Jed? (by Drew)

It was early Friday morning, I checked my email (hotmail) and when I closed my account I was sent to the MSN page. As I typed in espn.com and began to navigate away from MSN.com my eyes briefly glanced at the flashing banner in the middle of the screen. There he was...my childhood nemesis, my brother Jed, staring me in the face and asking me if my job is prestigious. I read the article and discovered that 61% of Americans believe that being a firefighter is a prestigious job. I called Jed to ask him why he was modeling for such a statistically inaccurate article, and he told me that his Department (Orem) had burned down a house for training and some sort of photography team had snapped some shots. They then asked Jed to take some extras because he was no doubt the cutest, and the only one without a mustache, and so he was the model for the glamour shot above.

As we talked about his new found modeling career, he interrupted me and asked where lawyers were on the list...I checked the article again and discovered a link to a parallel article discussing the least prestigious jobs...and sure enough there was a picture of yours truly...that's not true, but needless to say, lawyers didn't quite make the list. Yet again my older brother wins.

President Hinckley

I'm sure all of you have heard the news that President Hinckley died last night. For us who don't live in Utah had to hear it from our families back at home. After hearing about his death Drew and I searched the Internet for some more information, both wishing we were in Utah knowing that every news station would be talking about President Hinckley. Then today I opened the Internet expecting to see the news of President Hinckley's passing, headlined on every web site but there was nothing. If only the world knew what a loss we experienced last night.

I don't remember a time not seeing him at conference. Since Pres. Benson and Pres. Hunter were both sick for some of their time, Pres. Hinckley is really the only prophet I remember. He was sustained when I was 12 and has been the face of the church for so long. While he will be missed I know that he is in a better place and look forward to sustaining Pres. Monson as the new Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It's a...

Today we went in to get our anatomy ultrasound but the baby did not cooperate. The whole time it was curled up in a ball. It was hard to get any of the measurements and most importantly we didn't get a good look at the one place. After pushing on my stomach and getting in different positions we got a glimpse of what could have been an umbilical cord or a boy part. The tech said, "I would say it's a boy but don't go home and paint the nursery blue." The good news is that the baby looks healthy and normal sized (a first). So now we are going back next month to get another ultrasound to make sure what we are having and to get the measurements that were missed.

He's on the Run

Mac is everywhere. As I mentioned before he started walking at the end of November but really took off while we were in Utah. The minute Mac wakes up he's running/walking around the house. Finding new things and following me around undoing everything I've done. It's been a challenge trying to constantly baby proof the house and clean up after him. Yesterday I think I rerolled three rolls of toilet paper along with cleaning up many more disasters but I wouldn't change it for the world. He is so happy and is really coming into his own.

Even though the weather hasn't been so nice we have been going outside for our daily fresh air. By the time the garage door opens Mac is already half way down the driveway. The whole time we are outside all Mac does is walk up and down the driveway talking to himself trying to avoid me and my new toy. Thanks Mom and Dad for the new camera, as you can tell we love it!

This is Mac's new glare. He was mad that I told him we had to go inside. I also get the glare: when I find Mac doing something bad, when I say don't, when I catch him biting, when I ask him to whisper, when I tell him lunch is over, pretty much whenever I do or tell him something he doesn't like. But how do you get mad at this face? I find myself constantly laughing when Mac is around. He's oozing with personality.

Lucy

On January 1st Drew became an uncle and I became an aunt for the first time and Mac got his first cousin! Lucy is adorable.
I'm holding Mac's arms down in this picture. Hopefully the next time we see Lucy, Mac won't want to poke her or give her love taps as much.

Utah

Our trip to Utah went by so fast. It's hard to believe we were there for almost three and half weeks. From running back and forth between both family's homes, staying the weekend up in Midway and throwing in all the holiday parties; the vacation was packed with fun. We have the greatest family and can't wait to see them again in a few months! Reading a book with Grandma Millar
Aunt Annie
It was fun seeing my old friend Sammy and her little boy Jack. Mac is five months older than Jack and looks like a giant next to him. The whole time I was trying to save Jack from Mac's hits and bites. Mac is becoming one feisty boy.

A note for me: Mac changed so much this trip. Before we got to Utah, Mac barely started walking and then a couple days into the trip he took off.

He rarely crawls now. He's talking more and communicating in different ways, signing and pointing.

At first Mac was a little stand offish to all the new faces, a few days into the trip he loved all the people around him. Then today at church he threw himself in every women's arms that looked at him. I think he's totally over the "Stranger Danger" stage and missing all the attention he got from the family.

Christmas Day!

Opening Presents Christmas morning in our matching pj's. A tradition in my family that never gets old. Mac loved all the books he got but most of all he loved the wrapping paper.
Mac and uncle Scotty
Amy (Drew's sister) crocheted Mac a teddy bear. Yes you read it right crocheted! She's amazing.

We spent Christmas playing the Wii and Guitar hero. Drew and his Dad rocked out to "Free bird."