Christmas Time

Hello everyone. We hope your Christmas time is happy, jolly, and fun. We wish good health upon you all this season. I tried to get Rebecca to add her two cents worth to this one by typing it this time, but she won't. She says I am better at writing it.

We'll get this out of the way at the beginning....we just returned from Disneyland again. We had a blast. We have never been at Christmastime and wanted to see what Disney does with Christmas. It was our 5 year anniversary, so we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was a lot of fun. The kids love it. They are starting to recognize their way around the park. Tierra realizes we are near Disneyland as we approach Katella and Harbor Boulevards, the main intersection near Disneyland. Eli easily recognizes Matterhorn Mountian and the Tower of Terror. We had several friends meet us there this trip. It was a fun week for all of us. Enjoy the pictures.

As for all the other parts of our life:

Eli: Growing up fast. He is 2.5. He has some funny habits worth sharing. He wakes up way too early, but not quietly. Sometimes he comes in and says "good morning!" very loud. It doesn't quite come out "good morning" because he doesn't pronounce all his consenants, so it is more, "goomooreen." He also likes to inflict pain, just to be able to help you. It isn't really painful, but he smacks or hits one of us so we say "ow," then he gets to say "I'm sorry daddy, I take care of you." He was heart broken that he was not tall enough to go on Splash Mountain, but loves the Matterhorn ride and Pirates of the Carribean.

Tierra: Still loves preschool. Constantly asks us for a princess room, and even has it all planned out how it should look. She can not wait for Santa to come. She tells me everyday that she has a suprise for me under the tree, but can't tell me what it is. Last year she told me exactly what Rebecca had wrapped for me. Tierra is 4 years old, and not quite a half. She is sometimes such a drama queen that you would swear she was 13. The only way I know she is not that old is that I have already decided to lock her in the closet for ages 7-24. She enjoys watching many movies, loves singing songs at night before bed, and says the most amazing prayers, all on her own. She also loves to doodle, and sometimes draws so well. A few weeks ago she was upstairs drawing at the table and drew the baby einstein logo from memory. There was nothing near her to help her, but she drew it so well. (The face with glasses and hair.)

Rebecca: has loved running 3 times a week with a bunch of other ladies in the neighborhood. They run for about 3 miles each day and sometimes do a long run on Saturdays. She wants to run a 10k this spring with her mom. She still has the calling of 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency. She also sings in the ward choir. She likes to sing, and even sings every night with the kids before bed. She can't wait to try out for American Idol next time it comes to Utah. Speaking of American Idol and annoying TV shows, she is bummed that these writers can't reach an agreement because she is dying for her "shows" to start back up. All this and still has to be a full-time mom.

Chad: I am still working in the office, and still wish I was back in the stations. The only redeeming factor is a take home vehicle that saves us a lot on gas. Actually, my own truck is out of commission for a while, so its nice to have a vehicle. Okay, I don't hate the job as much as I make it sound, I want to do a good job with my current assignment, but station life and emergency response is more what I am made to do, and the main reason I chose my career in the fire service, plus if I say more this will be a longer run-on sentence. Still also have the calling of ScoutMaster, and still enjoy that calling mostly. It is tons better than Sunday School teacher or Elders Quorum anything. Not to mention Bishopric and above. This may be a shock to some of you, but I gave up Pepsi. Been clean for 5 months now. Haven't even had Caffeinated drinks or Carbonation at all. I actually feel healthier, even though I am still fat. I also have gone back to school, sort of. I am trying to finish up a second degree in Fire Science, so I have been doing some online classes in my "spare" time. I have about 6 left. Enough about me.

Family in general: we are all happy and excited for the Christmas season. Rebecca's Sister and Brother in law are coming out from Buffalo New York, so we (Rebecca, Tierra, and Eli) are excited for that. Just kidding Dave and Kristin, I am too. Enjoy all the pictures and if you have questions about them or where they were taken, email us. (hint hint).

Have a Merry Christmas.