Cousins

 We had a handsome visitor a little while ago. Cousin Bruce came to visit.

These cuties are just ten days apart. They started holding hands but I missed the photo op.

I hope they keep being such good buddies as they grow up.

We are enjoying the snow.

The snow melted today but the snowman is still hanging on.

Baylub checks on it when he thinks of it to make sure his hard work is still there.

Rice Cereal

For some reason, this is one of my favorite milestones my babies reach. Their first taste of rice cereal makes for the funniest pictures. 

Love love LOVE our Siya!

Iliad

We have officially reached that momentous milestone in our married life. We now own two cars!

We bought this Odyssey this past weekend, after six and a half years, four kids, seven moves, two college graduations, eight different jobs, and many more mini-milestones. Are we doing things backwards? Sometimes I feel like we won't be able to buy our first home until retirement. But, maybe backwards to the norm is the right way to go. Different is good right? 

I didn't think we'd get an Odyssey, but it worked out being the car with enough seats, in our price range, with the lowest miles. And, I ain't gonna lie, we are AMAZED by all the space. I feel like we can swim around in there.  Lovin' it.

And here's a shout out to all those family members who have leant us vehicles over the years. Thank you! I owe you my sanity. I'm not joking even a little bit by that statement.

Merry Christmas!

2011 has been almost heaven

In paradisiacal OC

So temperate and bright

It’s been a delight

But now on to Utah we’ll be

Lara and Adam can no longer fathom

Quiet and peace before 9 (pm)

But with kids loud and sweet

Their life feels complete

So adding one more seemed just fine

Caleb the boy, Lucy the joy,

And Josephine feisty as ever.

Growing taller and sweeter,

Cuter and leaner.

They surprise us with quotes oh so

clever.

Anastasiya,* so nice to meet ya

Arrived safe and sound in the fall

Received her long name

‘Cause we served in Ukraine.

She’s the most angelic of us all.

Caleb the boy, Lucy the joy,

And Josephine feisty as ever.

Growing taller and sweeter,

Cuter and leaner.

They surprise us with quotes oh so

clever.

We hope this past year has brought

you good cheer

And blessings from heaven above.

This Christmas season,

We remember the reason

For our Savior has bought us with love.

Merry Christmas!

*pronounced Ah-nah-stah-SEE-ya

Off On Another Adventure...

We are gluttons for punishment. We really are. After an amazing 18 months in Southern California, we are leaving.

Never mind that we just moved two months ago into a nice new town house, we are off...

Never mind that we have a happy life with friends and fun in this slice of paradise, we love adventures (and packing and stress and lots and lots of change)...

Never mind that we have a stable job here, we love this crazy life we lead, so new chapter, here we come!

Here we come Utah, here we come new job, here we come new house, neighborhood, schools, friends. 

We are ready for anything and have everything because we have each other, the gospel, and the surety that we are not alone on this bumpy path we are traveling. 

Good bye dear friends in Orange County, we will come visit soon. 

And, Hello again Utah and the friends and family we have there. Here is too many good memories to be made. 

Fall

Southern California is famous for so many things including its weather. I must say, we have taken advantage and enjoyed the time outside. However, I MISS FALL. Autumn here consists of hot and cold intermittent days full of green foliage with a few dying sycamores. Randomly you'll see a yellow tree and maybe a red, but they are rare and surrounded by flowers so their effect is minimal.

Not long after Siya was born, I took an hour to myself one evening and to Home Goods just to window shop. I saw a framed print their that brought tears to my eyes. An autumn landscape with aspens in the foreground. It reminded my of fall in the Wasatch mountains, so, after checking with Adam, I bought it.... and love it. I have my fall now and am satisfied.