Congrats are in order

We found out last week that Aaron won a scholarship that he applied and interviewed for over the Christmas Break. We are very grateful and very proud. The Charles A. Esser Memorial scholarship is awarded to a student from any of the state universities in Arizona studying local government who "exhibits strong academic achievement" and a financial need. Well, we knew that he definitely qualified - especially the financial need part. He found out Tuesday that he won and he will be awarded in two weeks at the ACMA conference in Sedona, AZ. Congratulations, Aaron! We love you!

Our Day at the Beach

The last day of our trip we went to Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach. My mission president actually lives there somewhere, but we didn't plan ahead enough to make plans with him or his wife. The weather was beautiful and the water was fine enough for the kids to play in. We didn't think it would be so warm, so we didn't pack suits. But after Claire and Kylie soaked their pants, we just let them run around in their undies. They had a great time. It was a nice way to spend our last day together.

Noel loved playing in the sand and with the sand toys.

A picture of the crew minus Hiro (taking the pic). The water was so clear.

Soon Noel was brave enough to test the water too and lost his pants! They kids were so sandy I stripped them both down to skin and hosed them off at the outdoor showers before we let them get back in the car to go back to Corona. That was a little sad, but overall the day was wonderful! The next day we said good-bye and headed back to Arizona. We were gone for over two weeks! I was worried that we were overstaying our welcome a bit, but I think we all enjoyed our time together.

Since we've been back Aaron has gone back to work, took a class over winter term - a three week class online. He finished and got an A. He also interviewed for a scholarship that we are hoping that he will win. He has also gotten a calling at church - a counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency.

I have started babysitting two 2 year olds. A little boy 4 days a week and a little girl once a week. It keeps us busy - but we have a lot of fun. I also think it helps me to be even more engaging with my own children while they are here.

I also started and finished the first phase of the South Beach diet. I consumed way too many sweets and desserts over the break and all my clothes were barely fitting anymore! My first real diet so far has been a success. I figure it's kind of like "learning to like vegetables bootcamp". I haven't had any sugar, carbohydrates, or fruit - only protein and vegetables for two weeks. I am excited to begin phase two tomorrow and reintroduce things like fruit and oatmeal back into my diet! This is my new Years resolution - to take care of my body. So far so good. I'm learning to love veggies! Now to teach my children to!

Mesa Temple at Christmas Time

We love living so close to a temple. It has been really nice to be able to go often. One nice thing about the Mesa temple is that it is always crowded. You could think that was a bad thing, but it makes me happy that so many people want to be there. The church has taken notice - two more temples are being built in our area. Soon there will be a temple near Glendale and one in Gilbert, AZ. After Thanksgiving the temple puts up a ton of Christmas lights - like other temples. We've seen the Christmas lights in Salt Lake and D.C. too. We especially like the ones here on the palm trees. It is quite a sight and I'm glad that we were able to go. You have to click on the pictures and zoom in.

Noel poses in front of the Mesa Arizona temple.

A nice couple offered to take our picture together. Aaron was nice enough to take Noel and I. He went with Claire when his family was visiting for Thanksgiving. Noel threw up on me twice right before we had planned to go, so I stayed behind to take care of him. I'm glad that he was feeling well enough to go this night for our family home evening.

Some Surprise Visitors

A couple weeks before our trip to California we got a phone call from Aaron's best friend, Tim. They grew up together and have been best buddies since they were 7 years old. Tim had a job interview in Chandler and came to visit us afterwards. Aaron gave him a tour of downton Phoenix where Aaron works and goes to school, then they came back here for dinner. We have a mexican Feista to celebrate. It was so nice to have him here and for he and Aaron to be able to catch up a little bit. We only wish that his family could have accompanied him. Tim ended up taking a job in New Jersey with Mars and we don't blame him. Who wouldn't want to work for a chocolate factory!?



