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I'm Back!

After months of trying to figure out how I managed to lock myself out of my blogger account, I finally decided that this was the day I either a) get back in, or b) start another blog. Not that I blog that much but it still serves to send out photos and info to family that are out of reach in the normal sense.

So, I sat down at the computer, said a prayer and tried to log in. Immediately I get the Google error message so I decided to play along and pretend I had forgotten my password, along with everything else. So the kind Googlers sent me a text with a new password, at which time I discovered that the email address that I have been using for years was now converted to something else that made no sense at all. But, having faith that if I played along something good would happen, I used the strange email address and the new 6 digit code and....it's a Christmas miracle. And here I am!

Two things to remember here. Most importantly, miracles do happen and prayer always works, eventually. And, I know this was all my fault because I somehow tried to do something google oriented that totally back fired on me. But that is water under the bridge as now here I sit telling the tale.

So much has happened the last few months and I may never catch up, but here's one really fun thing:

So grateful for my beautiful family!

Ethan's Birthday and Stella's Blessing Day

Our family got together on Saturday, January 4th before 9am to celebrate

 Ethan's birthday and Stella's blessing day. 

Jenny and Ed deserve lots of credit for orchestrating so much in a small amount of time.

 And with a new baby!

These photos were taken in their stake center in Springville. Stella is so lucky to have a wonderful big brother!  Immediately following Ethan's baptism we retired to a private room for Stella's baby blessing. Jenny and Ed chose this crazy schedule to accommodate all the travel needs for the rest of family and it worked out great!

 

Jenny and Ed's family is really growing and we are so thankful for them.

The best blessings we have are the times we spend with our sweet families! 

We love these kids so much and wish we could spend more time with all of them!

After the baptism and blessing we returned to Jenny's for a terrific Cafe Rio style lunch with yummy pork and all the fixins', followed by an awesome bowling party at the BYU bowling alley. It's become a bit of a tradition to take the kids there when we are in town and it's a lot of fun.

We returned to Ethan's for cake and ice cream. 

Ethan and grandpa share a favorite cake:  devils food cake with Italian meringue frosting! 

It's a yummy combination.

Ethan turned eight years old!

Everyone's favorite game this year was Ticket to Ride Europe! 

Can't wait to play when we visit the next time! I've always wanted to go back to Europe.

I'm so grateful for the time we get to spend with our families and for the super sweet kids they are! Have a great time being 8 Ethan!

~ Happy New Year ~

 Dick and I spent New Years Eve in Salt Lake City with Michael and Aubrey and Megan.  It's such a fun city with so much to do. And a very beautiful one too. Temple Square is my favorite spot. Especially during the holidays.

We arrived a little early while the kids were still working and spent some time in City Creek Center. 

If you have some time to spare shopping is always a good idea. 

 The holiday decorations were so nice and festive and it was our last chance to see them as 

the New Year would require they be put away for another year. 

 Lights are such a wonderful symbol of what we should look for in life.

 We started the festivities off with some appetizers and an awesome

 pizza dinner at Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana. 

The meatball starter was pretty amazing!

It was all very good! And they have a gelato

place next door but we were stuffed!

The kids! 

 Following dinner we headed to temple square for a concert at the tabernacle. The lights and decorations were just spectacular! And it was mobbed! I've never seen so many people there. Except for maybe conference but I don't know. 

 I loved this nativity on the pool surrounded by floating candles. 

Meg. Contemplating life. Or just shivering, maybe.  

Our hosts for the evening: after running around the city and catching up on some events 

we retired to Mike and Aubrey's and played games and ate snacks. Mike even played

 his new guitars for us which was a lot of fun! 

I'm so grateful for my sweet family. They bring so much joy to my life. 

Sweet Baby Thomas

On Sunday, December 29th, we all gathered at Stephanie and Cortney's to attend Thomas's baby blessing in North Logan. It was really cold and a beautiful day. 

 Cortney holding the precious boy!

 Everyone wants a turn to hold the baby but notice how he smiles so much wider when Grandma holds him! We became fast friends and roomies during his early days.  

Holding him makes the world seem like a better place. 

Stephanie knitted the beautiful sweater he's wearing. It's a tradition that I love.

 Our sweet little Logan boys!

 What a beautiful family ~ so glad they are mine!

Loving being with Auntie Meg!

What a beautiful way to start a wonderful new year!

Babies bring so much love and  happiness to  a family.