"Ring out the old; ring in the new."

How about them Cardinals! Go Phoenix!

It has been a relaxing week, the phone has been pretty quiet, we enjoyed the lack of structure, sleeping in until 8 am, staying in our sweats until we have to go somewhere, most days not going anywhere. But as for tomorrow it's back to school but only for 2 weeks then they have a four day weekend. Back to school for another two weeks and we are off to Disneyland. I can't believe how close it is. Back in August when we first bounced the idea around with our cousins it seemed so far off now it's right around the corner, I've already started making my lists! I had better add a few details of our week.

New years eve started off with Mindy Salomon making Chinese, very scrumptious. Mark and Aaron were off to a fireside in Pullman, when he got back we made it over to our friends the Brinkley's. Their kids were all gone for the week so they hosted a great party, we only made it for about an hour and a half of it, we had so much fun we went out with them again last night, but I digress. Here is a picture of us at the party. I see people stealing photos all of the time from other blogs, I guess I haven't figured it out yet, above is a link and you can see all of the couples who were there. They passed out party hats and as polite guests we humored them and put them on. Then we realized they were laughing at us! They opted out of the hats!

Continuing on. New Years day was great more sweats, and low key. The girls and I manage to put clothing on long enough to hit the mall. Payton even agreed to come with only one stipulation, that she get her ears pierced...again! Yes you heard me correctly again, I said no way but Mark agreed to it! Last time she got fed up with them getting gunky and the soreness and the cleanings took out the earrings and threw them away, but she decided to do it again and got her dad on board. I wish I could have video taped it. (they won't let you, something about the dang lawyers.) She had a huge grin on her face sitting waiting, the trigger was pulled, her face went straight, "that burns" and she put the smile back on w/out a blink of her eye. The ear switch, huge smile, trigger pulled, straight faced,"that burned" and the smile ear to ear was back on. It was a classic, there were teens and little girls watching her, they were impressed, I was impressed! She brings me the stuff to clean them twice a day so I guess they are keepers, and so far no gunk.

OK next we come to Friday some football game Utah and I can't remember who. I know Paul Alvey and Dan Evans left happy yeah Utah. Saturday we snuck off w/out kids to dinner with Brinkley's. They celebrated their one year sealing date and we celebrated our 14th! Wow If I had my computer I would post a picture of us 14 years ago, then everyone could have a good laugh over how skinny we both were. (my power cord to my laptop died this week, along with my car battery this morning, may they rest in peace.) I'll post make up pics as soon as I can.

Today was a big day. Ms. Elyse is a Sunbeam! Oh how I love this age. I took a picture and I'll attach a video of her singing. Caia is in Valiant 10 tBro and Sis Paul's class, Payton was happy to be in Bro and Sis Johnson's class. They are a sweet grandparent couple that I think Payton will enjoy so much. And Elyse still has her teacher Sis Brinkley. She reminds us every chance that she gets that "Sis Brinkley is my teacher". She was her teacher through nursery and they moved her up with the Sunbeams. They did this last year too it works so well if you have teachers game to do it. Our primary president did a great job. Having been in a number of presidencies I know how much work today takes. Wendy you are so smooth!!

The next two days look to be busy. Tomorrow is our actual anniversary, we are hosting a Fiesta Fiesta bowl party. Should be fun. Tuesday it's off to Spokane for Elyse's eye appointment. They are wanting to schedule surgery this time. Just this last week she has started to complain that her eyes are "bugging" her. They get stuck outward and it must feel odd. I was fine with surgery 2 years ago, but actually setting a date makes me nervous. We have been through lots of surgeries, of other ward members and friends, even my own, but just this little procedure seems big when it's your 3 year old. I hope to do better than I did when Caia had tubes put in. I got teary eyed when they took her from me. I feel so blessed that my kids are so healthy. I choke up and remember how blessed we are every time I hear that commercial "go away tumor go away", for St Judes. Or remember a friend who lost her her little son at only a few weeks old. As much as I feel blessed, and how this is minor, it stills seems big to me. It's really nice to remember our Savior, that he know my heart as a mother and he understands my rambling feelings.

Wow sorry this is so long but it's been therapeutic. And I end with a smile, A smile remembering the good of the past year and a smile thinking ahead to the good to come in 2009.
Happy New Year to you all and I pray you will achieve all of your new year resolutions.