Holiday

Our holiday was full of fun, family, and food...a very, very large amount of food. While there are definitely Thanksgiving pictures, they are not with me at the moment and so they will not be included. If that is a problem take it up with the cita, who apparently refuses to update the blog. Because of this, you will only be getting Christmas pictures...which is still awesome, because let's face it...Christmas was awesome. Eat up!

Merry Christmas! You get Karen and Aliswan covering their holiday chins!

'Andrew the Angel' with his lego wings reading poetry...yes I'm serious.

Grandpa reading everyone poetry on Christmas Eve.

We think we may have a new Christmas Eve tradition!!! HOAGIES!!! Best dinner ever!

Karen and Aliswan made deviled eggs for the first time. They were scrumptious...even this poor egg whom Nate grabbed. We had a bit of a hard time peeling the shell off this one.

The girls with their new Christmas Eve pajamas! Check out those hotties!

And then there were the boys matching pajamas...wouldn't they make a great boys band with their baggy booties? :)

So basically these are pictures of Christmas Eve only, but the ones from Christmas day aren't as exciting as these. Christmas day consisted of many traditions. We jumped on the parentals bed (scaring them awake), we gave them the first ever kids gift which was a pretty awesome experience. We decided to buy them a digital frame--we put a ton of family pictures on the walls upstairs and left a space for the frame. When they woke up we gave them a USB, which they had no idea what it was, full of pictures. When they walked out of their door they saw the frame, plugged in the USB, and walah! pictures! It was really good.

We also got a Wii for the family. Boy has that been great. Suddenly all of the kids are doing their chores and sucking up to the parentals. Best purchase ever! Also it is quite fun and provides hours of family time and entertainment.

The cita also got a kitchenaid. I had my first Black Friday experience getting it for her and let me tell you, I'm awesome. I scared those poor people spitless. No taking the last kitchenaid from me, no sireee. So we have been baking a ton with that. In fact I made my first loaves of homemade bread...again, the first time was rough but the second round was scrumdidileeumptious! I'm very proud, so here is a picture:

So it is New Years Eve and hopefully there will be more news and pictures to come! We are sad to see the Christmas break coming to a swift close. :( Happy Holidays! They have been wonderful!

So it's been more than a little while....

That's a major understatement. I've been gone for the summer and the fam isn't quite sure how to post things so here is a rundown of our lives since...I don't know, over a year ago?!? Yes, I like to think that we are really bad at this. :) So the Aliswan will give you a rundown of the last year and 3 months in order.
First off, the little juan left on his mission on August 27, 2008. He has now been gone over a year! For pictures and letters check out his mission blog.
Next, the familia no longer lives in Tooele! The house is now being rented by some really nice folks and the family has followed me to Provo (can't get rid of these buggers). So here is a little glimpse at the new abode.

Let's see what else.
The padre is still working at Dugway but in his spare time he has enjoyed putting the yard together with his new best friend Tyler-san. (katate kid reference sorry).

The Cita is teaching at a great little elementary school as a third grade teacher and boy they give her a run for her money. She is also preparing to apply for a masters program which has us all pretty excited.



Aliswan...well this last summer I moved to Tonopah, Nevada and worked as an archaeologist for the forest service. To say I was hard core would be an understatement, after 3 months of camping, site recording a hiking several hundred miles I find Provo life a little busy and yet slow. Oh, and I am about to graduate college and go to grad school. Kudos kids, kudos.

Stephie is now a senior in high school and is about to graduate. She went to prom this year with a friend from Tooele and she also went to the Govenor's Honors Academy and got a large scholarship to SUU! So guess who Jon gets to watch out for down in Cedar City this fall? :)Deruda is doing really well, he is taking piano lessons from Aunt Karen, art lessons from Auntie Amanda and has finally joined the swim team which we are all really excited about. He and Stephanie worked at Seven Peaks this summer and so he also saw quite a bit of babe action for a 15 year old. (Definitely his words and NOT mine). :)
Bug is doing fantastic in her new school. Her grades are high and she works her little tail end off. She is involved in the drama program and played one of the Piccadilly Ladies in her school play, the Music Man. We all now know the words to all of those songs. She also has been doing exceptionally well on her cello.

Finally Aunt Karen, Uncle Nate, Tyler and Lizzie moved in with us for a bit while they are looking for a house and we all absolutely love it! It's nice to have kids in the house that say hi to you every morning and hug you and kiss you all over. It has been a wonderful adventure having them here and we all don't know what we will do when they leave. :(

Well there is a very sad and ridiculously brief summary of the past year and three months. We promise we will do better. Well I'll try to get them to do better if you know my family you would understand. :) Adios!