Thinking of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Memories of Christmas past gave my heart a big smile tonight. I remember when Christmas meant everyone staying the night at Mom's house. Christmas Eve meant opening Grandma's gift, (and that usually meant pajamas for everyone)then games or movies and food until 11pm church service. I have to smile at even the things I hated doing at the time, which was putting out all the luminaries (the candles in the paper bags) and how it seemed like such a chore.

Christmas was being home. Christmas was Church on Christmas Eve with my family, and definitely the excitement and anticipation of the presents that we would open in the morning.

My brothers and I are all grown up now, and have families of our own. Mom sold that house, and moved to Texas. Most of my brothers have moved away. Things have changed so much. I'm not sure if it works for all memories the same way, but the ones I have of Christmas in my youth are so strong, and special.

It seemed that Chris fell asleep every Christmas eve at church service. And, I may be mistaken ( I really don't think I am) but it seems to me that the last hymn sung each year was Silent Night. The whole congregation gave that song special attention. I don't think there was one person that didn't join in and sing that song with all their enthusiasm, and strength. It was like magic.

For a few years Mom and Ralph were Youth Leaders. I'm not sure how they pulled it off, but they got our young men and women in the church to go caroling, and took us to the old-folks home each year. Maybe I hated that most... or liked that part most... not sure because I remember the urine smell and/or maybe the sterilization smells, but I also remember the big smiles of all the old people that we gave socks or other items. They were so happy to see us, and maybe the most thankful for something so small than anyone I have ever seen since.

I have lots of other great memories, and especially thoughts on my favorite Christmas gifts that I have received, but I will save those for another time.

I wish you all the most merryiest of Christmas'

Andrew

Now, I am just posting nonsense!

Lately I haven't done a great job of posting actual entries, and i really mean for this to be the last time. I just wanted to share this little fake-news article from The Onion.

Tiger Woods Putts Baby Into Diaper

ORLANDO, FL—Tiger Woods added yet another accomplishment to his already outstanding resume Sunday when the 13-time major winner successfully putted his baby daughter, five-month-old Sam Alexis Woods, into a fresh Huggies...

Yergensen's visit Santa

Last night we made the 26 mile journey to Provo's Universtiy Mall. Santa was there visiting as his reindeer were in town at the vetrinary clinic getting a last minute check up. Anycia, McKade, Jadyn, and Kamri all had chances to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

This is Kamri's first Christmas, and Santa was way excited to meet her.

This is my kind of contest

Couch Potato Heaven? ESPN Zone (Chicago) is having an Ultimate Couch Potato Competition. The rules are simple: sit in a comfy DreamSeat recliner in the front row of the Screening Room facing a wall of HD TVs, all showing non-stop sports programming and featuring the college bowl games. Participants can order unlimited food and beverages compliments of ESPN Zone, however they may not sleep or leave their chair and restroom breaks are permitted every eight hours. Click here to view the official rules.

My idea is that even if you lose... you still win.

Thanksgiving family picture for Mom

I talked to my mom for a second today. She had been trying to get a hold of me and then I'd tried to call her yesterday, and after a day or two of phone tag I finally got to talk to her today. She was calling to tell me Happy Birthday (yep I'm 39 now) and see if i was mad because she didn't call me on my birthday.

I must be an a$$hole, because i didn't think I'd acted like I was someone that would get mad if someone didn't call me on my birthday.

Just for the record... none of my family told me "Happy Birthday" via phone call on my birthday. (See... i do keep track of that stuff!) Except, my Dad was here in town and he told me it in person.

The kids and Holly gave me lots of cool stuff and clothes, and basketball shoes, a nice card from Aunt Carolyn, and Uncle Gene and also a nice card from my Mom in Texas. Anyway, here is the picture of our little family. Marianne took this pic.

Happy Thanksgiving (Things I am thankful for)

Ok, first, I need to say Happy Thanksgiving to anyone that is reading this. Today, Holly, AJ, Anycia, Kamri and I are having Thanksgiving at our house. Doug and Jacquie are coming over too. I will be fixing dutch oven ham, beans and cobbler. Holly is doing scalloped potatoes, and another dessert. Jacquie is bringing rolls. I will try and take pictures, and post them later.

I am thankful for lots of stuff, and this in no way is representative of all the things I am thankful for, and also, it is in no particular order.

1. All my kids. Life would definitely be so boring and even though it probably would be more restful without them, I live to see the morning smiles, get the good night hugs, and the "I love you Dad" never gets old.

2. My wife Holly. She tries real hard to at least smile when my poor attempt at humor fails miserably. Plus, she is real beautiful. Her smile always cheers me up, and her attitude is always so positive. I really am thankful also that when I just can't do another lunch of bologna sandwich, she is willing to go out to lunch with me to Don Pedros.

3. I'm thankful for my house that needs a backyard this spring. And, I am thankful for both my jobs. I'm not thankful that I have to work, but I am thankful that I'm able to work so that we can live comfortably.

4. I'm thankful for the many sports I play, and all the people that I play on those teams with. Mostly though I am thankful that my friend Shawn is my golf partner. He is pretty understanding of my golf game when it falls apart, even if we are in a tournament. Also, he takes my trash talk pretty good when somehow I miraculous put a string of shots together.

5. My brother Chris. He always takes time to call and tell me what is going on. Plus, if I ever have any handyman questions, then he is the one to answer them. I especially like his tales of late night poker, and his never-ending construction projects. I especially enjoy his enthusiasm about new things his kids Leif and Liv are into.

6. My parents, family and extended family. I'm pretty lucky. I have a real supportive group that I can email, and talk with, and Holly's family is humongous and I have really enjoyed being apart of their family. I'm real thankful that they are running some of the same events that I do, and that we are able to do family vacations and activities and it is fun to see how they all get along and really care for each other. I am thankful for my mom and her calls and letters and emails. I'm also thankful for my dad and how he can listen to me ramble on sometimes about stuff I know he really isn't interested in hearing about.

Utah vs BYU

November 20, 1993 Utah at BYU
Utah wins 34-31
This ought to refresh your memory a bit.
Found this for Chris. Still gives me chills after all these years.
(Watch the BYU mascot turn and watch the ball hit the net)

Today Kamri goes to the Dr. Office

Today, Andy and I had to run Kamri to the Doctor. The past week or so Kamri has been playing this little game called "Scream at the top of your lungs for 2 hours straight. " She likes to play this game every night right about bed time.

Of course we have thought we were doing things wrong, like eating spicy foods or having too much dairy. It also occurred to me that maybe she was having a different problem, like an ear-ache or something else. She is usually so happy, and calm most the day.

Wasatch Pediatric has really good Doctors. We like them all, but maybe Dr. Monica Schaffer is our favorite. Today she explained that almost all babies will go through this "cry for 2 hours" period.

Then, she went on to explain the symptoms of a colic baby and how it seemed to her that Kamri was just being a typical baby. For us, the worry was over, for Kamri, the fun was just beginning.

Dr. Schaffer took Kamri's temperature (anal) and took her weight (11 pounds now). She checked her ears, her breathing, and also checked her reflexes. Everything checked out fine. It turns out we were just being a little overprotective.

Kamri is over 6 weeks old now. Dr. Schaffer said we could count on this same routine for the next 6 weeks or so. Oh joy!