Happy New Year!!

2008

We rang in the new year with almost all of the Huber family at Glen's parents condo in South Jordan. There were six of Glen's eight siblings and their families there plus his parents!! Because there were so many of us it worked out great to use the "clubhouse" in the gated condo development where they live. It has a pool, exercise room, a great room and a kitchen! We did lots of swimming, playing games, eating, and catching up on the latest family news. We played family bingo and Grandma gave out some pretty neat prizes. We had a pre- new year party for the littlest kids at 8:00 which included a count down, streamers, and lots of noise. We tucked them into bed and that of course is when the party really started!! Evan and Eli were both excited to try to stay up until midnight with their BIG cousins playing games! The adults hung out and played games also and when midnight struck we blew into our noise makers, threw serpentine streamers, yelled "Happy New Year!" and of course exchanged a kiss with our spouses- the first kiss of the year!! I love New Years and the feeling of turning a new chapter in life! On the way home Glen and I reminisced about last year and all the changes and blessings that happened in our lives... We talked about and tried to make predictions for the year ahead... It's now February and I've stuck to a... few of my goals... hmmm...writing this post has been a good reminder and I am now rededicating myself! Happy New Year everybody!!!

Catching up!

So... I'm not even going to tell you what time it is! Just know that it is very late- actually very early... It has been driving me crazy to be so far behind on my posts... I am embarrassed that it is February and I'm just putting my Christmas pictures on. So, bear with me as I catch up! You might want to scroll way down and start back at my newest posts starting with the one titled Away in a manger- and read up from there!! I'm on a roll, just need two to three more DAYS filled completely with blogging and I might get up to real time!! a bit of advice.... Don't get behind, it's not very fun to catch up!!

It's Great to be Eight!!!

Evan had been anticipating his eighth birthday for a long time!! He was so excited to be baptized and we had lots of fun as a family helping him to prepare for this special and important step in his life!! Evan turned eight back in September and decided to wait to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints until December so that more of our family could be here and more importantly by that time his cousin Claire who lives in California would be eight years old also and here for the holidays which meant

that they could share their baptism day... Saturday December 29th!!

For several months leading up to the baptism Evan and Claire spent lots of time on the phone making plans for the big day! It was fun to see their exitement and love for each other! My sister Sara (Claire's mom) and I decide it would be neat to put together a keep sake for the kids from all of the people who love them. We asked our family members to send us stories of times in their lives when they had felt the influence of the Holy Ghost, or to share their testimony of a gospel principle, or the memories of their baptism day. We got more and more excited about it as the stories started coming in- we realized this would be a great way to help build Evan and Claire's budding testimonies. So neat to have a collection of real stories and thoughts from their extended family! We compiled the stories into a book and presented them to Evan and Claire at the baptism. The kids decide that they wanted to speak before the baptism... we weren't too sure about that but then realized that they would probably learn more from preparing a talk than from listening to someone else speak. So Evan gave a great talk about the Holy Ghost followed by all the children there singing a few primary songs. Then Claire spoke about Baptism and then the two of them sang "When I am baptized."

We dismissed for the baptisms after a few comments from Sara and I. It was so wonderful to watch these two special kids be baptized by their Dads. Evan was glowing and had the sweetest grin on his face that just melted my heart as he emerged from the water. later he told me that the water was very cold but inside he felt warm all over! As the kids were drying off and getting dressed after the ordinance we all watched a DVD that my sister Julie (who was unable to be there) put together of pictures of Claire and Evan from newborn babies to 8 years old! It had background music of primary songs. It made me cry! It was the cutest thing and brought back so many memories of Evan's little life. My first baby is eight!!! Then they each were confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by their dads. Glen gave Evan such a sincere and heartfelt blessing! It was such a perfect day, one of those days that is a milestone not only for Evan but for me... the emotions I felt throughout the day were amazing and overwhelming...shock that Evan is an eight year old, love for such supportive family, those who attended and those who were thinking of us from far away, pride for the innocense and faith so apparent in my little boy! Happiness for the blessing of the gospel and the peace it brings. The spirit was strong all day- it was perfect- My heart was so full!! and I know that Evan felt the importance of the covenants he was making. After the ordinances we gathered in the cultural hall at the church for lunch. We had rainbow colored balloons tied to scriptures on the center of each table since the kids Favorite baptism primary song is about rainbows. (it's the one that they sang together at the meeting) . We also had framed pictures of Claire and Evan on the tables along with packs of rainbow skittles for everyone to take home. Attatched to the skittles were the words to the song. We had deli meat sandwiches, chips, salads, fruit etc... for lunch. When everyone was finished eating we set up an ice cream sundae bar -Evan and Clarie's choice!!We had every topping you can imagine spread out in glass candy jars with long handle spoons for serving yourself- It was every kids dream come true! Like I said before... A Perfect day!!

