Christmas

We had a pretty awesome Christmas this year focusing on having the Spirit of Christ in our home and making an effort to pray for this during family and personal prayers.  There has not been a marked change to the daily routine of fights and teasings, but I have noticed some incremental changes--especially with Joaquin who has been exercising more restraint and being good natured to his siblings.  He has also been more helpful and cooperative.  He is starting to mature and grow up into a fine young man.  The girls are also enjoying the abundance and safety we enjoy, but they are struggling a bit more, but individually they are as sweet as can be.  It is when they are together that they sometimes too much.

At church two weeks ago Shauna was in the choir so I had all four kids.  Everyone was being good, but then E got on the whine train and would not stop.  First, it was Ruby was sitting to close; then it was she did not want Ruby to use her crayons;  then it was she wanted to put her feet up on the bench.  Needless to say I was not feeling the Christmas spirit much and took her out in the hall to let her know it.

However, all in all it has been a wonderful Christmas season this year.  On Christmas Eve we went bowling with the Arvidsons and had a blast.  They are good friends and our kids love to hangout together.  Also, it snowed a good deal on Christmas Eve totaling about six inches of snow.  It was a nice white Christmas.  We got a trampoline and Shauna bought me knew shoes and some much needed clothes.  The kids have been asking for electronics and we are holding back because we think age 12 is when we will start with that.  Here are some pictures of our last couple of weeks.

Here's to the Spirit of Christ being with us all year long.

Gingerbread houses with the Arvidsons

Sam spit up on Ruby's head.

Sweet kids.

Merry and Bright!

Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's.

Name sake

Nana gave the girls dolls.

Too much Christmas spirit apparently.

New PJ's

Christmas Eve and day.

Morning

Happy and healthy

Around the Family

We have have been busy lately with all of our family activities lately.  Last weekend was full with Stake Conference, which included building cleaning, priesthood session,  Joaquin and I went to the Jazz game.  On Friday we went to the Festival of Trees to see Ruby's dance class perform.  It was a good time had by all trudging around looking at a seemingly never-ending expanse of Christmas paraphernalia with eight million other souls who I have no idea why they were there, because not that many people have little girls performing a dance.  It was for a good cause and I hope my suffering can bless the life a poor kid with cancer.

Shauna and I went to Savior of the World with my parents on Wednesday night and it was nice and up lifting.  The writing reminded me some of the scripture-on-video series, but it was a nice primer for the Christmas season.

Finally, we finished decorating the tree on Sunday and watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with our kids all while we got the tree fixed up nice.  Joaquin also got us milk and cookies ready as a nice thought.  He is a good thoughtful young man.

Thanksgiving and Wedding

This year we had Thanksgiving in Arizona with pretty much all of our family.  Marisa and Curtis got married the day after Thanksgiving at the Gilbert Temple, so Shauna and I loaded up the kiddos and headed south.  We reserved $30 hotel rooms at the Virgin River Casino in Mesquite, NV so we would have a place for the kids to decompress and get out the car.  It turned out we needed this.  After several hours in the car it was good to lay down and sleep even if you had to check the sheets to make sure you did not get some disease.  

We had a great time in Arizona and our kids loved it as well and did not want to come home.  It is always fun to just do whatever you want with all of your cousins near by.  

Marisa and Curtis got married on the 27th and it was a nice wedding and reception.  We also were able to she Shauna's family staying with her uncle Dennis in Scottsdale.  I was fortunate enough to walk through Dennis' screen door in the backyard.  It bent the screen, but did not mortally damage it.  Chris helped me put it back together and get it rehung.  I always feel bad if I don't at least leave a token of my esteem with my hosts.  Pretty sure Dennis, Chris and Christine will always remember me.  

Anyway, onto the pictures.  

Parents and kids.

Wikieup

Wikieup.

Photo booming his sister.

Temple grounds.

Gilbert Temple

The brothers

Grandparents and grandchildren

Faces

Hopeful and Delicious Time of the Year

We are so blessed.  Just take a minute and reflect on what we have in this life.  Probably most people who could access this blog would be living at the highest living standard ever enjoyed by the human race.  This is not to cover up the serious problems that others face each day throughout the world, but I think when we take time to reflect on what we have, then we begin to look outside of ourselves and see what we can do to help others.  Humility gives rise to goodness, mercy, hope and generosity.

We should do this all of the time, but this time of the year in particular, lends itself to connecting and exhibiting the "better angles of our nature."  Let this wonderful time of reflection, giving, and receiving heal our wounds and hearts, while filing us with the rejuvenating power of the Christ.  Consider his life and example and be kinder and gentler to all no matter what circumstances others may be in.  Christ is no respecter of persons and loves each of us, because he sees the potential that lives in each of us.

So to you sirs and madams, I say to you, rejoice this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  Laugh with your family and friends.  Enjoy the bounty that has been given to us and be generous with it.



          “And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I                                            believe that [Christmas] has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” 

              Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Happy Birthday Joaquin!! We love you!!

Just had to give a shout out on the blog to our awesome and talented son.  He is growing up and becoming a young man that all parents can be proud of.  He has been very helpful lately mowing lawns, cleaning the yard, changing faucets, and helping with Sam.  He has been playing football and enjoying life.  He is to you on your birthday son.  Have a great day!  Love ya.

Looking for a sack.

Getting ready for bed.

Everything is a gun.

Crayfish buddy.

Sam

We have been up to the usual stuff since school started, but I thought I should post and updated picture of Same since the first pictures were not that great.  We are supposed to take some family pictures later this year since we have not gotten any since Sam was born.  I am not good with that sort of thing so, I leave that up to Shauna.  These pictures were taken by Aubrey after his baby blessing on Sunday.  We had what seems like hundreds of people at our house after the blessing for brunch. It was good to have all the family over, but from what I heard from the moms, it seems that these apres-blessing parties should be done at someone else's house or someone else should handle the food and cleanup besides the mom.

Sam has been a great kid and has fit into our family nicely.  I remember that sleep was a lot more difficult with the other three.  Maybe I am just sleeping through all the fussiness, but it seems to me that he wakes up, eats, and then goes back to sleep.  Not a lot of fussing or crying.  This is unlike some of our other kids.

Grand Teton Relay

Ran the Grand Teton Relay with my brother and friends again this year.  We rented a cabin near Victor Idaho, which turned out to be perfect because we could go back to the cabin after all our van legs where done and shower and take a nap.  Shauna did not run this year because she was watching our four kids.  I still feel like a jerk for leaving her with a newborn along with all the others.  However, she did insist that I go and participate.  She will be back next year and probably stronger than ever.

Our team finished in seventh place over all with a time of 26 hours and 10 minutes.  They also timed my first leg which I ran in 59 minutes and 29 seconds, which was also good enough for seventh place over all.  That run was a beast again this year (7.1 miles with a total 1100 foot elevation gain).  However, the weather was perfect since it was over cast with a slight breeze.  These clouds did shortly turn into a monster storm with wind, rain and lightening, but John was the one who had to run that part.

We had a good team which made it really fun.

Sam

Just wanted to post a couple of other pictures of our newest family member.  Everyone is doing well and we are adjusting nicely.  The kids love their little brother a lot--sometimes too much--but is good to see how much they love him and care for him.  We have great kids and I hope they know that.