Jaren's blessing!

On Sunday Callie and I drove down to Delta to see my cousins’ new baby Jaren and attend his blessing. We got there with enough time to change clothes and get to the church. The blessing was nice and I was able to hold Jaren for a while (until he pooped and needed to be changed.) After a clean diaper and some kisses he smiled at me and made those cute baby “coo”

sounds that we all love.

He melted my heart.

We got some photos and headed to Josh’s family for an awesome soup lunch (clam chowder, taco and chicken noodle.) YUM! I was surrounded by BYU fans, but I held my ground and stayed true to the UTAH UTES! We got to see Uncle Kevin’s geese, exchange Christmas presents and visit more with Grandpa Pete.

Kevin and Callie
Peterson's, Black's and Dekker's

Callie and Sandy
Grandpa and Grandma with Jaren

I love babies. Jaren and Carla

Grandma Sandy and Jaren


Before we left I wanted to stop by the cemetery and see my Grandma’s head stone. It was so beautiful and I know she would be happy with how it turned out. I miss her terribly and wish she was still here for me to call, visit and hug. (Miss you grandma!)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a great day.

We cut back on gifts for the kids this year and decided to help out a family less fortunate than us. (A single mom with not much money with 2 kids 13 and 9.) It was a big undertaking, but worth it to see the looks on their faces when we filled underneath their tree. This is the time for charity and giving to others is the reason for the season. We were able to fill their “wish list” and we hope they will always remember us. It was an awesome experience for our family.

We had a fantastic Christmas and Santa was good to us. McCall got a new digital camera and Callie a new large gymnastic mat. Both girls were excited and surprised. We gave them clothes, DVD’s, 2010’ calendars, shoes and some small misc. stuff.

We spent the rest of the day with grandparents and in-laws. It was nice to see everyone together and enjoying the day.

Hope 2010 is just as good!

Thank you Santa for my gymnatics mat.
Thanks Santa for my new digital camera.

Look how big. WOW!

Girls are getting so big!
McCall looking at all the new clothes she got.
McCall-Daddy-Callie
Janine and Carla

Christmas Recital

Last Thursday night Callie had her Christmas piano recital. She played “Jingle Bells” and “We wish you a Merry Christmas”. Her duet partner did not show up so at the last minute she played “Silent Night” with David. (Without any practice they played great.) She did a fantastic job and played awesome.

Callie loves to play and perform. Once she learns a song she can play it forever.

We are so proud of you “bubs”!

Callie and her teacher Marilyn
Callie loves the piano. Isn't she beautiful?

Duet with David

My first 10K

A few weeks ago we headed down to Moab for the WINTER SUN 10K. There were supposed to be 10 of us running but with sick kids, surgeries and some last minute cancellations only 4 us ended up running. We had a really nice 3 bedroom condo all to ourselves.

It was so cold!!! The first night there it was 9 degrees. OUCH! Thank goodness we had our own private hot tub. Great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful night sky. We watched football, had a light dinner and relaxed!

The day of the race it was 14 degrees when we woke up. I doubted for a minute what I had gotten myself into, but knew I had to suck it up and go. When the bus dropped us off at the starting gate it warmed up to 20…..it was cold to stand in and wait for the gun.

Jeff: 40:47 (He came in 25th place and top in his age division!) Great job!

Greg: 57 min (beat his all time goal.) yipeee

Carolina: 1:09 (my running buddy) love ya!

Carla: 1:12 I was glad to see the finish line and beat my record.
Longest I have ever run and the fastest.
WE DID IT!!!
Jeff has always loved running. I am still not a fan of it, but will do whatever I can to support him.


Later that night we headed out for a yummy well deserved Mexican dinner. There were huge margaritas (my favorite) and lots of chips and salsa. We rented a horrible movie (Greg’s fault. HA!) and headed to bed. What a fantastic weekend wiht my husband and our great friends.

I have been asked if I am interested in running a 1/2 marathon..............the answer is "HELL NO"!! :)

Our favorite gymnist.....

When Callie was about 2 years old I would catch her in her closet hanging from the bar swinging, climbing and jumping off. I knew then that gymnastics would be her "thing". When she was about 3 we got her into gymnastics classes. She has loved it ever since. She is now going twice a week and loving and learning more and more every day. She is so flexible, strong and full of muscle. Here are just a few photos of her at lessons.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The bond that we share.....

A few weeks ago the agency which helped us get Callie had a small get-together. Lorie Anderson and her family put together a yummy dinner and everyone brought something to share.
It never surprises me how quickly the kids bond with each other after being apart for so long. We caught up with some old friends and made some new ones too. We hope to see them again at the RMI Reunion this July.

Here are just a few of our “island babies”.