Welcome Back!

I could make this entire post about how sorry I am that I haven't been writing...it seems only fitting since I've been absent about 6 months! And I am sorry- I love having a 'journal' of sorts to keep track of the fun our family has been having. I also love giving those far away from us a glimpse of life's happenings...it just makes friends and family seem a tad closer, you know?! With that said, I am hoping to have at least a post a month. I know that may seem lame, but since it's one a month instead of one in six months (like last year), I think that's actually quite a lofty goal! :-D

Great stuff has happened this past, oh, six months...here's a bit of the past couple of weeks:
1. My littlest brother Alex just married an amazing little lady named Hannah. She looks like a model, loves and supports my bro, is smart, fun, and laid back...we are so excited to have her in the family!
2. Had a blast in Illinois for Christmas...the cousins played from sun up to sun down and enjoyed every minute of it! We had an ongoing hot chocolate bar...a MUST for every Christmas hereafter, fun dips in the hot tub, awesome shopping trip with the girls, lots of plotting and planning for the 2012 Marython plans, singing in the church choir, singing around the piano with my brothers, etc.
3. Performing the nativity play for Dad at the ER was another highlight. We had a sleeping Tyler as Baby Jesus, a large stuffed leopard as the camel, Logan and Lucy as Joseph and Mary, Gracie as a wonderful angel, Nonna, Jonny, and Erin as the wise men, and Katie and I as the shepherd and sheep. Sam played the role of the director, James and Dad were the audience.
4. Visit to my Grandma and Grandpa with Uncles and Aunts, cousins, and such- great music, great food, and lots of loud chit chat and laughing!
5. Yummy meals, the candy tree, and on and on and on. I love food.
6. Got to meet up with more family on our drive home when Hal, Kristel, Cody, Hunter, and Pam drove up to Knoxville to see us- Chuck E Cheese, a freezing cold pool...what more could you ask?!
7. Still keeping busy with the youth in our ward- I LOVE working with these amazing girls. James is still working with the missionaries and does an awesome job!
8. Tyler and Katie are both in gymnastics- Katie has attended a dance class with ballet and tap a few times- she loves it, so I think we'll find her a permanent class soon. Logan is all about soccer and cub scouts, and is looking forward to the beginning of his indoor season of soccer.
9. The boys love school, Katie enjoys her 'library class' (weekly storytime), and I love my job taking care of them.
10. Life is good. We are blessed. Here's to starting January off with one goal met. :-)