Hope everyone had a

Merry Christmas!

Going through all the pictures,

trying to decide what to share got overwhelming.

I settled with just sharing this one.

Now on to 2010!

The girls started their much anticipated

Ballet Class yesterday.

They have been waiting for this day for a long time

and they loved every minute of it!

They both ended up being in

the same spot for their class.

What?

Okay, I have debated back and forth about this post and I decided I have the patience to type right now so here it goes...

Saturday night we went to Spencer's Endo Department Christmas Party and stayed up a little late making us a little lazy Sunday morning. We were still in bed when the phone rang and I answered it trying not to sound like I just woke-up. The gentleman said who he was, which I didn't know, and said he was from the stake presidency, and then asked to speak to Spencer. He proceeded to talk for a few minutes and then got off the phone. A few minutes later he mentioned we were going to have a visitor in the next half hour from the Stake.

WHAT?

I rushed around the house waking and then dressing my kids and myself , all in the mean time wondering what this was all about! Our visitor came and after chatting for a few minutes he offered Spencer a new calling... and we never in a MILLION YEARS would have guessed what it would be. And then he spoke the words...

Second Counselor in the Bishopric!

Spencer and I looked at each other like he had just spoken another language because there is no way he just said what we thought he said.

Here are the reasons why

1- We didn't know the Second Counselor had moved and needed to be replaced.

2- We are going to only live here for 21 more months.

3- There are SO many amazing people in our ward, no offense to Spencer, but as far as qualifications... who knows.

4- Out of all the wards we have lived in, this one seemed the one we would most likely fly under the radar for the 27 months we would be here.

I guess the Lord has his own plan for us. And I wouldn't want it to be any other way. I know this will be a great opportunity for Spencer and our family. I am sure we will learn a LOT, like how to get Evan to sit through sacrament.

Two hours after Spencer was asked if he would accept this calling he was sitting up on the podium with the rest of the Bishopric and Evan kept pointing and saying "DAAADDDDYYYYY!"

Spencer I am proud that you are the person you are and worthy and willing to accept this calling.

I love you!

St. Louis

We spent Thanksgiving in St. Louis,

at my brother Richard's home, along with my parents.

It was FOUR days of this kind of stuff...

There were TWO things I wanted to do in St. Louis:

See New Moon again, this time with him & my family, &

Go Here

This being our families THIRD time going to

CITY MUSEUM

The anticipation grows each time.

It is truly the most unique place I have ever been.

This picture of Evan

taken after our day at the museum,

his favorite way to sleep in the car.

NEW PLACES WITH NEW FACES

I love trying out new places;

Especially when it becomes a girls night out!

Here are THREE great places

I recently went to...

Jeni's Icecream

I can't believe I didn't hear about this place before!

It is a local franchise that makes the most unusual flavors of icecream that are amazingly good.

The goal of Jeni was to make icecream less sweet and more flavorful.

HERE are some of the flavors.

Edamame

Sushi & Grill

We tried it out thanks to Leah (second from the right).

Who had a coupon for $50 off every $100,

making it a sweet deal.

The Sushi was really good...

my favorite is and probably always will be

California Rolls, though.

And who can't love a place with the name like-

Chocolate Cafe

A perfect place for visiting teaching.

Though they serve dinner, we went just for the desserts;

hot chocolate and more icecream for me!

I had to include a picture from last night, my marathon girls night.

dinner came first, then to Twilight,

followed by New Moon!

I got home a 2:30! I don't even know the last time I was out so late,

but we had such a great time & I loved, loved, loved New Moon!!!!!

HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS OUR FAMILY CRAMMED IN AS MUCH HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE. IT WAS A TON OF FUN, THOUGH I AM A LITTLE WORN OUT. GRATEFUL WE HAVE A MONTH BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS HIT.

For Love of The GAME...

I can mark off my yearly football experience!

we got tickets to an OSU game on Saturday and it couldn't have been better football weather.

The lovely "Horseshoe" stadium has got to be one of the best places to experience college football, though I may be a little bias.

I was grateful we came with a few guy friends, so Spencer had people to talk football to... the whole way there and back home.

Can you tell how excited Spencer was to get his picture taken,

or was it how OSU was playing?

Leed's Farm

It's FALL...

and with that comes changing leaves, crisp air, and spending as much time outside as possible.

Our family had our first experience at LEED'S FARM on Saturday.

I decided to get my moneys worth and try the BIG ZIP. I admit, my heart started pounding a bit at the top.

Do kids under 2 ever smile for these kind of pictures?

Well, I don't think mine ever have.

I asked the kids what there favorite thing on the farm was--

Kayla's couldn't decide, she loved it all,

Avery's was the small zip and the bouncy bubble,

we all agreed Evan's was the corn box (like a sand box but with dried corn instead) and the tube slides.

My favorite thing, besides just watching the kids have fun, was the food; I am such a sucker for homemade yummy treats and hot cider.

Spencer seemed to love rolling the girls in the HUGE tubes, not really sure what they are called.

I do love these days!