It's magic

Merry Christmas Eve!I can remember how magical Christmas, especially Christmas Eve, was for me as a child. And now mine are all snug in their beds, dreaming of Santa in his sleigh. It's their turn to make the memories.
I love it!

H A L L - E - L U - J A H ! ! !

Tonight I sang in my first Orem Chorale Christmas Concert. I really enjoyed the entire experience and I am so ecstatic to be singing again! And, of course, it was amazing to sing beautiful Christmas carols. I was practicing the alto line of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus beforehand and Billy E was in the kitchen listening. He chimed in, “Mom, you missed that note.” And, yea, I was missing quite a few! I’ve never officially sang any of Handel’s Messiah before. Then he said, “If I had to sing all those notes I’d just lipsync.” Not a bad idea!

Billy and the kids all came to the concert and supported me. They sat in the back corner, and throughout the evening I could see them in a row, Luke wearing his white Winnie the Pooh jammies asleep in Billy’s arms. When I met up with them after Seth said, “I only clapped for you, Mom!” Grace asked, “You were practicing the piano?” Uh, maybe she was asleep with her eyes open.

Here's an dynamite version of the Hallelujah Chorus. I bet they didn't miss any notes!

Autumn is here...

Yes, it's true. Snow is coming.
But for now, we are loving
this perfect fall weather!

We told Grace she was an Indian princess
being escorted
up the mountain on her elephant!

At the top of the "Y." This picture doesn't capture the panic I felt watching the kids dangle there legs over the edge and try to race Hot Wheels cars down the face of the Y.

Entering the waters

Now introducing the newest member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

We drove back to California for Billy's baptism, and it was worth every mile! He was baptized in the same font I was when I turned eight. I still can't believe I have an eight-year old who can make such big and important decisions. It was a wonderful event to witness--an event made even more special because we were able to share it with our family and friends!

Before "the plunge!"

"Suffer the little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not:
for of such is the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:14


Birthday boys... Billy & my grandfather share the same birthday, only 82 years apart. I remember, like it was yesterday, when Grandpa came to visit Billy & me in the hospital just a few short hours after his birth.

Look who's six months

He's eating, cooing "da-da-da," drooling like a mad dog, and slapping chubby-fisted rhythms on the kitchen table, but do you think he could sleep through the night without needing a little Mama time? Not a chance--and I love him all the same! Babyhood goes too fast.

Phew!!!

So, we packed up our stuff and all our amazing Santa Barbara memories and landed in Orem, Utah (Billy is starting at BYU as a Visiting Professor in the English Departmet this Fall)!


We celebrated with some Macaroni Grill,


started second grade,

finally bought some yard tools,

and a bunkbed for the boys,

started Kindergarten,

reconnected with some old Goleta friends (we love you, Allens!),

tried on Mom's makeup,

and the new crib,

figured out the commute to work,

bonded with Brigham (in Daddy's office... check out that view!),

met Cosmo,

...oh, and smelled the roses along the way!

8 weeks and 1 tooth!

Happy 8 Week Birthday, Luke! They say kids grow up faster these days and Luke doesn't seem to be the exception. Last week he got his first tooth. I know, that's crazy! It makes him seem like a big boy already. Guess he's just trying to keep up with his siblings.