Christmas 2009

This year we had a great Christmas. First both Chris and Ryan were home. Chris arrived back from Iraq just before Thanksgiving, and he flew out to Idaho a week before Christmas to help drive out from BYU Idaho. My brother and his family were also moving to Virginia that weekend. This was the same weekend of the blizzard. So, needless to say both parties were delayed in getting here. My brother had stopped in Ohio to see the sights in Kirtland. So they stayed an extra night and came down Sunday. Luckily the highways were pretty good for them. Chris and Ryan came in late that night after driving straight through. Anyway, we had a house full. My niece came up on the evening of the 22nd. It was so much fun having everyone here. I loved having small children here for Christmas too. They were so much fun with the whole Santa thing. The boys received a few of their presents early to help them go snowboarding before Christmas. Hey, with all that snow, they had to do it. Everyone received pretty much everything they wanted. Fun was had by all. I'm going to love having Robert (Bobby), Krista, Caleb and Adelyn here. I love being called Auntie Lia. None of my nieces or nephews on the other side call me that, oh well. We also had the missionaries over for Christmas dinner. I got the picture for my living room that I've been wanting for a long time. It's the Salt Lake Temple with a tree with red leaves. Anyway, here are a few pictures, enjoy.

Art Show

Our stake is having an Evening with the Arts on Nov. 14th. I entered 4 pieces of our families art into the show. I hope the artists don't mind, since I didn't ask any of them. Anyway, I put Chris' bird, Spencer's portrait of Chris, Chris' Mom's drawing of Chris as a young cowboy, that looks like Kyle and Brandon, and His grandfather's cowboy watercolor. These have all been posted in previous posts. Kyle and Brandon have inherited this talent too, they just need to exercise it more, as does Chris. Good job everyone, they will be great in the show. Thank you!

Brave New World

Today I received a call from a friend asking me if I had read "A Brave New World". Well coming from this friend it was a strange question, so I say "No, but Should I?" She then preceded to tell me that she is now reading it, because it is required reading at the high school. Her daughter came home from school telling her that they were having a huge discussion in one of their classes today about this book. Apparently a student had come in and asked who he needed to talk to, to take the book off the required reading list. At this point I'm worried because I really have no idea what this book is even about. Then she goes on to tell me that the student who went to the teacher was my son Brandon. Wow, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it when she told me this. Apparently this book talks about teen sex and drugs. How can this be required reading for high school students? I was so proud of Brandon for speaking up for his beliefs. And even prouder because it apparently caused a big stir that it was discussed in classes afterwards. When I came home from work I asked him about it. He told me it was a horrible book and I should never read it. How kind of him to try to protect me from this book. Kyle said the teacher pulled him aside and told him about the stir that Brandon started. WAY TO GO BRANDON!!

Family Art

So while Chris has been gone this time, I've been busy with his paintings that he's been wanting to get framed. I finally took them to get them framed at Michael's and their 60% off custom framing. First I did the bird in the previous post. Then I took his portrait that his brother painted to get it framed and his grandfather's painting of cowboys too. I will admit I was not a fan of the cowboys. I had no clue where we would be able to hang it. However, once we (Linda Warner helped me pick the mats and frame) got it framed it looks totally awesome. Now it is hanging in my family room, and it looks great. I had a hard time finding a place for Chris's portrait that would be seen well. Our problem was we didn't really have anymore walls big enough, or they were too big. I decided to put it in the dining room. Figured if I hung a mirror on the other wall it could be seen from the kitchen. Was hoping it would from the front door too, but wrong angle I guess. Hope he likes it when he gets home. Just over one month now. What do you think?

The Wall

I've had this idea in my mind for a while now. I've been purchasing frames and shelves and other items over time to add to it. I am so excited to finally get it up and see in person what's been in my mind for so long. Thanks Andrea for helping me get it there!! Now it's complete... What do you think??



Chris comes from a family of artists as you have seen in other posts I have done. Well, I finally got Chris' picture that he drew framed. Think he'll like it?

Hurt

It's pretty sad when your family has a reputation of getting hurt. Of course with a maiden name of HURT it comes to be expected. First me, with several broken arms and 3 surgeries for torn cartilage and ended up having a bone removed. My right arm has been in a cast 7 times for different things. I should be left handed by now. And, reconstructive surgery on my ankle, and various other injuries. Ryan, then carried on the tradition with his 2 broken elbows, displaced finger, dislocated shoulder, and a badly broken wrist. Then there's Kyle, who broke his leg last year, almost had to have surgery on it because his break had the ACL attached to it. Thank goodness, they were able to set it without the surgery. Now, Brandon is continuing the tradition. While camping Memorial weekend, he was playing on the playground you see behind him. Jumping from some tires behind his left shoulder to a zip line above his head (not shown). Got the momentum going and fell off landing on his rear with his arm behind him breaking it in 3 places. They had to put him under to finish breaking one bone so it could be set. Doesn't he look a little green? He really did look green, it's not just the picture.

How is it Chris only seems to get scrapes and cuts??

Brandon

Well, in tradition of birthdays... Brandon's birthday is today, May 2nd. So here are 15 things about him:

1. He started off being impatient, wanting to come out too quickly and I had to hold him in until antibiotics took effect so he wouldn't get strep.
2. Always been a talker. Even when no one understood a word he was saying except Kyle.
3. He wants everyone to love him.
4. He's good with kids.
5. He's very smart, just doesn't always show it.
6. He's a lot of fun.
7. Comes up with some crazy ideas.
8. He use to love putting my hair in his face when he was upset. Probably still would if I could handle it.
9. He likes hoops.
10. He loves his big bro.
11. He likes to use words he thinks make him cool. Like hoops, bro. and calls his dad Fabio.
12. He's getting pretty close to earning his Eagle.
13. He wants to make everyone happy.
14. He's very social.
15. Great member of our family and we all love him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!!