Merry White Christmas

Okay for all of those who know how much I love Utah and the snow know that this was not the normal vacation for us. Give my sun, surf and sand anyday. I wanted Drew to have a white Christmas so we went to Utah in the worst weather of the year. We went on a Wednesday when they closed the I-15 because of snow. So we stayed the night at Karen's house (Keith's Sister). Thank you Karen. It was a great visit that we weren't expecting. The next day when we were headed for Utah it took us 6 to 7 hours to get to Las Vegas. We were a little tired so we stayed in Cedar City with a friend. We are the unexpected dropper-inners. We are so grateful for wonderful friends along the way. We finally made it to Vernal Friday afternoon.

We stayed with my Grandma and Grandpa Jim. There was snow. The pictures of Drew in pajamas was our first stop at Grandma's. She wasn't home so Keith and Drew decided to wage a snowball war on me because I had the camera and couldn't fight back. Naughty boys!! Drew had a great time spending time with his cousins and getting to know them.

Drew had some funny comments while we were there. Here they are:
1. I will never be warm again. (We thought that too, the first few days.)
2. Why does the snow have to be so cold?
3. The icicle was called a lollipop.
4. The poor freezing horse was called a beast.

Some of the greatest times on our trip was spending time with family. We were invited to two parties at Aunt Nancy's. She is a great host and we loved all of the presents. Aunt Nancy is always loving and giving. I finally got a picture of Grandma with out dark glasses. I think that she looks beautiful. I also learned more about more great Grandma and Grandpa. Keith got to go snowmobiling with Ryan and Raquel.

It was a lot of fun to be around family on the Holiday Season. It was even worth the three day drive to get there. We are happy to report that it only took us one day to get home. We weren't going to be stopped.

Drew's Big Adventures

Drew has been a very busy boy this holiday season. He sang at his preschool's Christmas Presentation on the 12th of December. He really didn't sing too much. We had a hard time believing that because he is constantly singing at home. He still looked cute as a little angel.

The next day he tested for his next Karate belt. He is getting pretty good and starting to grasp Katas. We were so proud of him for both things. Look at that high kick. I didn't realize that it was getting that high. Notice the change in color for the belt from yellow to orange. Good job little buddy.

Christmas Fun!!!!

It has become a tradition these last two years to make a gingerbread house. My baking skills are not quite up to par so we cheat and buy the kit. We still have fun. Aunt Lorraine comes over and helps us. We also have a traditon of decorating Drew. Everyone has fun and as normal we all laugh. While she was over Drew decided he wanted to play rock star. So we got out the guitar and the drum (foot stool) and a group of bells. Drew had a blast.

This year has been fun. Drew is really getting Christmas. When I plugged in the lights for the Christmas tree he said they were magic. So Keith and I went and bought lights for the house. I climbed on the roof to hang the high lights. The house doesn't look great but we are still fine tuning the stars. I didn't think that Keith would get into it so much. Drew has really helped us understand why we do all the fun things we do for the holidays. Christmas morning is going to be so much fun for him.
Merry Christmas.

Drew growing up

How do you know when your little toddler is growing up? I think I have a few clues. Drew wasn't able to play with his friends last week because of the holidays. He asked me, "Mom are you trying to keep me from my friends?"

Clue #2
Today I asked Drew to do his hair. (He has two patches that stick out on the side and we call them Zabomofoo hair.) So he grabs his hat and puts it on his head and says, "Now my friends won't see my Zabomofoo hair." Only a boy would say that.

Pelican Day!!!

Today Drew and I went to the harbor. We get lunch at Del Taco and eat it at the fishing pier. It is our special little oasis. I love getting away and seeing all of the sea life. On a clear day like today we were able to see the Guirabalde swimming in and out of the rocks. They are such a beautiful orange.

These sea lions are practing their sequence swimming or a really bad shark immitation. It is really fun when there are about three or four of them swimming together.


This pelican and fish was having a face off. I couldn't help but think of poor Nemo.



Here is the pelican eating the fish until a bigger pelican came along.


He flys away in defeat.





While the other pelican eats the fish.

Zoo attire

Today was a beautiful day in southern California. We went to the zoo with Monica and little Aiden. Drew had a lot of fun making Aiden laugh. So in turn we all laughed. Please make sure to look at the picture in the top left corner. Aiden looks like he is running from the big gorilla. It is just a funny day. We had a great time with Monica and Aiden. We don't get together enough.

My Heart be still

I have been trying to type all of the family history stories that I have so that I can share them with my cousins and sibblings. One of the pictures is of my Great Grandma Grace and one of her husbands. She had four husbands and out lived three of them. Drew saw me getting out my old suitcase and he said, "I want to see a picture of my Grandma. Is she in here?" When I showed him the picture he said, "She is so pretty."

If you are related to me and knew my Grandma very well you would know that there was nothing more that she loved then a compliment and a great gingerbread cookie. How delighted she would be if she knew that even her Great, Great grandchildren who didn't know her has not forgotten her. Her legacy of love lives on in their eyes and actions.

I love Drew for his tentiveness. He recognizes everything. I hope that he continues to be mindful of others. He is so thoughtful and sweet. I am truely blessed to have such a great son. I often ask him what I did to get so lucky to be his mommy.

Drew, you rock.

We Can and Will Endure

Below is a small history of some of the persecution that was endured by my Great, Great, Great Grandpa Keller. (I may have too many greats in there but hopefully you understand.) His name was Alva Keller. He joined the church on December 5, 1835 in New York. At one point he was a home teacher to Joseph Smith Sr.

