Christmas Morning!

Santa came to town! He brought some fun things and Santa's Elfs are hoping that the things he brought will provide hours of entertainment for the coming year!





Santa doesn't wrap the presents in our house. Part of the tradition is setting out the blankets for Santa to cover the presents up. The elfs are worried that a certain very smart 4-year-old will recognize that mommy and daddy use the exact same wrapping paper as Santa does.

Gratitude Day 22 - Christmas!

I'm so thankful for Christmas! This year was an interesting and fun one. We had a blast with the Christmas anticipation. We went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. Mikayla had breakfast with Santa, which she loved. We went to a few Christmas parties. We were busy, but enjoyed every minute of it. Gweny had influenza the week before Christmas and had consistent fevers of 103.3 to 103.6 all week. She didn't eat or drink for 4 days and ended up in the Insta-Care a couple of times. She started feeling better the day before Christmas Eve. We woke up on the 24th, excited to have everyone feeling better and ready to celebrate Christmas Eve. We didn't anticpate Mikayla waking up with a very high fever. She had influenza as well.

Side note: I know you are probably thinking, "Why doesn't she get her children flu shots?" Here's why. I called back at the beginning of October, the office didn't have any yet. They said that they would have some at the beginning of November. The girls got really sick at the beginning of November with what turned out to be some strange Virus that caused high fevers and a really bad rash. The doctor wouldn't give them flu shots until the fever was gone for at least 3 days. By the time they got over this sickness, it was time to go to Colorado for Thanksgiving and I didn't have time. Gweny gave my entire family some lovely stomach flu while we were there, with a fever, so when we got back the doctor still wouldn't give them flu shots. The point is...they haven't been well enough to get flu shots. They keep getting sick before they can have flu shots.

Anyway, Mikayla tried so hard to feel well on Christmas Eve. She half-heartedly decorated cookies for Santa. She slept through Daddy's reading of the Christmas story. She threw some carrots out in the yard for the reindeer and went to bed at 7:30. She barely woke up at 7 am on Christmas morning to open her presents. She played with some new toys for about 15 minutes and then went back to bed until 5:30 pm. She slept off her fever the day after Christmas and is finally staring to feel a little better. Poor girl. It was nice to just stay home and celebrate with our little family. We had some friends and parents come celebrate with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We had a great Christmas this year. We feel very blessed.

Gratitude Day 21 - Low Gas Prices (for now, anyway)

I'm so glad that gas has been cheaper lately. I hope that they give us a break with that for at least a few months. I know it will go back up eventually, but its nice to be able to fill up the car for a reasonable amount.

Gratitude Day 20 - Hot Chocolate

I know that hot chocolate is one of life's trivial luxuries, but I REALLY enjoy it. This year, I introduced it to Mikayla and she told me yesterday, "I could be really happy if I could have hot chocolate every day!" Today while Gweny was sleeping, I made some candy cane hot chocolate and Mikayla and I enjoyed it together as we snuggled on the couch and sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Gratitude Day 19 - Food

I just love food. That's all I have to say about that!!

Gratitude Day 18 - Childhood

I'm thankful for childhood and for all the curiosity, innocence and truthfulness that comes from it. My children are constantly curious and in awe of the everyday things around them. Just yesterday, I noticed Mikayla and Gweny both looking out the front window. I walked past them a few times while doing my daily chores and heard a few giggles, a few whispers from Mikayla to Gweny and then finally a loud, "Mom, come look!" I walked over to the window where they were sitting and looked for what they were looking at. It wasn't difficult to find. Our entire street was covered in birds. There were birds covering all the trees and on every rooftop. They were everywhere on the sidewalk, in the street, on lawns. There were hundreds and hundreds of birds. It was amazing. The girls had been sitting there watching the birds while they flew here and there, pecked at the snow-covered ground, and chattered and chirped away to eachother. I sat and watched with them while they asked questions about where they had come from, what they were doing, why there were so many, etc. Then, a mini-van pulled around the corner and the birds all flew up in unison in an enormous black cloud that blocked the sun on our street for a few seconds. They didn't come back. But those few minutes reminded me of the importance of childhood. That time spent with my curious little children reminded me to take some time to ask questions while watching the birds.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
The first picture was taken from our front door and the second picture was taken from our back deck. BEAUTIFUL!!!

Gratitude Day 17 - Christmas Time

I'm so thankful for this time of year. We were able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert on Saturday night. It was so amazing. We got to see Brian Stokes Mitchell, who just happens to be Josh's favorite Broadway guy. We also saw Edward Herrmann, which was cool. The choir and orchestra were so awesome! I love Christmas and this whole time of year.

Jay and Leeann

Don't ask me. I don't know...

Gweny sits on the cupboard - all night! (ask Leeann about this title)

I love the unexpected, hilarious moments that we have with our children that remind us of the happiness and innocence of child hood.

Fun Christmas Trees

During our stay in Colorado, my wonderful sisters came up with these very cute and delicious Christmas trees. They turned out great! The kids had a blast making them and even more fun eating them. Thanks to Jennifer and Katie for the great idea!

Gratitude Day 16 - Josh's Family

Josh has a great family. His parents are all very kind and generous and I love spending time with them. His siblings are all very supportive and loving and they are really wondeful people. I love Josh's family.

Gratitude Day 15 - Music

I love music! I love listening to good music and I am always so very impressed with people who have been given the talent and perseverance to be good musicians. Take this guy, for example. I've never seen anyone's hands move so quickly and accurately. If you haven't seen William Joseph before, prepare to be amazed! He really gets going after the first minute, so keep watching!




