Merry and Bright

This Christmas season was merry and bright. It was so special for Christian and I to spend our first Christmas together. More than anything, this season reminds me how much I love my friends and family. That love comes from Jesus Christ. This season is so magical because the love and influence of Christ is abundant so many people are feeling the joy of doing good.

Another magical part is getting to see the excitement of children. At an extended Raleigh family Christmas party, Santa arrived and all the kids rushed down to see him. With the adults and teenagers gathered around, Santa taught everyone about the true meaning of Christmas. My four-year old brother Matthew, with no fear and wisdom much older than his age pipes up loudly, "yeah, it's not about the presents, it's about the people!" Oh, we about died with laughter. Then, no surprise he's first one to line up and sit on Santa's lap. In response to Santa's, "what do you want this year for Christmas?" An exasperated look crosses his face and he says, "Don't you remember? I told you last time!" (He sat on Santa's lap the week before at the ward Christmas party :) Oh, it's so fun that we have opportunities to be surrounded (and entertained) by kids our whole life!

And some new children entering our life include our new niece Madelynn Lucinda Marriott (daughter of Christian's sister Laura) born Dec. 28th. We also got news that Christian's twin brother John and his wife Ida are due June 24th! I couldn't be happier for them :)

Well, to summarize our Christmas season I thought some pictures would be appropriate:

Us in front of Brigham Young's Winter Home in St. George. We decided to take a jaunt down south to go to the temple, enjoy the scenery and comparable warmth, and just have fun with the fam!

Here is Kathryn with Matt. They're at the hotel and Matt is watching his "kid shows". He's quite the cartoon fan.

This is the pic where Dan looked the happiest. Aren't they good lookin' kids?

Our mini-baby Christmas tree and Christmas gifts! We got lots of fun games this year - our favorite gifts by far

We hope our family and friend's Christmas was merry and bright too. We love you all!

New Job

Blessings blessings everywhere! Back in October I started the hunt for a full-time position after grant money ran out from my current job (I was working as a liaison between BYU and the Utah County Health Department, connecting students, professors, and professionals with research and project needs). The county offered me another part-time position but I knew I needed to be filling my afternoons with more than Oprah, so I was on the lookout. Amazingly, I quickly had an interview and job offer at the state health department where I'd work on flu campaign materials. It would require lots of driving and would be temporary with no benefits but I was willing to try and take on both part-time. That same day I was alerted that a full-time, benefited position opened up at the county where I already was working. I went through the long and laborious government application process but I finally have the job!! It was worth the wait and I love the projects I'm working on: tobacco prevention (working with worksite policies and physician tobacco screening/education), injury prevention (creating a YouTube video contest for Hispanic teens which focuses on highway safety) and the same academic liaison stuff. I love my job and I am so blessed to be paid to do what I love.

You are hereby called to serve in the......

MEXICO CHIHUAHUA MISSION!

Yes, my younger brother David just got his mission call to Mexico - how exciting! He got the call last Wed. or Thursday but sister Sammie was in California at the Footlocker West Cross County Race. She was heartbroken that we'd open it up without her so we waited until she got back on Sunday night to open up the call. Grandma Johnson, Aunt Julie, and cousin Michael Anne were there as well.

I was especially excited because I went on a study abroad to Mexico and love the language, culture, and people. If you want to see the excitement for yourself, here's the video!

T is for...

...Tarpy's, treasured memories, totally amazing weather, toasting marshmallows on the beach, and of course, Thanksgiving!!

SO, first up - we forgot our camera and thus, no pictures of our wonderful week vacation in CA. Hopefully words will be enough description. Here are some of our highlights:

• The night before we left we got to see sis-in-law Laura and her beautiful family and we stayed overnight at my Grandma Furse's house in Salt Lake.
• Saturday morning on the 21st we flew into San Fran and drove with Mother Bennion south to Salinas/Monterey CA.
• The memories: Looking at Christian's box of old baby clothes, soccer uniforms, school work, prom pictures, and mission memorabilia - I am obsessed with pictures, history, and old memories - I was in heaven :)
• Made it through all the family picture albums (i'm not lying - i'm obsessed) and some of the family videos. My favorite video clip is a tie between the Christmas eve kissing/gift exchange tradition and the family talent show (those Bennions can dance!)
• Picnic at the park on a 70-degree day
• Bonfire at the beach - hot dogs and s'mores included
• Playing dominoes and hearts with the fam
• Making my family's favorite Berry-Mallow Yam Bake for Thanksgiving dinner
• The delicious dinner - thanks especially to Mother Bennion and Sarah!
• Running with Christian on hilly horse trails
• Celebrating our 6 mo. anniversary by going out to a steak dinner at locally famous Tarpy's
• Falling in love with Christian all over again! :)

And I can't forget the perfect cap to the end of Thanksgiving break by getting to see and stay with my family here in Utah. Family makes the holidays what they are. I am so grateful for mine and for the opportunity to gain such a wonderful new one!

Guess who?

So, these aren't the best pictures in the world, but guess who we are....Imagine Christian with a paler face, a sparkling complexion, and maybe a hint of blood around his mouth...

You guessed it! Edward and Bella. I have to admit, I'm not the biggest Twilight fan you'll ever find, but when you got a guy as good-looking as Edward around, why not?

How do I love thee Fall? Let me count the ways

Why do I love fall so much?
1. The crisp, smoky smell in the air

2. The cool sweater/jacket weather mixed with sunny afternoons
3. The beautiful fall leaves
4. Memories of the ecstacy of high school cross county success (yet I also experience vague anxiety left over from the nerves that were also associated with the XC season)
5. Pumpkins and pumpkin-flavored desserts
6. The anticipation of Thanksgiving and then Christmas
7. My birthday
8. Christian's birthday
9. My parent's anniversary
10. My brother David's birthday
11. The excitement of the beginning of new classes and new school supplies

Oh joy :)