Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Well the leaves we piled up have been replaced with even bigger piles of snow-- just in time for a White Christmas. Good thing we have a plow truck, or it would have taken a couple of weeks to shovel the driveway.

Before we go any further, please take a moment to visit Tommy's blog at http://www.prayfortommy.blogspot.com/. Our nephew, Tommy Hasleton, has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He is a very tough little 4 year old, who we love a ton. We know he is on track to make a swift and complete recovery, but we would appreciate your thoughts and prayers on his behalf. WE LOVE YOU, TOMMY!!!

As we move into the holiday season, we reflect with gratitude on our Savior's birth, His life, and the rich blessings He gives us. The Savior devoted His life to helping and blessing the lives of others. Let us each use this season of joy and hope to dedicate ourselves to following our Savior's example, and do our part to spread joy and love to our fellowmen. We, as a family, have been very blessed this year. We have a job, we are all healthy and well, and we have a warm house to live in.

This time of year always makes us think of family gatherings, spending time next to the fireplace, Christmas carols, and seeing the beautiful lights and decorations. The snow is deep and the weather outside is cold, but the love we feel in our home warms our hearts. We wish you were here with us.

May each of you enjoy time with family and friends this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Summertime!

Well its hard to believe, but we made it through a Michigan winter that didn't want to let go. We are having fun at our new place- its like living in a park. We spend plenty of time watching the birds, squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, deer, raccoons, (Janna- and bumble bees, wasps, giant carpenter ants, mosquitoes, etc.) around our house. One problem with living in a park is you are the ones who have to mow the grass. We have almost 3 acres of grass to mow which takes us about 6 hours per week. You tend to get a lot of thinking done...

The older kids have one week of school left, so Janna and I are busy trying to figure out how to keep them from being bored. Although it seems like June and July are booked up with temple trips, youth conference, football camp, tennis lessons, and scout camp. I am sure we will think of something- there are a lot of weeds to pull. We have been trying to get unpacked and have kind of stalled out. Most of it is done- just the fun stuff left like hanging pictures.

We are trying to get used to having to drive 40 minutes to church and the store. You don't realize how often you run to the store for just a few things. Now we try to fit most of our shopping into one night. On Wednesdays, Jen, Dan and Melissa have youth activities and Janna is a the Laurel's Advisor, so we make the trek to the church, and then hit the local Wal-Mart Supercenter for groceries. Lowe's and Kohl's are on the way, as well, so we are set.

I am getting my office set up in the basement. We finally got our satellite Internet set up, so we are back online. It is nice not having to commute into Ann Arbor everyday and my office here is much better. Things are going very well at work. I have a great team of managers that make everything run smoothly. We will be starting up two new facilities in the next few months, so I will be busy. Luckily, they are within driving distance so I won't have to travel too much.

We miss being in Utah close to family and we miss the mountains. There are some trade-offs. The trees and the green grass are beautiful. The crops are starting to come up. Soon we will be surrounded by corn and soybeans again. Life is good!

We Moved to Michigan!

Well, we made it. It took us 3 long days of driving-- running ahead of a major storm, but we are now Michiganders. We now are living in a house full of boxes. Every day when I get home from work I find that our home is getting bigger (maybe it is just that the boxes are getting fewer). It is finally starting to thaw, and as the snow melts we get more excited to get outdoors. Gotta Run! We'll post some pictures soon.