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Grandpa Bob picked up Debbie, Collin and Hunter in Fruitland and dropped them off at the Boise (not SLC) airport. Then it was off to NYC to hook up with Ranee.

We ended up in a TINY hotel room. The boys had enough of sitting all day in planes and airports so they did what all boys do.... wrestle with blindfolds on.

Seriously the LONGEST stretch Hummer we've ever seen! And it was even Bronco orange!

We went inside the Empire State Building but we didn't go up to the top. We're going to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) tomorrow. We hear the people are super nice and you have a nice view of the ESB. Also on tab for tomorrow: ice skating at Bryant Park. It's free, as compared to NOT free at Rockefeller Center. And speaking of Bryant Park, I wonder if Project Runway is taping episodes right now. I'm in the mood for MOOD now! So much for bringing souvenirs home! My extra suitcase might just be filled with fabric!

And Blessings Shall Come to Those Who Have Faith

It has been a long journey, but the day has finally come. I've been given the opportunity to work at a different job, one that will give me corporate administrative experience. Within a couple days I will be starting a new career with a company called Ashley Manor. I am excited yet scared at the same time, but mostly excited. My job will entail processing payroll for over 500 employees and processing Accounts Payable for the company, which consists of over 40 locations in three different states. I feel so good about this job offer. I'd like to share with you how this blessing has come about.

Around the beginning of December, Ron and I made a commitment to read the scriptures together daily. We have often struggled with this goal. Oftentimes we would allow outside influences take precedence (TV, friends, computer, etc.) and when we came around to taking the time to read we were tired or cranky or unmotivated. I knew that what I needed to do was to make a sacrifice, myself, to show my commitment to this goal. "Bring forth fruits meet...unto repentance". What I knew I needed to do was to make a more sincere effort to go to bed at a decent hour so that I could get my necessary seven hours of sleep. I calculated that if I were to make sure I went to bed by 10pm, I could therefore wake up at 5am with Ron, which is the time he normally wakes up to prepare himself to go to work. Thankfully, my body has adjusted well to this schedule. I oftentimes will wake up just before the alarm goes off and I feel well rested. Ron and I spend about 1/2 hour studying the scriptures together; reading, pondering, and discussing how they apply in our lives today. We have grown together more spiritually than we've ever been. It feels comforting and I know we are being blessed. There are days that we may miss our time reading together in the morning, but Ron takes the initiative to make sure we stay on top of our goal and he will prompt a study time later in the day. I am grateful for his faith in our goal.

I've also made an effort to listen and ponder on what has been spoken to us in general conferences. The past two general conferences I've made MP3 CD's to listen to in the car while I drive to and from work. It has helped me get in the right frame of mind when I first start my day and has given me reason to rejoice in the blessings our Heavenly Father has given us. I will often find myself thinking throughout the day about what someone may have said in their talk and my heart shouts with gladness that we are blessed with a living prophet and apostles and leaders of the church who testify of the reality of love the Savior and our Heavenly Father have for us. If we do not make their words a constant in our lives, we will forget His love. We must make every effort with all the energy of our soul to remember; remember that we are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who sent his Only Begotten Son to show us the way back to Him.

During the past week I have been given reminders of how I should be living and what behavior I need to be emulating. Recently I re-watched the well made movie about Joseph. I am reminded of how the Lord will bless you in your trials, not on our time table, but on His time table. I took time to listen and re-listen to this talk in particular by Elder Richard G. Scott about wholesome character and integrity built on faith. I am ever grateful for daily reminders of our Savior's love for us through acts of kindness, written word and proclamations to the world by modern day prophets.

I have had many struggles in my life, but when I make a consistent effort to live what I know, to witness these truths by the choices I make daily in my life, I am given an indescribable joy in my heart that is promised to me through my obedience to God's law. I wish you all could feel this love too. I know you can if you desire and pray for it and find a way to sacrifice a part of you to make room for blessings unmeasured.

December Cali Visit Part 3

Some of my favorite photos from the trip:

Dad, Kat, Kendra, Tyson and Molly by the Teacups. Molly LOVED the Teacups. She didn't ride them (only Katherine and Ranee did) but she LOVED the lanterns above the ride.

