Showers and birthdays

Dad's birthday dinner

Lynette and Hali'a

So in the last few weeks we had a baby shower for Hali'a and my dad's birthday. I did manage to get a few pictures, but not as many as I would have liked. I do recognize the progress I have made, however, because I think there was about a ten year stretch after high school where I did not take hardly any pictures at all. Crazy. I wish I had been better at documenting my life but alas, I can only move forward :) It is a good thing digital cameras came along and that I have looked exactly the same for at least the last 15 years! I guess that could be considered a good thing, haha!

And so today begins a new year...

I really have some catching up to do! Christmas was great. We got to see a lot of family and friends and I am just utterly amazed at how fast the holidays have come and gone. Jeff, Amy, and Kayla were here for ten days - it went by just way too fast! Kayla is such a chatterbox and so stinking fun to be around! We got to go with her to build a bear where she made a bunny. Gotta love that picture of her and Justin :) We also went out to eat with my parents for their anniversary, hung out at the house and watched movies, played games, fed the ducks at the park, and even had an awesome sing-along Christmas night with Aubrey's family. I am sad vacation is coming to an end!! Oh, and I can't forget that darling baby Hali'a got blessed. Quite a fun-filled busy break. We hope this year is filled with many sweet memories and blessings for everyone. Happy 2009!

Ode to the dogs...

Today was a great day! As part of my Christmas present, Jeff took me to the Eukanuba/AKC national dog show at the Long Beach Convention Center. It was so much fun! I love wandering all the booths and seeing all the different breeds of dogs. Jeff did almost get us kicked out when he took a picture at the agility course and the flash came on. WOW. You would have thought we just tried to kill someone. These dog people take these shows pretty dang seriously. I toyed with the idea briefly of getting into showing dogs, but I don't think I could ever be that uptight :) I have to say, I think our dogs are just as good looking as most of those show dogs. Maybe I am biased, but we did have another lady a couple of weeks ago try to get us to sign up with her agency to have Soto be in commercials and magazines. Too bad he is such a pistol. Enjoy the random pictures above. Us in the car on the way to the show, the dogs with their new toys we got them today, etc. (You have no idea how much cheese I had to feed those two just to get them to sort of stand by each other...always an adventure!)

Hali'a

My niece is soooo stinking cute! She is such a trooper and we love her so much already! I got to spend a couple of hours at the hospital with her and just cuddle and love on her. Being able to see new babies brought into this world is always an awe-inspiring and tender moment. It truly is one of the greatest blessings Heavenly Father has given us. I was so touched to watch Jon as he interacted with Hali'a. He is so gentle and sweet; I saw new side of my brother that almost brought tears to my eyes. He is such an amazing daddy already. We are grateful for her quick recovery from her heart surgery and so "thankful" that she will be home for her first Thanksgiving!

Friday nite date :)

Poor Jeff, I just torture the heck out of him sometimes! (He really doesn't like getting his picture taken:) His hair was getting pretty long, and even though I love his curls, we buzzed his hair Friday nite. We have fun even doing the routine stuff! I just hope our kids get his curls.

We have a new niece!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of Jon and Aubrey's sweet baby girl! I won't get into details because I think that is Jon and Aubs right, but they were gracious enough to let me see her and hang out with her for awhile this afternoon. We are so extremely grateful that she is here, doing well, and that Aubs is doing good too. We are so happy to have this new baby in our family! She is a tough cookie and we are looking forward to watching her grow. Being an aunt and uncle is the greatest thing ever!!

My heart breaks...

As I sit here, there is a huge protest going on outside of the Los Angeles Temple. Needless to say, I am not surprised, but it angers, saddens, and makes me sick to my stomach. To hear people scream such derogatory, hurtful, and slanderous statements aimed at my church and in front of my temple is almost too much to bear. I find it so ironic that these protesters are screaming "No more hate" and then in the next breath screaming how much they hate us! They want a more "tolerant" and "accepting" society, yet they are trying to infringe upon our rights and tell us we are in the wrong for believing as we do. I know it will only get worse as time goes by; sometimes I wonder just what my children will have to one day endure. It brings new and empathetic feelings for our pioneer ancestors who were so persecuted and forced to sacrifice so much. The days ahead will be filled with turmoil and the world calling good, evil and evil things good. Now more than ever, it is important to pick your side and stand with the Lord and our Heavenly Father. I am comforted in knowing that I am not alone in this battle against Satan. We have our families, our wards, our friends, and most of all the Holy Ghost to comfort and guide us through these turbulent times. May Heavenly Father pour out His spirit upon us all and give us the courage to fight the good fight and be a standard of truth and righteousness. At the end of the day, we know which side will prevail and we can take comfort in knowing that the Lord and those who follow him will always come off conquerors.