Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

RD will soon post a 2009 year in review, but in the meantime we wanted to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Disneyland...

Just thought I'd share something I observed today. So we took the kids to Disneyland and as I look back on the day I think that the happiest part of Emery's day was using the little vacuum in our condo...she is so quirky! Here is a picture of her I submitted to a Smores photo contest.

From the mouth's of babes...

Even though you might think this is a very heartfelt seminary like devotional blog posting based on the title, it really isn't. Also, if you can't tell, Amanda's guest blogger is back because, well I don't really know why, but I'm here again. Anyway I was going through the kids' school work for the week and I happened upon this little gem. I started laughing out loud and Blakely wanted to know why and so I told her sometimes the truth just makes you laugh. Kind of like when I realized that my ears really do stick out, you just have to accept it and laugh. Anyway, the pure honesty of this paper must be shared with the world, so I have posted it here. Please enjoy the work and I will add a couple of disclaimers after.

First of all, why I'm an eagle...I don't know other than I'm bald, so it makes sense. I also think that I'm watching over them because it's hilarious to sit on the outside and watch. Now, Amanda is curious, apparently as curious and playful as a monkey....I will attest to that. I guess her arms are spread out showing she has no weapons, she surrenders, she just doesn't know what else to do or say. Emery is a chipmunk, chipmunk cheeks (check), sneaky (check), possibly carrying some unknown virus due to her affinity for dirt and grime (yet to be determined). Haden, well he needs no explanation, he definitely pesters Blakely, and he kind of laughs like Woody Woodpecker when he gets hyper. Blakely, she is kind and gentle, but I think we need to let the opposition (Haden) create a totem and see if he agrees. But it's tough to argue with a cat, especially since they can turn in a heart beat and scratch the crap out of you. Finally, Blakely must have had a free draft spot so she inserted one of her favorite cousins Machayla. Machayla loves penguins and while I have never seen her waddle I'm sure it's very curious.

Well I hope that you enjoyed this piece of art as much as I did. I do look forward to more, especially the rebuttals from Blakely's siblings.

Don't die of shock...

Amanda has hallucinated and decided that it would be a good time to have a guest "blogger", even more shocking she wanted it to be me, her portly, vociferous husband. It must be a side effect from her surgery, or maybe something that she learned when she looked death in the face. Well whatever it is, I will do as I am told because I don't want to get her worked up and after 11 years I know better than to disobey a command. So without further ado, here are my comments and musings about the latest photos that Amanda has decided to post.

Well after a couple hours of the kids interrupting our relaxing Fourth of July weekend we finally gave in and decided that we needed to find something to entertain them. After much thought we couldn't think of anything more fun on a warm summers day than a colorful piece of plastic combined with our hose. Amanda probably thinks that I enjoy the hydraulic properties of the exercise, but actually it's therapeutic to see the kids wipeout from time to time (as long as there aren't tears). In this picture Blakely executes a picture perfect knee slide while Haden fulfills his duty of pestering her in all aspects of her life and Emery shows us why big really is beautiful.

This truly is an extraordinary photo that you would normally only see in National Geographic. Here an endangered land bound Beluga Whale directs the X-Men flag football team in the execution of their next play. It's amazing that the children understand all of those squeaks, but it's no surprise that they weren't undefeated. You try playing for a whale.

Blakely did a tremendous job on her "Utah County" term project. She was assigned the illustrious county of Duchesne and after much hard work, sweat, tears, and procrastination she had a master piece. It's good to know that her parents perfection of the art of procrastination will live on.

Here is a photo of Haden with one of his all time best buddies, Jake. Jake came up with his family from Las Vegas and we had a great time (as always) visiting with them. If you wonder where Jake gets those good looks please notice his father Matt, the pater familia sunning himself just to the right.

Here Blakely enjoys a satisfying moment with one of her all time best buddies, Tori (Jake's sister). They are both smiling so either Jake and Haden have both suffered in some way, or judging by Blakely's far off gaze it's not far off in her mind.

