Eagles

Eagles you say? No, I'm not talking about about my old school mascot (although I did feel a bit of Millard pride during the day...), but real eagles. This time of year since most of the water north of Missouri is frozen many eagles migrate to Alton, IL where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet to fish. It was a incredible site. We were able to see almost 100 of these truly inspiring birds. 

Here we all are on  the Bluff City Trolley that drove us around to see the birds. Thank goodness for the Trolley. I was FREEZING that day, and the Trolley kept us nice and warm. Grandma, Grandpa, Emma, Tal, me, and Dita's coat in the bottom corner (sorry Matt didn't get you all the way in the picture, Dita)!

Emma made it her duty to make sure everyone on the tour entered and exited on the correct side. It was very funny. And those that happened to get it "wrong" were very good sports to go back down and try it again... the "right" way! Thanks for keeping us straight Em's!

This is the dam and power plant that helps keep the water here unfrozen so the eagles can fish. The seagulls were definitely getting in on the action too!

This was the very first eagle we saw. Very cool.

And of course if there is water, that is were you'll find Emma! 

There were also quite a few pelicans around. 

The kids loved looking out the window. Emma thought the binoculars where great. It made everything look really FAR AWAY...! ;) 

I had to take this picture through the window, but these blue herons were so beautiful!!

And now the eagles:

Most of the eagles fly down for just a couple of months then fly "home", but a few over the years have decided to make this their "home." Eagles mate for life and always return to the same nest. And the nests were huge.

Learning a little more about these majestic animals made it even more clear as to why it is the bird that represents our nation. Such a great experience.

Snow!

This post is pretty late since the snow is completely gone now and it's been 70 degrees, but better late then never!

The pictures say it all... the girl loves snow. Literally! She loves to eat it. If I let her she could have eaten us a path out of the garage and over to our sledding hill (we have a great little hill down off the driveway!) instead of having to shovel one!! I'm sure she got her fill, though.

And of course the gloves came off, until she realized that there really might be a purpose for wearing them!! 

Then Daddy came home, and it was back outside (he felt left out I guess!)

Guess who's taking the picture! Yep... ME

Tal had his first sledding experience. I'm not sure he enjoyed it like he should have. It couldn't be because he could barely breath underneath the git-up I've got him in, could it? Sorry buddy! Just remember, you were warm... and I love you!!!

Look at the poor kid's eyes!

It's wonderful how kids can make you feel even when it's snowing! 

Fun in a box!

Who didn't do this? I wanted to crawl in there with her. Fun never ends when you have a big, empty box. Now if only she could instal what was in the box...!

It's a little to late for COLD FEET...

 You're in it a little to deep, now!! We love you, and your cold feet!!

Tal's first hair cut

He's 9 months and already needs a hair cut (we didn't cut Emma's hair until she was 3!!!) The hair right on top just kept growing and growing until I was going to use a barrette to hold it back... just kidding, dear! And so it was Daddy to the rescue. He promised he was a pro. He had had plenty of practice cutting missionary's hair while on the mission, so there was no doubt he could getting Tal's right!! 

I think he decided it was a little more tricky cutting a squirmy, Cheerio eating, little boy then a 

fine, responsible, mature (because they all are right...) missionary. But in the end Matt was right. He did a great job. And Matt, great news. You're hired! You've earned yourself a new, full-time responsibility, babes!!!

The finished, happy product!

Nighty-Night

Being Emma is pretty exhausting!

Sweet dreams Em's!

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

We got all our pictures and files back!!!!!!!!  Matt went to get the hard drive taken out of the computer, because we were going to send it to California to a place that thought they could retrieve our lost "stuff." Well, while at Mac head quarters in St. Louis, they told Matt they would try to get our "stuff" with their equipment. They weren't too optimistic, but it was worth a try. Those bless-ed, smart people found EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! I cried... again. We lucked out. But know we bought a back up drive, not cheap, but so worth it. 

SO know I've finally been able to post about Christmas!! Enjoy, I know I did!

My five:

1. Smart, smart computer people. 

2. Smart, smart computer equipment.

3. My brother that's on a mission in Montana. He's so great.

4. A warm home. The high today has been 5 degrees, but with the wind chill it's -20 degrees.

5. The knowledge that our Heavenly Father has a plan, even though it may not be how we think things should be.

Santa came to town!

Christmas Eve

Spending Christmas Eve with Matt's parents was wonderful. Aunt Dita and Bro. and Sis. Yocum were there as well. We ate a wonderful dinner and had a beautifully prepared program of scriptures, stories, and testimony. Feeling the spirit testify to me of what happened that night so long ago felt so good. With each year, that passes I tend to put myself more in Mary's shoes. She was a mother. She had dreams and feelings. Those feelings she had must have been so powerful yet peaceful. I'm so thankful that I have the knowledge of the restored gospel, so that I can reap the blessings from what Mary experienced and gave to us so long ago.

Emma told was the Nativity story with her Nativity set.

Tal's new past time! What a monkey!

Me and the monkey!!

Emma has inherited Matt's love of trains. Choo Choo!!

This is for all our Utah friends. Although Jell-O isn't an everyday meal item, we do right when it is served. This was almost to pretty to eat, but... we did... and it was good!!!

The Big Day

Christmas morning is my favorite! Excitement, joy, surprise, and breakfast!! I must say that my Christmas present cam early. My mom flew out to surprise me, and that was the best gift ever. She just showed up on my doorstep one night. I couldn't believe it. Matt keeps secrets really well! Thanks for coming mom. I love you!

K- so now for pictures:

Emma and her doll house

Tal eating the wrapping paper (of course...)

What a cute present

All dressed up

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Emma's school party.

K, this was funny. Emma had been so excited for her Christmas party at school (and yes they still called it a "Christmas" party... thank you very much!!!). The morning of the big day she was bouncing around the house, she bounced into the car, she bounces all the way into the class where the bouncing continued when she saw all her friends. So cute. Anyway, all the bouncing came to an end when the "special visitor" came through the door. REALLY?! The two other times she had seen Santa this year she couldn't get to him fast enough (the line always takes too long, doesn't it)!!

Well, you can tell how thrilled she is to see him today: (That's her friend Shelby loving her Santa time... Emma's the one sitting on the ground trying desperately to  not even be seen!) Silly girl!

Well, Miss Karen, Emma's teacher, came to the rescue! As long as she was there Emma could talk to him!

"Do you want to touch me?" says Santa. And on the hand was as far as she got!!

"I'm 4," she says. Short and to the point today I guess! (and yes, that's me in the background after my work-out. Thanks Heather for squeezing me into the shot, I really appreciate it)!

Thanks Miss Karen.

Even after she touched him and told him she was 4, she still wasn't quite sure after Miss Karen left:

(she's peeking around her arm warmers making sure she's far enough away, so he can't get her)!

Oh well!!! Merry Christmas kids!!

Ward Christmas Party

What a great ward Christmas party we had. Don't you just love to see the kids in the nativity?! It's wonderful to see the true meaning of Christmas in the eyes of our children.

Emma made a lovely little angel!!

Here's my kids. Cute, huh!! What great singers I have in primary!!

Hi Emm's!

Yep, Santa came too!

Update... that's all it is

Without giving to much info (cause it'll make me cry) our computer crashed. The hard drive went ka-put which means we've lost all of our pictures, documents... everything.

So for now... we had a great Christmas spent with friends and family, and the New Year looks bright (except with no computer). More to come... And just a word of caution: ALWAYS BACK-UP EVERYTHING!! This is not fun.