Evan with great grandma Evans

We had lots of our family there for this special occasion...many of them traveled through a blizzard in Sardine Canyon to be there! Thank you for your love and support!

Our 8 year old!!

We love you Evan!!!

Skiing the Beav!!

For Christmas Glen gave the boys some ski passes to Beaver Mountain up Logan canyon... My favorite place to ski!! with my sister Sara's husband Jason in town it was the perfect time to hit the slopes.!! The guys got some quality skiing in while the kids were with their instuctors! then they all showed off their skills as they skiied together afternoon. It was Eli 's and Grant's first time. They both had private lessons and they really paid off! Grant and Eli graduated the bunny hill and were both able to make a perfect "pizza" and cruise down the mountain. Mathew proved to be a skilled snowboarder! As for Evan and Claire, they took a refresher course and it all came back in minutes... no more "pizza" for them, oh no... They're all about the "French Fry" they even challenged each other to a few bumps and jumps, and powder!! They were on their own (that's dads for you) for awhile and said they only got their ski's tangled once while exiting the lift... causing a bit of a calamity!!! They both got the giggles through it all, making matters worse... for the poor guy running the lift... that is! We were just glad to get them all back in one piece!!

Claire cutting it up!!

Eli... or should we say Evil Kenival





Here's Evan who learned he has a need for speed!







Grant and Evan taking a break for some lunch with the whole group...

Back out on the Slopes!!

Nothing better than cousins!!

My sister Sara and her family came to Logan on the 27th of December. They only stayed a week but we squeezed a lot of fun into that week!! staying at grandma's house is pretty great... It gets even better when cousins are there too! This was the first Christmas without seeing our Julie and her cute family... It was tough...we missed them more than most normal people miss their family during holidays... and that's cause we're not normal...we're a little extreme when it comes to the bond that we have as sisters!!!

I love moments like this...so tender...too bad just minutes later they were tickling, goofing and giggling... that's what cousins do though, right?

This was the night before Evan and Claire were baptized we gave them a few gifts. My sister Sara had these towels embroiderd with their names. They were both so excited to have a special towel to wrap up in after their baptism. My sister is the greatest! It was so special to have her family come all the way from California so that our kids could share in each other's baptism day together!! I am so glad that we had these cute kids the same year and not only do they get to grow up together... but so do their moms!

Merry Christmas! (I know its February... sorry)

The boys woke up Christmas morning around 7:30! We were all so excited to go upstairs to see what Santa brought and to exchange gifts! Some of the highlights were the boys running through the house trying to solve Santa's clue...looking for whatever it was that went along with some hockey pucks?? Eli jumping up and down so excited that Santa didn't forget that he wanted a punching bag!! Evan singing along with his mp3 player securely tucked into the pocket of his new bathrobe! And Gabe just taking it all in! After all the excitement of presents we headed to my brother Steve and his wife Edie's home for Christmas brunch! Edie made a delicious dish of fresh blueberry french toast casserole, we had sausage, bacon, quiche, orange juice...It was delicious and Edie's home was very festive and cozy... The boys (they have 3, we have 3) had such a great time being together almost all day. We had soup back at mom's house later that evening and just enjoyed being together, watching movies, playing games, reading, relaxing! It was a perfect Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve Included...

1. A Delicious Dinner of french dip sandwiches, augratin potatoes, garden corn, romaine lettuce salad with poppyseed dressing , fruit salad including asian pears, pomegranates, apples, pineapple, and grapes, fluffy pink fruit dip all served on mom's beautiful blue china....mmmmm... It was delicious. My mom is the best hostess ever and has just the right touch... making everything she does perfect!



2. gathering around the tree to tell the story of Christ's birth and to sing Christmas carols



3. Our tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve... It's always Christmas Jammies!!


4. Reindeer Oats... 3 scoops of oatmeal. A dash of glitter and a pinch of sparkles. Mix ingredients together and sprinkle ouside on the snow. The oatmeal is for the reindeer of course and the glitter and sparkles will glisten in the moonlight, lighting the way for Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve...

5. Cookies and milk for Santa (also included this year was a note from Evan requesting Santa's Signature...hmmmm???)

6. Ready for bed.... YEAH RIGHT!!!

7. Just after tucking the boys into bed... loud sleigh bells were heard right outside the window accompanied with a jolly "HO HO HO...Merry Christmas!" we "figured"Santa must have been flying over Logan ready to deliver his gifts to the boys and girls who were sleeping....

