Conner 22 months

* my favorite toys are cars and balls * I like to think I can drive the car * I have LOTS of attitude * I want to have my own way ALL THE TIME * My favorite TV show is Backyardagins, which I call "UGG" * I like to have the keys to the car * I like to color, but only when Kaily is * I got my first hair cut * I run and dance as fast as I can * I like to be in the water * I don't like people to help me do things * I love chocolate * I love to go for walks * I love to be outside * I love to be read to, my favorite book is "Go Dog Go" * I LOVE to cook * I love to tease Kaily * My favorite color is Blue * I'm starting to say my prayers, with Kaily's help * I like to play on any computer * I love to laugh * I love to cuddle * I love to be tickeled by my family * I love to smile * I love to play with my sister * My favorite animal is a Tiger or Lion * I love playing * I LOVE music * I wear size 5 diapers * I wear 18 month and some 18-24 mon. clothes

2 MUCH 2 DO and NO TIME 2 DO IT!

I would LOVE to write a long post, but things around here have been a bit crazy. Clint is out of school until Jan and we are frantically trying to get ready for Christmas and our trip to AZ. When I have more time I will write more, but probably not until after we get back. So until then...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you all next year!

Moments of learning

What a great day it has been. We tried to put up the Christmas tree today, but when Conner saw the ornaments his face lit up with excitement, "BALLS, MINE!" He then took off with one shiny glass ball in each hand and threw them against the wall in hopes they bounce back to him. Imagine his disappointment when they indeed did NOT bounce back, but crashed and shattered all over the floor. You may be wondering where Clint and I were during this...well, we yelled at him to stop, ran after him, and then it happened, he was faster then we were. Needless to say, our morning didn't turn out very Christ like. Later I was helping Kaily in the shower, wash her hair and getting her ready for church when she told me she was sorry for making bad choices. She had gotten into trouble b/c she was the one who got the glass ornaments out after we told her not to, thus leading to the aforementioned experience. I told her that Mommy and Daddy have rules to protect her and Conner and that we WANT her to make good choices and it makes us sad when she chooses NOT to listen. Then the spirit started teaching ME. The words that I spoke to Kaily replayed in my mind and I felt the spirit of truth behind them. Our Father in Heaven wants us to make good choices and it makes him sad when we disregard his counsels.

Tonight we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was exceptional, and while everything that was said was really good and enlightening, what I enjoyed the most was that we watched it as a family. My two little tornadoes actually sat down and listened to the whole thing. Conner LOVED the music and Kaily enjoyed listening to Pres Monson's story.

So, even though my day didn't start out the best, it ended up being a really great day! I'm thankful for the moments when I can learn something from my Father in Heaven.

Berlin

I recently watched an amazing historic event on CNN and FOX news. It was back on the 9th of this month and I've been meaning to write about it since then. Some of you will remember 20 years ago when something special happened in Germany. It was my birthday and I was in 5th grade, but I will always remember how in awe all the adults were. I am referring to the fall of the Berlin Wall. So, 20 years later Germany, Berlin set up a exhibit, if you want to call it that, to celebrate the fall of a wall that reunited family, friends, and neighbors. It did something for the rest of us as well. I am so grateful for inspired people and leaders who never gave up on this idea. I am grateful for all the men and women who died to reach for their freedom. It is a reminder to me of the war we all once fought and still fight everyday. It is a reminder to me that good will always overcome evil and all things are in the hands of our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the country I live in, for the freedoms we have and the Founding Fathers who followed inspiration. While I was on my mission I had a chance to go to the Bush museum in CS and I saw a piece of the wall there. I was 11 when it fell, but I remember how great it felt to know that others would start to enjoy the same freedoms I enjoy everyday.

Parent Day

At Kaily's preschool they do a Parent day 3x a year. The kids put on a program and they always have a craft to do. Clint and I were late this year so I didn't get a lot of pics, but she was so cute and did such a great job.