Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, Feb 7th, I was still stuck at home with sick kids. Daryl decided he would take my car (the HHR) to The Carwasher and get it washed. He was gone 45 minutes when I heard the doorbell ring. I hurried to get it, and glanced out the front window at the car that was parked in the driveway, a white suburban. Before I could think too much about it, I opened the door to see my husband standing there. Then it dawned on me. This was supposed to be MY suburban. (Please keep in mind that we have been talking about and kind of looking at bigger cars since before Heidi was born.) I ran outside to get a better look at the vehicle. It's a 2004 with leather second-row captain chairs and too many bells and whistles to name. It took me a good week to figure out what all of the different buttons do. (I'm still a little overwhelmed.) He planned on hurrying back to the dealership to put some money down and reserve it. Then would pick it up the following Monday. (That was his week on-call and he already had a few jobs waiting for him.) I told I wanted it to stay. He ended up taking the full time and signing all the papers so I could have it that day. I thought he was just washing the car. (It's amazing what a good carwash can do these days. JK)

The sad part was, there was no where for me to go, unless I found a way to leave my kids at home. They were feeling a lot better, but not completely well. I finally got my chance to try it out a few days later, when they were better. I've only had for not quite two weeks now, and I absolutely love it. (I loved my HHR too, but I knew we would eventually replace it, so I'm happy now to have this one.) Thank You, Honey for the fabulous gift, and for taking the extra time so I could have it sooner. I will always remember this.

XLIII, FHE and RSV (a full helping of alphabet soup)

Sunday we had a a few people over for the Super Bowl. My in-laws came. Karolann and Mikey, and Cheryl and Robert (her California boyfriend) were also there. Mindi called me the day before to see if I was okay if they brought Cameron and Eben. (Cameron had been running a slight fever Friday night and part of Saturday.) I told her as long as his fever stayed down by Sunday that that would be fine. So they came too. Cheryl and Karolann planned everything well. I made Lipton Onion Potatoes, and some of the deviled eggs, and also contributed chips and condiments. We also had hamburgers, hot dogs, and a few other things. We had a fun time cheering on our team (even if they DID lose).

Monday evening I put together our first ever Family Home Evening! I know it's something we should have been doing for a while, but it just hasn't happened until now. I'm determined to bring more of the spirit into our home this year. The lesson was I'm a Child of God. I told a story about a little girl who made crown with her Sunday school class because they were children of a king. Then we decorated golden crowns that I cut out of card stock earlier in the day. At first Daniel didn't want to wear his. Then he realized that Daddy takes pictures when he does. He wore it the rest of the evening. What a good start to a great week... or so I thought.

The next morning BOTH of my kids woke up with crazy runny noses and slight coughs. We went to the bank and picked a few items for Activity Day (my calling for church with the 8-11 year old girls in the ward). The later the day got the worst my kids felt. We ended up in the doctor's office by 3pm. After checking them both out, he made his diagnosis. RSV. Now Daniel takes yucky cough syrup every 6 hours and they both get breathing treatments 3 times a day. Heidi doesn't even flinch for hers. Daniel screams like he's in excruciating pain. Then we have the lovely booger sucking episodes where they both scream. In between "treatments" Daniel seems to be handling it pretty well. Heidi, on the other hand, is absolutely miserable. Needless to say I will not be helping with Activity Day this evening. Stay tuned for more RSV fun, if I'm able to make it to the computer.

PS- It turns out, after talking with Mindi, that Eben was already being treated for RSV except her doctor called it bronchiolitis (which i guess, is the same thing). I had no idea that Eben was even sick.

Heidi's Baby Blessing

We blessed Heidi on January 4, 2009 in our ward at 9am. We were honored to have so many family members attend. There are few occasions that bring as much joy. The blessing was so beautiful. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is a righteous priesthood holder.

After Sacrament Meeting we invited everyone who attended to come over to our house for a get-to-gether. Daryl's sister and her family were in town from Lindon. Iris came with Mark and Marily, and their boys. Grandma Lamoreaux, and Grandma and Grandpa Burgess were also there. Grandma Skousen was at the blessing, but wasn't able make it to our house afterwards. If I failed to mention your presence, forgive me. Just know you are loved and we appreciate your love and support.

