It's a boy!

For those of you who haven't heard, we ARE having another baby and it is a boy! Due date April 18th. We're making the announcement really late just because I feel awkward announcing it. Stupid, I know. But there it is. We're so excited to be having another boy! Jackson has already been around a couple of other newborns (Cousin Logan and baby friend Carter) and he loves to give them hugs and twirl their hair. I hope it keeps up when the newborn is permanent. Anyway, there you have it!

New Callings

I'm the new Sunday School for 12-13 year olds and Colby's the new financial secretary! We're so excited!

Mignon, Braden, Kerri and Ugly Sweaters

Good times! Where's Mandy or Ashlie?

If you wear makeup, read these books!

Why am I recommending make-up books? I'm no aficionado on maquillage by any means. I only wear it on date night, Sunday, or when I have time and feel like "Dead Mommy" needs a face lift. However, these are two books anyone that wears make-up needs to read because they are simply fabulous. Kevyn Aucoin starts with the bare basics, outlines all of his steps, and inserts such a positive outlook within the pages that I consider it a must have that should be stored right along the concealer and mascara. If the natural look is your thing, he's got it. If you'd like to be more adventurous but don't know how, he's got it, too. This book has helped me explore more looks than I would have on my own and helped me feel confident about what I was doing because he explains the why behind make-up and their colors. Also, in this book, he takes ordinary people and does their make-up. It's very refreshing because you can see yourself in the people he chooses and then see yourself in the "after" pictures. If you have watched "What Not to Wear" and know who Carmindy is and her take on eyebrows, you'll love this book. My sisters borrow it all the time and it's just fun to try something new! So, I recently borrowed "Face Forward" from the library and while I don't consider it as informative as "Making Faces", but just as fun. He goes into more details like balancing eyes with lips and shows the different effect that playing with that balance can have. In this book he also explores what he considers all aspects of beauty, including the history and different styles. Great book, great read! Get either from your library or half.com. Money well spent. I would recommend trying "Making Faces" before "Face Forward".

All Things Thrifty

I don't know about all of you but we are definitely strapped for cash this year. I don't even know if we'll buy anything bigger than a table tree and mini ornaments for a buck at Target. However, here is a website my friend directed me to (Thanks, Mandy) and they have got some really cute stuff for really cheap. Great ideas! So here's the link: All Things Thrifty

Thanksgiving and Family

Well this Thanksgiving we had my sister and bro-in-law and baby sis all join in the fun! It was a blast! We went to Newport Beach and rode bikes on Thanksgiving day and had a great time! No one was there and they let us have the bikes (surrey) for as long as we wanted! Happy Holidays!
We also went to the Discovery center and as a mom as soon as we entered I thought, "Germs!" There were kids everywhere touching everything! But armed with hand sanitizer we braved the Center and had so much fun! We played virtual volleyball in front of a green screen, experienced hurricane speed winds in a giant plastic tube, we made smoke rings, and laid on a bed of nails! What fun! Jackson loved the green screen volleyball although he wasn't really sure what to do. So he settled from running on the court and screaming his head off! And out back they also have a Dino Exhibit which translates into playground shaped like a dinosaur. He loved the baby slide!
We also went to Logan's Candies to honor baby Logan. Pretty good chocolates, I must say!
We also went to Pick Up Stix a couple of times for Megan and Jared and El Torito because Grandad insisted that we go! Jackson wore the bull's horns. We all did! Jackson even ate 3/4 of his quesadilla and we were thrilled!
Happy Holidays!

Dear John/Jane letters found on dearelder.com

So my younger sis just went into the MTC and I've been using dearelder.com while she's there to keep in touch. They have a section dedicated to Dear John/Jane letters and they are amazing, as in amazingly awful! The names, dates, etc. have all been changed but they are letters that people submitted after their mission. I read the first one aloud to Colby and he said it was the best and worst Dear John letter that he'd ever heard! These are the best two:

Dear Adam,

I just want to start by saying how much I still love and care for you but the truth is the moment your plane took off I ran into Elder Stevens. He was just returning from his mission in England. He asked me for my number and suggested that we meet up. I did and we started seeing more of each other. Occassionally, my mind would drift to you, but I figured that you were having fun with your companion and I needed some fun too. You need to concentrate on your mission thats why I'm only telling you a week before you come home so its not a shock.

I'm engaged, Adam, and I've never been happier! I was wondering, seeing how David is your best friend, he wants you to be a part of the wedding and be his best man. It is understandable of course if you can't bear it and see me with him when we said as you left "see you in white!". I know this may seem harsh but I'm way too good for you. You need some-one a little bit more in your league. David is out of my league but he still loves me. Anyway, I'm babbling, but we'll meet you at the airport when you come home! I'll look forward to showing you the wedding plans and the ring David bought me (sorry, it's the one you were going to buy me, but couldn't afford it)!
Hope this hasn't ruined your day!

All my love, forever, Christine xxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Amber,

I want you to know that you mean the world to me. I will always treasure the moments we spent together, and I know we will have many more of those moments in the future, considering that I'm marrying your sister Emily in two weeks! Yeah, isn't it crazy! We had wanted you to come to the wedding, but we decided we couldn't wait that long. We're getting married on May 6th in the DC Temple. I know you waited for me on my mission and I promised to wait for you, but I know God had something better in mind for both of us. But we're thinking that we might name our first daughter after you. That would be nice, wouldn't it? I hope we can still be really good friends, otherwise Emily would feel bad. Anyways, have a great day!

~Mike