MERRY CHRISTMAS!

OKay...we spent Christmas with Dan's side of the family this year. It was wonderful! It snowed and snowed but our hearts were warm! We ate AMAZING food and played games and watched movies together (by the way Marly and Me was great).

Who's says you can't have fun in winter???

So (as you know) I'm from good ol SUNNY South Africa. I get pretty miserable every time it snows. Well thanks to my husband, I am gaining more of an appreciation for our winter wonderland. I'm actually looking forward to a white christmas.
We went sledding today. Katie was so brave...she loves going down the hill ALL by herself! She's AMAZING! Sharon's a little more hesitant in the snow (she takes after her mom;)
Katie just crashed in the car...she was so tired.
After sledding we went to temple square to see the Christmas lights...it was BEAUTIFUL but so cold.

Merry Christmas.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Have you noticed how happy everyone (young and old) seems to be over Christmas time. I really believe it's because we are all closer to our Savior during this precious time. We remember the spirit of giving and that brings peace and joy to our hearts.
I found a quote the other day that really stood out to me and I would love to share it with you:
Sara Ban Breathnach said "Both abundance and lack (of abundance) exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from out lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present-love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us (happiness)-the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."

That's what Christmas is all about... REMEMBERING all we have to be grateful for and all that is truly important.

My sweet niece

This is my little niece Kamryn. Katie calls her "Kamy cakes". She is so sweet. We love her. She refers to everything as "my". She says "hi my melissa" and "hi my uncle Dan" and "hi my Katie." She is adorable. We wish they lived closer, it was so fun spending time with her in Cali over Thanksgiving.

My gorgeous sisters.

Okay so this is a tribute to my sisters...I love you Sam and Cindy. They went on a cruise this last week (I couldn't go because of work;( I thought I would be so envious when I saw their pics but I'm glad they had so much fun. I love them so much. Life wouldn't be the same if I didn't have them...they are my best friends!
P.S "the only thing I am envious of are their bodies (at lease I have boobs though)lol"

Some Family Christmas Pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so grateful today for my family! Family...what would we do without them.
Family...it's like that dear octopus whose tentacles you can never quite escape from nor do you truly ever wish to.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Hope you all had a great thanksgiving weekend. We want each of you to know how grateful we are for your friendship!
So we spent the week in California with my family. WE had sooo much fun! We left our camera there (go figure...I always forget something behind) so we will post some pics soon.

GO MIGHTY COUGARS!

Tomorrow we shall kick some UTAH A......

Katie thinks she is "Riley" the dog.

Hopefully this is normal...but my Katie has the greatest imagination. This week she has been Riley the dog. Her favorite thing to do is wrap a tie around her and pull Sharon (who is "Rascal" the other dog) around.
Maybe I should be concerned...but it's so cute!

Sharon

One of my favorite things to do...getting the girls all dolled-up for church;)

LOOK at my Jump'in Jacks

It was Veteran's Day yesterday and so Dan was able to stay home with us...so much fun. We decided to take the girls to Jump'in Jacks. It was so cute to see Katie help Sharon up the stairs. They made it up several times.
At one point some boys came up to them and wanted to push past them and Katie said "you need to stay there and count to 10." The little boy actually listened. Good job Katie!

My sweet nana.

My sweet grandmom (nana) is visiting from South Africa. She came to America in August for my sister's wedding. We love having her here with us for a little while. The kids love her. She is so sweet with them and has such a happy personality. I know this cold weather must be tough for her...so not what she's is accustomed to, but she loves being around us.

So beautiful!

I love where I live...