Lucy's Debut

I decided to do this maternity photoshoot because I am so overcome with gratitude and joy that we're expecting baby Lucy. Certainly there are still the standard aches and pains that accompany any pregnancy but I really have treasured these 9 months. I love you already Lucy and can't wait to meet you so soon!

Also, a HUGE thank you to Chelsea for braving the blizzard. Isn't she brilliant! winterhollerphotography.blogspot.com

Steps to having the best Valentines ever

The following is a step by step process of how to make the most of your Valentine's evening with that special someone. This technique has be tested and proven as of February 14th, 2009.

7:45 pm : Turn off the NBA all-star slam dunk contest. You can watch it later on YouTube if you really need to.

8:00 pm : Go to Hollywood Video in attempt to rent "The Notebook" (yeah right....like it is really going to be in stock. Come on dummy, you should of thought of this beforehand).

8:10 pm : Go to Blockbuster in search of the same movie (you'll have a similar result).

8:20 pm : Wait in line at the Redbox in hopes of renting any sappy chick flick you can get your hands on (by this time the only DVDs left in the machine are Wall-E and Fools Gold --- neither will do).

8:30 pm : In desperation, buy a cheap bottle of sparkling cider and some discounted-week-old cheesecake (yeah, that will make up for your failure to bring home what she really wanted --- Noah and Aly)

8:45 pm : Come home and complain about Zoobies in the Redbox line as you turn the Slam Dunk Contest back on the TV.

9:00 pm : Have the amazing idea of downloading "The Notebook" from Itunes (you're now a hero).

9:00 -10:00 pm : While the movie takes an hour to download, have your valentine clean up your unibrow so you don't look so beastly for church the next day (this should really turn her on).

10:00 pm: Watch "The Notebook" with your valentine. Occasionally whisper things in her ear that are romantic and heart warming. Essentially, you can repeat anything that Noah says during the entire movie. Two winners are: "I will be anything you want me to be. Just tell me what you want, and I will be it" or "If you're a bird, then I am a bird."

And that is it! If you follow those steps you are destined for success on every February 14th from here on out. If your a little unsure on how your lady will respond, I would just stick with the step at 10:00 pm and forego the prior shannanigans.

---I love you Camilla....thanks for putting up with a romantically retarded husband when it comes to Valentine's night.

To The Left, To The Left

Sofie and Jarem have this morning routine of having a dance party before he heads off to school and work each day. Sofie inherited her dad's good dance skills, and she also seems to have a similar fascination with Beyonce. Here is a little demo of my baby girls skills.

Boricua de Pura Sepa

Saturday night Camilla, Sofie, and I ate dinner with some great friends from Puerto Rico who now live in American Fork. Giselle Fernandez lived in Vieques when I served there and we became great friends. I always admired her strength and her determination to do what was right no matter what happened to her. Six months after I left Vieques I served in the ward of Giselle's mom Trini. Trini is just as amazing as her daughter Giselle and she probably put about 10 pounds on me from her Mangu. So anyways we had a great time Saturday night catching up with Giselle, her two kids, and her sister Maira who is living with her in American Fork. I think it is pretty funny to see all the hair Giselle's kids have, and our poor little Sofie is still as bald as her dad is :)

Camille's Wedding

Last weekend I went to Camille's temple wedding in Dallas, Texas. She was a recent convert when I arrived in my first area in Puerto Rico and we became friends quickly. She she taught with us every week and has always been a super star member. Although we are the same age, she is truely a role model and inspiration to me. I am so incredibly happy for her and it meant so much to me to be at her sealing.

Christmas Happenings

We had a couple Christmas' this year and they were all wonderful! Devin couldn't make it home this year because of work so we took Christmas to him a little bit early. As a token of his appreciation he made Jarem a protein shake.

Next we headed down to St. George to spend some time with the Hallows. We had so much fun playing with the dune buggies even though all of the gear we were wearing terrified Sofie.

Christmas Eve we flew out to DC to see the Dicksons. Christmas day we opened presents, ate a lot, and spent time with extended family. We also got to talk to Maria who is serving in Brazil. She sounds like she's doing amazingly and I have to admit that I was a little bit jealous that it wasn't me in the mission field at that moment.
We went sight seeing downtown to the Hollocaust Museum, the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery.
We even got to meet up with Carole Ann And Jon.
It was my best Christmas ever.

Sofie Mae

just out of the bath...

clothed...

sporting the hood...

on the phone...

and finally asleep...sitting up!