Belated Christmas Greeting

Instead of a traditional letter, we included our blog address with our cards this year and then never had time to write an update. So, here are the (delayed) highlights for 2007, minus pictures...they're coming soon!

Nathan is in third grade and was baptized this year. He loves sports, puzzles, and giving his stuff away. We are grateful for his generous nature.

Our fifth grader, Braden, loves scouts, playing the piano, and science. He keeps our dog alive because he always remebers to walk and feed him.

Evan is in eighth grade. He has started golf and wrestling this year. He is in advanced choir and an anchor on the middle school morning announcements. He is a great cook.

Dallan, tenth grade, got his driver's permit this month (gulp). He is into friends, guitar, sleep and High School choir.

All of the boys took tennis lessons and Brad and the big boys have been taking golf. It has been nice to take a break from team sports for awhile.

Brad still loves his work (and travel) with Partners in Leadership, and is finishing his third year as Bishop. With his lack of free time, the yard and house are going to pot.

In addition to getting everyone where they need to be, I enjoy book club and teaching music and chorus at the elementary school. I still teach Relief Society and am excited to be on the Stake girl's camp staff.

Brad and I had a great week in Orlando last spring and all of us spent ten wonderful days this summer in Hawaii. It was perfect because the boys are at such enjoyable ages and are so fun to be with.

Love and best wishes to you in 2008!

The Best Gifts

I came across a quote from an unknown author that I love. It is a reminder that at Christmastime the best gifts we can give cannot be bought in a store.

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."

It is great to finally be eight!

Nathan was born on Thanksgiving Day, which is fitting, since he has been such a gift to our family for which we are grateful. He, however, doesn't like having a late birthday and has been a bit frustrated to be the last one in his class (or in senior primary, for that matter) to be baptized. Yesterday was the big day and it was truly a special one. It was emotional for Brad and I since he is our youngest, but we also feel so blessed that he is part of our family. He is so happy and easy going and is always so generous. Our nightstands are covered with all of the gifts he gives to us (pictures, rocks, match box cars, flowers...). Braden gave the prayer and Dallan and Evan spoke. They did a great job and we are so proud of them all. It was fun to have Cord, Gavin, Shea and Garrett with us for such a special day! Julie and Eric had to race off to the BYU/SDSU game right after. Go Cougars!
My mom came for the weekend. It is so wonderful to spend time together, but it seems to go too quickly. It is a blessing to have such a great mom and dad. Check out their blog...they are pretty cute!

Starr Family Reunion

Over Thanksgiving weekend we had a wonderful family reunion with Brad's family. There were about 30 of us all together. The agenda included four days of nonstop activities in addition to a delicious Thanksgiving meal. We had family night each night, complete with family slide shows and 30 seconds of talent, in which everyone participated. We played games until far too late at night. And of couse, we ate and ate and ate!
On Friday morning we did a service project and spent the afternoon playing football. That night we saw th play White Christmas.On Saturday we went to breakfast at the South Coast Resort, went to a movie (Enchanted...very cute!), shopped in Old Town, and visited Santa. That night we celebrated Nathan's eighth birthday.Everyone had a great weekend, especially all of the cousins.

Our New Little Friend

Here are a couple of pictures of Talia. She is a sweetie who comes to play at our house. It has been fun for the boys (and for me) to have the influence of a little girl around here!

Our cup runneth over!

At the close of this Thanksgiving holiday, I am so grateful for our countless blessings.
Here are a few of my favorites from A to Z:

A - A healthy body
B - Bradley and my Boys
C - Cousins and Christmas Cards (They've already begun to arrive!)
D - My adorable Daddy
E - English Toffee
F - Family reunions and Funny jokes
G - Gum and Games...forgive me when I get too competitive.
H - Home, Hot weather and Hand lotion
I - My wonderful In-laws...all of them.
J - Jesus Christ, my Savior
K - Kite flying and Kisses
L - Lee (my only brother) and Laughing (these usually go together)
M - My beautiful, dear Mom
N - Neices and Naps
O - Outstanding friends
P - Peanut Butter
Q - Q-tips...seriously, I'd go crazy without them.
R - Rolls with butter, Rain and Reading
S - Sisters! and Sappy movies (these can go together, too)
T - Temecula and Trees (All kinds except Palms...I live in the wrong state!)
U - United States of America...aren't we blessed?!
V - Vacations
W - Walks with the family
X - Xtreme sports (well, not too extreme, but I like to have fun and there weren't many X options to choose from!)
Y - Yoga
Z - Zoning out once in a while

(PS...I copied this cute idea from Riley, who said she copied from Heidi. I hope that is o.k.)

Happy Thanksgiving

We are excited for all of Brad's family to get into town on Wednesday. We have a four day, fun-filled agenda, so that should give me something to blog about. In the meantime, here are some pictures that we took at my niece Allyse's wedding. She has just released her first CD. It is beautiful. Check out her website at allysesmith.com

Here we go!

After encouragement, pressure, and an intervention...I'm ready to take the blogging plunge. Now I just need Julie to come back over and help me figure out how to get some photos on here.