Anyway, he's amazing. I love to watch him and listen to other talented musicians. I love music and I'm thankful that I was taught to find joy and happiness in the music of the world.

Book Suggestions??

I need some new reading material. I'm getting bored with what I have. Does anyone have any good suggestions? I'm pretty much up for anything as long as it isn't sad or scary.

Gratitude Day 14 - Siblings

I know I already mentioned my family, but I am truly grateful for my siblings.

Jennifer, you have always been such a great friend to me. I hope that someday I can have your compassion and your positive outlook on life. You are always so kind and thoughtful to everyone around you. I love talking to you.

Scot, you always make me laugh. I loved being in high school with you and I still think that one of the best summers that I have ever had was when we worked at the North Pole together. That was so much fun. I love you, big brother!

Katie, I look up to you more than you know. You are such a great mom and a I admire your gospel perspective on life. I really will miss you when you move. We need to hang out more.

Leeann, you are so amazing! I love spending time with you. I love your laugh and your willingness to share your happiness with me and everyone else around you. You are an inspiration to me.

I stole this picture off of Scot and Jenny's blog. Sorry guys. I'm a thief. But it was too cute to pass up. We took this picture at Scot and Jenny's house when we were all together for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun!

Gratitude Day 13 - Friends

I have been so blessed throughout my life to have such wonderful friends wherever I go. I had a few great friends in high school and we still keep in touch. I met one of my best friends at Ricks and we are still the best of friends now. We have great friends from our amazing ward that we left in Colorado and we have been able to meet some really nice people here too. We've been so blessed throughout all these years to know and love some really awesome people.

Gratitude Day 12 - SNOW!!!

Its finally snowing in Utah! Hooray! I love the snow this time of year. I admit that I get tired of it in March and April, but December Christmas Snow is definitely fun! It is looking beautiful outside and I'm loving it!

Gratitude Day 11 - Joseph B. Wirthlin

Yesterday, Josh and I attented his funeral. It was a bittersweet time for the Wirthlin family. He was such an amazing man and he will be missed, but he must be so happy to be reunited with his sweet wife, Elisa. President Monson gave him a wonderful tribute about how the University of Utah football team has put the initials JBW on the back of their helmets. Most of you know that he was Josh's great uncle. Tonight is a family night to remember him and here are the contributions from Josh and I.

One of my favorite memories of Uncle Joe happened just several weeks ago. Grandmother called me to accompany her to a University of Utah football game with her and Uncle Joe. I jumped at the opportunity, not only because the U is my favorite team but also because spending the time with her and Uncle Joe would be priceless. I picked Grandmother up and we met Joe Jr. and Uncle Joe at their house. We all drove over to the stadium with Joe Jr. and on the way we talked about education and the importance of my job, which meant the world to me. We were at a very busy intersection and I looked over to see a gentleman with his two daughters about Mikayla’s and Gwen’s ages and they started to wave to Uncle Joe. He rolled down the window and he started to talk to the girls. He asked them how they were and he told them to have a good day. I was proud to witness this man really show the love and admiration of the Savior in every aspect of his life.

While we were at the game, we sat with the President of the University of Utah and President Uchtdorf. There was a moment in the game where President Uchtdorf whispered to Uncle Joe, “Joseph, they need you in the game.” I remember seeing the fondness between President Uchtdorf and Uncle Joe. The U eventually started to blow out UNLV and for every touchdown Uncle Joe would stand and sing the “Utah Man” fight song.

The last verse of the fight song says,

“We may not live forever on this jolly good old sphere, but while we do we’ll live a life of merriment and cheer. And when our college days are o’er and night is drawing nigh, with parting breath we’ll sing that song: "A Utah Man Am I."
This one is one of the events that meant the most to me. Uncle Joe, “A Utah Man Am I,” also. I will miss you.
Love
Joshua


Uncle Joe will always be special to me because he was present on one of the most important and memorable days of my life. In January of 2005, Mikayla truly became a member of our family when she was sealed to us for time and all eternity. There are not many people who get to experience being sealed to their child. It was a day I will never forget. We feel so blessed to have had Uncle Joe perform the sealing for us.

I remember sitting in the sealing room waiting for Mikayla. The spirit in the room was indescribable. Josh and I were waiting for everything to start when Uncle Joe began speaking. Aunt Elisa kindly reminded him to wait for the baby. They then wheeled Mikayla into the room in a little stroller. She looked so beautiful in her long, white dress.

The sealing was perfect and the made even better by the blessings that Uncle Joe left us with. He blessed our little family and we have felt his spirit ever since that day.

In February of 2001, he also performed the sealing for Josh and me. He left us with an Apostolic blessing saying that if we were faithful to our covenants, we would have a happy marriage and bear many faithful children. At times in our marriage, it seems that this promise has been hard fought, but the day he sealed Mikayla to us, that blessing was fulfilled and left us with no doubt that he truly was a man of God.
Love,
Merilee

Gratitude Day 10 - My House!

I'm back and can finish my 30 days of gratitude now. I thought about catching up all the days I missed today, but decided that it would be better to still do one thing a day.

Today, I'm thankful for my house. I missed it while I was in Colorado. We were so blessed to find this house and I love it so much. Josh had it all decorated for Christmas for when we came home and it looks beautiful. He did a great job. I love my house and I'm thankful for a nice, warm, comfortable place to live.