Monster Update

I have been running around like crazy and am finally taking a moment to update everyone on what's happening in my world.

Mike worked on our dining room window and encased it in a nice cherry wood.  It turned out really nice and then we covered it all up with drapes.  If we open the sheer drapes a little we can still see the wood.  Now we are just waiting for the dining room set which should be here in a couple weeks.  Can't wait.

We spent one evening at the tire shop with Cori's kids since she had an emergency dentist appointment and a flat tire.  She took my car and Mike met us at the tire shop and we got her car fixed before she even got home.  These kids love to see Mike.

We went to St. George with our friends Jaime and Chris and their kids.  Mike, Chris and Doug (a brother-in-law) rode in 100 mile bike ride that started and ended in Mesquite.  We had fun meeting them a couple times along the route.

Here Mike is riding up "The Wall" (a pretty steep hill).

Here we are playing at a park before we went and waited at the finish line.  These kids are so fun to be with and we had a great weekend with them.

The guys finally showed up at the finish line.  We were glad to see them and were so proud of their accomplishment. (This picture is actually taken about half way through the ride at one of their official break stops).

Before leaving St. George we went and said "Hi" to Trudy and Bill (my aunt & uncle) who were staying down there.  It is always so fun to see them and spend time together.

We came home to cold weather and falling leaves.  Mike has a new leaf sucker upper that he uses to get rid of our leaves.  Most of our trees are evergreens so we don't have a lot of leaves in the yard.

I went home to Seattle for a quick weekend trip and my sisters were playing in a symphony concert.  Check out all these kids in this little bitty room.  And that's only about 1/2 of my nieces and nephews.  They are probably watching Tom & Jerry...a favorite shared by all.

December came and my mom and Emily came for a visit.  We went to go see "Christmas Around the World" down at BYU.  It was fun to be back on campus and we went with my mom's sisters' also.  What a fun outing.  I loved having my mom and Emily here and we ate at some yummy places (Pei Wei, Zupa's, & Kneaders).  It was a quick trip but we did a lot and they helped me decorate my tree.
(Notice my new purse:  I call it Petunia and I made it as a birthday present for myself.  So fun.)

We were busy during December.  We had our ward Christmas party and Mike's work Christmas party which is always a lot of fun.  We went to see "White Christmas" up at the U at the Pioneer Theater.  So fun and I was so proud of Mike for being a sport and going even though he doesn't really enjoy plays and musicals.  I was also selected to get tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir christmas concert with David Archuleta.  I always love going to this concert and I am a huge David fan.  We went with Trudy and Bill and it was so much fun.  Trudy is a huge David fan also and so it just made us fans even more.  I can't wait for the CD to come out next year.  We walked around temple square a little bit afterwards and got a quick picture.  It was so crowded but so festive and beautiful.

I couldn't resist adding this cute picture of Cori's twins checking out the little houses under the trees.

We went to Seattle for Christmas and saw lots of movies, played lots of games, ate good food and just enjoyed being all together.  Jordan & Emily came from Texas to visit and it was sooo good to see them.  I could not get enough of Sunny (my newest niece).  She is the sweetest girl ever and I hardly ever saw her upset or crying.  I'm sure she was in amazement of all the activity going on around her.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents where we had a yummy dinner and then a Christmas Nativity and talent sharing.  Every kid had a costume but it was pretty chaotic getting them to play their parts and to stay put.

Andrew contemplating his role as a wiseman.

Dad & Jordan singing with gusto!!

Here are the string players in the family minus Jared.  It was fun to hear them play all together.

Christmas morning parade after breakfast to see what Santa brought.

I made some cute quilts this Christmas for gifts and only got pictures of a couple of them.

I got together with some of my friends one night.  I love these girls and we have such a great time talking and laughing and reminiscing about old times.

Holly, me, Sandra, Stephanie, Shiela, Michelle, Kristi & Crystal

Love you girls!!!

For my birthday (New Year's Eve) we went to breakfast at Snoqualamie Falls.  It is so yummy and has a great view of the falls.

And last of all, here is the picture we put on our Christmas card.

We hope everyone had a great holiday.  I just got Christmas all put away last night.

As for a health update....I am having scans taken next Thursday and then I meet with my doctor on Feb 1.  He wants me to talk to some doctors up at the U of U about doing a clinical trial.  So it looks like it will be a busy month.  I am feeling pretty good.  I sleep a lot (about 10 hours a day) and my tailbone area has been aching a lot.  I'm hoping the scans will be able to show if anything new is growing.  I am hoping and praying that everything is still small and manageable.  My life is in Heavenly Father's hands.  Whatever his plan is...I am OK with.  Thanks to all for your continued thoughts and prayers on my behalf.