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.