Layover

So here I sit in the Vancouver airport waiting for my flight to Edmonton so that the Christmas season can properly start.  I remember the first time I was in this airport: I was on my way to Edmonton to go get married to Lindsay and officially join the family.  Good times.  Now, as I look forward to the Christmas season and also New Years, I look forward to joining everyone for a memorable Christmas.

I just hope I brought enough cold weather gear.

Happy Birthday Charla!!!!

Happy birthday Char! You are so awesome.  I'm so glad you're in our family. We love you!  Have a fantastic day!
  
OJ: Canadian prairie girl with a beautiful voice who loves poetry, music and philosophy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHAR!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcrEqIpi6sg

Coleen: Char - One of my favorite Christmas memories ever is Christmas Eve EIGHT years ago (!) when you and your new sisters-in-law went caroling down the streets of London together.  You left a trail of stardust in your wake :)

I wish I had a video of that to share - but this Scottish rendition of a very famous UK Christmas carol will have to do - - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrnqWgjV-7Y

Thank you for sharing your joy for life and your love of music with everyone you know!  

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Char!

Ian: Happy Birthday Char! I hope its a great day and great year.  I've always admired how you march to your own drummer and really try to live life to the fullest and with joy.  So, I chose Don't Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl.  I hope you like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_g3kkGH8Mo

Jordan:

Happy Birthday Char! This choice of song was easy because all I needed to do was remember that moment that the excitement hit you when you first heard that K'naan was coming to Edmonton this summer. So much of your time spent this year has been all about the gift and the and  you help me and the kids to live our lives, by showing us to give is priceless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APw9ES0JpZo&feature=g-hist

Lindsay: I love how you're always living in the moment.  You're so attentive and fun to be with.  You're also one of the most 'full of life' people that I know - you become engaged in what you're doing, whether it's playing in the yard making mud cakes with your kids, or having a spontaneous dance party.  Thanks for being such an amazing and fun sister-in-law!  Love you!  Happy Birthday!!!

All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ouOa9k0gE

Spencer: I'm going to go with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz, it's nice and calming, yet full of hope and wonder!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZxmZmBfnU

John: Charla I was so grateful when you played this song with me for Gala a couple years back.  It was lots of fun and I really appreciated you doing it.  This is one of my favorite versions of this song.  The passion on Yo Yo Ma's face is ridiculous!  PS this is probably also one of the best shorter classical music pieces ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNbXuFBjncw

David: I choose this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc simply because I remember Charla getting Oliver to sing along to it when I visited them in Scotland about three and a half years ago when Oliver was almost 3.

Rachel: I love your creative, fun-loving spirit.  And I always enjoy talking with you.  I had a lot of fun spending more time with you over the summer! Have an amazing birthday!

I chose this song because it is happy and reminds me of your carefree-ness and how you are always seeking to make your dreams come true, as well as help others around you do the same! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_I4wtNPv5w

More Israel

Here are photos of a few sites we saw in Israel that take us to where Jesus actually lived and taught.
Dad and I enjoyed being there at a time so close to the Christmas season.

 The River Jordan

The Pool of Bethesda - Where Christ healed the lame man.  Dad loves this story and the rendition of it painted by Carl Bloch.

The Western Wall of the Temple - or the Wailing Wall - named in part because it is the last standing wall (the retaining wall) of the second temple - rebuilt on the temple site where Jesus taught.  People - and I was one of them - line up to pray at the wall and leave their written prayers in it's crevices.  

The Garden of Gethsemane.  There is a very peaceful spirit here.



Lo How a Rose Ee'r Blooming - on Manger Square.  Lindsay should have been there to sing it :)

At the Garden tomb - the spot where many believe the resurrected Christ was first seen by Mary

Dad and I were so glad we could travel there.  Our love for the Savior and his teachings grew immeasurably.

12.12.12

Today's date.
I just needed an excuse to write that down somewhere -
For an old-timer like me, I think its pretty cool - - -

Hello Corolla

 

It's always exciting to buy something new.  Recently Spence and I made a very large purchase.  We had been saving for a while, and wanted to replace the car I'd been driving with a newer and more person and baby safe vehicle.

My previous car- a '99 chevy prism, had served me well the last 6 years here in L.A.  I lucked out with some of it's repairs working out well... I bought it from Meliss and Ian who had had it a long time, and it miraculously just kept running and running.  But it was getting a little scary as it needed some more repairs, and a recent hit and run had left a big old dent in the back left side, pricier to fix than replace the car... so it's time had come.

