More stolen posts from my sister

For Thanksgiving, my sister did a post every day for the entire month of November saying what she was thankful for. And WE made the thankful list! Yahoo! So here are three more stolen posts from my amazing sister.

Nanny tales

Day 24
Today I am thankful for my nephews, Turkey and Marmitt. They are the two cutest little boys in the world, and I love being their Nanny!
Today is Turkey's second birthday! We celebrated with him on Sunday. I came quickly to the realization that I have a spending problem when it comes to my little guys, but that's ok! Seeing how much Turkey enjoyed his presents was so much fun. He's growing so fast and learning so much. A few weeks ago when Marmitt was blessed we were all at my sister's house for dinner afterwards. It was past Turkey's nap time, so I decided that the two of us would sneak into Jolene and Nic's room for a little nap. We were both on the bed, me with my eyes closed and pretending to be asleep when suddenly I felt a little hand on my face. "Nanny, you sleepin?" Try as I might I could not contain my laughter! It was so adorable to hear that little voice ask me if I was sleeping. I tried to pretend to be asleep again with similar results, only it moved from a hand on the face to a little boy climbing on my back. My little Turkey is the sweetest thing ever, and I am so lucky to be his Nanny! There is no sweeter sound in the world than to hear "Nanny! Nanny! Nanny!" when he sees me, and there's no greater feeling in the world than him hugging and kissing me. So thankful for that little boy!
Yesterday was Marmitt's 3-month birthday. He is the same age now that Turkey was when I met him. My little Marmitt is getting so big and so fun! He has started smiling now, and as I held him the other night he was so happy and smiling at me! He is even starting to love kisses from his Nanny. Just like his big brother, this little guy has his Nanny wrapped around his finger! My little Marmitt is so stinking cute-with hair that changes from platinum blonde to red depending on the day (and probably his mood!) and the sweetest little smile and cheeks...he's a keeper, that's fo sho! I'm so excited to watch this little Marmitt grow, and can't wait until he's yelling "Nanny!" too!

The power of the Sister Rings

Day 23
Today I am oh-so-thankful for my wonderful sister, Jolene. Not everyone knows this, but when she and I were younger we didn't really get a long. There is a 9 year age gap between us, so for a long time I was the "annoying little sister" that everyone talks about (really, I was!) and she was the "mean big sister" who never let me have any fun (at least that's how I remember it!). We did plenty to torture one another back in the day, and somehow we both survived.
Fast forward to Jolene going on her mission. I missed her while she was gone, and was excited when she came home, but there still wasn't that deep connection. Then she was home, and we started to do things together. In the 18 months that she had been gone we had both done a lot of growing, and it helped us to grow closer together. Plus, she gave me a pretty awesome "sister" ring, to which she has a twin. To this day we both wear our "sister" rings to prove that we're really sisters!
I am so thankful that we both finally grew up and really got to know one another. In my sister I have found my dearest friend, my kindred spirit. For better or for worse my sister knows me inside and out-and she loves me despite my faults and shortcomings. My sister is someone I know that I can turn to no matter what, and she'll always listen and offer support and counsel. Jolene is my cheerleader, my motivator, my mediator, my sounding board, my rock, and she's a really good shoulder to cry on! We have so much fun together, and it's usually quite the adventure when we're together! Nic calls Jolene and I "surround sound" because we tend to say the same thing, at the same time, over and over again. It's a pretty decent accomplishment, if you ask me! We laugh until we cry, share our most embarrassing moments (crazy enough-plenty of mine have happened in the presence of my sister! Jolene-remember my awesome face-plant in your car?!), and share our innermost secrets and desires. Now you're wishing that you have a sister as awesome as mine! I'm so glad that I get to call her my own. Jolene is one amazing and beautiful woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life!

"Talked to God like he was talkin' to a Friend..."