I love Chritmas Eve... with three little boys around the excitement in the air is magical!!

Away in a Manger...

Just before Christmas we gathered with my mom's family at her house to take part in the annual Christmas Nativity reinactment. There were several costume changes... more out of want than need. My mom's sister and sister in law (my aunts) have acquired and collected some really neat and realistic costumes and nativity props. Each year there seems to be a new piece added, which makes for a few really big boxes filled with dress -up's that even the little boys are interested in. I have to admit, I have always wanted to have one of my babies play the part of the baby Jesus. It's kind of a big deal...right? You know babies...they are so tender and sweet and seeing babies at Christmas time just reminds everyone of the baby born in a manger so many years ago- His life, all a gift to us!! So to represent Him is pretty special... If you ask me! Anyway I was pretty excited that it worked out this year to have Gabe play the part! I undressed him down to his onesie... the closest thing to swaddling clothes that we had... Everyone was in costume and the narration of our nativity in Luke 2 began with breaks as scripted for the audience to sing hymns that go hand in hand with telling the story of that first Christmas night...

Evan... a very sweet shepherd boy



Gabriel in a manger, and not too sure about it....



he quickly decided he'd had enough!!

"Joseph" tried holding him...that worked until his arms got tired

...I know, give him the angel's star to hold that will surely help...

Nope, not even the beloved binki to suck on is going to make this ok!!!



He was definately the star DISTRACTION in the nativity this year, even after ALL THAT his mom and dad sure think he's the sweetest baby Jesus there ever was!!


There is a funny story about the picture below... Someone behind the scene's gave Evan this WOMEN' S purple velvet bathrobe to wear
obediently he put it on but then quickly found me and with a worried look on his face whispered in my ear "I think this is a girl's dress" I glance over it and sure enough there were flowers on the ribbon trim and it was purple VELVET with puffed sleeves! I told him no one would notice and that it was the perfect thing for a wise MAN. They love purple and especially flowers. He thought about it for a minute while I held my breath and then he
shrugged his shoulders and said "ok"
What a kid!





Wise man or snake charmer?.... my all time favorite hat in the costume box!!

Leave it to Dad to make everything better after all that torture!!

The Cast of cousins!!

Beloved Prophet... "God be with you 'til we meet again"

This is one of my favorite pictures of President Hinckley... The twinkle in his eye, his contagious smile... he glows pure happiness... He exemplifies what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints brings to the lives of people worlwide- Joy, peace, hope, and happiness! oh, how I love this man... I will miss Him...

Gordon B. Hinckley

June 1910- January 2008

"We’ll always remember what he told the press just outside of the White House after he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom about where the Church is going. He said, “I see an unbounded future. This work will spread across the earth. When you look at what’s happened thus far, you just have to realize that as we keep going it will grow exponentially and wherever it goes it will touch for good the lives of people across this whole broad world.”
It was an echo of his sentiments when he first became the prophet. “I do not know why in His grand scheme one such as I would find a place. But having this mantle to come upon me I rededicate whatever I have of strength or time or talent or life to the work of my Master in the service of my brethren and sisters.
“This Church does not belong to its President. Its head is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name each of us has taken upon ourselves. We are all in this great endeavor together. We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’” (Moses 1:39).
He said, “The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the season to be strong. It is time to move forward without hesitation.”
And so we will, with the memory of President Hinckley’s drive, vision and twinkle to warm us. If we had a handkerchief we’d wave it. “God be with you, President Hinckley, ‘til we meet again.”

this is taken from one of the many articles written by Scot and Maurine Proctor. Click on any of the links below for pictures of the Prophet, tributes, and amazing stories

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080129bewithyou.html

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080129cane.html

http://www.ldsmag.com/photoessay/060331Hinckley.html

I had to add this picture! The amazing woman who supported him and always stood at his side! I loved to hear her soft chuckle!- what a pair... We were all blessed to witnessed a love such as their's! President Hinckley's Beloved wife Marjorie... I love her...how could you not love her? Just look at her! What a reunion it must have been...

Testimony of President Gordon B. Hinckley

"I hope that all of you will remember that on this Sabbath day you heard me bear my witness that this is God's holy work. The vision given the Prophet Joseph in the grove of Palmyra was not an imaginary thing. It was real. It occurred in the broad light of day. Both the Father and the Son spoke to the boy. He saw Them standing in the air above him. He heard Their voices. He gave heed to Their instruction.
"It was the resurrected Lord who was introduced by His Father, the great God of the universe. For the first time in recorded history, both the Father and the Son appeared together to part the curtains and open this, the last and final dispensation, the dispensation of the fullness of times.
"The Book of Mormon is all that it purports to be—a work recorded by prophets who lived anciently and whose words have come forth "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations" (Book of Mormon title page).
"The priesthood has been restored under the hands of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. All the keys and authority pertaining to eternal life are exercised in this Church.
"Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, the great Prophet of this dispensation. This Church, which carries the name of the Redeemer, is true.
"I leave you my testimony, my witness, and my love for each of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
President Gordon B. HinckleyApril 1, 2006, Sunday morning session of the 176th Annual World General Conference

Tender Mercies, blessings, and a little miracle from China...

