of the spirit. One thing that I learned from his talk was that we have to ask for the gifts we want.

After fighting a sinus infection and not having a voice all week, it was great to be able to sing with the ward choir at the Stake Sing-Along tonight. I also got to do the music in Jr. Primary today! And of course sing with the nursery kids. Its nice to have my voice back. Well, 75% of it or so anyway. Hopefully it'll all be back for the Christmas program next Sunday! I only get to teach my nursery kids 2 more lessons! Then its on to Sunbeams for them!

Melt down

Just wanted to update the snow level situation here. Its getting warmer! Hoping to be able to walk around the block tomorrow without slipping on ice!

The Noorda shower

Meg's family gave her a shower! This is the bedding set she wanted!

Her sisters.

Her sister-in-law and a couple of cousins.

Her family gave her a bike trailer. I didn't get a very good picture of it, but its very nice! The Noordas are such fun people. I really enjoy being around them. She's at 35 weeks on Monday. That's when Josh was born.