We kept saving and planning and then some friends at church were telling us they bought a used car from the L.A mission. They said the vehicle had been well maintained and they were happy with it.  So we looked into purchasing a used missionary car and found that the San Fernando Valley Mission was selling a couple '09 Toyota Corollas.  (Sounds new to me!)

After some test driving, Spence and I got our paperwork together and headed up to the mission office out near Santa Clarita!  We made all the arrangements and paid the selling price. It is the best feeling EVER to get in a (new) car that has nice new seats with great back support, air conditioning, new tires, fresh oil and no dents!  So we headed home with a silver '09 Corolla!!    Yay!!  Here's a pic of the short span when we still had both cars.

So... we checked off a big item on our list to get ready to have a baby.  I guess that timing worked well.  It's been a few months since the purchase but it still feels new! 

Rachel's Birthday!!

Rachel! It's your birthday! We think you are the most
wonderful person and hope that your day is GREAT!

From Mom-
Birthday Girl! - When you and your friends performed this at your graduation I saw it as your goodbye to high school, farewell to home & family song. I still get a heart-string tug every time I hear it :) Love ya tons, Mom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTSG5PGCceM
And what do you think of this photo taken when you were sweet 16 and just back from a Coldplay concert? Thanks for getting me on their fan list :)

From Dad-
Happy Birthday Wooz! When you were a real little youngster you had four songs that we had to sing with you each night so that the sandman would come. Here's one of them: Love, Dad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLUV74hxa34

Editor wants to add a Schneider Trivia Question: what was the song Pah requested each night at bedtime along with Popcorn Popping, Twinkle, Twinkle, and Five Little Ducks?

From John- This one is a classic. I heard some Germans singing it in Europe during the Euro 2012 tournament this summer, naturally I thought of Captain Woozenschnitzel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59fNJpDiIBQ

From Lindsay-
I loved sharing our first ultrasound pic with you because you were so sweet about it, replying back quickly with your excited remarks and then, 'looks like all is well!' I thought that was really nice comment and it helped me feel more confident about our new pregnancy. I appreciated your educated opinion! It's nice to get a medical view, AND, we hadn't heard the report by the Doctor yet so I was wondering a little, if everything was cool, but thought I'd share the picture anyway. ;) I love how you have a nice calming and soothing way about you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7K0Dp2M2fE

From Jordan-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SotI-Md3dy4"
Rachel this song makes me think of the doctor you will someday be. Giving out great advice to your patients in a chilled out and kind way.

From David-
A nice memory I have of Rachel has actually been during her past two birthdays. On her last two birthdays she invited me to come to her birthday party and to the birthday dinner at a restaurant (2011: Cafe Paesan, 2010: Red Robin) To me, this memory shows that Rachel will include people by making them feel important. I didn't really know anyone at the parties/dinners (except her roommates), but it was a nice and thoughtful way of Rachel making everyone be included without making a big show of it. Another thing I admired too from this was that you could tell the people she invited to her party/dinner were actually genuine friends and not people that she invited to have "lots of numbers." In short, genuine and inclusive. Keep it up Rach when you're 22!

From Melissa-
I remember when I told Rachel that Ian and I were engaged. She said, 'do you need a flower girl?' I hadn't really thought about it but it was perfect- she did the thinking about it for me. She was an absolutely wonderful flower girl. Recently when I was in Utah, she drove me to the airport. It was so helpful and great to visit with her. I love that she is so thoughtful and considerate.

From Spencer-
I couldn't find it on YouTube, but Hulu has it: Neil Patrick Harris plays the "Doogie Howser, M.D." theme song on Saturday Night Live.
Dr Rach will be a great doctor just like Doogie Howser was.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/53001

From Char-
I Run for Life
"If you ask her why she is still running she'll tell you it makes her complete. I run for hope, I run to feel, I run for the truth, For all that is real....we will be running as we have before. Running for answers, Running for more. " This song reminds me of your running which I think is so great. And also I think Melissa Etheridge's voice is bold and strong - just like you.
(I hope you can ignore that this song is supposed to be about breast cancer because I think those lyrics are quite meaningful taken out of context)
Happy Birthday! Love Char.

We love you!!  Happy Birthday!!

Halloween at Christmas

I am a little behind on my blogging, so I will pretend we were at a Halloween at Christmas Party! hahaa. we werent... but here is one pic I had to put up - Spence and I had such a fun time this Halloween coming up with costumes. We played around with a few ideas and decided to settle on '50's people!' It was so great because it was fun and simple. I borrowed a costume from my coworker and Spence pulled out his letterman jacket from his good ol days at Murray High. It was a really fun Halloween! Here we are at the Ward Halloween Party.

We also took a page from Puente's book and hit the pumpkin patch! SO fun! Spence especially loved the pumpkin thrower :)