South America in Snow

Lacey was parked out in front of our house for Christmas and the snow on the back of her window looked exactly like South America. I swear I can see where Sean lives in Argentina.

I thought it was pretty awesome. Lacey quickly took this photo before it dissappeared.

Christmas Day

We started out with a nice breakfast of cinnamon rolls, eggs and sausage. Lacey tried to wake us up early to open presents but we fought it until 8:30 a.m.

I got a few USC things today. Here is a fleece blanket from Page. We all got some nice presents, but the best of all was 40 minutes with Sean. He called us about 12:30 p.m. It was great to hear his voice and learn more about his area. He went to eat at a members house last week because the family is moving back to Peru. He said they first had some chicken, then the Dad brought out OCTOPUS!!! He said it didn't even really looked cooked. At first he was shaking his head no when offered the delight. He ended up trying it and said it was real rubbery. I guess I hogged most of the telephone time, I didn't realize I was doing it. At one point Sean had to say "let Mom ask a question". After the call, I missed him even more. It took awhile to shake off the feeling that we can't speak to him again until Mother's Day. It was also nice to find out they have air conditioning in the apartment since it's started to get real hot in Argentina. He sounded like he was doing well and a few times was using Spanish words instead of English, and when he would catch himself we would all laugh. What a special experience to talk to him.


We ended up invited a couple of the missionaries over for Christmas Dinner since nobody signed them up. One of the Elders, Elder Morris, went to BYU with Sean and they were in the same ward. We met Elder Rougeau for the first time tonight. He is from Utah but his family came from Lousiana. We have a feeling he is related to our dear friends, Frank and Lynn Rougeau from Lousiana. We will have to find out.

Here we are at the end of the day in front of our Christmas Tree. After the Elders left Lacey and I went to see the movie, Bedtime Stories, that just came out today. It is a great movie. You should go see it.

And here we had to take a picture of Elder Taylor Morris before he left the house.

¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Christmas Eve in Cody

Lacey wants to know what will happen if she sticks her tongue on this pole when it is freezing outside.....

Lacey and Page after our Christmas Eve dinner in Cody


Every Christmas Eve since we left California we have gone out for a special dinner as a family. Tonight we ate at the Rib and Chop House in Cody. Here is a picture of us outside the Rib and Chop after we had nice steak and chicken dinners. Then we headed back home to wrap up the day and get ready for Christmas.




It will be nice to have Lacey spend the night and spend the day with us tomorrow. Also the big phone call from Argentina by Elder Sean... how great is that going to be!!!!!!


Merry Christmas

O' Christmas Tree

We found this ornament of the sun that is on the Argentina flag. We added it to our tree this year in honor of Sean serving his mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Only three more days until Christmas, and that means a phone call from Sean. Missionaries can only call home twice a year: Christmas and Mother's Day. This will be the first time we get to talk to him since he has been in Argentina. Lacey will be coming over to share Christmas Day with us too. It's going to be a great Christmas for us this year. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas too.

More Elf Mischief !!

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Christmas Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Coach Pete Carroll

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USC's coach, Pete Carroll, was on 60 minutes tonight. Not only is he a great coach, the winningest coach in college football, but he also has helped lower gang violence in LA. We are lucky to have him. Fight On!

Connie Jean, I miss you

24 years ago today, I lost my dear Sister, Connie. She was driving to Utah from California and was involved in a tragic car accident and she did not survive. She was only 21. Connie is a great sister, and I love her so much. It's been a long time since she has been in my life, but I am comforted in knowing that families are eternal and can be together forever. That brings me much peace.

I am grateful for the great plan of happiness and the knowledge of knowing God is our Eternal Father and that Jesus Christ is my Savior and he lives! It is nice to reflect on the Savior during this Christmas season. We get so busy with all the activities of the holiday, but we all need to take time to think of the great gift we received and why we celebrate Christmas.

May you all have a more peaceful and reflective Christmas this year!

USC beats UCLA- Pac 10 Champs

USC 28 UCLA 7

USC beat it's cross-town rival in the Rose Bowl today for the 8th time in 9 years. It is our 7th straight Pac 10 championship and we are going to the Rose Bowl to play Penn State. It is our 7th straight 11 win season too. This has been the greatest run for USC football.

Today we wore home jerseys. Both teams worked it out so that we both could wear our home jerseys, which used to be the tradition when we both shared the same field at the Coliseum. It was nice to see it brought back. Cost us a time out.

We were dominate over the Bruins today. It's been a great year for USC.

After the game, Lacey and I went to Subway for dinner then hit downtown to watch the annual Christmas Parade. It wasn't a very big parade this year, but was fun to see all the lights.