December: Thirteenth Anniversary

Dear Brian,

In May of 1996 I met you and recognized you from your sophomore piano recital. I called you an "accomplished pianist" and you thought that was funny. Then you saw the gun I throw with in softball and you were hooked.


In December we wed and by that next August were off the medical school and not Julliard. We had many fun years in training in Utah and now have many more years of joy to look forward to in practice in Oregon.

Thank you for helping to create four beautiful angels who bring me so much joy and laughter (two of which have the blond devil streak). Thank you for being a hard worker with good morals and ethics, which I am realizing more and more are dissappearing in this society. Thank you for being a valiant servant in your faith, and by leading by example, not just in words.


I look forward to many more late nights watching TV, nightly seranades on the piano, trips to the ranch, tortuous trips across the great desert to the promised land, and dinner dates.


I love you. I love how you love your children and me.

I am thrilled to spend the rest of eternity trying your patience and testing your emotional boundaries!

Love you,

Jill

December: Ward Christmas Party

Our ward had a Christmas party at the church. There was an amazing assortment of food and a craft area for kids. Santa was also there to the kids delight!

Our neighbor Saydee came with us...


Lizzy asked for the world...


Andrew just reminded Santa what an amazing kid he is...


Ethan was just a shy guy who told Santa he just wanted the candy cane...

And much to Sophie's horror, I dragged her over to meet Santa despite her protests because all she talked about all day was seeing and talking to Santa. But, as usual, she was scared to death the moment she was in the same room with him. Poor Sophie, I hope I didn't traumatize her that much!


Merry Christmas!

December: Hoover Talent Show

I had all of my Hoover elementary kids perform in the talent show. This is a competetive talent show that you have to try out for. It is very well run. Both Andrew and Elizabeth played the piano, and Sophie sang with her kindergarten class. Andrew was even part of an acting group that performed a very funny skit. He was flawless and really has a flare for acting. Brian calls him our little Glenn (after my dad). It was a proud night for mom and dad.

December: Holiday Sing-a-long

Every year our friend Charie has a Christmas sing-a-long party where we are all able to sing our favorite christmas songs. Jeff limited her to 10 pages of songs and that made us all laugh.

The kids really enjoy this tradition and I love hearing them sing!

Afterwards it was roasting marshmellows in the bbq pit outside and yummy treats inside.


It was complete bedlam with all the kids there!


Charie's kids are so very talented and they event played additional instruments, sang descants, and did a special musical number. Charie and Jeff have truly helped develop their gift of music.

December: Happy Birthday Rozanne

Rozanne turned 64 this year. One more year till she is officially on social security! We went out for a nice dinner at Pomodoro.


We made Rozanne order a real meal and not the traditional salad she normally orders. Then to top it off we ordered dessert. Then we felt bad as she felt so sick all night long. The reason why she looks so amazing at 64 is her good diet habits. Lesson learned!

December: Happy Birthday Mish

Our little Artemisia turned one on December 2nd. The kids decided she needed a birthday party.

We invited the Rajagopal's and their dog Maddie!

We had cupcakes and doggie biscuit treats!

Mish was very excited!


Maddie was so excited she pee'd on the floor. We were prepared with Petzyme!


Everyone had a blast!


Happy birthday Mish!

December: Hoar Frost

One early December morning I looked outside and the trees, grass, and shrubs were all covered in beautiful crystals. I went and got Brian to come see.


He tells me it is a hoar frost. A "whore" frost I exclaim? You are crazy and just trying to get me to say this to others and make a fool of myself.

"No," he says," it's a Hoar frost. A Hoar frost is the tiny solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air which occurs when the temperature of the surfaces is below freezing point. It occurs generally with clear skies."

"Wow," I say, "it really is beautiful!" These are pictures of a whore frost in Medford.


Brian then reminds me that while I was getting toys for christmas he was asking for a Webster's dictionary.


Lesson learned.