80 Years & Still Going Strong!

Let me ask you a question:

Who's Grandpa...

1-babysit's their great-grand children on a regular basis?

2-Works full time doing what he loves?

3-Continues to enjoy snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, etc.?

4-Loves to take his family on super fun trips?

5-Favorite resturant is Chuck-A-Rama?

If you answered yes to all 5 of these questions, you must be refering to my sweet Grandpa Paul! I consider him one of the biggest blessings in our family. He is so fun! He loves children, especially babies and enjoys teaching them all about the world around them. He still practices law full time but always has time to "grab a bite" at the Chuck. In a special scrapbook my family prepared for him, I thanked him for giving me a happy childhood; one filled with fond memories of boating, traveling in his motorhome, swimming, hiking, eating and spending time together. I thank him for his love, wisdom and time he so freely shares with me and with our family and friends. We love my Grandpa and wish him many many more years of good health and happy memories! PS-Hey BaBa, are you free to babysit Friday Night?

We Thank Thee...for Our Prophet

Our family is grieving the loss of our much beloved Prophet.

President Hinckely was the President of the Church for so many of the important milestones in our lives: Seminary, Mission, Graduations, Courtship, Marriage & the Birth of all 3 of our babies. He strengthened us and uplifted us. He taught us with his amazing wisdom and insight. He made us smile with his quick wit and loving demeanor. We feel deeply blessed to have had him as our Prophet for so long! He will be so missed. Kel and I loved all of his books and enjoyed listening to them on road trips. We all loved the "Bees". But, my favorite part of Pres. "Hinckel" (as Rosie calls him), the one thing that stands out in my mind, a simple quote: "Do your best, your very best. Try a little harder to be a little kinder. " To that end, we honor him and his rich life; "a legacy of faith and service".

Can't Wait for 2008!

Resolutions:
Be On Time to Church!
Drink More Water
Go to The Temple Monthly
Speak Kindly

So Far, So Good!

HAWAII Five-O!

Happy 50th Birthday to the best Mom and 'Nana' Ever! On New Year's Eve my wonderfully kind, loving, fun, warm, generous, talented, smart Mother turned 50 and we celebrated in

style! Last year we jokingly said we should go to Hawaii to celebrate the 50 years my Mom has been on this earth. Since, we didn't make it, we brought the islands to her. It was a fun way to ring in the New Year! My mom knew she was coming to our house to party but had no idea we would be having a luau complete with her Mu-Mu to wear.

I feel blessed to call her Mom. She has taught me all of life's important lessons including a love for reading, music and small children. Her legacy is her four almost five grandchildren who she loves more than anything and they simply adore her. She is their favorite person on this earth. I think it's because she spends TIME with them. She is always down on the floor playing with them, driving them around in her 'big white van', calling them and sincerely interested in their lives. I have never met or heard of a better Grandma and for that I am so thankful. I love you Mom, thank you for all of the energy and time you have given and still give to me and now to my family! Happy Birthday!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS

Since we didn't get to make one this year, We saw a life size one instead!
Cute Lizzy D so excited to wear her p.j.'s to school for the Kindergarten Christmas Program,
the slippers were a nice touch.


Some how both of our little ones fell asleep in Costco, Luckily we had a old
Car blanket for Rosie and "borrowed" some towels from the towel aisle for Max!
The Holidays Can Be Exhausting!

Seeing the lights at Temple Square was so fun, almost as fun as sipping the
Hot Chocolate afterward (according to Rosie)

Rosie and her rosy cheeks, I love them!

Lizzy's favorite gift was the sparkly clutch purse and faux fur wrap

which matches her doll, from Uncle Patrick & Auntie Camille.

Ride em' cowboy! Max's new B.F.F.

Where's the mistletoe? This is the best we could do for a kid pic in their Christmas P.J.'s, but

you get the drift right? I guess we can always look back and remember how

much Rosie Loved kissing baby Max.

It was great, truly. The kids were so thrilled to come running down the stairs to see the magic that Santa leaves. I love living though them, I love the excitement and sparkle in their eyes. I love the anticipation of Christmas Eve. Traditionally we spend Christmas Eve at my Grandparents home, eating, gift exchanging and celebrating. It's my favorite Christmas Party. I love wrapping presents and watching White Christmas. I love the smell of Hot Chocolate. I love Christmas P.J.'s and slippers. I love Christmas Music (did you get a copy of Happy Hamblin Days?? If not, I will give you one!). I love the Sunday before Christmas. I love singing Silent Night. I LOVE CHRISTMAS DRESSES! I love receiving Christmas Cards, getting the mail is so fun. I love baking cookies. I love shopping for Christmas. Yes, I do love Christmas time. But, for the first time I felt relief when it was over. I'm not sure why. It just felt so overwhelming this time. In true Sarah form, I did commit to being more organized next year. I need to write these goals down so that just maybe I will accomplish them. At any rate, here's to a wonderful Christmas!

Fit For A Princess!

How does a Princess celebrate her third birthday?

With a princess tea party of course! I had so much fun planning this party, it was a little scary. So much fun that is that I did order my own Snow White dress! What else was I to wear? Rosie was so delighted when Snow White herself came waltzing down the stairs to host the party.

What does a Princess dine on at her tea party?

PB&J's, cut out in a star

Carrot sticks

Grapes

Gold Fish Crackers

Doughnut holes

Pink Lemonade

Cupcakes

What Kind of Cake does a princess wish for on her Birthday?

A Castle Cake of Course (made by her Royal Cake Maker...Daddy)

Who had more fun, Snow White or Rosie?

That is still up for debate, but I will tell you that Snow White had a harder time changing from her costume than Cinderella,Snow White 2, wedding dress Ariel, Cinderella again, (Rosie Changed her princess dress about four times during the party).
What was the Best Part of Rosie's 3rd Birthday?
Rosie putting her arms around my neck and saying "Thank you Mommy, Thank you!"

and calling my Sister my "Lady in Waiting" and my Mom "A Wench".

Oh Come all Ye Faithful

This year our ward jumped on the band wagon and participated in "A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM" for our Christmas party. Take it from me, it was A TON of work, stress, and made for many sleepless nights. But, it was so AWESOME. I loved walking into the cultural hall that night and felt transformed into a different time and place. There was something magical about the evening, a special spirit different than any other church party I have attended. Our family dressed up in costume (as all of the ward was encouraged to do) and the girls thought it was so fun. They looked so cute in their little head dresses. Each family was given gold coins to barter with in different shops for their dinner. Families sat by each other on blankets on the floor. It felt like a big indoor picnic. We had the most perfect Mary and Joseph, as "Mary" sang Breath of Heaven (Amy Grant) it was so touching. I found myself wiping tears away from my cheeks, completely caught up in the whole experience. For a brief moment, I let my mind wander back to what it must have been like to be Mary. She had so much faith; to think of having a baby in a barn! The song is all about Mary asking for help with the task she was given to be the Savior's mother. Having the blessing of being a mother, I have a new appreciation and respect for Mary. Looking around I could see I wasn't the only one moved by the program. Lizzy sang with her primary class and was simply darling. Leading up to this one night, I did not have the Christmas spirit, I was so stressed about pulling this evening off. I felt jealous of others who were shopping and decking their halls while I was frantically planning a party. Looking back I realize that helping with this party was the best thing I could have done to get myself and my family into the "true" Christmas spirit. Lizzy especially seemed to eat the whole thing up and I could tell understood a little more about the events surrounding Jesus's birth. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knew exactly what I needed to keep a Christ-centered Christmas this year. Now for the SHOPPING!