Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam!

Levi started Sunbeams this year. He was very disappointed that he couldn't go to nursery, but I think he's finally accepted going to primary. In my ward there are two sunbeam classes-I teach one class, but Levi's in the other. I love watching him get excited about the things he's learning. He just smiles and smiles.

One week he turned to me in the middle of sharing time and said, "It's taking too long to go to papas!!" (We often go to his Grandparent's after church). It's tough for all those little sunbeams to sit still during primary.

Texas!

This Christmas we joined the whole Hal and Gaila family and flew to San Antonio Texas to visit Braden's sister, Courtney. We got to meet a new cousin, Baby Hayden!
Olivia and Braden in downtown San Antonio. We loved the River walk-it had a New Orleans Square feel to it. Don't tell, but Braden, Hal, Marc, Bryce, and Dallin went to a Spurs game!
Somehow all 14 us of fit in an elevator. Luckily at Courtney's house there was lots of room for all of us. Braden and I had our own room and an air mattress. Thank you Hayden for giving up your room.
At the Zoo Levi connected with a monkey. While in the bird/fish sanctuary Hal knocked his cane of a balcony. We watched it slowly sink to the bottom of a pond.
Levi and his cousin Spencer wrestled and played rough the whole 2 1/2 weeks! We also visited Sadie's first cousin once removed, Charlotte. She took us on a walk around her block and we came across a meadow full of deer! (By the way, Levi and Spencer are wearing the official 2007 Christmas pajamas).

San Antonio is a beautiful city. We went "exploring", looking for neat neighborhoods and homes. Hal and Gaila found their dream home-but we hope they'll stick around in California!

On New Years Eve people set off BIG fireworks all around Courtney's house. Levi, Spencer and Caitlin spent a lot of time out there-even though it was freezing! When we weren't exploring, taking walks, going to Walmart, and eating, we all played games. We played HOURS of Boggle, which is my new favorite game!

Bibia Bows

Olivia loves wearing her dresses. On Sundays she loves getting ready for church. She puts her legs up so I can put on her tights, then she finds her Sunday shoes.

On Sunday she went to nursery for the first time. She cried when I dropped her off, cried when when I saw her in the hall, and cried when her daddy picked her up. I talked to her nursery leader who she said Olivia was o.k. the rest of the time. She only cried when I was around. While on my trip in Texas my family pointed the same thing out to me-Olivia cries way more when I'm around. So I'm working on that. I'm really trying to anticipate and fulfill her needs before she starts crying. If she's not hungry, thirsty, needing a diaper change, but still crying she gets to sit down or go have a time out in her bed. Hopefully my redetermination will cut down on her crying fits.

Even with a little crying Olivia is very sweet-my little sweet pea. Sometimes I just can't stop kissing her little face!

DOGS?

On Saturday morning Braden went to Stater Brothers for a "quick trip". I was planning on going to the store later that day, but he still just wanted to get something for his breakfast. Well, he came home with his usually stuff...and TWO DOGS! He called me when he was at the store and told me to come down to take a look at some cute puppies.

So now I have two Border Collie-Lab puppies named Jackie (Levi really wanted Jack but she's a girl) and Sasha (Braden says she's named after a Laker but really the name just fits). Levi also wanted to name them Itsy and Dakota like his grandparent's dogs.

Will's Fish Bowl Story

My brother Will made this animation short for a class at BYU. Enjoy!

Maps

It looks like Levi shares my enthusiasm for maps. I love looking at maps. Sometimes I curl up on the couch with "The Atlas".

Gingerbread House

One of Levi's favorite books right now is "The Gingerbread Baby" by Jan Brett. Grandma started reading it to him in October. He hardly could wait for December to come so he could make a gingerbread house. Early in December we spent a wonderful evening listening to Bing , eating gingerbread cookies and making the little house.