New Beginnings

New Year, New Beginnings...so much to write about in so little time. I wish I could find the time to do everything I want to do. Before I let my wishful thinking take over, I'll recap the holidays. Kamila and I flew to El Paso about a week before Chip was able to make it down just in time for Christmas Eve. How I love you Chippy. Always willing to spend time without us so that I can spend much needed and longed for time with my family. Its so hard to live so far away from them; they are such a big happiness factor in my life that I really have had to learn to cope with being separated from them. Im so grateful for what a wonderful husband you are. Time in El Paso went by so fast; unfortunately things don't always go as planned and this Christmas was no exception...but that is another story not worth going into. The important thing is that we were able to spend time with each other and with my grandparents who won't be around for too much longer. At least that is the situation with my grandfather. He has had a brain tumor for as long as I can remember;the day right before we left to Arizona (where we would be spending New Year's with the Prices) he had a fall, was rushed to the ER and was in the ICU for a couple of days. We weren't sure if he would live to see another year. He was then diagnosed with brain cancer and prostate cancer. My heart felt like it was being ripped out. Not only was I being separated from him and my family by miles, but now I might be separated from him for the remainder of his life.Fortunately, to this day he is still fighting the good fight. New Years was also very special. I realized that there are far more things in this life to be grateful for than we care to acknowledge and strive to be worthy of. We spend too much time being selfish, only thinking about what WE need, what WE want,what WE don't have, how WE feel, how WE have been wronged. How many hearts could be mended, prayers answered, and days brightened if we would only put our own desires and emotions aside to think of others and the needs that they have. This past week our cousin on Chip's side, J.R. passed away after battling with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Some would call it tragic; he was only 23 with a full life ahead of him. Other will call it divine intervention. I choose to agree with this latter postulation. Im so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to have the knowledge that we have not lost him, but that he has been called home, to our Heavenly Father's presence to complete a different mission. What a wonderful thing it is to know that if we are faithful to covenants made in the house of the Lord we are promised that we will be with our families forever. That is my soapbox thought for the year.

Almost 24 weeks...

I just sent this picture to my brother Ariel who is on his mission and thought I might as well share it with you all. Isn't she adorable?!

Thanksgiving

We were fortunate enough to be able to fly down to Arizona for a short but very sweet Thanksgiving break. The whole Price family got together (every 4 years there is a massive reunion with lots and lots of extended family) and all 80 something of us had dinner at Village Inn on Thanksgiving (surprisingly- the food was not bad at all). To my dismay, I always forget to take pictures while on vacation but here are just a few of our little vacation.

Day at the Planetarium

Chip and Kamila on the moon...I love how this little girl looks at her Daddy. I think she may be wrapped around his little finger just how he is on hers.

Happy Halloween!

We tried to do the whole trick-or-treater thing but Kamila wasn't having it. She did fine for about 20 minutes and was then done with her costume and with Hallow's Eve altogether. I'm glad we managed to snap at least a couple of pics. Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Kamila's first try of cereal!

She loved it! She ate it all up...AND finally slept all night like she used to. Thank goodness!

Drive up the Provo Canyon

Yesterday we took our first Fall drive up the beautifully colored canyon. I had to collect leaves for a craft night that I had with some girlfriends and Chip wisely suggested the canyon as my gathering venue. I'm so glad he did! Fall season is so wonderful here in Utah...I love the reds, oranges and bright yellows that decorate the mountain. The drive was perfect, Kami enjoyed it and we were able to also enjoy the scenery as the sun started its decent. Kami woke up from a very brief nap as we go to the top and so we luckily were able to grab a passerby and got him to snap one picture of our little family. We will definitely miss the manifestations of Fall season in Utah when we leave.