Merry Christmas to You

Merry Christmas Phoenix style. I'm cleaning this Monday morning (can anyone say procrastination with me since I'm blogging and not cleaning at the moment). I have Bing Crosby singing Christmas carols to me and outside it is raining. Our Christmas may never be white here, but I sure enjoy trying out all the new toys outside on Christmas morning. It works much better than snow.

This will substitute as my yearly Christmas Letter since it is much easier than printing it and sending it to you all.

BJ just got called to the Young Men's again. After 7 years of clerking for the Stake and Ward, it was time for a change. He loves it and is working with the Teachers. Scouting is a big part of it and I hope I'll learn to love it.

I am teaching RS and learning how to deal with 5 crazy fun children. I love all the hugs, kisses and giggles. I could do without the peanut butter smeared on the wall, but it gives me great stories to tell my grandchildren some day so they can torment their parents! Payback.

Levi is growing way too fast. He turned 9 last week and is almost as tall as me. This time next year I'm sure he'll have past me up. He loves flag football, horses and robots. Especially his robot dinosaur that sprays the rest of us with water! I'll come around the corner when Screature is in guard mode and I'll get squirted with water as the silly thing roars at me. Ahh, the joys of being 9!

Ellie is amazing and is getting taller and more beautiful everyday. Her birthday was last month and she is now 7 and she is looking forward to 8! She is excited to start gymnastics and loves being with all her friends. Reading has become fun now and she likes to read to her baby sisters. Ellie is my amazing helper with the little girls and with cooking. Painted nails, lip gloss and hair are also important, and the teenage years aren't even here yet!


Sam is still going at top speed. That boy never slows down. His birthday was also last month and he turned 6. He loves Kindergarten and his teachers. His other love is soccer which we get to play all winter. There are 3 seasons and he plays them all. BJ is his coach and they love to spend the time together. Luckily Sam still loves his mom and we get lots of snuggle time when we read.

Grace is growing fast and is almost as tall as Sam. She turned 3 this Fall and started the local preschool. She loves her two teachers and they adore her too. Her friends at preschool are motivation to learn to talk and we are getting better at making sounds. I'm still learning about her hair and she is learning to sit still while I do it. Hopefully, we'll both keep improving and I'll be an expert some day! Corn rows are my next challenge.


Lia is my sweet baby. I'm hoping she doesn't grow to fast although she is already 2. I want to keep her little since I know she is my last baby. Her long hair and darling smile stop traffic. Her personality is that of a little clown as well. She and Sam entertain us with their antics and laughter all the time.

We feel so blessed this holiday season for the things we have: family, friends, a house that feels like home and laughter in our hearts. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and may your families be blessed with the things you need. All our love.