Another Option

I posted the first video directly from the creator's website to make sure he was recognized and to get the purest version, but it doesn't appear to be replaying as well in the new format. So I am adding a copy from You Tube, to cover a wider range of player capabilities and connection speeds. If you are using dial-up, it will play best if you pause it when it first starts and then let it load halfway or so.

Seasons

As those of you living below 3,000 ft. know, spring is coming despite the fight old man winter is giving it. This type of weather always makes me think about the future and the changes I can make in my life. Yesterday I came across this video. Despite what your political views may be, I think this video and speech encapsulate the feelings all citizens of this country should have. If you don't like something, if you think something should be better, if your heart tells you that there is a better way; then raise your voice and be a proponent for positive change and progression. I think we can all learn from mom's example. Nothing gets done sitting around and wishing. It requires pro-activity, some risk, and a belief in the value you add as an individual.

Anyway, no matter what your persuasion is, I hope you all take a part in making your little corners of the globe a better place. And remember to knowledgeably vote.

Growing Up

Quaid is growing up. He now eats vegetables, mush, juice (ironically out of a bottle), and baby snacks. He is also learning mobility as you can see in the video. He is getting tired of not being able to follow Mikiya when she leaves the room or seeing a toy or other crumply looking object just out of his reach.

Mikiya is excited to move to her new house that has a slide in a month. Megan and I are also hoping that Quaid having his own room will help him learn to go to sleep on his own better. And we can let him cry it out a little.

Mikiya and I came to school today to use the high speed internet. The local car wash digital sign said it was 53 degrees, but with the breeze it feels like only 47 or 48. :) I love sunshine, can you tell? After the winter we have had so far though, I am not holding my breath that the snow is entirely done yet.

We'll let you all know our new address when we have it for sure. Our phone number will stay the same, as we are just moving to the south end of town.

Winter

Well, winter is still here. It snows then mostly melts and then snows again. I actually had two classes canelled last week due the weather and road condidtions. A lady on the bus the other day said that our average snowfall is 14 in. and so far we have had 20 in. The news said we are at about 14 in. just for January. I have only had to ride my bike home in one snowstorm thus far. That has been nice.

We had a good time two weeks ago traveling to eastern Idaho with Wayne and the two older boys. The main objective of the trip was to hear Jenna talk before she leaves. With having Monday off from work and school, we thought it would be fun to cruise over. And it was. Good luck Jenna! We will try to be good writers.

We also visited Kason and Alyce while there. As luck would have it, Alyce had their baby the day before we arrived, so we were able to meet Amelia while she was still brand new. We all were very excited about that.

Mikiya gave her first scripture today in Primay. She was very excited to be able to sit on the special chairs and then get up on the stool and talk in the microphone. As you might imagine, I about burst. "My little girl all grown up and saving China". Quaid is growing fast too. His Sunday shirt is now wears short sleeves to church, but he is wearing the same shirt he wore during the fall. We have finally found a couple of places that sell baby boy dress clothes, so hopefully he will get some new clothes soon. Fortunately, Riley hooked him up with some good play clothes. So the rest of the week he is still quite comfortable and stylish to boot.

Mikiya wants to write now. chonyfg tcnhhngrggggn Well, Quaid is ready for his squash, so we better sign off for now. Until next time, for Beltran cousins, we will see you Wednesday.

Christmas was delightful and it was sooooooo fun to see much of the family!!! Mikiya loved having snow to play in and I was amazed that a 3 year old could stand the freezing cold for a couple hours at a time.

Highlights of the trip

Mike - seeing family, playing games with family, also with Rudy in their rooms when the family room closed down. Painting, ripping up carpet, moving furniture and playing Mario Kart.

Megan - threw my back out and spent much of the time needing help walking, standing,etc. I really enjoyed getting to visit with everyone.

Mikiya - loved the snow!!!! helped Daddy and Grandma Walton paint, had a blast sleeping on the hide-a-bed, getting to play with all the cousins and getting to stay up past her bedtime. She is still having Kaelie withdrawals and also thinks she needs to go to Grandma Gallubitts to see Lauren and Megan. Both grandmas have playrooms which gives her fun and privacy.

Quaid - Just growing so much we can't believe it! He loves to sit up, but needs a little help or he falls over before long. He got spoiled having so many hugs and kisses and just being held all the time he thinks it proper protocol. His hair is coming in a reddish blond and his smile is still sparkling. He had fun laughing and cackling as often as possible.

Our favorite highlight was getting to go to the open house for the Rexburg Temple. It was wondering to be there with our children. While in the celestial room, Mikiya whispered, "I want to see Jesus in the Temple Mom."

The Night Before Finals....

First of all, I would like to say congrats to Wayne and Natalie on the safe arrival of Jesse. Having watched Mason and Spencer with Quaid, I would imagine they are super good big brothers.

Everybody at our house from Papa Bear on down to the littlest Cub is ready for me to be done with finals. One more week and I am basically finished with everything but the crying. Then we will have some true vacation time with each other and we all are excited to come visit between Christmas and MLK Day.

I don't have any new pictures ready. But we are getting the kids' done professionally this week. So we will let you know when they are ready.

Thanks to everybody for your love and support. Megan, especially, has appreciated the extra "talks" since I have been busier with school lately.

Happy Holidays!

The Library

Today was stake conference. It was one of the new fancy pants televised type. And ironically one of the speakers talked on how the Saints need to do more of their own leading; that we don't need a General Authority visiting regularly. Hmmm... The messages were good though. There was instruction given for both Megan and I that will help us be better spouses to each other. Mikiya made it all the way to the concluding speaker this time before getting restless. Quaid slept nearly the whole time, waking up for the final 15 minutes to completely soil his brand new dress shirt clear through to his car seat. Hence, the 90's boy band look he is sporting in the attached picture.

We went to the library on Saturday. Taking the bus and having multiple floors to visit is a little different than what we were used to walking across the street in Rexburg; where coincidentally we lived farther downtown than we do here. But it turns out all three of us still found books to read.

Megan ran into a friend from high school, so we barely missed our bus home. So we did the only sensible thing and started walking. You all know how much Mikiya and I love to sit in one place. Actually, we had some method to our madness. Mikiya desperately needed some lunch, but not a $10 meal. We ended up walking about 10 blocks from the bus stop, before we stopped again to wait for the next bus. While we were waiting a guy stopped his car and asked if we wanted a ride home. He seemed very nice and considerate, but Megan had already bought her ticket and the rides are the highlight for Mikiya.

As you can see from the pictures, Quaid continues to grow. He rolled over once this week. We think it was an accident, but he is learning nonetheless.

We enjoyed seeing everyone that we did last week and look forward to seeing who we get to with the upcoming holidays.

Love you all!