Christmas Newsletter

Dear Friends & Family,

This has been a great year. We feel truly grateful to our Heavenly Father for all of our many blessings. There have been two major changes: a baby and moving to a new home.

BM joined our family in March and turned our lives upside down (in a good way of course). He is our serious Mr. Boy. He rarely smiles at strangers and stares so intently that sometimes they squirm. He feels no need to give a courtesy laugh when his mom sings and dances for him. BM does giggle uncontrollably when his dad tickles his ribs. We love this little guy more than we ever thought was possible.

HeRoos continues to enjoy his job as a software engineer. We feel grateful that he has a steady income and enjoys what he does. Being a father and husband seem to come naturally to him. He spoils us with his love and attention. He's hoping to spend time improving his golf swing as soon as the weather warms up.

SheRoos is learning that being a mom is HARD work but the best thing ever. She has made friends in her new neighborhood who she enjoys walking with and having play dates with. Her inner homemaking skills are finally emerging-on most days she enjoys cooking and keeping the home comfortable.

We feel very blessed to have sold our home so quickly and moved into a new one. It worked out so well that it feels like it was meant to be. We love living closer to the mountains and are happy with the change. SheRoos also likes being able to meet her mom for lunch.

We decided to take advantage of the free flying rules for babies under two. We flew to San Diego in August and had a great time at the zoo and visiting friends. We rented a car. Not just any car...but a convertible. It was quite the adventure. Nothing fit in the trunk. We had to put the suitcases and stroller in the backseat with BM. On our way to Moorpark the car had problems and we had to trade it in for a...mini van! That is such our life - from convertible to mini van in less than five minutes. To make this story even longer, somehow we got a dent in the van bumper and had to pay for the $650 repair (we didn't choose to get the rental insurance). Regardless, we had a great time and BM enjoyed his first time on an airplane, at the beach, at the zoo, and at Magic Mountain.

BM proved he could be a good travel companion so we took him to the East Coast. We covered many miles and made some great memories. We flew into Boston, MA, drove with friends to Hartford,Connecticut, took a train to New York City, stayed in New Jersey, took a train back to Connecticut and then rented a car and drove to Palmyra, New York and Niagara Falls.

It sounds crazy but it was awesome! We were able to spend time with dear friends and visit unfamiliar places. We were pleasantly surprised that the stereotypes of New Yorkers was not true. Maybe BM softened their hearts with his serious stare-they gave up their seats on the subway, graciously offered directions, and were very kind to us. SheRoos finally got to see Wicked (which HeRoos even enjoyed) while BM took in the NY sites with a good friend.

While on vacation, we sold our home and closed on a new house. We flew back to Utah on Sunday night and moved to our new house the very next morning. Talk about a wild month!

Our greatest joy comes from those things that money cannot buy, love and friendship. We have been blessed with fabulous friends and loving family members. This time of year is great to remind us of CHRIST and all that He has blessed us with. May each of you have joy in your hearts and feel the positive vibes we're sending your way. :)

Sincerely,
The UnderRoos'
HeRoos, SheRoos, & BM

My Favorite Part of the Day

There is something I really look forward at this time of year...MAIL! It's like Christmas morning every day when I go out to the mail box. I love reading family updates and seeing pictures of friends and family. Mail is better than Christmas candy...and that's saying a lot!

Hooray for the new Biggest Loser!

Phew, I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad that Michelle won! SO SO SO SO relieved. With that being said, maybe I can get over my dislike for Vicky and wish her goodwill. Michelle really is deserving. Not only is she determined but she is also genuine and well spoken. Wouldn't it have been really great if Amy (Phillip's wife) would've won the $100,000 instead of Heba. Oh well. They all look fantastic. I think I'll get on the bike in the morning.

Too Hot? Too Cold?

BM causes his mom serious stress. This picture shows his preferred way of sleeping. Why does he have to cover his entire head with a blanket?! Every time I try to move it, he wakes up and throws a fit until he can bury his face in his blanket again.

I constantly worry that he is too cold or too hot. His room gets really cold because of the large window so we bought a space heater that has a timer on it. When we got our electric bill last month, guess how much it had increased? $28.00 just from a little space heater. We adjusted the settings and hopefully, BM will stay warm, but not too warm and not too cold.

I think I'll have a full head of gray hair by the time he starts kindergarten just worrying about his body temperature and his obsession with blankets.

Ho Ho Ho!

When we were at the mall Saturday, we couldn't say no to BM. He really wanted to talk to Santa. :) I don't think this Santa was much into talking. Who looks less happy to be there- baby or Saint Nick? BM was quite impressed with his shiny belt and long beard.

Next year, I think we should talk Grandpa into renting a Santa outfit and we can take all the pictures we want. Maybe it's inflation or maybe I just haven't paid for pictures with Santa. Regardless, they (whoever they are) sure know how to play parent's heartstrings while emptying their wallets.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,





But the fire is so delightful,



And since we've no place to go,

(actually we do, but oh well)

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Who Peed in my Cheerios?

It doesn't happen often but when it does, watch out! Some people say redheads have tempers. I've never really felt like this was true of me but for some reason I'm feeling a streak of impatience and grumpiness.

We were at Wal mart and there were people with their TWO carts pulled to the side of a busy aisle blocking traffic. As they were talking oblivious to the situation, I politely said, "Excuse me, there is a traffic jam." Did they move or care? NO. That's when I felt the frustration.

HeRoos just asked, "Are you really going to publish this?"

Another time I felt this way was when I was driving in a residential neighborhood and someone rode my bumper the entire way. Ooh, it ticked me off. She eventually revved her engine and went speeding around me. I think she may have been high or had some serious issues. Guess what I did. Yep, I got the license plate number and reported it. Hello?! There are kids walking!

I think it's a good sign that I can recognize this glitch in the system because that means I'm not calloused to grumpiness, right?

Well, don't you worry friends and dear husband because tomorrow I will wake up on the right side of the bed and guard my bowl of cheerios as I think of ways to spread holiday cheer.

My loving husband who knows just how to handle me said, "You should probably go to bed early." I can't help but laugh-The things I hated when I was younger are now cherished. You bet I'll go to bed early, take a bath, or even take a nap. Sign me up, quick!

Cell Phones Don't Swim

If you've been trying to get hold of me the past couple days, you've probably noticed it goes directly to voice mail. I dropped my phone in the bathtub and it still hasn't recovered. And NO, this wasn't intentionally done so I could get a new phone. I've been using HeRoos' old phone which drains the battery dry within hours. We just received the new battery in the mail a couple days before. I guess a lot of good that does. I'm really hoping I didn't lose my contact list. That would be a sad day. Until my frugal husband decides it's time to buy a land line or until I get a new cell phone, you can reach me by e-mail.