October 21, 2019 Here in New Jersey!
6 years ago
Christmas 2011 letter
Seasons Greetings families and friends!
To understand this Christmas letter you need to first look at the picture included in this letter. This picture was taken in Denver, Colorado at a Natural Science museum, yet it is the very essence of the 2011 year for us. “We’re running” or at least should be from a tyrannosaurus rex . Prior to this event of meeting a t-rex, we have had practice ‘running’ all year. Such as running from the fear of heights looking over the new bridge by Hoover dam. We were running/blown out of Arches National park and into a Motel 6 in Green River; both were frightening experiences. If you don’t believe that the t-rex in that picture is real, then just hear of our other two bogus wild animal experiences. Such as our thousandth trip to Yellowstone to see ‘a bear’ (which again was a no-show by the bear). Then of course our first trip to Oregon to see a ‘whale’ along the Pacific coast was a no-show (by the whale), that is of course until ten minutes after we left Oregon, we’re informed by my parents that two whales played for 6 hours right outside our window (my eyes are rolling). So you may want to agree with us that “We’re running” from a tyrannosaurus rex in Colorado. Being the non-analytical person I am, I wanted to focus on the looks and expressions in each of our faces in this t-rex picture. That will help surmise our 2011 year for us.
First in the picture to notice is Steve, our provider and protector. He is tossing our sweet baby Sophia into the mouth of the t-rex. Every man for himself isn’t it? Maybe he’s too busy trying to run Polk Elementary or attend every freakin church meeting to realize that a t-rex is dangerous.
Next notice me (Heather). Do you see how the fake smile is fading and the knuckles on my hands are clenched? That’s a normalcy for me these days. Constantly running (late) from one Weber State, to picking up the kids or oops was I suppose to drop them off? As I’m driving to an fro, I am always trying to think of a new reason for being late so the kids know I still love them and am late (this time) because of……
Trevor! Our Mr. GQ. Now that he is officially a teenager (any suggestions survivalists?), it’s all about him. His thought was “Oh we’re suppose to be running from the t-rex, let me find my big Junior High good lookin smile”, that’ll show the t-rex ladies.
Eric-We’re not sure exactly what he is looking at. I’m guessing it is a mirror to check his GQ (yep our ten year old is acting like a pre-tween). That or maybe he thought he saw a ball and that the t-rex was interested in playing four square, basketball, soccer, or flag football before Eric becomes dino dinner!
Kayla –don’t let the face fool you. She may be looking like she is about to run from the t-rex, but after taking two steps, she’d turn around and start talking to the t-rex about what so and so wore to second grade, what so and so said, or did. She just talks, talks, and forgets the obvious.
Poor Sophia, our one year old pride and joy, is being tossed into the mouth of the ravenous t-rex by the arms of her father. Don’t let the placid look on her face fool you. As soon as she touched that wet salivating tongue of the t-rex, she’d find a way to climb out between the t-rex’s sharp teeth, and using her fingernails, she’d climb on top of his snout, in between his eyes, and alas rest on top of the t-rex’s head. Once there, she’d expect everyone to stop what they are doing and clap at her accomplishment.
Yeah 2011 has been the year ‘We’re running’. And I should add we’re loving it. We love this time of year. The hustle, the bustle, and the very core of us, our Savior’s love. How fortunate we are to be alive in 2011. God bless you all and Merry Christmas.
Love,
Steve, Heather, Trevor, Eric, Kayla, Sophia & our two angels soaring over us.
To understand this Christmas letter you need to first look at the picture included in this letter. This picture was taken in Denver, Colorado at a Natural Science museum, yet it is the very essence of the 2011 year for us. “We’re running” or at least should be from a tyrannosaurus rex . Prior to this event of meeting a t-rex, we have had practice ‘running’ all year. Such as running from the fear of heights looking over the new bridge by Hoover dam. We were running/blown out of Arches National park and into a Motel 6 in Green River; both were frightening experiences. If you don’t believe that the t-rex in that picture is real, then just hear of our other two bogus wild animal experiences. Such as our thousandth trip to Yellowstone to see ‘a bear’ (which again was a no-show by the bear). Then of course our first trip to Oregon to see a ‘whale’ along the Pacific coast was a no-show (by the whale), that is of course until ten minutes after we left Oregon, we’re informed by my parents that two whales played for 6 hours right outside our window (my eyes are rolling). So you may want to agree with us that “We’re running” from a tyrannosaurus rex in Colorado. Being the non-analytical person I am, I wanted to focus on the looks and expressions in each of our faces in this t-rex picture. That will help surmise our 2011 year for us.
First in the picture to notice is Steve, our provider and protector. He is tossing our sweet baby Sophia into the mouth of the t-rex. Every man for himself isn’t it? Maybe he’s too busy trying to run Polk Elementary or attend every freakin church meeting to realize that a t-rex is dangerous.
Next notice me (Heather). Do you see how the fake smile is fading and the knuckles on my hands are clenched? That’s a normalcy for me these days. Constantly running (late) from one Weber State, to picking up the kids or oops was I suppose to drop them off? As I’m driving to an fro, I am always trying to think of a new reason for being late so the kids know I still love them and am late (this time) because of……
Trevor! Our Mr. GQ. Now that he is officially a teenager (any suggestions survivalists?), it’s all about him. His thought was “Oh we’re suppose to be running from the t-rex, let me find my big Junior High good lookin smile”, that’ll show the t-rex ladies.
