Greg's Hump Day

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time the emotions were flying. Greg was so excited to go to Brazil to teach the gospel. It was something

we had looked forward to since he was born. We always talked about when he went on his mission, but I didn't realize how hard it would be to not see him for

two years. He flew directly to Brazil to the CTM down there. (Yes they do call it the CTM) I've heard dropping them off at the airport is easier then the MTC.

Taryn was the only one that came to the airport with us. We had a big breakfast that morning and Heather and Taylor said their goodbyes at home. I held up pretty good until I saw him walk through security. Heading home Steve was really supportive and even went to IKEA with me. That night I had the bright idea of going down to his room

cleaning it up a bit. I would not suggest that to anyone. Actually I would avoid their room for a couple of weeks. I was having a weird emotion that I had never experienced before. Finally a neighbor put a name to it. It is bittersweet, you would not want them anywhere else, but you still miss them. Greg is loving his mission and will not admit to being out for a year. He picked up the language easy and is working so hard. It's wonderful to see his testimony grow. I am worried that I will have to go to Brazil and drag him home in a year. I've heard from other missionary moms that the last year goes by fast. I hope that is true.

Braelyn's prince

The day after preference Taylor wore his tux to church. When Braelyn saw him she said he looked like a prince. So at church she would tell everyone that would listen that Taylor was her prince. He was good natured about it and even posed for the picture so Braelyn could have a picture with her prince.

Snow-shoeing

As soon as we close up the cabin Steve and I are counting down the days until we can go back up. We get cabin fever, so regardless of the fact the I had been up all

night with the stomach flu the night before we headed out with Hal

and Kathryn. We arrived at dark and bundled up for the half-mile walk into the cabin.

There wasn't as much snow as last year and it was really crusty and wet. We sunk a few inches with each step. The stars were out and I realize how much I love being up there and looking at all the stars. We made it and entered the cabin that was a cold

38 degrees. So we pulled the table to the front of the fire, kept our coats on and played canasta. Me and Steve won the first hand, but after that it was down hill for us and Hal and Kathryn ended up winning. We will get them next time.

We had heaters in the bedrooms and slept great. We woke up that morning to a fresh layer of snow. Hopefully it is getting dumped on up there. We really need it. After breakfast they went snowshoeing. I didn't dare go since I still had the stomach flu. They were even able to find a spot to cross the river.

I watched them from the window and wished I could have gone.

After that we packed up and headed home.

Braelyn turned three on Saturday. For the past few months she has been in love with the Disney Princess. Heather found the Snow White costume that I made for them and Braelyn wears it everyday. I bought her more costumes for Christmas but she continues to wear the Snow White one. So for the family party Heather invited us all to dress up like royalty. Everyone was a great sport and dressed up. Taylor even wore a red velvet shirt, Taryn's pink prom dress from DI was a hit and Heather looked like a fairy princess. Even Berkley had a fairy skirt on. The best was Great-Grandma and Grandpa Allred in their red robes and crowns on their heads. She told everybody that they looked beautiful and thanked everyone for their gifts. She would open one up and then want to look and play with it before opening another one. She is our princess.

Preference

Taylor was asked to Preference this year. He went with Loriane

the girl he asked to homecoming. For their day date they made their dates

corsages. I thought this was a great idea and it saved them alot of money.

I thought Taylor made a cute one. It looks like a bird on a flower. His was very creative and the clothespin worked well to stick it on. He went with his friend to get his tux and was very excited about it. I didn't see the white jacket until the end. Luckily Lorianne loved it. It's scary to think that Steve wore the same coat to our reception and it was in style back then. He had a great time at the dance but admitted that he fell twice because his shoes were so slick and our driveway and the parking lot at Lone Peak was icy.

Holidays

I love the Christmas season and this year I have enjoyed it more being able to share it with my granddaughters. Little children bring such a joy to the season. Braelyn has quite the imagination and the things she says makes us laugh. One day she asked if I wanted to see Santa. I said yes and she ran in to the office and grabbed the Santa hat and then sat down in the chair. She put on the hat and had everyone sit on her lap and tell her what we wanted for

Christmas. She would reach into her pocket and pull out our present and hand it to us.

For our company party we went bowling and out to dinner. I lost, but it wasn't my fault since I couldn't find a ball that worked for me. Taryn won and we wonder if she really is attending school or if she spends her time bowling. We ate at Los Hermonos and our waitress told Taryn that her friend would give her five dollars if she got Taryns phone number for her. After finding out he was older then Taryn and a returned missionary she gave him her number. We will have to find out how it went. Christmas Eve we saw Australia and enjoyed it. Then that night we had a WII tournament. I had some hope that I would do okay since I had beat Taylor a few times playing air hockey and bowling. I guess it was just a fluke because Taylor won most of the games and got the prized trophy, that he has to display in his room until next year.

Christmas day was the only day Braelyn has ever slept in. So we changed out plans, had a big breakfast and then gathered to talk to Greg. It's great hearing his voice and being able to talk to him. He is doing great and loves teaching the gospel. Only two more phone calls, two more general conference's and he is home. So for the first time ever we didn't start opening presents until 10:30. By then Berkely was asleep but we figured she wouldn't care. Braelyn was so cute and sweet over every gift. Everything she got was beautiful and she loved it. But then the two-year old side kicked in and she didn't want the gifts to stop. When Berkley finally woke up Braelyn was more then happy to help her open the gifts. The snow had started that night and didn't stop until that afternoon. Luckily the plows came by that afternoon so I grabbed Taylor and tried out my GPS. I'm now ready to drive anywhere. It was a nice Christmas.

Fat and Bald

Berkley will be 7 months in a few days. She is a happy sweet baby. When you walk in a room she smiles so big that you can fill how much she loves you.

For a few days she was doing this crazy smile, she would tilt her head back and close her eyes. It's fun to have a baby in our house again.