Day 6
Today I am so grateful for my brother-in-law, Nic. He and I don't always see eye to eye and we have our differences, but even when we're acting like a couple of old billy goats I know that he is an amazing man deep down. One thing that I particularly love about him is his ability to pray and actually talk to God. I love the opportunities that I have to share prayers in the Jenkins household for this reason. Nic has a way of making a blessing on the food sound real, personal, and so sincere. Hearing him pray always makes me evaluate and change the way that I pray.
My newest nephew (if you don't count Ruger) was given a name and a blessing today. I was really looking forward to this as I had missed Sam's blessing while I was on my mission. I love my nephew, Mark Emmitt Clay to pieces, and knowing that my awesome bro-in-law with his amazing gift to pray and speak to Father made it even more better. Unfortunately, due to some technical issues only the people on the first couple of rows of the chapel got to hear the blessing. I laughed as I realized that I have not heard either of my nephew's blessings (but hey, it keeps it fair!) but it's ok because the important part is that Mark Emmitt Clay was given a blessing, and I know that it was great because it came from Nic. I am so grateful that Nic is a part of our family!

A stolen post from my sister

I stole this from my sister's blog. She really captured my feelings that I haven't been able to put into words just yet. Thanks, Nanny!

Miracle Mark

If you know the movie I modified the title of this post from, 100 bonus points for you!
Now, on to the important stuff. Just over a year ago, perhaps on New Year's Day (?) I was reading my sister's blog. This is her opening to hew New Year's post: "This past year we received two thousand ten plus blessings. I'm excited for the one more blessing we'll receive this new year. I am just feeling really blessed in my life right now." As I read that I stopped and asked myself if she was pregnant. Apparently others thought the same thing too, because some friends commented asking if she was indeed expecting. I realized quickly that she was referring to the year (2010, hence the two thousand and ten blessings, plus one more for 2011) and I laughed as I told her of her almost-folly the next day. To my surprise she got really quiet and looked around to make sure no one else was around then told me that she was indeed expecting! A Freudian slip! She really did mean the number of blessings to equal the year, but it just worked out that she would be receiving one more blessing in the form of a child. Little did we know that this one blessing would lead to so many others.
Being around for this pregnancy was a lot of fun, and a lot of work at first! It was so hard to know and not be able to tell! I was in charge of making sure that my sister got to eat when we needed to at parties, and that she didn't get too tired. I kept waiting and waiting for her to make the big announcement so that I wouldn't have to keep the secret anymore! Tell she did, on Valentine's Day, which was a lot of fun. Sam started saying "baby, baby, baby" and patting his tummy, and we all started making preparations for the new little guy to join our family.
On August 23rd little Mark Emmitt Clay was born at 7:15 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. His best feature-his flaming red hair! Marmitt, as his Nanny likes to call him, is like the horse of many colors when it comes to his hair; sometimes it's strawberry blonde, red, flaming red, and all shades in between. I got to meet him the very night he was born and introduce myself, which I loved! Little Marmitt being born also meant that I got to spend some Nanny time with Sam, which I loved! We played, had tons of fun, and got things ready for when Mommy and the baby came home. It was great! I got to stay with the happy family for a few days to help everyone adjust, and then I got a new job so I had to take off for home. It was hard to leave my little guy, but a Nanny is never far away!
On September 4th I was in the middle of a long Sunday nap when my Mom woke me up. I could hear panic in her voice as she told me that our Marmitt had been taken by ambulance to Primary Children's (hospital) because he was having seizures. I jumped out of bed and in less than 5 minutes we were on the road, heading to SLC.
When we arrived at the hospital we were taken to the ER room, but everyone was gone to a test. We anxiously waited and a few minutes later everyone came back, little Marmitt on a big stretcher hooked up to machines, with Mommy and Daddy close by his side. We found out that he had bleeding on his brain, which was causing the seizures. This started a long and scary road for our little miracle boy.
Marmitt spent 13 days at Primary's, with lots of ups and downs. So many prayers were said for him, and I know that the faith of those prayers is what saved that little boy. At first we weren't allowed to touch him while he was in the PICU because they didn't want him to get over-stimulated. Seeing him hooked up to all of those machines and wires was really hard. One of the many miracles that this little boy experienced was in his Uncle J and Aunt Fishy's wedding day. Jolene and Nic left him in the PICU to come to the sealing and wedding brunch. When they got back to the hospital they found out that the little Marmitt had been graduated to a regular room-no more PICU! It was a perfect addition to that day! I know that the temples of the Lord bring blessings for those who attend, and this day was no different. Our entire family was in the temple that day, and we were blessed for it. We had a wedding miracle! There were plenty of other miracles that the little Marmitt boy experienced, this is just one of them.
Finally Marmitt got to come home after 13 days. It was a crazy time for everyone, but eventually life got back to "normal." Marmitt has been getting services from Early Intervention, and from them we learned that he is even more of a miracle. For the severity of his bleed he is doing amazingly well! He has a slight weakness on his right side, but that is it. The little miracle boy kept proving to be a miracle!
Earlier this month Jolene took Marmitt in for his regular checkup with his neurosurgery team. That was when they found out that Marmitt had hydrocephalus, also known as swelling of the brain. The doctors had initially believed that Marmitt's body would take care of everything on its own, but now it was telling them otherwise. The solution: a shunt. A shunt is a device that is surgically placed in the body that moves excess fluid from one place to another, in this case from Marmitt's brain to his belly. We were all nervous about this "minor" surgery, but excited for something that was going to help Marmitt in the long-run.
My Christmas wish this year was that our little Marmitt would be home to enjoy Christmas with us. His surgery was on the 19th, just days away from the festivities. More prayers were said for the little miracle boy, and once again, faith overcame fear and doubt. Marmitt came through the surgery like a champ, impressing his doctors and nurses. He came home as scheduled, and is doing great. It's crazy to see the difference the shunt has already made in the Marmitt boy! He was a happy baby before, and even happier now! (Minus a little minor grumpiness due to a cold...) He is truly a miracle boy! And my Christmas wish came true-the little miracle boy was with us on Christmas morning! Our entire family got to celebrate Christmas together, which is a great blessing!
I know that God hears and answers our prayers. Sometimes we go through hard times, but the Lord it with us through it all. When we are weak He is there to be our strength. The Little Miracle Boy, Miracle Mark, is proof that God is not absent from our lives. He still works miracles in our lives every single day. God loves us and showers us with his blessings.

