January

January 2 - Homecoming!

Audrey and Mike came home with a new baby boy today! As soon as they hit the door, the kiddos jumped up from their hiding places with a "surprise!". And then it took them only a half a second to clamor around the car seat and open the window to their new baby brother. Guess you can't tell who's terribly excited for the newcomer! James could not be coming to a more perfect family... he's so loved already!

January 4 - A new violin

... for Makaela. Dave checks out the new violin and gives his approval! Makeala puts on a personal concert for us. What a lovely Sunday evening! Dinner and a concert!

January 5 - James

Can't get enough of this new baby boy! He's so beautiful! Can I say that?

January 7 - First bath

James loved his first sponge bath. His seat was placed in the sun on the kitchen counter. He just layed there so content... soaking up the warmth of the sun and warm water on his head and body. 

Audrey loves her new little guy so much. I love watching her be a mother. She holds and hugs and kisses him constantly. She is so tender and sweet with him. And the first thing she says every time she starts to talk... with a love sigh... "I love him so much!" And my, how James loves her!

After his bath, Audrey dressed James for his first week pictures. Love the peace sign!

January 10 - Crows

It was like a scene out of a Hitchcock movie. Dave and I were coming out of gun show in Ogden when it was just getting dusk. As we approached the road thousands of black crows flew overhead and landed in the trees and field across the street. Eeiry and kind of creepy!

January 11 - Christmas cactus

I'm still enjoying the bright pink blooms on dad's Christmas cactus. Such a pleasant thing in the middle of winter. 

January 12 - Inversion

Just like clockwork, every winter, we who live along the Wasatch Front get to experience the dreary and dreaded days of Inversion. Fog... really smog, blankets the air and traps in gases, fumes from vehicles and industrial plants, chemicals, and all kinds of nasty stuff. When it's really thick and you are outside, it's harder to breath, your eyes burn, your nose runs, and you can tell you are inhaling harmful toxins. 

January 14 - Fender bender

I was at Audrey's and got an SOS call from Dave. He was in a fender bender. Nothing serious. It only damaged the hood and the radiator. It didn't even hurt the truck he plowed in to. But... so sad for us... because we had full coverage on the car, the insurance totaled it and Dave opted out of buying it as a salvage car. I am so sad. It was Dave's parents car and was so nice. Someone is going to get a very nice car! I'm so bummed.

Emilee 

Always happy. Loves to play. Can entertain herself very easily. I love watching her play.

James

2 week old pictures. He's such a good baby. Love him so much!

January 17 - Manti

Dave and I went to Manti today to his Aunt Ethel Nielson's funeral. She was his dad's sister. She lived into her 90's. It was such a nice funeral, but it happened to affect me in a way I never expected. As the casket was wheeled down the isle of the chapel and with the music playing, I felt the spirit so strong. I burst into uncontrollable tears. Not for Ethel... as lovely as a person she was... but for my memory of Shaniel and her funeral. It was very difficult for me. 

I took this shot of the beautiful Manti Temple from the cemetery below. The Manti Temple... I love so much. I get an overwhelming homesick feeling for it often. I get so homesick to be there. I feel peace when I go to Manti and attend the temple. I feel home! 

On our way back home, we went by the Provo Tabernacle Temple. Can't wait to see it done!

January 19 - At the park

We've had insanely warm January weather! The kiddos had cabin fever so we walked a block to the park by Alia's elementary. The kids had a blast sliding, climbing, crawling through tunnels, and swinging like monkeys! They definitely used some energy up today! 

Alia showed us "her spot".  That is where she sits at recess to spot her friends. It's the highest point on the play apparatus. How ingenuous! 

James is content in Grandma's arms.

January 21 - 3 weeks old

James is growing like a weed. He is sleeping in the picture, but had plenty to say beforehand. He is cooing! He is so dang cute.

January 24 - Trip to Price

Dave bought him a dirt bike... for what reason, I'm not sure! Today he spent the day riding with Clint out on the desert. Clint tuned and readied his bike for a thrill of a ride. Thanks Clint!



 Amie and I spent our day together doing mother daughter things. Lunch, visiting, and decorating Shaniel's grave. I love the care Amie puts into taking care of her sister's headstone. It's so dis-heartening to go up there and see our decorations removed by the killer's family and replaced with their own things. I wonder... where's the compassion, the kindness, the respect? This nightmare seems to never go away. 

Carbon Power Plant

We got news that a Carbon County icon is coming down in a couple of months. I guess there is a reason for it. Progress continues whether we like it or not. There's something about seeing the Castle Gate (gateway to Castle Country) and the Carbon Power Plant with it's billowing white steam consistently working its way upward. I get so excited because I know I'm coming home. Home to happy childhood memories. To the peaceful resting place of my parents. To Shaniel. To my kids. To a sister and a brother and extended family that I love. 

January 25 - Sunday drive

We were coming home from a Sunday drive and saw the most beautiful sunset over Willard Bay. I snapped this picture just above the house on the gravel pit road. So beautiful and peaceful! I love where I live!

Orange Train Case

I was so excited when a picture of an orange Train Case came across my news feed. Amie was looking for a modern one for Nicole, and it happened that a friend... Val, who owns Val's Vintage in Helper posted this on Facebook. It got my immediate attention! That was the exact same case I had as a young teenage girl. I loved my orange case. I used it all the time. To hold my curlers, hair stuff, and make-up. Seems like I used for years after I got married to Greg. I can't remember what happened to it, but I was so thrilled to get it back (so to speak). It is in perfect condition. It came from J.C. Penny. Oh... the memories! Love, love, love!

January weather

Ridiculous! It's been so warm, it feels like Spring. Where, or where, is winter this year?

Month in Review