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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We are writing our Christmas Letter Update in blog form this year.  Here goes.

It has been a wonderful year, starting off with one of the most intense, difficult, and joyous occasions of my life, the birth after 30+ hrs. of labor, of my stunningly gorgeous, adorable baby girl Paisley July on January 22^nd.  I can’t believe she is almost 1 yr. old!  That makes me sad.  Watching my kids grow up causes many opposite feelings to come all at once.   She is our Pleasant Paisley as most of the time she is a happy and content, but when she’s not, watch out!  She can really scream.  She started walking at 9 months and is the cutest little thing walking all over the place with her happy demeanor.  She is a lover and loves to give kisses and loves and cuddle.  She has always been a momma’s girl which has been wonderful, and at times a bit difficult.  She is still nursing which helps her stay my little baby.  She is very musical and can dance like nobody’s business!  She has moves you didn’t know an 11 month old could have!  She loves her brother Cado and nobody can make her smile, giggle and squeal (and cry) like he can!  For Christmas she got a lot of musical toys as well as a little phone, and a baby and some dolls which she is now getting into. She walks around carrying them and patting them and giving them love.  Paisley was blessed on my Dad’s & friend Krystal’s birthday on March 12^th, and that was a wonderful time to be with family and celebrate the joy of the gospel and life.

Cado continues to amaze and astound, and confound his parents.  He is quite the smart little whippersnapper.  He is a whirlwind of energy, imagination and conversation. That boy can talk!  We’re not sure where he could have gotten that from.  Chuckle, wheez, guffaw.  (to borrow from an uncle of mine)  He has a few passions: Buzz Lightyear, Jack Sparrow/Pirates, Superman/Superheroes, Weapons—namely swords and guns, Stripey (his tiger), his many favorite movies, going to the park and Grammi’s and Disneyland, and especially imaginative play.  He is quite independent in his play and I love to just observe him when he is lost in his own make-believe world.  I also love to get involved in it with him, and he is our little buddy.  We have lots of fun together.  With the exception of his screaming tantrum fits where all he can say, no yell, is “NO!”, he is a very sweet and obedient child.  He says, “I love you too mommy” out of the blue, and “you look so cute/handsome,” and when I’ve been out of sight for a while or in the morning he’ll say, “Oh, Hi Mommy!” and smile and laugh really sweet.  In so many ways he acts and talks older than he is.  He loves friends and is very friendly.  And when he is around other kids, especially older ones, he really acts older.  His mannerisms and expressions keep us all on our toes and laughing.  He shoots my own words back at me at times in painful ways, like when he says, “that’s not nice mommy!” or “don’t talk at me.” (don’t talk back to me.)  He loves to bear his testimony at church and has no fear.  He already knows a lot about His Savior Jesus Christ and it is a joy to watch his testimony grow. 

I haven’t accomplished much this year besides raising my two cuties.  I have had some photography work with my company Harmony Photography  & Beauty and my Dad, including some weddings, engagments, bridals and family portraits.  Of course I take way too many pictures of my kids.  I decided that I wasn't doing well trying to have a successful Mary Kay business as well as Photography, so I have chosen to focus on Photography, however I will continue to be an MK consultant and make a few orders a year.  I have managed to almost completely lose the baby weight, mainly by taking walks to the park and being a little more conscious of my diet, as well as doing Pilates every once in awhile (with a video).  I also had a calling, which I just got released from as Teacher Improvement Coordinator, and have just been called as the Ward Chorister and to work on the Roadshow (play/skit).  I am a little nervous about the first and really excited about the second.  I spend a lot of time with my mom and family and we enjoy having them close.  We took some trips: went to Utah to say Farewell to Spencer’s brother Darrell in April for his mission in Brazil, then went back in July to say Farewell to Spencer’s Grandma Coleman at her funeral, then I went back in October for my mom’s family’s Women’s Retreat.   We went to Fairfield CA in June to see my Dad’s side of the family.  And we went camping in August in Lake Arrowhead. 

 Spencer has had another good year with KPMG.  He enjoys his work, and they enjoy him.  He is the Teacher’s Quorum (leader of 14-16 yr. old young men) Advisor at church and does a great job with those boys.  He took them to Havasupai in July and has gone on other outings with them.  He has of course worked on this website as well as done some other web design work.  He has recently gotten back to mountain biking and is really enjoying that.  For one of my Christmas gifts we went biking together (my first time since spring of 2005) today and will go another time before he has to go back to work. 

 We have been inspired by Darrell and our Church leaders to try to be better missionaries and share the joy we experience from the gospel with others.  We are grateful for our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and encourage any non-members to visit www.mormon.org to find out about our beliefs.  We hope, like Darrell, to become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ this year and strive to serve and think more of others.  We love you all and hope all is well and that this year proves to be one of happiness and growth for you and your family.

Love,

The Roundys

(p.s. When will I learn!! Don’t write a blog here!  Write it in Word first!  I wrote about half of this and then lost it, and had to do it all again!)