For the Christmas Card visitors:

Here is what we have been up to in 2008


NEW!!! See our 2008 Book Here

Weekend in San Fran

We had a fun weekend. Doug went to San Fransisco last week to interview some people at google for his project. I joined him there Friday for some more fun with our friends Mick and Nat.
It was so fun to be in a bigger city around Christmas. The shops were all decorated and it even snowed a little(ok mostly rain, lots and lots of rain) but a good time was still had by all!



We went to a few really great restaurants first: Colibri a great little Mexican place that Doug and Mick found to take us after Nat and I arrived in town.
Then we went to Alcatraz the next day and Spence came down to meet us-it was a lot of fun to ride the boat out and actually see what a historic and beautiful place the old prison is.




Then onto one of our favorite restaurants in San Fran Osha
Sunday it rained and rained and we took it easy and just shopped a bit. Then we met up with our friends Jim and Shelli who recently moved back to San Fran at a WONDERFUL little restaurant called Townhall.
YUMMY!!!!
All in all a great weekend!
It has been a FULL and exciting year of travel-we are ready to settle into the holidays with everyone that we love!

Over Chat this afternoon:

For those of you who don't know I
write on another blog Salt Lake Urbanite
Since that blog is public and advertises I have opted to protect Doug's identity from
my sometimes scandalous postings.
So have given him the distinction of Super Man(SM for short)....I didn't realize that not only does he not read my posts there but he also is oblivious of my oh-so-out-of-character thoughtful gesture.

me: did you see the trouble I am causing on the blog?
Doug: no, is it getting crazy?
me: guess you will have to read to find out
Doug: will do
Sent at 1:52 PM on Thursday
Doug: nice
who is SM?
me: super man
Doug: ah

me: you
Doug: :)
that is pretty funny
me: except that you are hotter than clark kent
Doug: :-D

Guess I am not thoughtful enough to not repeat private conversations....
my refinement is a work in progress

Comments and my reaction to Prop 8 post

My post on Prop 8 REALLY ruffled some feathers and I received many ANGRY comments that I chose not to publish.
However there were two that I thought I should share so that it is clear why we disagree(I believe this is the all part of the conversation that is going on in our country currently as well)
So, the following is my response to the most tame of my reactions:

One reader wrote:
Without really getting into the Prop 8 thing, I would like to say that the LDS Church was not the only people in support of it! So they shouldn't be the only ones targeted for protest. Also blacks not holding the priesthood was not an oops thing! You know this! We as a church will not go against the Lord, and it is on His TIMING and in His PLAN that we follow! If you have a problem with His plan, you'll have to take it up with Him!

Yes the LDS church and people were not the only people and church to support Prop 8, just the largest(by way of monetary as well as member support) and since Utah is kind of the mother land, and I live here and disagree, I feel like my voice is kind of drowned out(and that some who know me and know I live in Utah may assume that I agree when I don't) Just as you believe that it is a church's right to tell their members to support something in politics many also believe that if they don't agree it is their right to protest(target as you put it)As the age old saying goes: If you are going to dish it you have to be able to take it.
The other major difference between our beliefs is that I don't think that God would want us to act this way to one another. My marriage and the marriage of a gay couple in no way threaten or lesson one another. If the churches don't want to recognize them that is THEIR choice but to restrict non religious rights based on religious beliefs is, in my opinion, a step in the wrong direction.
I have already taken it up with HIM and it should be noted that god and I are ok with me being Anti Prop 8.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Prop 8 World Wide Rally":

While you might not agree with Prop 8, the majority of Californians did. If had gone the other way, I would not have tried to sue to get it over turned. The people have voted, and that's what they want, whether you agree or not.
The LDS church was not involved in the vote, other than encouraging its members to support the proposition. And isn't that what churches are for? To tell its member what is right and wrong?
The LDS church didn't donate any money.
I think you are wrong in saying that one day the church will say "oops, we were wrong about gay marriage." It is a moral issue that will not change, and a practice that has always been condemned by God.
I realize you don't agree, and that's fine. That's your right, just as it is mine to believe the way I do.

Some good points, however there are a few things that are incorrect:
1)The LDS church did in fact send money to fund the Pro Prop 8 cause(they are currently, under investigation in California and they are in fact cooperating with the investigation siting that they were within the rules of churches getting involved for their cash donation, phone bank donations, ect)
2) I really don't think that just because the majority of Californians voted on something that we should just walk away-especially when there are suspicions of wrong doing and as you stated, everyone has the right to believe what they would like: that includes NOT agreeing with the LDS church on this point.

Next point:
You and I completely disagree when it comes to churches should tell their members how to vote on anything politically and especially when it is taking rights away from fellow Americans. We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one I am afraid.

Finally:
The points I brought up(polygamy, blacks holding the priesthood and one I didn't mention interracial marriage) were all once moral issues in many churches and have now been changed(the churches stance is that well I guess: that God changed his mind for a lack of a better way of putting it)

In closing I wish to echo your own sentiment because it is where you and I completely agree:

"I realize you don't agree, and that's fine. That's your right, just as it is mine to believe the way I do."

We Love BreAnna!

For Thanksgiving this year we made the treck to Nebraska to celebrate with our sister Rosie and her beautiful family(hi Kevin, Logan, Bryson and BreAnna)
While we were there we did our 2 month pics of our newest niece! She is such a great baby!
We are so thankful for all of our wonderful family and our amazing friends!