Christmas card 2012

Click for a bigger size if you want to read the words

*If I missed you and you'd like to receive one, just email me your address.  Thanks!  

Merry Christmas!

Oahu, Hawaii - 6th anniversary

We've had some pretty crazy and fast-packing trips.  This one tops the charts.  Two months ago we planned a free hotel stay in Oahu over our 6th anniversary.  However, as the date approached, we thought there was NO WAY we would get to go.  There were 2 overbooked flights on Sat, and Sun had only 1 seat.  There were also 49 standby passengers listed in front of us.  We  tried to call on Sunday morning to reschedule our hotel, but they wouldn't.  Dave was hoping we could go on Monday, so he looked at the flights.  Monday was completely full.  However, he just glanced at the Sunday flight and there were 3 seats open.  The parties in front of us all had 4 or more people in them . . .that meant that there was a chance we would get on.  I thought there was no way we could go because we had our kids still with us (originally we planned to take them to Utah on Saturday).  Dave called his mom and she graciously agreed to fly to Arizona, pick the kids up and fly them back to Utah (alone).  Dave looked at the clock and said, "We have 28 mins to pack us for Hawaii, the kids for Utah and get in the car. . . we have  to decide NOW!"  We went for it.  There were no clean clothes (Monday is my laundry day) and the house was a mess.  We were both running around like crazies and we forgot several things, but we jumped in the car.  We dropped the kids off at my brother's church and they watched the kids for the rest of the afternoon & took them to the airport to meet Dave's mom later that evening.  What a whirlwind!  The worst part was the 6 hour flight, not knowing if our last minute plans would work out or if some kink would leave our kids stranded with no babysitter for 3 days.  We worried about my MIL flying alone with 2 kids.  It is challenging enough for me, let alone grandma!  We felt totally irresponsible (plus there were empty seats on the flight, so I was wishing we could have brought them!) When we finally landed and found that the plans worked perfectly (as much as they can when there are kids involved) I was finally able to relax and start to enjoy thinking about a Hawaiian Vacation. 

We stayed in Downtown Honolulu, a block from Waikiki beach.  We much prefer the secluded beach to the busy streets and beaches here, but did enjoy the shopping.  

Monday: we headed to the North Shore so I could reminisce about my stay at BYU-H in 2000.  Sunset beach was having a HUGE surf competition and that was fun to watch.  

Snorkling at Shark's cove

Matsumoto's shaved ice

Laie Temple

BYU-Hawaii

My old house

Tuesday: Hiked to the top of Diamond Head crater

Paddle boarded at a secluded bay near Honolulu

Hiked Moana Falls{trickle}

I just noticed that we didn't take a single photo of Waikiki or Honolulu.  We were there for  most of the time.  Our camera died just in time for Wednesday.  We did a session at the temple and then headed to the PCC for the rest of the day.  It was a great experience, even if we don't have photographic evidence :)  We caught a flight at 11:15 and I went straight to Utah to pick up the kids.  Unfortunately, we were slow getting back through security and didn't make it on the flight back, thus we stayed in Utah and Dave joined us on Friday night for the weekend with family.  It was a great relaxing, winter time.  

Legoland, San Diego

Dave won tickets to Legoland early last year and despite our best efforts, this was the first weekend we could make it!  It was perfect for our kids and their ages and interests.  It was rainy in the afternoon, but that meant no lines and cool weather.  Perfect time to go!

Lego safari

 Jackson's favorite ride was this train where he got to be the 'conductor' and yell All Aboard!

 Jackson gets his drivers license!

 Helicopter ride!

 Snow fun!

 Lego Christmas

 Since Hallie is so tall she was able to go on almost every ride!  She didn't like the rollar coaster but enjoyed most everything else.

 When the rain got intense we headed to the Aquarium.  This is actually a pic of Jackson screaming in terror at being in the water bubble.  So funny that he was that scared of it.

 Unfortunately, our perfect plans to get there and back in a day where ruined by rush hour traffic.  We missed our flight and frantically tried to get a hold of my uncle to have a place to sleep until 4 am when we would try our next flight.  We are so thankful for his generosity and kindness!  We stopped by the temple for some pics.

