Fallen off the map...

Yes, it appears our little family has fallen off the map as of recently. You would think that after the holidays, things would be a little slow. But not here in sunny San Diego. We've been enjoying a variety of visitors including my sister Jessica and her husband, Ben, and their dog, Gus which were shortly followed by Brandon's sister Amanda and her two angels, Trent and Camryn. We had tons of fun with our guests. Brandon and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary last Friday and treated ourselves to the Melting Pot which was fabulous as always. And we, like everyone else it seems, have been dealing with the joys of cold season. First Carly, then me and it will probably skip Brandon, as usual. So forgive us for being absentee in the blogging world and we'll see if can't make an improvement over the next little while.

Carly and her bff, Kaylen. I just love bath pics!

We went to the Mormon Battalion celebration in Old Town. You can judge from Carly's expression how she felt about making a pioneer doll!

Carly's first shooting lesson. We were just sad that Uncle Ben couldn't be there to share in the moment! :)

We even got the opportunity to roast bicuits on a stick!

It seems the skill of eating peas with a spoon requires one arm air while the other
scoops. So cute!

In case you are wondering where are the pics of our anniversary and the fun we had with our families, well, I'm still working on my capturing important moments on camera skill. :)

Our Beloved Prophet

Last night, we lost our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. While we mourn his death and feel a great loss at his absence, we know that he is in a better place and feel honored to have lived under his guidance and love inspired from above. We are so happy that he is now reunited with his wife and after years of hard work, he has completed his mission here on earth. We are so thankful for all his words of love, support, and guidance that he has given over the years. He was truly a great man and will be missed by many.

ELMOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Elmo has taken over my life. It's one of the first things I hear in the morning and one of the last things I hear at night. We have elmo movies, elmo dolls, elmo cups, elmo clothes, elmo coloring books, elmo's world, elmo books, and more. So as you may have guessed, Carly loves Elmo. He is the cure- all, he can turn any frowning face upside down. She will actually sit and watch Elmo for stretches of time, no other show or toy can do that. When we go anywhere, I must bring Elmo just in case. When she woke up in the middle of the night because of an incoming molar, what one word did she say? Elmo! But despite all the Elmo that I endure every day, I don't really mind. I don't find Elmo to be as obnoxious as some shows, and Elmo's world is educational. And, like most moms, if something will entertain my child for even 10 minutes, it's wonderful. So for now it's Elmo, Elmo, and more Elmo!!!

Why we do it...

Many people often wonder why people love San Diego so much. Why they pay such high prices to live here. I'm sure many of you have rolled your eyes, laughed or said "yeah right!" when we suggested you move to San Diego too. You wonder how or why we would pay such high costs of living when there are plenty of other wonderful places to live. Well, today is a perfect example of why. While all of you sit in your spacious homes, bundled in sweaters, pushing the lever closer and closer to 80 on the thermostat, dreading going outside to church, we bask in the sunshine. It's a wonderful 79 degrees in San Diego today. All the windows are open and you can hear your fellow Charger fans yelling during the game. Birds are singing and you stop to wonder to yourself, maybe this is paradise. So later this month when you get your heating bill, don't forget to think of us in our flip flops enjoying the sunshine at the park or maybe even the pool. (It's open all year!) Just remember, you're always welcome to visit!

Happy New Year!

I would like to dedicate this to all of you who have made another New Year's resolution to lose weight! May the year bring you self control and the shedding of pounds!

"T'was the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The cakes and the pies, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And pr epared once again to do battle with dirt
I said to myself, as I only can -

"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll only chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore ...
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet! "

(FYI - I did not write this, it was an email I received and just loved!)

What we've been up to...

For those of you who just love the pictures, here are a bunch of Carly...

For reason still unknown, Carly likes to take the baskets out of the coffee table and stand in one while she eats a snack or colors at the table. Sometime she'll sit on the edge. It's rather funny to watch!

Carly got her little bag (which actually is suppose to hold a beach bolling set) put her water in it, put it on her arm and informed me she was ready to go by saying "Bye Bye!" She also really likes the shirt she is wearing. She points to the flowers and says "Pretty."

We took Carly bowling with us. Her favorite part was to watch for the balls to come back up after knocking pins down.

Carly really enjoyed petting the deer at the Wild Animal Park. Even after one deer tried to kiss her!

Santa made a stop at our ward Christmas party. Carly was not a fan! She obviously doesn't understand who he is. Maybe next year!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!I made this about a month ago but didn't realize they could be posted until I saw it on a friend's blog! I hope you enjoy it. It is my brothers Josh and Jeremy- at least my family got a kick out of it!