Photos:

Top: Marmitt's hospital "mugshot"

Second: at home, a few days old

Third: Marmitt's hospital stay

Last: Marmitt 2 days post-surgery

Drama, drama, drama

***Disclaimer: I would like to blame the following occurrence completely on the fact that I had a terrible cold and was doped up on cold medicine.

On December 30th, we had plans to go out to G-ville to celebrate my sister's birthday. Her birthday is actually on New Year's Eve, but it worked out better for everyone to celebrate the day before. The initial plan was to go to a movie and then dinner. Well, I didn't sleep well the night before and woke up sick and miserable. Nic was such a sweetheart. He took care of Mark during the middle of the night so that I could get some sleep and then, in the morning, he took Sam to his parent's house so that I could get some more rest. Basically, the whole family has been swapping germs back and forth for a month, and it was now mommy's turn to be sick. I think we have all had two or three rounds of being sick.

Well, Mark and I just chilled in bed all day. Mark was a good baby and was content to just hang out while I slept. Finally around noon, I dragged myself out of bed and took a shower. We were struggling to get ready, so I called Nanny and told her we weren't going to make it to the movie but that we would be there for dinner.

Once Mark and I were ready for the day, around 4 p.m., we decided to run to the mall to buy a present for Nanny's birthday. There was this perfect Nanny hat that I had seen earlier, so I figured it would be easy enough to just run in and pick it up. We were planning on spending the night in G-ville, so that meant we had Gus in tow with us. I didn't think it would be a big deal to leave Gus out in the car while we ran into the mall, because I knew exactly where I was going and was only planning on being gone for 15 minutes tops.

I put Mark into a baby front carrier pack, bundled him up in a blanket, and we made our way into the mall. Because I have a tendency to forget where I've parked at the mall, I usually try to park in the same area, and I made a special point to take note of where we came in. We went directly to the store with the hat, bought the hat, and then made our way back to the car. By this time, my cold medicine was starting to wear down, and I was starting to wear down. Mark was done with being in the carrier so I was just carrying him wrapped up in his blanket. We went out to the parking lot and headed to where I thought my car was. No car. Strange. Maybe it was in the next aisle. We checked the next aisle and the next. We went up and down five aisles. No car. We backtracked and did it again. No car. We looked again. No car. At this point, I was exhausted and panicked. Where was my car? I saw what I thought was the truck that I had parked next to, but the stall next to the truck was empty. I began to panic that my car had been stolen. I am known for forgetting to lock my doors, and suddenly I was having visions of some punk kids just jumping in and taking my car for a joy ride. We backtracked one more time with no success. I called Nic in hysterics. My car had been stolen with Gus in tow.

Nic had been on his way to pick up Sam to bring out to G-ville for dinner, so he was close. He said he was heading my way and to call the police to begin filing a report. I called the police and told them that I thought my car had been stolen from the mall. They said they would send an officer. Then I waited in the food court. I was a complete wreck! I was holding Mark (who was super cute and smiling adorably at me) and bawling. I kept thinking of all the horrible things that could happen to Gus and it would be all my fault for being an irresponsible doggy mom. I must have been quite the picture of tragedy. A few nice people stopped to ask me if I was okay and if they could do anything to help me. They were so concerned and so nice! I wish there was some way that I could contact them! We waited for a little bit and then Nic finally arrived. He gave me a big hug and told me everything would be okay. We were both ready to beat up any punk kid we came in contact with that may or may not have stolen our dog. Nic made sure I was okay and then left to drive around to see if the car had been ditched somewhere. I could also see a police car driving up and down the aisles in the parking lot. So then I waited some more. I called my family, who were all in the movie, and left a message to call me. And I waited and waited and waited.

After what seemed like forever, Nic called me. "Go out of the food court and go out the door right next to the food court," he told me. The car was parked right where I left it, in the parking lot right next to where I was, complete with one big dog in the back wondering where on earth we had gone. I called the police and let them know that we had found my car and that there was no longer an emergency. And then I bawled in relief.

Was it extremely embarrassing? Yes. But mostly, I was relieved that all was well, that my sweet Gus was okay, and that there weren't hoodlums out stealing cars from poor mothers at the mall. And this experience taught me to be a little more responsible and to appreciate my super-hero husband who takes care of me when I'm sick and when I'm crazy!

2011 Highlights and Lowlights

I haven't been the best blogger this year, so I have found myself frantically trying to catch-up these days. I've decided the best thing to do, in order to catch-up, is to just do a list of the highlights and lowlights of 2011. I'm going to try not to get too detailed or I'll never get this done. But I do want to try and capture, with a few words and pictures, this year for my family. In other words, here is our family newsletter. Every year I get other people's newsletters, and I think, "I should do that!" But I never do. After you finish reading this post, you'll probably be glad that I don't! But watch out next year for the epistle...it could happen!
January

• Sam got his first haircut. This was a really hard thing for me. It marked the turning point of my baby becoming a toddler. Sam did really well with his first hair cut though; since then, not so much.

• Our wedding anniversary is January 23rd and this year Nic took me to see Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband at BYU. The highlight for me was dancing on the bridge, listening to our song on Nic's I-pod. I married the best guy ever!

Feb.

• On Valentine's Day, we made the big announcement to our family and friends, and the world in general, that we were going to have a baby. Best Valentine's Day ever--even better than the ones in Elementary school with the the Valentine's shoe boxes and treats galore!
• In Feb. and March, Sam and I went on a few road trips with daddy to Reno and Idaho. Sam and I agree that the hotel life is the way to live.

March

• Our good friends, Chris and Kristine and their two kids, Abbie and Nic, came for a visit. Chris is in the military, and they've recently moved from Ohio to Colorado. It was fun to see them again.

• This was my last year to help coach the mock trial team for CVMS. When I was teaching, coaching the mock trial team became a passion of mine. It is high-stress, exciting, a lot of work, and I love it! The kids are amazing at how well they compete and are able to think through things. I will really miss coaching, but I hope CVMS continues competing. Maybe someday I'll go back to coaching at some school or other...in my free time. =)

• Our big highlight: Sam started walking at the end of March. Watching as Sam runs through the house, destroying everything in his path, it seems impossible that it was just this year that he started walking. I remember wondering if he would ever learn to walk by himself. Now I'm thinking I would have been okay with him taking a little longer to learn!
  

April

• Easter: Sam had a lot of fun with Easter. He is the only grandchild on my side of the family and was the youngest (until Mark) on Nic's side. He got to find a LOT of eggs this year.

• The cousins from Washington were in town for a triathlon. Aunt Heidi, Uncle Mark F., and Aunt Holly all competed in the triathlon and did really well! We had fun cheering for them!

• While the cousins were in town, I did my annual book club with the girls. I started a tradition a couple of years ago, where every at Christmas, the girls get the same book for their present. They then read it and whenever the WA cousins come to town, we do some sort of activity to go with it. Last year, we read Little House in the Big Woods, went to Wheeler Farm, ate old-fashioned candy, and made rag dolls. This year we read Chasing Vermeer and went to the art museum at BYU.
• 
• We also went as a family to the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. It was a wonderful, uplifting experience.
• 

May

• This month we began, in earnest, our BIG PROJECT (besides having a baby, the other project): the Yard. Nic completely tore up the lawn (which was more weeds and stickers than grass), leveled everything, and basically started from square one. Sam loved playing in the dirt and in the trenches.

• I had the opportunity of attending some classes in what is called SoJo University. We learned all about our city, including public works, recreation, and government. We met once a week and at the end of eight weeks, we even had a little graduation ceremony during the city council meeting. It was a lot of fun for me, and I learned so much. I would really like to be more involved in my community, and maybe some day run for school board or city council. You heard it here first, folks, I'm announcing my candidacy! =)

• For Memorial Day, we went on our annual camping trip with Nic's side of the family to Out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere, UT (somewhere in the deserts of around Delta). During our camping trip, we got snowed on which sent us packing to Lehman Caves. All in all, it was a fun adventure!
  

• In May, we also got a new neighbor, which began a whole new adventure in of itself. We miss our old neighbors, Tom and Diane, but are slowly getting to know our new neighbor and appreciate her and her quirkiness. Because, hey, we're all quirky in some way, right?!
• At the end of May, beginning of June, we had a little bit of a scary experience with Gus. He kept throwing up and wasn't looking very good, so we took him in to the vet. After our experience with Gimli, it's always so scary to go to the vet. Well, Gus ended up with an infection with his pancreas. Poor guy! He had to fast for two days--no food or water, and he had three different medications he had to take. This is how I learned that I can do anything. I was in charge of giving Gus his medicine which required me to set an alarm to give one medicine three times a day, the other medicine one hour after each dose of the first medicine, and the third medicine twice a day. We also couldn't use any bread or anything like that to help him swallow the pills, so that meant I had to pry open his mouth and literally put my hand down his throat to get the pill down. I don't know who had the worst time--Gus or me! But now, anytime I'm faced with a difficult situation, I think, "If I can get a pill down a 130 lb. dog's throat, I can do this!"
  

June

• We had our annual girl's weekend in St. George. Except this year, we invited four guys to come with us: my dad, my brother, my Uncle Allen, and Felicia's dad. We all had a lot of fun 'under the sea' (it was the Little Mermaid at Tuacahn). Next year, however, to save the guys from the endless shopping and girly giggling, I think we'll go back to just girls. =)

• Sam and I began swim lessons together. It was called 'Parent-Tot' swimming class, and I think we both learned so much, including to overcome our fears of the water. I took swimming lessons as a kid, but never passed. I actually have a certificate that says I didn't pass. Something about sheer terror of water. So this was a great opportunity for me to redeem myself and have some fun with Sam. Plus, everyone was fortunate to see the sexy-pregnant-me in a swimsuit.

• A definite highlight of swim lessons and this year was that we made friends with Shannon and her daughter, Shayla. Shayla is two weeks younger than Sam, and at the time of swim lessons, Shannon was a few weeks behind me in pregnancy. They have proven to be the best of friends and we have had many adventures together. I think that it was divine providence that we met and became friends.

