The Christmas Spirit...

I received an email today with this wonderful video reminding me of the true meaning of Christmas. Sometimes we get so focused on traveling plans, coordinating family, planning meals, shopping, budgeting and decorating that we don't always take the time enjoy and embrace the real meaning of Christmas. I couldn't get the video to directly upload but if you have four minutes to spare during this busy season please click the link below and enjoy. :)

I cried all the way through it but, then again I am pregnant and HIGHLY emotional.

http://www.joytoeveryone.com/

Family Photos

If anyone is ever in or near St. George and wants family photos taken...you have to use Malea @ Tickled Pink Photography (see link below). We had our much needed family photos done by her, when we were there for Thanksgiving, and they turned out great!!!

Thank you Malea!!!

http://mytickledpinkphoto.com/

Back from Vacation

So...we have been complete slackers when it comes to updating our blog. After I returned from Boston on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we were supposed to fly out to Las Vegas on that Saturday for a week in St. George. However, on Friday morning we learned that Sophia still had an ear infection and our plans had to change. So... instead of canceling our plans, we decided to drive! We left Dallas at about 5:00pm on Friday and arrived in St. George the following day at 12:30pm. We drove straight through the night. Aaron was a driving machine and Sophia was an absolute trooper! She slept through the night, waking only when we stopped for gas and bathroom breaks - then each time, as we got back out on the road, she went right back to sleep.

Our week was full of family, friends and sight seeing. Sophia had such a great time playing with her cousins. We had a fabulous trip and are grateful we had the opportunity to spend time with our family. Thanks for having us in your home Renee and David!

Far..Far...Away!!!

After a very long flight, I arrived safely and on schedule to Boston yesterday. I have some time to myself today and will probably do some shopping, sight-seeing, napping and try not to worry about Sophia and Aaron. I have decided that after becoming a parent, I will NEVER be able to reach the same level of relaxation that I was once able to obtain. Even though I am far away from Sophia I worry like crazy about her. However I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a much needed mommy-break and I am excited about the conference this week. I just hope the week goes by fast because I miss my husband and baby girl!!

Aaron thanks for being such a great Dad to Sophia. You are a great partner in life. I hope things continue going well and (hopefully) I will be home before you know it.
P.S. I will try not to call the babysitter 100 times a day!

Tubes????

Much to our dismay, Sophia has yet another ear infection. She has had many in her short life span. The doctor is starting to talk about putting tubes in her ears to decrease the number infections. Any strong feelings one way or another on the subject?? Inquiring minds want to know. :)

Happy Birthday Alex!!!!

And Now, Without Further Delay...

Hello everyone. Sorry we've been such slackers about the blog lately; hopefully this post will make up for some of our blogspot drought. Its not really an excuse, because we know those of you who post regularly also have very busy lives, but it does seem like we've had a lot going on lately. Aaron spent a week in Birmingham at a training class for work, then another week in Colorado hunting elk with his Dad, his buddy from St. George, Brandon Ellett, and Brandon's two brothers, Dusty and Braxtin. They didn't shoot any elk, but otherwise had a great trip.

Meanwhile, Tina has found that managing a part-time job and a challenging calling with the Young Women at church, all while being shadowed by an increasingly active 14-month-old can be very hectic at times. Tina is fortunate to be able to take Sophia with her to work - her boss and her coworkers are wonderfully accommodating and understanding. But as Sophia has gone from scooting to crawling to walking on furniture and now to running down the hallway, she makes for a tiring work day. Tina is also preparing for an upcoming business trip to Boston with her boss. Sophia will be sitting out for that one - Tina's not too worried about how Sophia will get along without when she's in Boston, but she may have a side-bet on whether or not Aaron survives.

Sophia is still the center of the universe in our house. She is seemingly always laughing, smiling, eating, talking, singing or dancing. That's not to say she doesn't have her moments of whining or an occasional tantrum, but we continue to be amazed at her generally good-natured disposition.

Now, for those of you who are still reading this post, this is where it gets good. By way of announcement, please view this short video attached below, prepared for us by our ever-helpful brother-in-law, Steve.

Sisters Day!!!!!

This morning I checked my email and a good friend had emailed me a "Happy Sister's Day" message. I had no idea this 'holiday' even existed. However, since it apparently does, I am grateful for an excuse to tell my sisters how much they mean to me.

To my sisters: Our personalities are different, our strengths vary and all too often our weakness are shared. Sisters, I love you and learn so much from each one of you. You bring me back to reality when I need it, you let me deviate from reality when I can't handle being brought back yet, you laugh with me (sometimes at me), you cry with me and most of all you love me. Thank you for the years of memories and the unconditional love I always feel from you. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he created sisters (sisters-in-law included).

Happy Sister's Day to All !!!!!