102. January 8

Friday night at home, doing laundry and homework.

Pretty tame weekend.

But, it was good to be home.

The fireplace made everything deliciously cozy.

Family, it was good to see you.

"I knew that I had a safety net firmly in place. The net really had nothing to do with what I did, but it had everything to do with who I was, and that made a world of difference in how confident I felt about everything I did."

~ Sharlene Hawkes, Kissing A Frog

92. December 29

Here's what I like about my sister:

She knows cool stuff, like how to give massages, or how to get pictures onto your computer when the camera cord won't work. She makes me laugh, a lot. She appreciates long drives and the car wash. I just like being with her, even if we aren't conversing or doing the same thing.

"The person I am in the company of my sisters has been entirely different from the person I am in the company of other people. Fearless, powerful, surprising, moved as I otherwise am only when I write."
~ Franz Kafka, Diaries of Franz Kafka

90. December 27

Sunday drive with my sister, Lisa

"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses completely. [...] He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken."

~ President Deiter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God"

88. December 25

Merry Christmas.

So it certainly wasn't a white Christmas this year, but for those of you who haven't ever experienced a red dirt Christmas, you are missing out.

Family hike, Christmas Day 2009.

"Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for--I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times." 

~Kate L. Bosher

87. December 24

Christmas Eve.

My favorite day of the year.

What to say? I originally planned on posting pictures of the traditions that make the holiday: eating a big dinner, reenacting the nativity scene, unwrapping Christmas pajamas, sleeping in the basement, and watching Christmas Story... However, when deciding what pictures to post, I realized the pictures that caught my eye weren't those of the Christmas table setting, or of the tree, or of our makeshift manger. Rather, it was the faces of family. These are the faces that make Christmas for me.

So, as a small and humble present to you, dear reader, let me introduce you to the faces of family.

Cierra, Matt, and their beloved dog, Phoebe.

Lisa and Kyle as Mary and Joseph

Lisa and Kyle as Super Mary and Baller Joseph... or something like that.

Grandma and Grandpa O. as wisemen

Mother, the angel

Dad, the narrator

Regretfully, I have no pictures to share of Grandma and Grandpa S. But trust me, they are delightful faces.

Besides, I've already gone way over the "a" picture a day quota.

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

~ The Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2

86. December 23

This is also home.

St. George temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Beautiful, isn't it?

The best news of the day?

My sister is home!

Everybody needs a sister. Seriously. They are awesome.

And a little brother.

And a big brother.

And while we are at it, why not throw in a healthy mix of a sister-and-law, a mom, a dad, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, pets, and a nephew to come.

"God is the designer of the family."

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

83. December 20

One of my favorite places to be is in the comfort of Grandma and Grandpa's home.

I am eternally convinced that of all the good people God put on this earth, my uncles are the funniest and brightest, my aunts are the most gracious and lovely, and my four grandparents are hands down, the best.

Did I mention I love, love, love my family?

I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Grandma's birthday with this fine crowd.

"...these foolish, affectionate people made a jubilee of every little household joy."

~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women