My 53rd Birthday

I had a lovely day. We went out to lunch for Korean food. I like Korean food and we haven't had it for awhile. The best part was reminiscing about our Korea days while we were eating.



In the afternoon I wanted to spend some time outside skiing or walking or something, but it was just too darn cold to go outside. So instead I watched a movie: Eat, Pray, Love. I read the book a couple of years ago and I enjoyed the movie.



My husband spoiled me with new clothes and a lunch box from Old Navy that says: "Everybody needs a Sugar Daddy" ~ and I'm sure glad I have mine! My children surprised me with a beautiful quilt that I had my eye on and I was so happy to get it.



In the evening we had a Birthday/New Year's party with the extended family and it was really fun. We had yummy food, including a chocolate fountain, cheese fondue, little smokies, and dips and chips. We played a new dance game on the Wii , played more games, shared white elephant gifts and laughed our heads off and watched the ball drop in NY twice! It was a good day.

It's all good

Christmas is Over ~ Bring on the New Year

Even though I love putting up the Christmas decorations each year, as soon as Christmas is over I just want everything put away and a clean house for my birthday and the new year. Jenny and the boys helped me get the Christmas decorations put away on Monday evening and then I spent Tuesday and Thursday deep cleaning ~ sometimes I just get the urge to tackle every closet, cupboard and drawer! (Wednesday I was at the temple for my 5 am shift) It sure felt good to get that project done and now I feel like I can face the new year and focus on my goals for 2011.

I'll be posting my word(s) of the year soon.

Visit from the Francoms

We got to have a short visit with my niece, Dani and her husband, Brian Francom, and to meet their darling son, Carson. I haven't seen them since their wedding so it was nice to get reacquainted. Carson is an adorable boy and will become a big brother in the summer!

Christmas Morning 2010

We just had our three grown-up boys for Christmas morning this year. We didn't even get up until after seven! It was still magical and I'm glad we had these three handsome guys with us.

Christmas Eve Program 2010

Hammer family singing Silent Night

Brian playing guitar and singing

The children singing Rudolph

Joe, Alysha, Ryan, Michael and Brent

Christmas Eve Morn

Since Jenny and Trevor were spending Christmas Eve overnight with the Coxes this year, we wanted to do something fun in the morning before they left, so they joined me and Brian for some cross-country skiing. We went to Sundance and even though it was a little icy we still had a great time. Trevor is a natural at skiing, so even though he'd never been cross-country skiing before he did well; he fell down a lot because he was trying to do crazy things on skis! It was Brian's first time as well and he did well and enjoyed it and made me feel good when he said, "I can see why you like this, Mom!" Jenny has gone one other time with me, but she did much better this time and enjoyed it more. It was fun to take them to my favorite spot and sport.

This is my favorite pine tree on the "middle earth" trail, and three of my favorite people.

Here's the same tree a couple of years ago on a beautiful morning of skiing

And the same tree when I went horseback riding last fall.

Holiday Traditions

We went to HCT's production of A Christmas Carol once again; and loved it just as much as ever! It was the first year for Sophie and McKinley. Ayden decided that he really wants to be "Tiny Tim" in next year's production. After the show he kept practicing saying: "God bless us, God bless us, everyone!" in an English accent.

Jenny and I dipped pretzels.

Our Inaugural Visit to the Cabin

We were able to use our cabin for the first time over Todd's birthday. Rich and Logan couldn't be there since they are such working men. (Or as Rich put it: "Somebody has to pay for this cabin." ~ and we are ever so grateful!) We had a great time! And look forward to many more memories to be made at the cabin.

deer right by the door

Annie and I went for a little walk, this picture does not due justice to just how beautiful the scenery was.


Hot tub adventures: the kids loved the outdoor hot tub and they all got out and made snow angels - crazy kids!

Ayden and Sophie's Dance Concert

On December 11th we got to see Sophie and Ayden perform in their Christmas dance concert. They did splendidly and after we all went to eat at Rumbi. A great time was had by all!

Mary and her Dad

Myla, Sophie and their Dad

a very cool Ayden

a happy baby Jae

Our 34th Anniversary

November 19th was our 34th anniversary.
These are the beautiful roses that Rich gave me:

Here's what we gave each other:

Well, we actually just gave each other a 1/4 interest in this cabin.
It's in the Timberlakes area just east of Heber.

It's our gift to each other for our anniversary this year, and Christmas and anniversaries for many years to come!

We are very excited to start making family memories at our cabin!

The Bishop and Santa at the Ward Christmas Breakfast

Temple Square Christmas Lights

Last Tuesday we took our Mutual kids to Temple Square to see the lights. I haven't been for years and it was nice to go back. Here are a few photos taken with my iphone.

the Bishop and me

the temple with a manger scene in the reflecting pool

I love this one of the temple reflection and the lights floating in the pool

Last Night

Last night I went up to Salt Lake to watch Ayden dance in the Jazz game. We had a lovely meal at CPK and then hung out at the game until the end of the first quarter when his team danced. It was fun for me to watch Ayden and to visit with Mary and remember when she danced at the Jazz games. (I may have done a little shopping at the Gateway after . . .)

It's all good