Way Too Early

Lying in bed this morning at the crack of dawn (actually well before even the crack of dawn) 5:30 am to be exact, my little, sick Ian awoke pounding on his door. I have yet to understand how someone who has been sick with a nasty cold the last 4 days can get up so darn early. So there I was, trying to ignore Brian's movements so I could attempt to get more sleep, when he woke up. I rolled over covering my head, hoping he would go back to sleep, when it hit me, I could get more done this morning than others cause I was awake a whole hour earlier. I don't know why I thought that. I can't imagine anyone, other than my husband and grandpa Pratt, who would think an insane thing like that. Anyways, so I rolled out of bed, put on some cloths, and let Ian our of his room. He is currently watching Tarzan all snuggled up on the couch while I type this. What a lucky little fellow. But, by some miracle I may actually get something extra done today. Who knows?!

Ian dancing the "Watali Acha"

While my mom and dad where here over Thanksgiving, we were trying to teach Ian to dance the Watali Acha with my dad. He kinda did it then, but now he really does the who dance.

At first he just ran at the camera, but then...

he really got into the dance.

Kenya's Baby Blessing

On January 18th, Kenya was giving her name and Blessing. It was so beautiful and I wish all of our friends and family could have been there. Thankfully, we were at least able to have Brian parents with us for the weekend. We were also able to have our good friends, Tess & Nick, join us for her blessing as well.

Kenya's giggles and coo's

Kenya start giggling and cooing more often now. She'll sit and talk with me for long spurts and it's just so much fun!

Ian's Potty

So Ian has started telling us when he is poopy and needs to be changed, so we went out and bought a potty chair. He tends to like it, but not for the right reasons. He's still a little too young to push the idea of potty training, so we just let him go as he pleases. He's since lost interest, but he'll eventually get there again. Until then, we'll just remember how he liked his new potty.

Playing the Ian Guitar

Book of Mormon Challenge

So 3 weeks ago exactly, my husband challenged us (he and I) to read the entire Book of Mormon cover to cover by the time he went back to work and school, January 5th. I took him up on it, but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it what with company coming into town for the week of Christmas.

Well, I did it. It took many hours a day of reading, approximately 25-50 pages a day, but Sunday night we both finished the very last page.

If you have never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover inside the space of a month or two, you should do it. I gained a much better perspective on exactly what was going on during those times. The Book of Mormon actually flows like a story, and sadly I didn't really ever know that. If you read it through fast enough, you can catch all that is going on and most of the teachings that are in it.

It was such an amazing feeling to finally understand so much more. I should have done it years ago. I thought my husband would get sick of me while we were reading, because I would be reading along and discover something new and then want to ask him about it and want to discuss it, but he patiently smiled at me ever time I did this.

Such an amazing Spirit came over me while I spent hours on the couch reading (and occasionally falling asleep). I felt like I could see through the people's eyes, understand why the Lord did what He did, feel closer to my Savior through His teachings to the Nephites. There is so much more than just doctrine in the Book of Mormon; there's lives, histories, teachings, stories.

As I was reading Ether just two nights ago, I realized for the first time that the Brother of Jared has such exceeding faith that he was able to not only see the finger of the Lord, but the whole being of the Lord. He spoke and saw Jesus Christ face to face! What an amazing experience that must have been! What astounds me is, he had such exceeding faith, but that was all it took, his non-wavering, exceeding faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If we but had that same faith, then nothing could keep us from Him. Such an amazing blessing!

Over and over again I have read the scriptures Moroni 10: 4-5, for they are my favorite. But after reading the entire Book of Mormon in such a short time and more fully understanding it, reading it again was like a shock to my heart. No sooner had I read the verses then I knew with no doubt, and a surety that surprised me, that every last word written and spoken to me through the prophets of old were as true and real as if Christ Himself had come down to me and told me face to face. The records of those ancient people are not only for our benefit and to keep a history of their lives, but they are also blessings, warnings, teachings, and truths for us to follow and keep at all times.

We are truly a blessed people and generation. Yes we may live in some of the worst turmoil, but we are blessed with modern day prophets and apostles to guide us, the teachings of the prophets of old, Christ's teachings from his time spent on earth, a Savior and Redeemer who has provided our way to return to Him and our Heavenly Father, and a loving Father in Heaven who continually watches over us and guides us. We are never alone. This I know! If ever in need, all we need do is remember that Christ is walking with us in the sand, side by side, and when there is only one set of footprints, remember that is when he carries us. He is there, He loves you and I, and He is our Elder Brother. I know these things to be true. In His beloved name, Amen.

Ian found that if he fell on top of his dad, that Brian would catch him and toss him in the air. So now when Brian lays on the floor Ian thinks it's time to fly.

Christmas Day Soccer Game

Both on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas, we all went out to play some soccer. Ian didn't like the idea of being left out of the game and kept trying to steal our ball, but we still had tons of fun. It's been a while since Brian and I had the chance to play.

Chrismas Day Extravaganza

The passing out of gifts: Ian helped for a little while till he got thoroughly distracted.


The family/guests eagerly awaiting the opening of gifts.


Ian and the reason he was distracted: he's a really good shot too, like 80% of his shots go in.

Needless to say, we had a great Christmas morning with lots of gifts, tons of fun, and the joy of being together.

Ian kept stealing Victor's hat and wearing it backwards. He became our little gangsta boy. So cute!

Christmas Shopping

Elena & Victor asleep after shopping.

Two days before Christmas Day we took Elena and Victor shopping at the malls around town. Both of them still had to purchase gifts for each other and so we split up to accomplish the task. Brian and Wes took Elena and Victor and I headed off in the other direction. At first Victor and I weren't having any luck in finding good gifts for Elena, but that didn't last long.

Victor had this idea in mind where he wanted to get about 5-7 gifts for her of varying sizes. He was so excited to put them all under the tree and have her see them there. The first success we had was a beautiful pair of reddish-brown boots and they were at an amazingly great price. He got all excited when he saw those boots and just knew Elena would love them. We also found a great purse to match the boots in the same store, again for an outrageously great price. So that was two down, and 3-5 to go. After that, we decided to go and look at cloths, cause we all know how much my sister loves cloths. We found the most gorgeous coat at Gap for practically nothing! Cha-ching, number 3 down. So the next step was to get some small things. We picked up some way cute jewelry at Clair's, a David Archuleta CD, and then headed to American Eagle/Aries to see if there was any last thing that he wanted to get her.

It was at Aries that Victor saw the final and perfect gift. I was walking around with Kenya, looking at the different cloths and I hear Victor call my name. As I walk over to where he was I could see this huge grin spread across his face and he looked "giddy as a school boy", as they say. (Not that I know what that really means, but you understand the phrase.) He had found this great sweats outfit that was a gorgeous shade of pink. It was totally Elena. It had sweat pants, a zip up jacket, and both a gray and pink 3/4 sleeve v-neck shirt to go with the whole ensemble. He was practically bouncing as he paid for the outfit and told me how excited he was to be able to see her face on Christmas day.

That was quite the adventure in shopping I tell ya.

Elena & Victor talking in the mall.