Tara and family in front of Haunted Mansion, all decked out for the Holidays. Haunted Mansion and Small World were the two "must do" rides for almost everyone at Disneyland, both having Christmas decorations incorporated into the rides.

While Tara, Jon and Corryn were riding Haunted Mansion, Ethan found a ramp and started running up and down it. Of course, he didn't mind all of the other people on the ramp at all, he just weaved in and out of them wherever he found an opening until he got to the bottom of the ramp, stopped and looked around for Ranee...who was apologizing to all of the people he was cutting off and she was running into trying to keep tabs on him. Half the people looked at her with disdain - who lets their kid run around in a crowd? (he's not my kid...that's how...I'm just concerned with making sure he doesn't bleed while in my care) and the other half just laughed and smiled that Ethan was having such a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth - jealous that he didn't have to wait in a long line for a ride to have fun...he was pleased as punch just to keep running up and down the ramp.

Above Ethan kindly points out the water he found...that kid loves water...and wheels (see above). The wheels above did not belong to his stroller, nor to the stoller of anyone we knew. Of course, that didn't stop him from playing with them - thanks, Random Stranger, for parking your stroller so Ethan could play with it.

December Cali Visit Part 2

So it wasn't a complete and total surprise that Tyson and Kendra joined us in Disneyland. I believe they had decided to make the quick trip down while Grandpa Bob was still there visiting them. We sure are glad they joined us! We rode TONS of rides (lots with Miss Molly who enjoyed every one).

Molly got her first set of ears...of the Minnie variety.

She (and Ethan) both found ramps around Disneyland and just kept walking up and down them. Ethan stopped only when he saw wheels or water. Molly? She was like the Energizer bunny...she kept going and going and going. Couldn't blame her though. She'd spent most of the previous 3 hours either in her stroller waiting for World of Color to start or in Ranee's arms watching World of Color. She didn't complain once, but I can imagine she was super excited to walk around undeterred. A Disney cast member sat and watched Molly and kept commenting on how gorgeous she is...which is is absolutely true. Molly is just about the most adorable little girl ever what with her perpetual smile and cute little voice and Princess shaped eyes.

She fell asleep for just a few minutes while waiting for World of Color...everyone around us thought it was super cute how she covered her eyes. Once World of Color started, she was wide-eyed and pointing at all of the lights. I think she enjoyed it.

December Cali Visit Part 1

Turns out that Ethan is infatuated with wheels. Ranee, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Katherine visited Tara and Jon and family earlier this month. Grandpa Bob on a trek of the Southwestern US, having spent a few days with Tyson, Kendra and Molly just prior, is apparently travelling the country visiting his great grandchildren. Lucky them!

Corryn chilling...but just seconds later she lost it (see Tara's blog for the photo taken 2 seconds after this one).

A neighborhood in Torrance goes ALL OUT with the Christmas lights. We spent several hours walking around, admiring them all and taking out of focus photos.

Ethan is not a fan of the Grinch. At such a young age even he knows that the guy is trying to steal Christmas.

Grandma Katherine meeting little Corryn for the first time.

Next up: Tyson and Kendra surprise us all and join us in Disneyland.

Corryn Rachel Evans

Welcome baby girl, four weeks early but healthy as ever! 9/25/10 11:41am 6lbs 2 oz 18 inches. Beautiful head of light brown hair. Looks like she's already been the the salon for highlights! :)

Happy 64th Birthday Mom!

When I get older losing my hair,

Many years from now.

Will you still be sending me a valentine

Birthday greetings bottle of wine.

If I'd been out till quarter to three

Would you lock the door,

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four.

You'll be older too,

And if you say the word,

I could stay with you.

I could be handy, mending a fuse

When your lights have gone.

You can knit a sweater by the fireside

Sunday mornings go for a ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,

Who could ask for more.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four.

Every summer we can rent a cottage,

In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear

We shall scrimp and save

Grandchildren on your knee

Vera, Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,

Stating point of view

Indicate precisely what you mean to say

Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form

Mine for evermore

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four.

We Love You Mom!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGtSpsYURAQ