Santa came

Before we say goodbye to 2009, just wanted to let you know that Santa did make it to our little corner of the WORLD.

Look at the build up of excitement on the faces of the children!!!!

Camilla did receive a Baby Alive, Eric did get fitted shirts....15 1/2 neck, 34/35 sleeve!

I love the scarf Lisa gave me and Spencer loves his new MADDEN wii game.

Neal now drives his very own "Lightning Maqueen" and yes, that is Sponge Bob!

Now that Neal is walking, talking, climbing and running all over it was time to turn the Christmas clean up duty over to my new little house boy....

Goodbye 2009......

Join us for a few adventures in 2010!!!!

Some Christmas Eve Clips

Karoake at the Kern's.....Jeremy and Ashlyn singing. Emiley and Camilla taking a turn.

Chad and Eric performing Kool and the Gang's "Ladies Night"

The kids in their new p.j.'s all ready for Santa to come!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom is having a birthday!!! She's celebrating it this year with her son's and their families in Las Vegas/Henderson. My mom is great; she's an amazing woman who is generally upbeat and cheerful. She keeps herself busy doing some kind of hand work, crafts, sewing, crocheting, etc.
This Christmas season she made all of her kids some hot pade, homemade bread and some cookies that we all grew up eating at Christmas time, it was sure a lot of fun to share those with our kids. I'm so thankful for my mom and the example she is to me of an Eternal Mother!!!! Mom spent alot of time this year helping My sister, Bev, when she had her twins, helping my brother, Danny, and then she had knee surgery and has worked the remaining part of the year strengthening herself so she can walk. Now dad's hopeful that she'll spend more time in the kitchen cooking him some yummy food!!!
Here is a picture of Neal, Spencer, Mom, Dad and Camilla just a few days before Christmas. Camilla does not have a bloody nose, she insisted on wearing a foam red nose to be Rudolph, it just was not cooperating with her.

Mom said she missed holding Spencer on her lap, so he gave a try and I snapped the picture.

Mom made the clothes for her little Christmas doll. Just one of her many talents.

We all hope you have a very Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!!!!

Happy Birthday Scott!

SCOTT IS 45!!!!!! Once upon a time at BYU, I met this boy, his name is Scott, and I thought he was realllllllly CUTE! He treated me nice and we had fun times. We became friends and learned how to talk and talk and talk to each other. we also did a few other things like go to movies, take walks, go on a few hikes, river raft down the Green River, eat lotsa food together and dance. I don't remember the first time we met and I have come to realize that it's because it's not that important. What I do know is that he has been a big part of my life from the time I was 18. I could write a love story about us and some day I just might.

It's Scott's 45th birthday today, and I have always celebrated his birthday in some way because he is a celebration to me. See he's my bbff...I think that means best boy friend forever....at least that's what it means to me. When you have a bbff, sometimes you tell them things that you don't tell anyone else, or you say it in a way that you wouldn't say it to anyone else. Sometimes you laugh about things together that no one else thinks is funny. Sometimes you stay up all night long talking to each other just because you want to. Sometimes you share the hardest things in your life. Sometimes you go on trips together. Sometimes you hug, eat, go to concerts, through snow or mud at each other, dance, play games, send cards, write emails, call each other on the phone and visit each other.

I've learned from my friendship with Scott that you ALWAYS support each other, give each other encouragement, listen, make time for and think the best of each other.

I look forward to climbing a mountain or two with my bbff and making many, many, many more memories. I've learned that Scott has alot of patience with me and I believe that, if he has to, he will push me and pull me up Mt. Charleston; because I told him I wanted to climb that mountain and he wants me to reach my goals.

Happy Birthday Scott! You are the BEST!!! May you have lots of Cake, Chocolate, Dr. Pepper, Hugs and Kisses from Tess, Cameron, Collin and Steph, a moment to reflect on what this year has been for you, count your blessings and DANCE! And always remember:

YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY!!!

Christmas trees

Here is a portion of our family Christmas Tree. We've had this tree for many years and enjoy putting it up each Christmas. Most ornaments have a memory attached to them. Several were made by my mom. Some were made by the kids. Some were made by their Aunt Stacy. Some were given by friends. It's great to look at it and just enjoy how the kids arranged the ornaments.

I remember growing up with real pine trees for Christmas, which I loved. I also remember a few times driving with my family to a place in Nevada to cut trees. Sometimes for church fund raising and other times for family and friends and to make a few extra dollars. Trimming the tree was always fun and exciting growing up and even as a grown up. I remember my mom handing out ornaments, dad put on the lights..etc. Now it's that way in my own family. Eric puts on the lights, now Spencer helps, and I hand out the ornaments to my kids.

How I enjoy having a Christmas tree real or fake, it brings so much joy to the season!

Conversation with Santa

Santa, "Have you been a good girl?"

Camilla, "Well, Yes I have"

Santa, "What would you like for Christmas?" Camilla, "I don't know." Santa, "Okay then...let's get our picture taken together." Camilla, "Thanks for the Candy Cane." Santa, "You're welcome."

I asked Camilla what she told Santa and she said, she didn't know what to say, her mind went blank.....

December 11th

It's been hitting o degrees here in Payson, very chilly weather. It's so cold that I found my snowman bundled up with a nice fleece jacket and along with his black top hat and bow tie!!!

Camilla has her Christmas concert with TaVaci tomorrow, Spencer is being evaluated for placement on a basketball team tomorrow and Neal is trying to get over a sinus infection. The world just keeps on turning, even when it's freezing cold outside.