Ava's 2nd Birthday

We just celebrated Ava's 2nd birthday on Jan 23rd! She is such a fun and energetic girl and keeps us on our toes! Here is a picture with her enjoying her birthday cake... Note the teary eyes - I told her that she needed to stop picking the hearts off the cake until after I was done taking pics - she had a major melt down but miraculously recovered once I was done with pics and gave in!

For more of her birthday festivities, click HERE.

Saying Goodbye

I've had a few days to let things sink in, and although the news of President Hinckley's death was a surprise, at first it didn't make me sad. I remember John told me that at the moment his dad passed away, his sister Sally simply looked toward heaven with tears in her eyes and said, "Good Job, Dad." It was a simple statement of triumph for a life well-lived.

When I think of the amazing impact President Hinckley has had on the world, I am amazed. I'm grateful to the many people who have compiled tributes for him that highlight things of his life that have reminded me, and in some cases, taught me, about the unmatched contributions he made to the world on behalf of the Church.

Over the last few days, as I've celebrated his life through watching these memoirs on tv and internet, I've been so grateful for his life. Only now, however, has the sadness hit me. I love this man, and will greatly miss him at General Conference, cracking jokes, talking so optimistically about the future, and laughing at himself. I'll miss his smile, watching him wave his cane, and I'll miss just seeing him on the stand.

John and I were fortunate enough to be in his presence a few times...perhaps a half-dozen or so for different intimate occasions, and yet, never had the chance to shake his hand. (once, however, I came through a back doorway, and practically ran into him, literally, as he was coming out the other side!) But, for anyone who has been in his presence, whether in the Marriott Center, Conference Center, or a few feet away, you know that you don't have to shake his hand to feel the power and spirit that he radiates. What a mantle! He truly is a prophet of God.

He will be greatly missed. --Kim

Here's a post from my blog. Enjoy!

First, I just have to say Google is amazing. I’ve been very happy with their email application for over two years now and it seems as though they really make internet use easy. You wouldn’t know it from my lengthy and frequent blog posts, but I really am quite a busy person. Whenever I get a chance, I spend a lot of time, going from blog to blog, trying to see what’s new in the worlds of my friends and family. Well, Google has come through for me again. I recently read a magazine article about Google Reader – a free application which allows you to go to one site which compiles all of the most recent additions to your favorite blogs and websites.

Let’s be honest, when one of our favorite blogs doesn’t post for a while, we stop going. It isn’t to be mean or anything. There just isn’t enough time to keep going. However, with Google Reader, all you have to do is add the site to your list and Google will let you know when there’s a new post. Not only will it let you know, but you can actually read the whole post on Google Reader and see any pictures they have as well. For me the benefit is not only the time I save, but also the simplicity. It’s amazing! (We’re actually naming out next born “Reader,” because it’s so wonderful!)


Click here to check it out!