Do you like my new background?? My oldest daughter has a little too much time on her hands. After personalizing her own blog, she decided that mine needed an update. I think it is very cute. Other than the fact that I am feeling lost in a technological generation gap (she also made it possible for people to comment on my page), I am very grateful for her assistance.

Found My Rose!!

YEAH!! I finally found the rose that I have been trying to find for years. When I moved into this house, I bought a rose called Joesph's Coat. I just planted in a pot, waiting for when we did a little landscaping. It bloomed and it was beautiful, but then it died the next winter. When I had a place to plant it, I tried to find it, but couldn't. I found it today! I hope it grows and is very pretty!

Victim of Identity Theft

Due to testing at work, Jeff was required to shave his beard for the first time in 8 years. We were all so excited, we dragged him into the bathroom and took turns with the razor ( a little scary to have a razor at your neck being wielded by a 5 year old...). It was a family event! Allie and Gabe have never seen Jeff without a beard. Gabe said he looked scary. Truly a moment to remember in the Stout household.

Merry Christmas to All and to all a goodnight!

We have arrived at the end of another Christmas Day. This was a very good Christmas, everyone was happy with presents and with one another. We spent the day in family harmony. Perhaps it was the unexpected addition of extended family on this day; my sister, Kristina and her husband Chad, joined us today.
We are so grateful for this day. We are grateful for the birth of the Savior. We are grateful for the light and life that he brought to this world 2,000 years ago and continues to bring every day. We are grateful for his sacrifice that brings peace and hope to a troubled soul. We hope that this day has brought all of you peace, joy and happiness.

Where did Christmas Start?

Gabe announced today that he has determined in which state Christmas started. He said "Christmas started in the state of Germany. I used to think that it started in Bethlehem, but now I know that it started in Germany." He wouldn't reveal his source. Hmmm, maybe I need to work on a few things.

Brrrrr!

Brrrrr! After months of blazing sun and heat, the cold weather has finally arrived. It is drizzly, windy and cold today. I am grateful for the cold weather. It feels a little more like Christmas when you have a tingle in your toes and a nip on your nose! Thank goodness for hot chocolate.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we headed out to the traditional family gathering of aunts, uncles and cousins in the not so traditional location of Carlsbad. Unfortunately for us, we underestimated thanksgiving day traffic. After 2 1/2 hours in the car, we were in Anaheim in the midst of never ending stop and go traffic and 60 miles to go. We took a family vote and decided to head home and have a non-traditional Thanksgiving. We ate aebleskeevers, a family favorite, for dinner and had a great day.


We returned to tradition the following day and headed to the beach with three extra kids in tow. The Busco children accompanied us to give their parents an easy day with their one week old sister. It was a beautiful day at the beach. It was a little nippy, but that didn't stop the kids from going in the water!