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My brother Tyler and his family spent a couple of days with us.  We loved hosting!  Of course we had problems with our guest bathroom so having to send everyone through the Master Bedroom was a bit awkward, but at least it was family!  

We had so much fun, that we didn't actually even take a single pic.  This pic was from sushi night with my brother's family a couple of weeks before.  

 Hallie fell on our mini tramp and got a fat lip.  She didn't act like it bothered her too much, but it looked so sad! 

 The weekend before Thanksgiving I went on a trip with no kids to Denver to be with my 5 freshman year roommates.  We'd been planning a get-together for about 6 months, so it was amazing that it actually worked out in everyone's schedule to make it (plus my flights worked out!)  We had a great time catching up, reminising and eating the most amazing food!  Chantelle was a great host!  

 Hallie and I taking a nap together.  This doesn't happen often!  Notice all the house fixing up supplies in the background :)

 The pirate Jack.

 The moon had this amazing circle of light all around it one night . . . anyone know what that is?

Anyway, I didn't want to miss saying how grateful we are for so many blessings we have at this time in our lives.  We continuously are thankful for Dave's job, where we live, friends, family, and our kids.  We have been so blessed by the gospel and by our Savior.  

Saga of the Pantyhose

If you knew me well around the time of my mission, you would have heard me complain about having to wear nylons.  Ever since I was a girl, I hated the feel of nylons, the enclosed toes, the easily run material, the yucky texture, and the look.  Going on a mission was a sacrifice for me to wear nylons.  But more than that, I had my share of nylon mishaps:
I remember once, my 'big' (buff?) biker thighs literally split the nylons and then began to run down my leg, it took about 3 hours of biking before the runs were visible below my skirt line at which point we went into a Japanese "Konbini" (Convenience store) and purchased the largest pair I could find.  The waist barely made it to my thigh.  I suffered all day with short nylons (crotch came to about my knees) and as we were racing up the stairs to our apartment each stair they crept down my leg and were around my ankles, making me waddle like a penguin.   At least that made me grateful to have American fit nylons the next day.

My nylons ran nearly daily, sometimes 2-3 times a day . . . even the expensive-never-run kind.  My mom read one of my letters to our ward congregation and it ended with me begging for her to send me more nylons.  "Before you get frustrated, try walking a mile in my pantyhose . . ." I ended.  Several members of my ward made generous contributions to my nylon fund.  I'm sure I spent hundreds of dollars on nylons to supply my 577 day mission.

When I got home, I had a larger loathing for nylons and almost didn't take a job at the MTC for fear of having to wear nylons again.  It was worth it, but still, I hated it daily.

I haven't worn a pair of nylons in years. I have a bag full of them (leftovers?) and Dave has never seen them on me.

Last month when we were moving, I saw a large 'bruise' on the front of my shin.  It covered the span of my leg.  I thought I must've hit it on something while moving.  A few days later, I was wearing my running shorts and Hallie touched the back of my leg and repeated "Ow".  As I looked down the back of my leg, I saw to my horror the longest, gnarled, protruding vein running from my buttox to the back of my knee.  From experience with my mother's terrible case of varicose veins, I knew exactly what it was (although I hoped the Dr. would tell me I had a blood clot or something more 'treatable'.) He prescribed . . . what else?  Pantyhose!

After waiting 3 weeks in a lot of discomfort and some pain, not to mention having to see and feel the disgusting-looking veins, I was thrilled to get my very own $150 pair of pantyhose.  And I have to (should) wear them every waking hour (unless I am laying down for long periods of time).   I guess they always say that missions prepare you for the rest of your life . . .

But really, in this pair of compression stockings, I actually like the support and security the compression offers.  No more pain and discomfort.  Plus, I got open toe, so I can still wear flipflops and I don't feel so confined.  Hopefully, this will help them not to run.   I cannot believe I ever willing- even excitedly- paid THAT much for a pair of pantyhose.  The things we think we will never do in our life . . .  I'm glad I can still surprise myself.