Visitors from Jerusalem

The Lewis family on a weekend getaway to the ancient city of Petra.

My brother Glenn and his family are coming to town for Christmas. They live in Israel and I don't get to see them much, so I am really excited to have them here for the holidays. Since they used to live in my ward I am hosting an open house for them. It will be this coming Sunday, December 20th from 7-9 p.m. You're invited to come and see how Glenn and Erika are doing and just have fun catching up with friends. Refreshments will be served. Due to the lack of space, I prefer it to be adults only, but if you need to bring babies and kids they are welcome. Hope to see you there.

Winter Wonderland

A few years ago I would have gotten upset by neighborhood boys walking through my yard and disturbing my pristine snow covered yard. This year however, I am overjoyed to see footprints size 5 and 8 (and even neighborhood boy size) scattered across the once pristine snow.

This past week’s snow storm and warmer temperature made conditions perfect for two little girls to play in the snow.

Check out the snowflakes piled up on Eva’s eyelashes. Aren’t you glad you don’t have to suffer like her with such long and thick lashes?

 

Scary Claus

In our home we prefer to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of our Savior, because frankly that "Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas" guy is far too scary.

See.....................

This is as close as Mallory was willing to get to the jolly old elf. Now for Eva’s turn:

Oh, the TERROR!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Click In-the-Spirit-of-Thanksgiving and smile. I am thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.

A Case of the Wiggles

Our primary program was this past Sunday and apparently they didn't sing the "wiggles song" beforehand to get the wiggles out of my daughter.

The previous four years I have been involved with the program, having been in charge of it for the last three. So this year was my first year free from the stress of the program. I didn't think much about the program until a friend and counselor in my primary presidency turned to me to say how weird it felt not to be involved. I had to agree. As the primary children began to sing, there was a moment when a wave of panic hit me and I thought, "Am I in charge? Ah, I don't know what's supposed to happen." But that wave quickly passed, only to bring with it a new wave of nerves as I realized my contribution to the program this year was to provide a wiggly sunbeam, Mally. These are the wiggly things she did during the program:

• Picked her nose and ate her boogers.
• Licked the top of the wood half-wall she sat behind.
• Waved and said out loud, "Hi mom and dad" at three different times.
• Faced backwards for one whole verse of "How Firm a Foundation."
• Stood up and down at random times.
• Turned to her neighbor to show her where her mom and dad were.
• Sang opera style anytime a note was held out. Meaning she would wiggle her head with her mouth wide open and eyes closed.

In her defense, I was proud to see her singing her heart out. To watch her from a distance performing and thoroughly enjoying singing was truly a moment when I could see she was my daughter and just like me. And for a moment she even looked like me. Maybe that was when she was singing opera style.

Maybe none of you noticed Mally's wiggles because like me you were too busy nervously watching your own child. Apparently this is the case, because when talking to a friend about the program she hadn't noticed Mally's weirdness at all. She wanted to know if I noticed her girl sleeping one moment and then pushing her neighbor the next. I hadn't noticed. And I guess I also missed one boy punching another girl and making her cry and another boy looking ridiculous as he over-enunciated every word in the songs. Strangely, I find great comfort knowing other kids are maybe just as wiggly as mine.

This is the Place Scrap and Share

Tooele is the New Park City

Stephen and I have a great tradition. It is called the "Secret Surprise" (it got that name because it properly describes the event and I like alliterations). Each summer we take turns planning a surprise special event for us to do as a couple. Usually we leave the kids with a grandma and we spend the night somewhere then pack our days with fun childless activities.

This past weekend was the big "Secret Surprise." Stephen planned it, so he knew the secret and I was surprised. We dropped the girls off at his wonderfully kind mother's house (THANK YOU SHERRY!) And then we headed west. I was a little nervous as we kept on driving west all I could imagine was we were going to Wendover or Reno, and I wasn't too sure about wanting to go to those places.

At this point in the car ride west I was thinking, "Where are you taking me?"

To ease my nerves, as we drove we played a little yes and no question game. From that I was able to guess that we were going to stay the night in Tooele and race the next day at the Miller Motor Sports Park. Cool. Both were new experiences for me. And both turned out to be wonderful.

We stayed at a nice hotel in town, enjoyed the view of the Great Salt Lake, were far too childish at the pool, and thoroughly enjoyed being together and childless for the night. Who knew Tooele could be so much fun? I guess it's the new Park City for us. Maybe.

I included this picture, because that was EXACTLY the way I felt as we entered our hotel room.

Don't let looks deceive you. The one who is nervous doesn't look it, and the one who isn't nervous looks it. I think that was part of his winning strategy.

The next morning we headed to the races. We met up with Stephen's boss and his girl friend, and Stephen's co-worker and his father and brother. We had a nice group to race. Stephen satisfied his need for speed and was the fastest and won the race. I, on the other hand, was the slowest and totally lost. Since the track was a loop, I watched everyone pass me two or three times. Great fun was had by all.

Good looking and fast.

As we drove home to get the girls I couldn't say that I was well rested and relaxed after the night away. In fact, I was ready for a nap. But I could say I felt totally loved. Thanks, Stephen. I love you too.