New Year's Yard!

We have enjoyed a beautiful morning outdoors with sunshine, blue sky and temperatures in the 70's. All members of the family contributed to an overall yard clean up. Brian groomed the bushes and trees, Christine weeded and raked the flower beds, Nathan swept the sidewalks and fertilized the grass (with Brian's help), and the girls gathered twigs and leaves. We had a good time working together. The yard looks great for 2008!

Helping Hands

A truck load of rocks were delivered to our neighbors front yard this afternoon. Within seconds of delivery Brian and the children had their shovels in hand eager to help move the rocks to their backyard. A sweet toddler joined in and put her shoulder to the wheel with the help of her bucket.

Nathan's "DS" Delight!

My favorite thing about Christmas was my DS and games. I was delighted when I first got it. I also wish you could see me play it. I have Super Mario DS, The Cars, and Mario Kart. I really like all of them. Today I'm going to play my DS some more.

--Nathan

p.s. Aunt Carrie, thanks for the Pokeman cards, I now have 189!

Maren's Easy Bake

I like to cook with my Easy Bake Oven. On Christmas Mama and I made some cookies. They were chocolate and vanilla heart-shaped cookies. I love my Easy Bake Oven. Today I will bake some chocolate cookies. I wish I could share them with you Grandma and Grandpa.

--Maren

Plumber's Crack?

As of yesterday, it was time to replace our kitchen faucet. Yes, I'm a Giles. No, plumbing skills do not run in the family. So when faced with the obvious choice of either calling a plumber (to make sure it's done right) or doing it myself (risking the entire household water supply), the obvious answer was: Do It Myself!

Fast forward 2 hours later The old faucet has been ripped out and the water filtering system has been skillfully disengaged. Magically, water is actually coming out of the faucet! And it's hot and cold! And the soap dispenser really works!

On second thought, maybe it was a mistake to showcase my hidden faucet skills. Somewhere a Honey-Do list is quickly expanding.....

--Brian

A Merry "DS" Christmas

6:15am Brian and Christine awake not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.

6:30am Brian turns on Christmas tree lights and perfects the layout of presents.

6:40am Christine wonders why on earth the children are still sleeping!

6:45am Sarah wakes yelling, "DADDY-A."

6:46am Nathan hears the yell and opens his bedroom door. He gasps with shock as he looks over the balcony. Maren quickly hops out of bed and joins him in laughter, Christmas morning is here!

6:48am Family gathers in Sarah's bedroom and Nathan offers a sweet morning prayer.

6:50am The children run into the family room and wait for Christmas unwrapping instructions. Sarah finds a nice spot to sit and watch in her new Radio Flyer wagon. The fun begins!

Nathan and Maren were thrilled beyond belief to unwrap their much desired gift, a Nintendo DS! They immediately opened their DS' (Maren's pink, Nathan's black) and began a short, parent-free tutorial. Sarah enjoys unwrapping her Fisher Price Vacuum. With delight she vacuums the family room rug (her mother is so pleased to see such excitement over a vacuum).

Happy, happy children unwrapped more gifts under the tree: games for their DS', a telephone for Sarah, a fantastic flannel board with stories for the family (from G & G Butler), an Easy Bake Oven (Maren), Molding Clay (Nathan), and to name one more, the Spanish Speaking Pig (Sarah). We are thankful for the gifts under the tree and those sent by family through the mail. Thank you!

We spent our Christmas day: Playing with our new toys, taking a walk around the lake with Sarah's new wagon, playing soccer, listening to holiday music, and making Christmas dinner. Friends joined us for our traditional feast of Turkey enchiladas, black beans, Brazilian rice, and raspberry chocolate bread pudding. We enjoyed their company--and it seemed to ease the Utah homesickness (just a little).