Mulberry Street

So I realized I hadn't included all the photos and tidbits from our trip to Utah and Idaho last month. And, since I am a tad obsessive compulsive I can't seem to blog much else until I get this post done. Here goes... We saw all eight of our siblings, their spouses, and their twenty-four children. We saw our four parents and four of our grandparents. We slept in eight different beds over the fourteen nights we visited (Eric got away with five different beds since he stayed in a hotel for work, but still high for one trip!). We ate innumerable sweets in various forms. We ate out WAY too much and paid for it later. We almost sat with Santa and opened presents. Best of all we enjoyed our family and found it very difficult to leave all of Genevieve's 24 Cousins & Counting behind. We always learn a little more about ourselves, among other things on each trip and this one was no exception: Lessons Learned Until next time UT and ID. You may wonder why I would post a picture o...

Amaryllis Amber gave me this Amaryllis and I was super excited when it started to grow. The first one I received a few years ago must have frozen on my front step before I got it inside, because it never sprouted the tall green leaves. The first blossoms opened the night before we left for our trip west. They were gorgeous, bright, and huge. I can't wait until next winter when I plant it again so I can enjoy them for a full three weeks before their tragic wilting. Thanks Amber. Photo by Alisha Photo date: 12/06/09

We spent our Christmas at home, with good food and good company. We read Luke Chapter 2 about the birth of Jesus. We realized how blessed we are to have all that we have. We prayed that we can serve those around us and share the blessings of Jesus Christ.

On a whim I bought a sled last month. I figured I should buy one before it snowed and the preparation would allow us to go sledding as soon as the flakes fell upon the ground. It paid off because we have already used the sled twice. It takes Genevieve awhile before she agrees to sit on the sled, but eventually she gives into our pressure tactics and has a good time. Genevieve's snow angel. Notice that she only sunk into the snow 2-3 inches when she laid down. Obviously I weigh a tad more than Genevieve because I sunk into the snow a foot or more when I made my snow angel. We had to groom the hillside for a bit before we could actually slide down. It wasn't until Eric, who is a tad heavier than me, ran and jumped onto the sled thereby packing down the snow. After that we all picked up a little more speed. Eric wouldn't let me slide down on my stomach because of my growing belly. As a result I enjoyed a leisurely pace down the hill and into the parking lot below. It was st...

The most important thing Genevieve learned on our trip is the value of cousins. Genevieve had a fabulously fun time playing with all her cousins, but I can't tell if that is because they all treated her like a princess. Regardless, she has already begun asking for them again.

While traveling to Utah and Idaho Genevieve learned some new things, some exciting things, some practical things, and even some disappointing things. It reminds Eric and me that there are lessons to be learned all the time. Genevieve learned... ...that you CAN bake goodies three times in one week as long as someone facilitates. ...that flying is ten times more fun when you have your own suitcase. We learned that we need to allow more time for Genevieve's slow pace. ...that waiting until it "warms up" outside may never happen so you have to grin and bear the cold wind to play outside. ...to hoard toys (when related to princesses). ...that uncles have energy when Daddy doesn't. ...to strut her stuff in heels. ...to climb hay bales (with a little help from Grandpa). ...that naps are necessary when you play with twenty-four different cousins. ...to make snow angels. ...to eat snow. ...how to rip open presents. ...how to hold a parakeet. ...there are A LOT of temples...