This was written by his granddaughter, Alberta Hentzie. Oh how I would love to have his journal.

The Saints were put to the test as to the test as to what was best for them to do. About this time Alva found himself surrounded by a group of stern faced men, but his faith in the Lord never wavered as he heard one man say to him, “Are you Alva Keller?”
He answered, “I am.”
“Are you a Mormon?”
“I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.”
“You can call them what you will. You came to Nauvoo and built yourself a good home and you are prospering. If you will renounce Joseph Smith for the cheat that he is, you will be allowed and stay and raise your family in peace and be one of us. If you refuse, you will be driven out and we will persecute you as we will all the Mormons.”
Without hesitation Alva answered, “Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God. I would rather die than deny that which I know to be true.” That was the testimony of my grandfather and that testimony remained with him all his life and all down through these many years that testimony remains a challenge to us. What would have been our answer under similar conditions?

I hope that this will give us strength to handle what is a head of us. I have found strength in reading this history and a new hope. Though we are faced with persecution we have not had our lives threatened or has our families. We must remember that we are fighting for a worthy cause, our families and the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. As times get more difficult I want my posterity to know that I have never doubted my testimony of the gospel. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of his children and that we are here to show love to all of his children. And sometimes it is tough love but love is all the same. I hope that through my example I can emulate the love of God our Father. Please remember the love and faith of our ancestors who sacrificed beyond measure for us to practice our beliefs as we want.

Finally a Family Photo

Okay we waited so long for family photos. We are so excited to have a picture of all three of us. Today was a perfect day in paradise. Drew and I went to the beach and played on the very low tide. So Drew got to play in little pools that were warm. And for those of you reading this in an area that actually have seasons you did read it right, we went in the water and it wasn't to cold. We are actually going to have 80 degree weather this weekend.

Drew's Photos

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you handed a three year old the camera? You actually get some really cool abstract pictures. I love some of the pictures that Drew has taken with his camera. Some of them we took pictures of Drew with his camera.

A belated Halloween Song Just for You

Okay so this was suppose to be posted before Halloween. I didn't realize that it downloaded from my phone. Yah! I love my little singer. He does a great job when he is in the mood.

Halloween '08

Here is the scary skeleton. With that smile it was quite difficult to be scary, we didn't tell Drew that. We had a lot of fun on Halloween. We went to Keith's parent's house, his sister's house and a family friend's house. As we were headed for our party at the Dan's house he fell asleep. So when it was time to go trick-or-treating he was still a little tired. We went to about ten houses and they all had to be happy halloween houses. Nothing scary. Thank you Dan's for keeping up the Halloween tradition. It just wouldn't be halloween without all of the good friends and delicious food.

Can I fix it?

Okay there has been so much going on at our house with me doing nothing. I am healing very quickly from my surgery. I would like to thank everyone who has helped with Drew and feeding Keith. He will be expecting me to cook for him every night once I am feeling better. Keith has been doing a great job taking care of Drew. Keith is having a great time taking care of Drew, I am afraid that he will not want to go back to work. If he didn't I wouldn't blame him. I miss being Drew's mom. It really isn't fun laying on the couch all day without being able to bean bag brawl or being able to hug or kiss Drew when I want to.
Keith took Drew to Lowes and they got the cute little apron for building. They are now ready to fix up our house. He looked so cute.

Drew Dancing

Here is Drew dancing at the yogurt store. He didn't realize I was recording him until the end. You can tell by the direct attention to the camera. I don't think we will be seeing him on any dancing shows soon but he sure is cute and funny.

The Pumpkin Patch

We had the chance to go to Bate's Nut Farm with Luanne, Andy and Grace on the 8th of October. We had a great time. There were miniature pigs, goats and a donkey. The kids weren't quite sure about the animals. And we got to pick a pumpkin out. Drew got to ride the hay ride that was pulled behind a tractor and he got to ride a horse. Something he has wanted to do for a while now.

Need I say more!!

This would be Drew being funny and of course not getting dressed. Some of the funny things Drew said this week: "You scared my feelings!" and "Daddy do you miss your mommy?". Wish had time to explain it all.

Drew's own Style

Drew doesn't like to have his hair spiked. I got it one day lucky me.

Look down at the shoes. This is Drew's latest style. Probably because it gets him attention.

It all started when we couldn't find the other brown shoe. And people probably think that I don't care about my son's shoes. Nope he wouldn't let me put on matching shoes.

Three years and waiting

Okay Angela this one is for you. I actually did one on my own thanks for showing me picasa. It is updated, hence the different collage. This was our little trip to visit friends and family. Now I am starting to think that there isn't much difference. The little people with Drew are Angela's adorable boys. They were so much fun to play with. Todd adopted Drew for the night and let Drew practice karate on him and took Drew to the park the next morning. And the people that look like Drew would be one set of grandparents and a great grandma. He has many, easier to be spoiled. We now know where Drew gets all of his funny faces that make us laugh so much. Drew was so great with John's mom and treated her like he knew her all of his life. He is an amazing little guy that can make anyone feel special and loved.

Drews first day of preschool!

This is Drew's first day of preschool. He did great, no tears. He was just really tired afterwards.

Drew loves to pose for the camera. It is always silly and adventurous.

I love this smile.

Camping In San Simeon

We had so much fun camping in San Simeon a few days before Labor Day weekend, especially with my mom.

My little angel always takes such great pictures.

It is never a dull day with Drew and Keith. I always love Drew's funny faces.

Keith let me go to Point Lobos Reserve and some free time to take pictures. It is so beautiful there and always a great picture opportunity.

One Of My Favorite Little Guys!!