Surprise! You don't get to pick your callings.

So my mom and dad returned a week and a half ago from their trip to Israel, Egypt etc. and had such an amazing time(as you can imagine). We expected to be hearing stories of the Garden, the Tomb, the Sphinx and crazy camel races for weeks but i'm pretty sure it will be a while before they get a chance to reminisce since 2 days after they got back, dad was called to be the new Stake President of the Bakersfield California Stake. You never want to be sad for someone who receives a calling I guess, but we were all....well, sad. Those who know them know that they were on a 1 year plan for dad to "officially retire" so they could head off on another mission. Well, sad for them, happy for us. We are glad that they will at least be in the country for a few more years. Mom is convinced of a conspiracy of her children praying against her. I told her that i'm pretty sure our prayers wouldn't trump hers. They told us Saturday afternoon that he was called so we jumped on a plane Saturday night so we could be there for the setting apart(any excuse). Elder Hinckley and Elder Dalton were both so kind and friendly. A highlight was when JJ(my nephew who's dad went to the U) heard that Elder Hinckley went to the U. After the setting apart, he walked right over to him and pulled on his jacket and said "so do you like BYU or Utah?". Elder Hinckley didn't miss a beat. He said "well son, You see that your grandpa is wearing a blue tie? Well, i'm wearing a red one." JJ quickly decided that he was now his favorite General Authority.

For clarification, Becky's family are the ONLY U fans in the family-as will be evidenced this Saturday. Black sheep.

We really enjoyed our day down there.

Isaac charming Elder Dalton. Micahlyn playing with a few of Grandma's souvenirs.

They had so many amazing photos of so many amazing places, these are just a few.

Dad playing Moses, climbing Mt. Sinai.

In front of the Treasury in Petra, Jordan.

Mom & Dad riding their donkeys to the monastery.

my crazy kids this week

Isaac in his favorite beanie(BornToLoveClothing.com)

Sissa getting crazy with the finger paints.

Micahlyn playing in the leaves

Isaac playing with his cousins Payton and Carter.

What a week. Well, it's officially winter in Utah. The last of the leaves out front found their way to the ground, which the kids love, but is kind of depressing to look at. Jonathan has been so busy with school and work and his new calling(ward clerk-those of you who know him know how funny that is), so the kids and I have been trying to stay busy with trips to the park, playing with cousins and some home improvement projects. We are staying in Utah for Thanksgiving and trying to finalize Christmas plans with both families. How old are your kids when you start doing Christmas alone? I just assume that every year we will either go to California or Canada(or Chile or Mexico). Jonathan thinks I put too much emphasis on holidays and he's probably right, but I just love them. I can't wait to decorate, bake and wrap all the presents. I realize it's not the important part- it's just the icing. I love icing.

Do You Buy It?

We've never thought that she looked like either one of us. I bet
if we did Jenn's picture she'd look way more like her. Thanks
Kazia, I love this thing.

My Beautiful Sisters

Becky & Jenn
bad picture, sorry Bec.

I have the coolest siblings in the world. This week, I've been thinking a lot about my sisters. I've been thinking about how incredibly thoughtful they are. Both of my sisters are the most giving people you will ever meet- attributes they got from mom and dad I suppose- but this last week I found myself thinking about how lucky I am to have sisters like them and how much I want to emulate them. So this a tribute to my beautiful, talented, generous, wonderful sisters.