The day after we got back from California, I got a surprising phone call from my buddy, Johanna. She was on a flight back to Texas from a trip for her sister's wedding in Utah. Her layover in Phoenix was extended due to her flight being delayed. We saw it as a bonus! I got right in the car and picked her up, brought her and her daughter, Netta, home to have dinner with us! It was so nice to catch up a little and see Netta and her prego belly. (Johanna and I were both pregnant together for both of my kids - but she's on to number three and I'm not quite ready yet.) I was able to get her back to the airport on time and it was a nice break for them to not have to be stuck in an airport for an extra two hours. A few weeks ago Johanna was able to have the Esplin's (good friends from MSU days) visit her in Texas, and I was feeling so sad that I missed out on that. I still wish that I could have been there, but I'm so glad that I at least got to see Johanna again!

I hope there will be more reunions ahead!

Christmas Vacation Part 2

The best part of our vacation for me was to see Claire and Noel playing with their cousins. They all get along pretty well despite slight differences in age. I think by the end the older girls were a little tired of having the little ones around, but they did so well being patient with them. Claire and her cousin Adria played together especially well. They palled around the house looking for rooms to play in and things to get into together. It was great.


We made lots of treats in California - which is why I have since started my first real diet ever. Here the cousins and Uncle Dan and I frost Christmas cupcakes. We also made Christmas cookies, had pumpkin and razzleberry pies, persimmon pudding, and cakes with lots of whipped cream, not to mention all the chocolate bars.

Noel loved Mirai and Kylie's dog, Misha. We had a hard time getting Noel to not feed him leftovers.

Another picture of some of the cousins. Here, Adria and Kylie show off their pretty hair that Aunt Hiromi did for them.



We went on a hike Christmas morning. Aaron, his dad, and his brothers, also went on a hike later in the trip. Claire stayed with Hiromi and Noel loved being with us in this backpack that Aaron is carrying.

We took many trips to the park. Noel has mastered slides now.

Mirai and Kylie are dancers and have a nice supply of dance outfits. One day Claire came down and surprised us with this beauty and Kylie brought tap dance shoes to top it all off.

Here are the two peas in a pod - on the trampoline.

I think it was Christmas Eve or the day before, Grant and Rebekah suggested that we go to Naples, CA to see the Christmas lights. It's a nice town of canals where all the houses decorate for the season. It was pretty amazing, and I'm really glad that we got to go. The lights were very well done. People really went all out. There were bands playing Christmas music and people selling hot chocolate along the canals.

Poor Kylie ended up with the stomack flu and had to be taken back to Corona with Hiromi and Aaron. They had kind of a miserable night - not only was Kylie sick, but traffic was bad and Aaron was driving our van which didn't have a speed pass - so they had to stay in the slow lanes all the way back - more than an hours drive.

When Claire and Noel had had enough, they let us know :) Then we went to In N Out for some cheeseburgers and fries on our way home and the smiles were back on. We had a late night, but it was worth it - maybe not so worth it for Aaron and his crew - but I'm glad that we got to go.

Adams' Family Christmas Vacation - Part One

This year we had the opportunity to go to California to spend Christmas with Aaron's family. We came a little early to attend our niece, Mirai's baptism. We are so glad that we were able to go. It's nice that with Aaron in school we were able to take a long enough break to be there for it. Aaron's parents and all of Aaron's brothers were there - obviously Ben, Mirai's Dad. Uncle Dan was able to play the violin for everyone and the bishop of their ward unexpectedly asked Aaron to bear his testimony and it made it even more special.

To celebrate, on Monday, most of the family was able to go to Legoland, California. It was a really fun trip. It is a perfect amusement park for families. The kids were able to go on quite a few rides including this boat trip.

Aunt Hiromi and Noel hang out in front of a lego giraffe.

The cousins in front of Mini San Fransisco - all made of legos

Claire with her cousins and uncles on the mini dropper

Noel as the ferocious lego lion.

Can you believe I forgot our camera on this trip!!! We packed pretty much the whole van full of food, clothes, and presents - but I forgot our camera?! Luckily, Hiromi shared her pictures with us! Thank you thank you!

Our Merry Christmas

We had a lovely time in California with Aaron's family this Christmas. Noel did too - but he was sick with Croup before we left and was a little crabby sometimes understandably. The Adams cousins all played well together, most of the time. We did lots of fun things and ate lots of good food - LOTS! Now we are back in Phoenix, back to work, and missing everyone. More pictures to come!