Ending Another Year in Rexburg 2008

Nothing Like Frozen Smiles!!!... with an average temperature closer to zero who wouldn't!
OOOOh! It it cold! But F-U-N ...Fun!

Ok for those of you with facebook these pictures may be dejavoo, but I added them anyway because some who don't have facebook get to see them from here. 

This has been a good winter so far. Christmas itself had it's challenges, but we made the best of it. We appreciate all the cards and packages we recieved from family. It is not the same as being together with family, but it helps. 

Grandpa and Grandma Bo thanks so much for the Christmas money the boys purchased some little target toys they really enjoy and have not yet stopped playing with!!! Miss you! We also got them some gloves and things they needed for the winter. 

Grandma and Papa Nelsen thanks so much for the box of Christmas goodies! We all loved our 'jammies!! Brent changed several times! lol. :) And we are grateful for the other things like the picture frame with pics already in it- awesome! And among others the little star pig- we have yet to decide on a name. Thanks so much!!

Aunt Karissa we loved the game expansion and can't wait to get some friends or family to play it with us! I loved the pandora bracelet as well- what a great idea! The pig made me smile even before I knew the exact meaning of it and laugh after.... it is a cherished gift and always will be!

Grandma Neises and Aunt Maria thank you so much for having Christmas with us and for your gifts as well! Thanks Grandma for watching Joshua while we played out in the snow!! And thanks Maria for playing in the snow! Maybe next time we can all play!

Well, it's been a long and difficult year! But we survived. And we look forward to the coming challenges of this next year. As the widget on my blog says "Everyday is a gift" (and Kung Fu Panda- lol )! We look forward to making the most of it! Although I can not say everyday is good- I can say we are trying to make them as good as we can! Justin has had some highs and lows with school. I have had some highs and lows with health- and I now know the hospital pretty well and it's staff. ( A very difficult pregnancy as usual and a surprise blood clot) Which set Justin back in school because he was helping at home. We found out he will need two more years and then we found out they would let him into Winter term reducing the two years to 1 and a half! We want so badly to be at home with our extended family, but we will enjoy Rexburg while we can also. Who knows when we'll get to see this much snow again! Thank you so much to all of our family and friends who have prayed for us and helped us through this year!!!!

Winter Fun: Sledding

Us in the Snow.....always a family event!

  Dad and Brent!
Brent and Aaron... looks like he's smiling? ;)
AJ and Aaron..... he did ride with Dad most the time, but he got tired of the cold pretty fast!
And this is how Joshua spend the his time tucked away under like ten layers!

Sorry we haven't finished putting decorations on our tree, but we did go sledding! So I thought I'd put the picture on here. Joshua and I didn't really get to do much sledding, but we still enjoyed it until it got too cold. ;)

Well enjoy the pics!

Let me know what you think of the new look for the Christmas season. The boys LOVE Christmas decorations especial our little 3 foot tree! We don't have much for ornaments on it yet, but it is a work in progress. I'll post a picture of it later today. Now I'm going to do some Family History Indexing.... if you haven't learned how to do this yet... you should it's way fun! And it helps me feel useful. ;) Today is Maria's Birthday so we are excited to celebrate with her.... maybe I can sneak a picture of her in too later. Hee he hee. Smile! Hope everyone is enjoying the season! It was -4 degrees when I woke up this morning! Justin LOVES it here when there is lots of snow on the ground. we will have to do some sledding and take photos. Maybe this year we will get to go snowmobiling.... that would be fun. We are also looking forward to seeing the Rice family!!! Yay! 

If you haven't sent us your address for Christmas cards by now you probably won't get one.... shame on you! Well, Love you all!

Let it Snow! Right Joshua....

Although a little late ..... the snow has begun to fall. 

Thanksgiving Holiday and more

Ok. I guess I'm updating this only once a month now. We just discovered it will take us 2 more years to finish school so we'll be in Rexburg for a while. I wasn't too thrilled, but I can't control it so the up side is it's a nice community and the temple is up the hill. I am considering taking some classes. I wouldn't mind working from home, but we haven't found a job that will work yet. Justin and I will be signing up to do subbing for the Madison School District.  It won't bring it much money and not for two months after we start anyway, but it was the only idea we had. It was Mom's idea actually because she is liking her work with the school district. Justin was going to try helping the FedEx drivers, but the way the economy is the drivers who need help can't afford to pay even if it is as little as $50 for 10 hours of work which is what Justin has gotten once and $80 the only other time he was able to do it. 

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Ken and Aunt Susan's house. Brent and Lydia got along very well and AJ was all over the place like usual. We really appreciate them inviting us because it's hardly the holidays without family around. And Kristin and Andrew's new little baby Justin (who is not so little anymore 8 mo. ) is so adorable!

We went to one of Maria's plays "bye Bye Birdie" as always she was my favorite actress. She is also in a small part in a low budget movie that comes out this weekend in select theatres I think. Mom is so excited and is all ready to go. Mom and Maria have been working very hard so we don't get to see them very often, but it's so fun when we do.

We will be hanging out in Rexburg for another Christmas. Honestly we haven't had the energy to pull our Christmas decoration out of the back of the storage. SO sad! lol. But we have lights up on our balcony. 

Alex has been with his friends 24-7, but we're happy for him our house is kinda boring these days. 

It is 14 degrees with a frigid breeze.... cold cold cold. I miss summer, but then who doesn't. ;)

Joshua is doing very well. At his last visit they said he was in the 80th percent overall. Average height and a little chunky. He likes to gab with me and I love it! I still wake up at 12, 2, 4, 6, and then the day begins. Aj still gets up at 2 or 3, and then again at 5:30am. All the boys are up by 6am. I manage to drag myself out of bed by 6:30am. 

Well we wish everyone the Happiest of Holidays.