Eric-We’re not sure exactly what he is looking at. I’m guessing it is a mirror to check his GQ (yep our ten year old is acting like a pre-tween). That or maybe he thought he saw a ball and that the t-rex was interested in playing four square, basketball, soccer, or flag football before Eric becomes dino dinner!
Kayla –don’t let the face fool you. She may be looking like she is about to run from the t-rex, but after taking two steps, she’d turn around and start talking to the t-rex about what so and so wore to second grade, what so and so said, or did. She just talks, talks, and forgets the obvious.
Poor Sophia, our one year old pride and joy, is being tossed into the mouth of the ravenous t-rex by the arms of her father. Don’t let the placid look on her face fool you. As soon as she touched that wet salivating tongue of the t-rex, she’d find a way to climb out between the t-rex’s sharp teeth, and using her fingernails, she’d climb on top of his snout, in between his eyes, and alas rest on top of the t-rex’s head. Once there, she’d expect everyone to stop what they are doing and clap at her accomplishment.
Yeah 2011 has been the year ‘We’re running’. And I should add we’re loving it. We love this time of year. The hustle, the bustle, and the very core of us, our Savior’s love. How fortunate we are to be alive in 2011. God bless you all and Merry Christmas.
Love,
Steve, Heather, Trevor, Eric, Kayla, Sophia & our two angels soaring over us.
Trevor's merit badge requirement
For my merit badge, my Mom is making me take over the family blog and talk about our family trip to Oregon.
On Sunday, July 24, we got to fly on an airplane to Portland, Oregon.
Day 1: We went to the Oregon Museum and Science and Invention museum (OMSI). My favorite part of this was video game heaven. I also liked the animal zoo where I got to hold a cockroach from Mongolia. It was the size of my hand. My Mom was forced to hold it too and she freaked out. We also went to the Multnomah waterfall. We went to the Bonneville fish hatchery and saw a 6 foot long sturgeon named Herman.
Day 2: We loved the OMSI so much we went back, afterwards we drove for two hours to the Oregon coast. We were staying at Depoe Bay, Oregon.
Day 3: We went to the Newport aquarium and also the Oregon State University aquarium. The weather was beautiful. We saw sea lions in the wild.
Day 4: We went to the tidepools. It was very windy. We also went to the Yaquina lighthouse.
Day 5: Better day for tidepools. We found starfish, sea anemonies, and lots of crabs. We ate a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Pacific ocean.
Day 6:We drove back to Portland Oregon and spent one more day at OMSI. Then we flew home to SLC, UTah.
My favorite of our trip was the aquarium. I love sealife, but am not ready for a whale watching boatride. I think I'd get sick like my Dad.
On Sunday, July 24, we got to fly on an airplane to Portland, Oregon.
Day 1: We went to the Oregon Museum and Science and Invention museum (OMSI). My favorite part of this was video game heaven. I also liked the animal zoo where I got to hold a cockroach from Mongolia. It was the size of my hand. My Mom was forced to hold it too and she freaked out. We also went to the Multnomah waterfall. We went to the Bonneville fish hatchery and saw a 6 foot long sturgeon named Herman.
Day 2: We loved the OMSI so much we went back, afterwards we drove for two hours to the Oregon coast. We were staying at Depoe Bay, Oregon.
Day 3: We went to the Newport aquarium and also the Oregon State University aquarium. The weather was beautiful. We saw sea lions in the wild.
Day 4: We went to the tidepools. It was very windy. We also went to the Yaquina lighthouse.
Day 5: Better day for tidepools. We found starfish, sea anemonies, and lots of crabs. We ate a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Pacific ocean.
Day 6:We drove back to Portland Oregon and spent one more day at OMSI. Then we flew home to SLC, UTah.
My favorite of our trip was the aquarium. I love sealife, but am not ready for a whale watching boatride. I think I'd get sick like my Dad.
In case you cannot tell, I am a busy and happy Mom. Thus, my blog(s) have gone to the wayside. I will try and update this one as I can and my other blog about loosing Keith will continue to be available mainly for those that include it others on stillbirth. They have helped me and now I will reciprocate. A stillbirth is a difficult and lonely feeling. Grief is the deepest expression of love. I am so fortunate for my painful, yet rewarding experience.
Now on to the crazy Merksters.
Sophia is now 4 1/2 months weighing 10lbs Yahoo! She loves her bright colored toy, her binkie (lots of binkie time), and her hands, yep the whole hand in her mouth.
Kayla is making waves with her gymnastic abilities and is loving starting piano. First grade is fun, but her favorite part is lunch
Eric, my 4th grader continues to work hard in school. It doesn't come easy, but he is not a quitter. He will be beginning gymnastic competition. He loves his masquerade dance (don't ask him to play anything else).
Trevor, is glad to be back at Farr West Elem for 6th grade. He is already spending weekends with 'friends', playing soccer, and teasing his siblings. He is a pretween without a doubt. Good thing we loved him before this stage.
I've included some pictures of 4 months Sophia and Yellowstone. I'm sorry I suck at keeping blogs updated. I really like reading others.
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