Happy New Year!

My Earth Friendly Christmas Card to EVERYONE!

**Snowshoeing**

Nothing more is needed to be said other than:
Snowshoeing, SNOW, my dear sister Rhonda, KONA, perfect weather, SNOW, photoshoots, and lots of LAUGHS.... makes for a great day!

*Dear Friends, Family & Christmas*

It has become a Christmas tradition for DeAnna, Rhonda, our Dear Dear Friends- Diane & Ashley (new to the group this year Jeff) and I to enjoy a night together! Exchanging laughter, enjoying great food and really getting into the spirit of Christmas!

I met Diane about 5 years ago while working at JNI. She was an absolute sweetheart and was so prompt with work! Having me as a client, I'm sure was not pleasant at times! ha ha As well as meeting Diane, I was introduced to her daughter Ashley! I can't even put words to Ashley when I try to explain her. Her spirit is well.... amazing, unique and sweet. I really got to know Ashley while having the opportunity to tutor her once a week. Those nights at the library is what I looked forward to throughout the work day!

I am so blessed to have them and all the others that attended our annual Christmas Dinner! It is nights like this that really open my heart and eyes for the true blessings in life!

Thank you Sister, Ro, Jeff, Diane and Ashley for making this night so great!

Happy Holidays!

Quote of the Day

The time will come When, with elation, You will greet yourself arriving At your own door, in your own mirror, And each will smile at the other's welcome. And say, sit here, Eat You will love again the stranger who was your self. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart To itself, to the stranger who has loved you.

--Derek Wolcott

*Snow Day*

Remember when you were in grade school... and every time it snowed you wished for school to have a "snow day"? Well it has been snowing and so we (as in my friend Jeff and I) ..............

We played hooky and had SNOW DAY!!!!!!!

• Blue Skies
• Fresh Powder
• Lots of Laughs (thanks to Jeff face planting, & slipping on ice in the parking lot only to find the under care of the car above him, etc)
• No Work
• Porcupine afterwards (the all time greatest restaurant)

Sounds like we had ourselves a perfect "Snow Day" !!!!

(Jealousy is okay to have after seeing this blog! I just gave you permission!)

*Gratitude*

I am so embarrassed to say this but I sometimes forget how blessed I truly am! I sometimes overlook the simple things in life when really those are the things I need to be grateful for. I am not proud to say that sometimes i complain about the stupidest things. However the joys of being human is the process of learning & being humbled!

This past Tuesday night Denny (CeCe & their three boys) DeAnna, Rhonda and I made our yearly Christmas visit to the Utah Valley Coalition center. What an amazing experience this is. This being our third year volunteering and helping out, I thought for sure the feelings would not be so hard to digest.... boy was I wrong!

At the center we work in groups: A few of us putting food onto a tray, the others washing dishes and the others serving the trays to those that come in and sit down. For the second year in a row I was able to serve the food to those that came in. And for the second year in a row my eyes were opened and my heart was humbled.

A single dad bringing in his 4 year old daughter, Man/Wife & 5 kids, older gentleman, women... Every type of person you can imagine came in for a hot meal. I was touched by all of these individuals that were so grateful and were thanking us for bringing them food to their table. However there was one individual that stuck out and that won't leave my mind. He was a younger man- decent dressed- clean- about not couldn't be older than 28 came walking in about 20 mins before the doors were shut. He sat down smiled at me, as i took the tray to him, the words that he said to me really got me. "Thank you Thank you for the food. I just walked an hour to get here. I was worried that I wouldn't make it". I said you are so welcome. I'm glad you made it! As I was walking away, I may have felt a tear or two in my eyes but quickly wiped it away. After he was done with his meal, he got up and thanked us again. Walked to the window and thanked everyone that had dished up the tray. It wasn't until the drive home that I really started to feel gratitude. It's amazing experiences like this that I get the chance to witness that allow me to grow and really reflect on life.

There are so many things I have gratitude for. So many people in my life I need to thank and so many life experiences that have touched my heart in the most amazing ways!

I love this life and the hardships, trials and experiences it brings! I also love the opportunity to serve those people in need at Christmas time! I love this tradition Denny has started and has allowed me to partake in!

Thank you Denny & CeCe! These short few hours of service last forever in my heart!

**December Birthdays**

December 17: Dad

December 20: Caleb
December 26: Avery
December 26: Crystal


Happy Birthday to you.. Happy Birthday to you.. Happy Birthday dear Dad, Caleb, Aver aaaaaaaand Crystal.. Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

*Hugs*

The Nutcracker Ballet

This past Friday DeAnna, Rhonda, Jeff & I had the opportunity to attend a classic performance of "The Nutcracker Ballet".

The night was so much fun! We started it off a little late (surprise surprise), rushing out to the car we noticed the hallways of De's apartments were full of smoke. De and Ro deserve the good citizen award, they stopped to knock on doors, ask about the smoke, etc. Where as I was outside waiting in the cold weather more concerned about sitting in the theatre smelling like smoke!

We made it Capitol Theatre and with time to spare! One flight of stairs, after another after another... yes and one more... We found our seats! In amazement the seats were actually really good (beside the man that sat in front of De, with the size of Texas as his cranium). The ballet started and all eyes were on the stage. Watching the dancing, the large rats, adorable little kids and yes still trying to figure out how those men got into those TIGHT tights! :)

After the play we congregated around the large nutcracker and the beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby. I think this is when Sister De gets annoyed with me! What can I say, I love my camera and I love photoshoots! Unfortunately about 95% of the pictures came out fuzzy... still I have the memories of a great night!

We ended the night at Faustina's for a bite to eat... I walked away with a sore face, tummy and a headache! Not from the play or ballet but from laughing so hard! The company was great, the ballet was amazing, the food was so yummy! What a great night!

ELMO

Bean Bag

Cozy Blanket

The scent of a freshly cut Christmas Tree

All eyes watching Elmo

Kona just as interested as Kelan

Me sitting back smiling

Taking pictures of a most excellent night with my nephew Kelan

No more words needed

All I Want For This Season.......

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is SNOW !!

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& Lots of it.

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