Blakely and Tori again, big smiles, focused straight ahead, mission accomplished.

You might be wondering why Emery is looking out the window...is her mom or dad coming home? Is the ice cream truck in the neighborhood? Well no, it's one of her favorite times of the week, the garbage truck is here to take the trash. I love the simple pleasures of little kids.

Kayden and Haden, dynamic duo from this years Pee Wee Marlins and future partners in crime. Let's just hope I'm not speaking literally.

Blakely's piano recital was great as always, but she played the best that she ever has. It seems the piano gods smiled upon her that day.

As I have already said, big is beautiful especially when you're talking about Emery's cheeks. She has more than her daddy wrapped around her little finger, but we all know she loves me best.

Amanda is truly a gifted photographer, especially when you look at this photo and know what a turd Haden was being that morning. He is a good looking kid, even with the West Virginia Hillbilly smile. He gets his looks from his mom.

Well it looks like my gig is up. I did enjoy rambling on to the anonymous masses that may or may not read this. Please don't hold it against Amanda that I took over this week, it must be the drugs...dang Plavix.

Okay, I suppose I should have posted sooner...

Alright, so it has been FOREVER since I posted anything. I am always to busy reading about everyone else's life to put anything about my own. Lots has happened since I last posted. Enjoy some of the pictures, even though now they are 6 months old.

Here is an update on what is going on in our lives:

RD is enjoying working for Parson's Brinckerhoff on the UTA trax projects. He has taken up gardening and has been coaching Haden's flag football team. Amanda (me), I have been busy with photography, and being a Mom. I did run the SLC 1/2 marathon in April and about a week after became pretty sick. I thought I was prego so I went to the Doctor's and to make a long story short 1'm now 5 days post-op from heart surgery. I had a 1/2 inch hole in my heart that is now plugged up by a little titanium device. Blakely has been playing soccer with a team named the FLAMING CHEETOS, and is really becoming a good pianist. It is hard to believe that she is just finishing up 4th grade. Haden got his red/black belt combo in Hapkido, and took a break from that to play his first year of little league baseball, and then flag football. He excelled at both, and is going back to Hapkido this week.
Emery played soccer this spring on a 3-4 year old team. I was the lucky coach who got to run all of the field shouting, "run this way, kick it this way!"

All in all we are doing pretty well. Sometime life hands us experiences we never thought we would have, but they remind us to look around and be grateful for everything we have been given!

We lost our dear, sweet Granny in May. My family has had the privilege of knowing her and spending a lot of time with her. She was an amazing women and has left a legacy of love.

She was such a fun lady with a great sense of humor and just a pleasure to be around.

We never went away empty handed anytime we saw Granny. It did not matter if you just stop by to say "Hi," or if she came to church with you, she had something for you. She was always so generous and gracious.

I am so grateful my children had the opportunity to spend time with her. We miss you so much GRANNY! We will always remember our time with you and look forward to seeing you again.

Blakely on the field with the flaming cheetos.

Emery walking her favorite bunny.

Haden at the Dinosaur Museum

Emery's #3 Bday

Ouch!

Blakely's #10 bday (each candle represents 5 years, I am a lame MOM!)

The toothless grin!

Emery sledding & the rest our Christmas pics!

Typical Emery- we call her "pig pen" because she is one messy chick.

I need help with something...

I need someone who would has some crocheting experience to take on some projects for me - in trade for some photography sessions....any takers????

A new website for Bishop Images

Just wanted to let you know that Amanda has a new website (same address just new design). Check it out

www.bishopimages.com

It is official...

Nobody get excited (I am not announcing I am pregnant or anything). I am just sad to say that I attempted to run 3 miles today after taking 6 weeks off from running, and although I did complete the mileage I did not run the whole thing. I can't believe how fast you lose that "great" running feeling. I'm sort of starting over and I am going to run the SLC 1/2 marathon in April so if anyone wants to join me let me know!!

Holiday & other photos coming soon...