Christmas 2011 / Thank you!

We had a fabulous Christmas, especially since we really did not have to go too far from home this year. Usually we find ourselves driving at least 10 hours each way, but this year with us being back in Cali, we only drove the hour and half up to Keri's parents in Fairfield.

Keri's sister, Tori, was in town from Utah with Bryan and little Jack - making it even more special. Unfortunately Bryan and Jack were sick for much of it and then Keri and Tori ended up getting sick at the end. But despite all of this we had a great Christmas.

Keri had a blast doing the usual Christmas baking with mom and sis while Matt worked away on the Adams' computers. We made the Adams play lots of games, much to their complaining (at times). We even worked up a quartet for the Adams ward and Matt, Bryan, Tori and I sang an acapella version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

On Christmas morning, we pushed our usual present-opening time of 5am back to 6:30am for Matt, though he still thought we were all nuts. We got so many wonderful gifts and loved getting to share this special time with the fam.

Later that day, Keri's Grandma and Aunt Lori and her kids joined us for Christmas dinner along with Keri's brothers, Bo, Josh and Seth and Bo's little girl, Jayla. We ate too much, of course, and then we led them all in some Holiday Minute To Win It games. We had a blast watching everyone get into the games and try to challenge each other. Grandma Goss even showed everyone up at the game where you drop a cd onto a plastic cup and have it stay without knocking the cup over.

We are so grateful for the many gifts we got this year! Thank you to all of you! Matt wants to especially thank the Adams for the luggage, computer, and monitor!

Keri:
  • KitchenAid 
  • new purse 
  • a couple shirts from Forever 21
  • two new adorable black dresses
  • gift card to Amazon - where I bought myself some adorable suede fringe heels
  • adorable gold earrings from Grandma Goss

Matt:
  • 24" Computer Monitor
  • Desktop Computer
  • sweet luggage with spinning wheels
  • FIFA 12 Xbox game
  • wireless mouse with darkfield tracking (works even on glass)
  • Jelly Belly dispenser
  • running shoes
  • tennis shoes

Both:
  • gift card to Applebees 
  • money from Matt's parents and Grandpa Folsom
  • recipe book and dvd in honor of Grandma Folsom
Chillin with Grandma Goss on Christmas morning (no she never does look into the camera)

Bright and early on Christmas morning (okay so not bright since we woke up before the sun did)

Just so happy to be together - poor little Jack still wasn't feeling well


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Primary Song Motivation Board

I've been working on a board for my Primary kids to help them get motivated about learning the songs for the Primary Program this year. I found this idea of making a board to track their progress for each song. In the idea I found, the lady had used pictures of ice cream cones and gave them ice cream sundaes after the program.

Not wanting to use food to motivate the kids, I decided to make a different picture for each song from the title of the song and something the kids might enjoy. I remembered how much nephew Cody loves Star Wars and I thought fun it might to incorporate that which I did with the song, "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man." I made Yoda as the wise man and Darth Vader as the foolish man.

I had a blast making this though it took much longer than I anticipated. Hopefully the kids will like it too.

Here is my finished product (minus all of the music notes for each song):




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Things KerMatt loved in 2011


Miscellaneous things Matt and I loved during 2011:
  • California
  • Berry Burst Ice Cream Oreos and milk
  • Kinect
  • Financial Peace University
  • Pat & Oscars breadsticks
  • Android Phones
  • Jimmer making BYU proud 
  • Pinterest
  • The book, "Born To Run"
  • Latin dance music
  • Paying off credit card debt
  • Winter in California
  • Computer desks apparently 
  • Not having to travel far for Holidays
  • Matt getting to work from home and do a bit of travelling

TV Shows we loved:
  • Modern Family
  • Parenthood
  • The New Girl
  • House
  • American Idol (still)
  • Burn Notice

Movies we loved:
  • IOUSA
  • Inside Debt
  • Mission Impossible 4
  • X-Men: First Class

Things we did not like:
  • Car breaking down in Donner Pass
  • Church at 9:30am
  • Commuter traffic in South Bay
  • Matt's thyroid being out-of-whack
  • The heating situation in our apartment (usually cold)
  • Drunk drivers and bars - though it did make Matt a superhero for a night
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10 Questions That Create Success


Here's another article that we loved:

Real success comes from the quality of your relationships and the emotions that you experience each day. That's where these 10 questions come in.

Ask them at the end of each day and I absolutely guarantee that you'll become more successful. Here they are:

1. Have I made certain that those I love feel loved?
2. Have I done something today that improved the world?
3. Have I conditioned my body to be more strong, flexible and resilient?
4. Have I reviewed and honed my plans for the future?
5. Have I acted in private with the same integrity I exhibit in public?
6. Have I avoided unkind words and deeds?
7. Have I accomplished something worthwhile?
8. Have I helped someone less fortunate?
9. Have I collected some wonderful memories?
10. Have I felt grateful for the incredible gift of being alive?

Here's the thing.  The questions you ask yourself on a daily basis determine your focus, and your focus determines your results.

These questions force you to focus on what's really important. Take heed of them and rest of your life—especially your work—will quickly fall into place.
 
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What Happily Married Couples Do


We recently came upon an article in the January Ensign by Douglas Brinley titled "What Happily Married Couples Do" and thought it would be a great one to share. Keri wrote down the main points and we have included them below. We loved how he touched on so many different points. 

Enjoy!

Happily Married Couples do the following:
  1. Have Positive Conversations
    •  Need to feel comfortable discussing things openly such as family, goals, church, neighborhood, the ward, friends
  2. Show Affection
  3. Remember That You Are Each Other's Therapists
    • You are each other’s therapists and know each other better than anyone else
  4. Be humble and Cultivate Christlike Attributes
  5. Date Each Other Frequently
    • Be creative
    • Remember a babysitter is cheaper than divorce
  6. Enrich Your Intimacy
  7. Spend Time With Children and Grandchildren
    • Be kind to each other, children and grandchildren
  8. Seek Feedback and Help Each Other 
  9. Eliminate Anger
    • Displays of temper are not of God, but are of the Devil
    • Anger detracts from open relationships
  10. Be Sensitive To Each Other's Stress Levels
    • Seek to Make Homecoming a Positive Experience for Everyone
    • Strive to support each other through good and hard times
  11. Others:
    • Help each other build testimony
    • Kneel together in prayer morning and night
    • Study scriptures together individually and together
    • Attend the temple together regularly
    • Be quick to forgive



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