Historical day

Today was a historical moment in our lives. No, it wasn't as historical as yesterday when Rod was actually following instructions how to put something together. I witnessed it, but was too slow to take a picture. So, I'm marking that as something special and in our 22 years of marriage, probably never happened before. Yes, I'm writing that in my journal as "miracles never cease to happen".

Today, nevertheless, was almost as historical. Our stake boundaries, or should I say, our ward boundaries in our stake got re-alligned, and we, the 7th ward, got a new bishopric. I'm sad to say that some of our great friends were taken from us, and some that we don't know yet were added on. As the Young Women's president in our ward, I get to have lots and lots of new girls in my organization (if they don't release me first...maybe wishful thinking from my part). I'm excited about this possibility because we have only 8 girls right now. Then to our new bishopric. Bishop Hyde has been a great bishop for the last 5 year, but it was his time to go, so today we received the good news. Brother Harman is our new bishop. Yea for that! He is a great man and we all have grown to love him. He was the first counselor in the old bishopric so it is very fitting that he is the new bishop. His 1st counselor is Brother Sorensen. The Sorensen's moved to our ward just this past fall and we have quickly grown to love them as well. His wife is my advisor in Laurels, and their daughter is one of the Mia Maids. Love them all. The 2nd counselor is Brother Ausbacher (sp?), and when he stood up in the crowd today, he looked like he was a young man with a couple of young kids. I'm sure he will be great as well. So, there you have it. New and exciting things happening in our lives. Now onward with the good work.

5-4-3-2-1-2009

Once again the New Year's Eve was celebrated at the Williams. As tradition dictates, we ate too much, played lots of games (where I was always the biggest loser), and told our futures for next year via solder horseshoes.

Here are Katie's, Steve's and Carsen's futures for 2009:



Rod's, Marja's and Alex's futures for 2009:



Katie's future for 2009: New grand-baby
Katie's resolution for 2009: To keep Steve safe from accidents



Carsen's future for 2009: "No money"
Carsen's resolution for 2009: Don't want to get hurt anymore



Marja's future for 2009: A NEW CAR
Marja's resolution for 2009: To get healthy and not to eat anything with a face (I hear a vegan diet calling...)



Steve's future for 2009: Airplane
Steve's resolution for 2009: Not to get into accidents



Alex's future for 2009: Money, lots and lots of money
Alex's resolution for 2009: "Hmm.."



Rod's future for 2009: Golf club with money
Rod's resolution for 2009: "It is too personal"

And so, a new year is ahead of us. What will it bring? Hopefully lots of joy, happiness, love and laughter. Thanks Steve and Katie for a fun night. We will be back for breakfast in the morning (just couldn't eat all the food that we prepared).

One more movie before New Years

We saw Marley & Me last night. What a tear-jerker. Even Alex cried, and that's saying something. Oh my gosh! The best pet movie, EVER! One of our neighbors was there and I gave him a tissue before going in. He is the biggest animal lover you will ever meet, and he was a total mess after the movie. Loved the movie (especially because it was set in Florida....aaahhhh the warmth). You will cry, so you are now forewarned.


Next up after the New Years: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Seven Pounds"

Movie Marathon still continues

Here is my critic's corner of the following 3 movies we saw over the last week's Christmas break:


Bedtime Stories: I thought this was a fun movie for kids. Rod fell asleep, I stayed awake (I sleep in Harry Potter movies). Alex enjoyed it. Some predictable characters that show up in all of Adam Sandler's movies.


Valkyrie: Rod read about the happenings during the WWII in Germany and told me that it was very accurate in this movie. Alex had a lot of questions after the movie so be prepared if you are taking your kids to it. Better find out the answers, too. The fake eye gives a nice touch to the movie.


Yes Man: DO NOT TAKE YOUR KIDS UNDER 15 TO THIS MOVIE! Alex sat there with his eyes and ears plugged while Rod and I sat there uncomfortably. Should have walked out, but didn't.

No more pop corn for us. The oil gets sickening after 2 movies.

