Merry Christmas 2008

Chase playing with his new hoop from Santa-- he has moved it to where he can play it all day-- he sits there and watches tv while he shoots. Pretty funny.

After my dad did his usual, "I hear Santa, hurry go to sleep!" joke-- this is what happened. (Chase is on top of my dad and Grif and Caleb found comfort on the couch!)

Chelsey and Shell

The only two biological grandgirls on the Ohran side. Aren't they so cute?

Kodiak and Grandpa

Our little family-- notice Chase eating apples? I guess we snuck in a little nutrition over this holiday-- this was definitely a very rare sighting! These guys are the love of my life!

The original Watts family. I am so grateful for them! I love them so much!

You can't tell, but Kelli and her gang gave Chase his own football jersey with pads and a helmet and he got busy tackling with it. Poor Ethen!

Chase with his oceanboat from Santa! A big hit-- good job Santa!

Chase and The Lewis clan after they opened their Christmas Eve jammies. I LOVE this tradition for them. It is so fun to share it with the Lewis'! (I must say Kodiak was not too excited to open his present and see clothes. He hasn't quite caught on to the idea of Christmas jammies-- and the others are too young to care-- they were thrilled to open anything after a month of being taunted with unopened presents under the tree.)

I love the holiday season-- and that includes Thanksgiving. I hate to see it end. I love spending good, quality time with family and making new memories. It is funny what happens when you age. I am not sure at what point in my life that I switched from caring about what I got to caring about the moments but I truly love them. Thanks to all my friends and family that are in my life. Life is good and I am very blessed. Here is hoping for another great year-- I can't believe it is already 2009! Yikes

What a Storm

Chase loving every minute!

Ever since the snow started falling I have come to the conclusion that this kid will walk in the snow over a sidewalk. He prefers to make tracks and get snow all over the place!

When it comes to shoveling snow there is not much better then a four wheeler and a 57 year old man to aid your cause! Oh boy is it snowing and they the worst is yet to come! I must say I have a love hate relationship with the snow. I love it because I love bundling up next to a hot fire with a hot chocolate and the occasional snow activity like skiing or sledding etc, however, I can only handle it for so long-- then it is time for the good weather-- the warm, take-your-kids-to-the-park weather. The water-skiing weather. The swim weather! Anyway, I guess we'll enjoy it for now! (Especially since it is before Christmas!)

*We recently returned from a family party that I will be blogging about shortly-- so it will be out of order!

Australia

(Missing from the picture: Emily and Liz)

Twilight--Schmilight-- Australia is more my cup of hot wassail. Every year my book club forgoes a book for December and meets for a movie instead. We went out to dinner and then to the movie. Our choices were slim so Australia was the pick. It was pretty good-- I liked it-- I will say a little long but overall it was good and it always helps being with the girls. I must say I LOVE this group of ladies. They are so fun. I look forward to book club every month and I really love reading books that I may not otherwise have chosen to read myself. Anyway, thanks ladies for being such great friends-- I love you all! Next months book: Three Cups of Tea!

The Twighlight Before Christmas

This is for all you Twighlight fans! I am not and I found this to be spot on what the series does to me. Others may see this as a funny parody! Tell me-- what do you think?

And the Winner is...

The Survivor Gabon winner: Bob! Yay! He is who I was rooting for and I swear it never happens that way!

Chase took this picture-- he enjoys seeing all the animals on the "animal movie"!

I must say that I have a bittersweet relationship with the Finale of the Race and Survivor. Every Sunday we have watched it with Dave and Ann-- this year Rox joined in on the fun and even Randy's sister Shell and her kids Chelsey and Brandon would come! It is one of my favorite activities that I look forward to-- just a fun excuse to get together! So I hate it when it is over because we have to wait for another round to get the fun started all over again! I also have to say how great Rox fit in. She had never really been a Survivor watcher before and can't believe she what she was missing! And one more note-- Ann was the winner of the Ohran fam Survivor drawing. Before the series starts we draw names of contestants and if any of your names wins you win. We used to play for money but now it is more for pride. Chelsey went into last nights finale with all three of her names left and and they all lost! Way to go Ann!

Way to go Dad!

Sorry-- the only photo I got of the actual award that wasn't all the way blurry!

Our table at the banquet.

My dad and his color help former player Matt Peterson!

On Friday, my dad was honored at UVU by the Alumni Association with the UVU Distinguished Service Award. I must say he is very deserving of it. I do not know anyone more passionate about Utah Valley-- and not just the athletics. He loves this University and has worked hard to help spread the love. He has given over twenty years of radio announcing along with over 5 or so with a student housing project where he dedicated much of his time to helping students enjoy not only their experience at the apartments but trying to get them involved in school functions as well. Anyway, he has been a great example to me of dedicating himself to things he finds passion in. He is also an example that you don't have to be a big time donor to make a difference. I am very proud of you Dad! and go Wolverines!