I'm Back!!!

For you who might check this blog occasionally, I'm back. After a stressful semester I finished my classes at Cal State Fullerton on December 17th and started celebrating the Christmas season. I've loved my studies at the university but I am so excited to be done with college. Next up...graduation in May. Thanks CSUF for a great experience...Go Titans!!!


The day after my classes were over I had a cookie exchange party with a few friends. Each received a copy of Martha Stewart's Cookie Book and picked a recipe to make and share.



Pictures of some of the beautiful and delicious cookies that we all shared.






Ava turned three on December 22 and we celebrated with family this month. She is a princess and received her Aurora "Sleeping Beauty" dress to prove it. Ave loved opening all her presents and even looked at all her cards.



Ave modeling her new princess dress.



Here is our Baby Shea. I love the baby blues. (Sorry for the runny nose.) Isn't she beautiful!!!



This is Ava's modeling pose. Maybe she'll be the Rose Queen someday because she certainly has the wave down.



Posing with her pink sprinkle cake.





Finally, a shot with her Mommy and three Grandmas. Happy Birthday Princess Ava.

Izzy got a new sweater for Christmas Eve.  She has been really cold with this chilly weather.  At first she wasn't thrilled with it, but now Izzy struts around the house like a model.  

On Christmas Eve, my sister and her family joined us and the kids opened their official Christmas Eve gift, pajamas.  This posed shot is for Trevor.  He asked why I didn't send him pj's in his package.  Sorry Elder, I didn't think you'd want to carry them around in your already bulging suitcases.

I caught Dallas snooping around the Christmas tree early Christmas morning.  No peeking.

The best gift on Christmas was talking with Trevor in Argentina.  We all called into a conference number.  Trevor called from Argentina,  Dallas called from his cell, me from my cell, Leland on the house phone, Ashley called in from St. George and Jillian called in from Las Vegas.  We were all connected for two hours while we drilled Trevor with questions.  He is doing great in the 114 degree weather and loving his mission.

After our phone call it was time to open presents.

Dallas got the best bundle of gifts.

This has been a great year.  Our family has been so blessed in so many ways.  We're all healthy, our testimonies have been strengthened and our missionary is happier than he has ever been in his life.  I am so grateful for all my blessings.  And I'm looking forward to a wonderful 2009.  Happy New Year to all my friends!!!!