Erik, Jenn, Tyler & Mason

So Erik and I were doing our taxes last night and low and behold we owe a ton even though we already paid a ton. So the thought came up that if we owned a house we would be in a better position tax-wise. We've put off buying a house because the market has dropped and we figured we'd be moving to another state soon. But then last night we thought, why not buy something cheap and have it as an investment when we do decide to move in a year or two. Plus if we purchase it by April 30, 2010 we get an $8000 tax credit. So now we're in a big hurry. So, I spent all night last night and all day today looking at houses online and we're going to meet with a Realtor tomorrow to see a few houses. Most of them are in Browns Point but a few are in Federal Way and Auburn. Here's one of them:

It looks like we have successfully switched from bottles to sippy cups! First time drinking by himself with a cup Clapping afterwards

I'm 23 today. Let's review what I've learned so far: You cannot wear your blue-tooth in the shower. You cannot will away cellulite. Television used to be black and white--the world has always been in color. You cannot burn 75,000 calories in one day. Just because something is low fat doesn't mean you should eat twice as much of it. People are not always (or usually) what they seem like on the outside. Sushi is awesomely good. Sushi is not healthy (not the kind I eat). (Can you tell I'm hungry while I'm writing this?) Television does not count as a hobby. The Vietnamese ladies at the nail salon are probably talking about you while they do your nails. Permanent marker is not permanent. Luckily. Procrastination only makes things worse. When you have kids you have to sweep the floor ten times a day. Eight hours of sleep a night is not enough. Neither is four. Belly button piercings may be cool but the scar is not cool. There are only 24 hours in a day. Unfortunatel...

I'm not ignoring my friends. I'm just working every waking moment of the day. I have no idea which way is up. How do you keep a clean house, magnify your church calling, exercise daily, raise a child and work 30 - 40 hours per week?

I lost 6 lbs this week. Like what! (Just 21 more to go before I'm happy and 26 more to go before I'm really happy and 28 more to go before I'm extremely happy).

Congratulations to my hard-working husband Erik on his promotion to Manager of Operations for Alta Trust Company!

Well Tyler had his first Christmas. Things are kind of strange around here because Grandpa is missing from his usual spot at the head of the table. He is back in the ICU (has been for a week or two) and we've been visiting him twice a day. We got spoiled by all three grandmas (that includes one great-grandma), and we've had a great time playing with our cousins Neal and Jeffrey. Grandpa has been improving but so far is still in the ICU. It's been a little over a month now. He did get a Priesthood blessing telling him he would rise up and walk out of the hospital. So we certainly have faith in that. Here are some cute pictures from our Christmas: This one is for you, Jaime: Tyler is not afraid of white cats. Here he is sitting on Grandma Miles' lap with Kitty Boy in Idaho. Here is Tyler still in Idaho eating his first bite of chocolate. Chocolate flavoring anyway. I don't think they put real chocolate in boxed pudding. Here we are opening presents at Aunt Denise...