Heidi loved playing with my mom, and gave her lots of cute smiles.

My Grandma and Grandpa Christensen (Grams and Gramps) were also there.

Daddy's Little Companion

Two weeks ago (when we still had 1:30 church) Daryl made appointments to go home teaching. When Daniel say him getting ready to go, he decided he should get dressed too. He ran into his room, moved the step in front of his bed and opened the drawer behind it. He pulled out 2 pairs of slacks and a vest. (I had been storing them there until he grew into them) He put on one of the pairs of pants over his pajamas, and went to show Daddy.

He also put on his vest, but decided he would hang it up instead.

He even tried on Daddy's Shoes.

Someday, son, you and Daddy will make great companions.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Daniel, now 2 years old, is just starting to be excited about presents and Santa Clause. I expect next year will be even more magical, for him especially. A day or so after Daniel's birthday, Daryl set up our Christmas tree. After a couple of days working on it, Daniel and I finally got it decorated.

Daniel's decorating skills. He found a way to balance a candy cane on this branch.

Notice the picture of the finished product.

(This was taken a week before Christmas before all of the ornaments began their migration to the more northern parts of the tree so as to be out of reach.) Daniel, being the thinker that he is, discovered that the little metal part of a bulb ornament is easily removed. But just to be sure, he tried it out on every one he could find.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Burgesses (his mother's side) for dinner, then left there to be with the Skousens (my mother's side) for the evening program. Santa came to my cousin, Gina's House, and brought each grandchild, including me, a gift. But only if we agreed to sit on his lap. Daniel had no problem accepting his present.

Heidi wasn't so sure.

Thant night, while we were waiting for Kerami to arrive and stay the night, we heard several fire trucks outside our house, and ran out to see what was going on. Apparently, a house across the street and a few doors down had caught on fire. Luckily the family of 3 made it out safely. A lit candle on the porch some how set fire to a bamboo screen they had draped across the front of their house. The fire traveled up into the attic, and down into the living room where it blew out the front windows and set fire to anything in reach. With the help of 8 fire trucks and several squad cars, the fire was extinguished. Now... back to Christmas.

We all woke up about 7am. Daryl and I were sitting in front of the tree when Daniel came in. He pushed the button to turn on the lights, and sat on Daryl's lap to have a look. That's when he saw his gift. Santa brought him a lovely red "tricle". It is his pride and joy. He loves sitting on it and walking it around the house. He hasn't yet figured out peddling.

Santa brought me a new computer that he built himself. I am told it holds 30 times more than what Daryl's old one can. I couldn't be more excited! Daryl got a Rugger something or other 9 millimeter handgun. A little unnerving, I know. Santa brought Heidi a new toy that hangs from her car seat bar, and I made her a quilt with bunnies on it.

After our family Christmas, we went over to Daryl's parents' house for breakfast and gifts with his siblings. We hung out and played games for a while, then headed over to grandma Lamoreaux's for lunch. Normally we just do gifts, and eat both breakfast AND lunch at Grandma's, but we decided to change the plans this year, hoping to make the holiday a little less chaotic.

Daryl's brother Trent, gave us a cool hot cocoa pot. It stirs and keeps the chocolate warm until you turn it off. Daryl makes cocoa at least once a week now. He gave Daniel a play guitar, which he LOVES, and a cute little outfit for Heidi. Thanks Uncle Trent!

This is Heidi and me at my in-laws'.

In the interest of adding more pictures of myself, and Heidi, I've included this one for your viewing pleasure.

Later that evening my family gathered at my sister, Marily's house for a few hours. We ate ham and onion potatoes, and whatever else. We played games and hung out while Dallin, Adam, and Daniel played with their new toys. We had a great time.

Here's Heidi chillin' on Marily's couch while I played a game for as long as she would allow. (Notice the change in outfit from the previous picture. At least she made it MOST of the day in her beautiful Christmas dress.) She's such a beauty.

Over all I'd say we had a wonderful holiday. I still felt like there were so many places to go. But I guess that's how things work out when we have so many families that love us. (And of course we love them too.) There is no better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than to spend it with those we love.