• Starting this month and through out the summer, Shannon and Shayla, my other friend Heidi and her daughter Addison, and Sam and I tried to try different parks in our city. We tried to go once a week (though, admittedly, as I got more pregnant, we didn't go as much) and had fun trying and rating different parks. We'll definitely need to do this again next summer and get all the parks we didn't get to this year.

• This month we also finished our BIG PROJECT. Nic worked so hard on the yard for so many days and nights. I think it was a never ending ulcer for him. Then one Saturday we had a sod party with lots of wonderful helping hands, and the yard was done (mostly). Now we just need to do the finishing touches. But we have grass--hip, hip, hooray!

Gus loves the new yard!

But daddy and Sam found out that it just means more work! =)

July

• This month we had a lot of fun with the 4th of July, Draper Days, and Pioneer day. I was 100% ready to pop, but we still managed to go out and have lots of fun. And now, Sam has a fascination and love for police cars and fire trucks. Sometimes we'll be driving down the street and Sam will suddenly yell, "Woo-woo-wooo--Yay!" which always makes mom promptly check the speedometer to make sure she is going the speed limit!

• To cool off, we got one of those classic plastic swimming pools. It was enjoyed by the whole family, including Gus.

• At the end of the month, we got another visit from our WA cousins and Aunt Heidi & Uncle Mark. We had so much fun playing with them. Two highlights were a trip to the zoo and floating down the canal.

August

• This was a really big month because this is the month when Baby Mark arrived. I can't say much more than it was a life-changing, absolutely awesome MIRACLE! I can't imagine our family without the little guy! Is that all that happened in August? Yeah, pretty much! =)

September

• This month we had some major lowlights and highlights! Who knew so much could happen in just one month? When Mark was just ten days old, he ended up in Primary Children's Hospital with hemoraging on his brain. He was there one day short of two weeks. It was an experience full of ups and downs, great heart ache but even greater blessings. Very soon, the monster post about that experience will be posted! Suffice it to say, he is doing really well now.
• 

• A major highlight, that deserves more than just a few sentences but this will have to do, is that my baby brother, Jason (known to us as J.D.) married his beautiful sweetheart, Felicia, in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. It is so weird to me that my little brother is married! But they had been dating so long, that I can't really remember the family without Felicia. She is a wonderful, sweet new sister, and I'm excited to continue to get to know her. She is a mighty woman to put up with my bro every day! =) The ceremony was beautiful and really touched my heart. It was such a tender experience to be in the temple and feel of the spirit and see a new family beginning. It also reminded me of the wonderful blessing of forever families while my baby was struggling in the hospital. It was a moment of great love, peace, and joy. And it was the first time I got to be in the temple with my parents and both of my siblings. What a wonderful experience!

The past couple of months were rough on Sam. He got a little brother that he has to share the stage with and he lost one of his sweethearts to Uncle Jason!

• At the end of the month, on September 29th, a good friend from Nic's work, Wade Bills, passed away. He was only 45 years old and just died in his sleep, leaving behind his teenage son, Tyler. Nic had the opportunity to speak at his funeral and did a wonderful job at paying tribute to a fun, big-hearted man. It was a difficult thing for Nic, but he really did a great job. Wade will definitely be missed!

October

• This month, we made our annual pilgrimage to Witchapalooza at Gardner's Village. We had a fun time shopping and looking at all of the fun witch displays. One of these days, we'll get Grandma M to run for Queen Witch!

• Halloween was fun with a little Peter Pan and lost boy Indian. Nic was Captain Hook, and I was Wendy. Sam turned into a sugar fiend and continued his sugar addiction well into January (so did I, so I'm not judging)! We had so much fun trick-or-treating. Sam couldn't figure out how to say 'Trick-or-treat' but by the end of the night would say, "Thank you. See you. Happy Halloween!" Nanny Manda also went with us to Boo at the Zoo, a tradition we started last year.

• We also had another home fun project-re-shingling the house. Nic can now say that he has literally put a roof over our heads!

