From the Mouth of the Hero

Kollin has made a contribution to the blog. Wow! Here is his story.

Stopping at Rite Aid near work to get some cough syrup, I heard a commotion towards the front of the store. I walked around the corner and the store manager was beckoning me over asking, "Can you please help us?" I ran over and saw two Rite Aid employees struggling with a 18ish year old youth. One of the employees was an older (70's) man and the other was a younger female. I learned later that they had caught him shoplifting. I ran in front of the shoplifter and wrapped my arms around his neck and wrestled him to the ground, kneeling on his neck and back and bringing his arms behind his back. A few minutes later, the cops showed up. The officer walked in, looked at us and said, "Well, what do we have here?" He then handcuffed the guy and had me write out a statement. All I wanted was some cough syrup. Fun stuff.

Christmas Morning

Kourtney's new blocks, handmade by Daddy!












"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die."











What a fun Christmas morning!

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman,
once there was a snowman, tall, tall, tall!











Until we figure out whats wrong with our camera, I'll have to take pictures with our phone. These are some pics I took a couple days ago of Daddy and Kourtney building our first snowman ever! We all pitched in and the end result is so fun!!
Now, a couple days later, there is snow on his hat too. We love coming home to a snowman to greet us every time! *smile*

Twas The Night Before Christmas

And we are so grateful for our many blessings and all our family.
Our girls are in bed, the gifts are all set out under the tree and Kollin is in the garage doing the finishing touches to the new blocks he made for Kourtney.
I LOVE the lights that the Christmas tree puts out, and I love sitting in the living room when only the tree lights are on. It is so peaceful tonight, and I imagine that's how it was for many, the night before Jesus was born.
I look at our tree and am amazed at how much is under it. Not because we spent more, but because loving family members have given to us. But of course its not just gifts that show their love, its acts of kindness and loving words. Whether its having us for dinner, coming to play with our kids or chatting for a few minutes by phone or webcam, we have a whole lot of great family members.
And I like to remember that it was the same way for Christ, that not only did he give his whole life, but people gave to him. Life is about giving, not "presents" but acts of kindness, and words and gifts of love and appreciation.
As we wake up tomorrow and open our gifts, may we make time to always remember the REAL reason for Christmas, the night that Christ was born.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Candlelight Christmas

Last Thursday, the girls and I joined Grandma Sue and the Nielsen's for the Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place Heritage Park, in SLC. Although we missed Daddy (who was working hard), and the fact that it was absolutely freezing outside, we had a great time! There were "train" rides (which were cars and trailers dressed up as a train and train cars), arts and crafts, and a visit to Father Christmas after writing him a letter and drinking hot apple cider. We stopped and saw the original ZCMI (or a model of the original, I'm not entirely sure which) and other fun places of how life was way back when. I definitely want to take the girls back in the summer during the day so we can see the homes and see the rest of the old pioneer town.


When we got there, Kourtney discovered a lot of fun toys that she could play with while we waited for everyone else.


It was COLD! We bundled up, huddled up and snuggled up when we could!
Devanie, Kourtney, Ainsley


Grandma Sue, Devanie, Kourtney


Aunt Krista, Aeryn, Clayton


Uncle Josef and Karlene


Kourtney wrote her first letter to "Father Christmas". When he saw her scribbled page, he said "Oh! I understand that. You want a doll for Christmas right?" It was cute.

(I have a picture of Grandma Sue, the girls and I with Santa, but I have to scan it into the computer. When I do, I'll add it.)

My Brother Graduated...

....from basic training! And I got to fly out to South Carolina with my Mom, my brother Dan, and his lovely wife, Maria to see Ben graduate! While I missed my family every minute of every day, it was a fun weekend!

The first day was Family Day. He couldn't leave base yet, but we still had fun.


He saw us first and ran out to greet us.




He had lots of stories to tell us...


It was so fun to listen to him tell all about basic training.



After figuring out where we wanted to go...


He took us to see the 'sights', like victory tower.


Doesn't that look fun! *wink*



And showed us around to other places on base.




The second day was graduation.


Ben is holding the first flag from the left. Go Ben!


After graduation he was finally able to leave base, so we went to the famous Waffle House (it is ALL over in South Carolina....like LDS church buildings in Provo...No joke!). It was yummy food.

We also went to Ben's first movie in 3 months, and did a little sight seeing around Columbia, South Carolina. Like I said, it was a fun weekend! *smile*

The Christmas Tree

I have fond memories of my family piling into the van, and driving into the mountains, and hiking around till we found the perfect tree to chop down and take home as our Christmas tree.

Unfortunately, real trees are MUCH more expensive in Utah (because there are no trees around), so we have our trusty artificial tree, and we have finally put it up! Kourtney had a great time helping us set it up and decorate it, saying "I helping". And to add to this excitement is that it is Kayla's first Christmas, and last year, we couldn't have a Christmas tree up because our apartment was too small. So this is Kourtney's first time helping us decorate!


We started after Kayla went down for a nap so we could all help, but not need to worry about Kayla eating things that she shouldn't.




Kourtney had a lot of fun putting the balls on the Christmas tree.


"Another one?"




I pulled out our cute little wooden Nativity set, and Kourtney had a lot of fun with that too. She pointed out the sheep and the baby right away.


After Kayla woke up, we turned on the lights and laid under the tree. We had a lot of fun pointing out the lights, and saying "light on, light off!" as the blinking lights worked their magic.

Now we have our stockings up, our Christmas tree up, our lights up outside, our "Cinavanilla" candle burning and Christmas music filling the house. Oh how I love this holiday!

Putting Up The Lights

A few days ago we pulled out the ladder and the Christmas lights and cheered Daddy on while he put them up. I don't have a picture of the finished product yet, but as soon as I do, I'll add it to the blog. Until then here are some pics of our fun time together.




Kayla wanted to eat her hat instead of wear it


Kourtney did such a good job at entertaining Kayla. Kayla LOVES Kourtney and she can always make Kayla smile and laugh. Its so fun to watch.









Where's Daddy?