On Saturday we went to the SLC airport, along with most of my mom's siblings and parents to welcome the newest member of our extended family HOME! Here's a little backgroud...My mom's sister Tammy and her husband Mike had three children together but didn't feel like their family was complete. After lots of prayers, research, and waiting they welcomed Mia their little gilrl that they adopted from Korea! That was about three years ago. At our Thanksgiving dinner Tammy and Mike announced that they would be traveling to China to adopt another little girl just after Christmas! They showed us photos and a whole book of information about her. We were all so happy for them! Mike and Tammy are the most generous people I know and Tammy is one of the sweetest most selfless mom's ever! We knew that this little girl was so blessed to belong to them! They were so happy and excited to share their news and to bring Fu Khang Li home. My uncle Mike and his two oldest boys along with my other uncle Jason (who would be acting as Chaperone to the boys) traveled to China just after Christmas to meet little "khang khang" or Kai-li which is her American name. After almost 2 weeks in China the adoption was finalized and they came home Saturday. Kai-li is two years old and has been living with foster parents in China, who loved her very much! She speaks mandarin chinese and is a typical little girl. When we met her at the airport I was so surprised at how loving and sweet she was with all of us- who she didn't even know or understand. She opened her arms to everyone to hold her and she was even giving kisses! She is absolutely beautiful and although she has had some rough changes in her little life -she seems so happy!

Tristin (the big sister!) and Evan and Eli meeting Kai-li at the airport

Tammy greeting her baby Kai-li... and yes Mike's eyes are closed (couldn't be the fault of the photographer!) I wouldn't be surprised if he was really dozing... after lots of long nights in China, time adjustments and a 13 hour flight with a confused two year old- that says it all...

What a special day!!

Tammy (far right) is holding Kai-li with her big sister Mia in the middle! Lachlan (on the left) is my mom's brother Jeff's little girl who they adopted from China a year ago. What lucky girls to belong such great families and to have each other to grow up with!

Mia giving "her baby" a kiss

...Well we all parted ways and were anxious to hear about the new adventures that lay ahead for their family. Little did we know that there would be a giant adventure or should I say challenge just that next day...

Kai-li had a really rough night and at some point after using the bathroom the toilet was full of blood. Tammy and Mike were very concerned and thought maybe she had a kidney infection. So they took her to the hospital in Logan. They ruled out a kidney infection and realized that the blood was from her colon! After waiting for test results and what probably seemed like TOO LONG the decision was made to life flight her to Primary Childrens Medical Center for what they were calling a collapsed colon which is extremely painful, dangerous and life threatening. In order to get a flight team ready it was going to take longer than they thought she could wait so the medical staff decided it would be fasted to get her there in an ambulance with it's lights and siren's on. So she traveled the hour and a half distance to Primary Children's Medical Center and was rushed into surgery. After preforming the operation the doctor said the official diagnosis is called intussusception. There is no cause in children and it is something that can just happen! It is where the small intestine collapses into the large intestine causing a blockage. The tissue then begins to die and they say if it is not immediatley treated the person may only live as long as four days. and suffer lots of complications the longer it is untreated. The doctors also said that if she would have still been in China that they most likely would not have found a doctor in time who could have helped her. If she would have had these symptoms just a day earlier or even as they were traveling it would have changed the entire circumstance. So... some may call it luck or a coincidence that this presented within 24 hours of her arrival to the United States. But it's not hard for our family to see that it was a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father who was watching out for her and her family. The doctor removed 16 inches of her small intestine during surgery. It was successful and they are now watching her closely for any signs of complications. She will most likely be in the hospital recovering for a couple of weeks. Mike found out that one of the flight nurses at the hospital speaks mandarin chinese so she has been visiting and trying to comfort Kai-li. For being just two years old- she is very smart and fluent in Mandarin She even sings lots of little songs! We pray that she will adjust well, recover quickly and stay healthy and happy! She couldn't be in a better situation -surrounded by a family who loves and adores her! She is a lucky little girl!-It is a miracle and blessing how it all worked out and that she is recovering well!

We love you Tullis family you are in our thoughts and prayers!