November

• At the beginning of this month, we blessed our baby boy, Mark. It was a wonderful blessing. It was kind of a bummer because I was trying to write down the blessing, but the microphone kept cutting in and out, so I missed some of it. But from what I heard and knowing that Nic listens to the Spirit and gives wonderful blessings, I know that it was a good blessing. Mark is such a blessing in our lives, and he brings light to everyone who comes in contact with him. Once again, the house was packed with family and friends who came to support little Mark. Aunt Heidi and the kids even came from Washington just for him. It was so good to see so much love and support! We love our baby Mark!

Mark was blessed in his daddy's blessing outfit, complete with daddy's baby blankets and everything!

• I got a new job as a reporter for the South Valley Journal. It's just part-time, but it's just right for me. The first articles that I wrote were quite the learning experience. And while I'm still learning, hopefully, I'm getting better. I cover the education beat, and I love that it keeps me involved with the school world still. I have a press pass and everything!
  

• For Thanksgiving, we went on a road trip to Washington for Daisy's baptism. Mark did really well with the road trip but I think next time we'll think twice before taking a two year old on a 11 hour car drive. I learned that when you think a toddler will go to sleep, he will stay awake the entire time, and that it is not easy to keep him entertained for that long of time. But once we got there, we had a great time. Sam was in hog heaven with having so many cousins to play with constantly and a giant play room. I don't think I really saw him the entire time we were there! Nic had the opportunity to baptize Daisy and it was a very special experience. Daisy has so much spunk and personality--I love that kid!

• We also celebrated Sam's birthday this month. This year our turkey's birthday was on Thanksgiving, so we ended up celebrating before and after Thanksgiving. It wasn't the Sam-tacular event like last year, but Sam was spoiled rotten nonetheless and enjoyed his birthday. I can't believe he is already the terribly terrific TWO! He's getting to be such a big boy! And already so independent (and stubborn)! The Sunday before his birthday, we celebrated in G-ville with my family. Uncle J and Aunt Felicia gave him some stylin' new clothes which, every time he puts them on now, he says, "Thank you, Felicia!" Nanny gave him an Elmo and Elmo movies. Sam loves Elmo! The first few days, he took Elmo everywhere with him and we are constantly watching the Elmo movies. In fact, he is watching an Elmo movie right now as I type this! Nanny sure does know what Sam likes! Grandpa and Grandma gave Sam a motorized car. We laughed so hard watching Sam learn how to ride it. He has to push a button to make it go, and he's a little bit of a jerky driver right now. But he likes to give his stuffed animals, including Elmo, rides. It probably won't be too long before he's giving Mark rides down the drive-way!

While we were in Washington, we also had a party for Sam, the day after Thanksgiving. We had a Cars party with all of the cousins. We played games, decorated cupcakes, opened presents, and had a special Cars cake. It was a lot of fun! I think daddy and Sam's favorite part was racing cars down the ramp.

December

• Right before Christmas, we had two lowlights. The first was that we had to say good-bye to our good friend, Terrie Rasmussen. Terrie was Nic's boss's wife, but so much more than that. She took Nic under her wing a long time ago and has always taken good care of both of us. She was an amazing, loving, spunky person. If you ever wanted to meet someone completely dedicated to her family, Terrie was that person.

• Another lowlight was that we had to take Mark back to Primary Children's hospital to have a shunt put in. He was still having problems with swelling on his brain, so he now has a tube that runs from his brain to his abdomen that drains excessive spinal fluid from his head. The highlight is that he did really well with the surgery, we only had to stay at Primary's for one night, and he is now doing really, really well.

• December was full of Christmas parties and celebrations. This year Santa sent us a new friend, Ernie the Elf to help us get ready for Christmas during the month. Sam really got into Christmas this year and was spoiled rotten. Mark didn't do so bad either! We did the tradition of sleeping over at grandpa and grandma's house in G-ville. Because Christmas was on a Sunday this year, we had the opportunity to celebrate the Savior's birth at church in G-ville at 9 a.m. and then we high tailed it to Draper to go to church with Nic's family at 11 a.m. Then we spent the rest of the day at Papa and Grandma J's house, eating, lounging, and playing with our new toys.

Well, that's about it--our year. Looking back, I can't believe that all happened in just one year! Life has been full of blessings for us, that's for sure!