"It's Alive!!!"

I know, I know. I fell severely behind in ever-thing, and the blog updates suffered the most. But at long last I'm finally getting around to posting some few things, including a plea for forgiveness? I can only plead that between the crazy holidays this year and a bout of the cold that has run through most of the family, I've been running my toes off.

The holidays were really good to us this year. For those of you that we didn't get to see, I promise that we've been thinking of you all. Not just collectively, either, though there are a lot of you at this point, I know. October started things, what with my parents moving to E. Nevada, making it possible to see them much more frequently. Then of course Caelen and I's birthdays, and Halloween, which was so much fun. To top things off, John was even able to go trick-or-treating with us this year!



Then November blew past, taking Thanksgiving with it. My grandmother had a heart attack the weekend after the holiday and my mom ended up staying in Utah to help Grandma and Grandpa with things for the next month. Then of course there was also the typical holiday social whirl, so between trying to get in to visit Grandma (and see every one else), plus desperately trying to get everything ready for Santa's late night, and the family gift exchanges...I'll just say it was crazy. Fun, emotional, and crazy. But we had tons of fun, got to see much more of family than usual, and got to really sit back and appreciate all the blessings we've been given through the birth and life of Jesus.


Aren't they cute? I was trying to keep them occupied Christmas morning long enough for John to get all the blankets off of Santa's offerings, and couldn't resist the opportunity.

I know that I say this to a lot of people in general situations, but I just want to say to each of you (family and friends alike) how grateful we are for each and everyone of you. We may not be rich in the world's view, but we are among the richest of people thanks to the blessing of being able to know you and above all thanks to the amazing knowledge and understanding that we have been given from our Heavenly Father of the things (and people) that really matter; the ones that we get to take with us vs. the things that get left behind. Please know that you are all in our prayers and hearts, and may God bless each and every one!