Next up: Marley & Me

Hanging out at the Ranches

About 15-17 years ago when we didn't have kids, one of the couples we used to hang out with were Kandi and Tyler. For some reason, over the years we lost touch with them until a couple of years ago we saw them at indoor soccer games and vowed to keep in touch. When the indoor soccer season ended, nothing. This December I contacted Kandi (yea Facebook) and we made a date. That was last night. We drove through a snow storm to the Ranches, got lost and I suggested we could ask somebody, but because I had two men in the car, that was not the choice they opted for. We finally found the house. We walked in and it felt like we just saw them last week. We picked up where we left off years ago. We had a great dinner, great conversation and then pulled out the board games. We had a super fun night. In 15 years, Kandi and Tyler have had 4 kids: Tyson 13, Daxton 11, London (I call her Lontoo) 8.5 and Crew 2.5.


Kandi and Tyler playing "Ticket to Ride". Really fun board game. Rod won, I lost (but I had the longest train, so that's something)


Tyler had made rice pudding that was really yummy. I brought cookies, and the boys had a marvelous idea of combining the two: Rice pudding cookie sandwiches.


Tyson eating his rice pudding cookie.


Miss London (Lontoo). Funny girl, constantly talking, and the winner of "Apples to Apples".

Thanks Kandi and Tyler for a fun, fun night. Love you guys. See you in January.

Silent Night, Yummy Night

On Christmas Eve night Craig, Whitney, Elle and Chris came to our house to have our traditional Christmas Dinner. This year I introduced "Rosolli" into the menu (the whole menu will be Finnish..eventually). Whitney liked it, the others tolerated it and Rod hated it. Of course we had Glögi as the welcoming warm drink. For 1st course we had smoked gravlax, boiled potatoes and rosolli. For the main course we had ham, mashed potatoes (next year this will be a Finnish potato casserole along with carrot and rutabaga casseroles), gravy, peas and corn, yams, and home made rolls. Everything was so yummy if I may say so myself. After opening the presents, Whitney served us with cranberry coffee cake and apple crisp. So, so delicious. The Finnish alternative with hot rice pudding and "väskynäsoppa" (fruit soup with dried fruit) wouldn't have hit the spot, and never will, and this will never be introduced to the menu...ever.


My mom sent this beautiful Christmas reindeer to me for Christmas. I have always wanted one, and now I have one. Thank you mom!


Craig and Whitney before dinner.


Rod, Chris, Craig, Whitney, Alex and Elle during dinner.

Alex and Elle waiting to open all the presents.

Winter blues

We got 6 inches of snow in 5 hours today. I spent 10 minutes shoveling the snow, and came to the conclusion that I would like to be traveling with the Obamas today. Aloha, anyone?? Reality bites.

Our Little Lord Fauntleroy

Sunday was one of Alex's name days, Tuomas. According to our tradition, he gets a breakfast in bed (here Alex is eating pizza from last night, and a Diet Coke), and a gift. Alex received a really nice basketball bag for his name day. Happy Name Day, Alexander Tuomas!

Back-breaking work and a big loss

Saturday started early with baking and baking and more baking when I made karjalanpiirakoita (Karelian rice pies) for 6 hours. I ended up with 80 of them, 40 rice and 40 potato ones. They are so delicious, but so hard to make. I thought I would faint towards the end. But I survived. We will have them for breakfast and lunch on Christmas Eve. Yummy.



BYU played against Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl. We had a big party at our house and the Williams' came, so did Daniel S. and Steve S. By that time I was exhausted and crashed on my bed...along with Katie and Ali.


Katie and Ali and I crashed on our bed watching TV.


Alex and Carsen wanted to join us on the bed, but we told them "no! Go to the Man Cave downstairs where you belong with the other men folk."


The Man Cave. Steve W., Daniel S, Rod and Steve S.

BYU lost 21-31 to ASU. Lucky we didn't travel to Vegas this year.

Jorge needs no help

Yesterday I went to Jorge's room to give him some Christmas presents that he would be taking with him to Mexico on Friday morning. There was a suitcase in the middle of the room already packed. I was asked by Jorge's mom, Mary, to help Jorge pack for the trip home. Obviously my help was not needed and I realized quickly that Jorge's packing was a lot better than mine. I don't think I've ever seen a suitcase that was better packed than Jorge's. He is ready for his trip home. For sure. We are going to miss him. His mom is going to be so happy.