Christmas Letter

We wish all our family and friends a Merry Christmas, and hope that 2008 has been a good one. This year has brought us a lot of joy! Here are some of the events that have taken place:

•  Brooklynn Page born March 14, 2008 (we feel so blessed to have her in our home).
  
• In April Derek graduated from BYU-I in Physics.
• Janel finished teaching first grade the end of May, and now is loving being able to stay home and run the house.
• In June we moved to Michigan, where Derek is now working on his PhD in Biophysics (where we love our new ward and new friends).

As we look forward to 2009 we hope that we will be able to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and remember our purpose in this life.  We hope that all of you have a great holiday season and we hope to hear from you.

with love,

Derek, Janel, & Brooklynn

9 Month Brooklynn

I almost made the title of this post "Brooklynn the Explorer" because she is at the stage where she is getting into everything.  I think she has explored every inch of our house. I love this stage so much. Is there some kind of button I can press to help slow down the process of her growing?

HuBbY TaG!!!

1. Where did you meet? First time we met we were playing Ultimate Frisbee, and than later we were in the same singles ward at BYU-I.
2. How long did you date before you were married? We dated for 3 months, and then we were engaged for 3 months. We were pretty dang fast, but when it's right...it's right!
3. How long have you been married? 2 in a half years
4.What does he do that surprises you? he likes to make me gifts. Last year he made me 3 tile pictures of Christ, and this year he is working on a big project for Christmas, and I have no idea what it is but I sure can't wait to get it.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? Hmm...he has so many:) but the first time I saw him his big smile really stood out to me...so his SMILE
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He will do anything to get me laughing, and he does a great job at it, even when I am in a mad mood and I don't want to laugh he always finds some way to get me to laugh. He also has a huge heart and is kind to everyone.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? sugums
8. Does he have a favorite color? blue
9. What is his favorite food? Mexican
10. What is his favorite sport? to play is ultimate, to watch college football
11. When was your first kiss? The way it happen might sound really boring but I remember thinking it was the perfect kiss. I think we had been dating for like a month, we were just studying in my lounge and it was not planned it just happened it was as simple as that, and Derek actually tried once before this (that's another story for another time).
12. Favorite thing to do as a couple? Running together (whenever we can), projects, games, reading together, and skiing together (to bad we only get to do that every once in a while)
13. Do you have any children? Yes, our daughter Brooklynn who is 8 months old.
14. Does he have a hidden talent? He can sleep with his eyes open!
15. How old is he?24
16. Who said I love you first? he did
17. What's his favorite music? hmm...i think acoustic
18. What do you admire most about him? He is always striving to be better, which makes me want to be better!
19. Do you think that he will read this? If I tell him about it, definitely.

I tag anyone that wants to do this. Come on...who doesn't want to brag about their husband. This is a fun one to do!

Thanksgiving in TN

The above picture is my sister Janae. She flew in to stay with us a few days before we went to TN. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I just love this holiday. It's such a relaxed holiday. What can be better than spending time with family, eating delicious food, playing tons a games, and football!!! We spent it with my family, and everyone was there except David, my brother Ammon and his family. We missed you guys! My Grandma & Grandpa Hale flew in from Utah. It was such a treat to have them with us. Oh yea us girl got to see Twilight finally, and I loved it!

Here is my brother Aaron and his twin boys. I FINALLY got to meet them. Their even cuter in person and the sweetest babies.

Sisters!

GAMES! GAMES! GAMES!

Here is Aaron and Haley. I just think this picture is so cute. It was so neat to see these two with their twins their so calm about everthing. They do a great job!

Me and my neice Emma. I just LOVE this cute girl! Emma has a hard time with saying Brooklynn so she calls her Broccoli...pretty funny.

Helping Brooklynn get to know her cousins.

Brooklynn and Grandpa!