Finally! A Normal Sized Tree

For 12 years Brian and I have only had a 4 foot Christmas tree. Perhaps it is because we have moved so much, or possibly the limited space in the various apartments and houses we have lived in. Well, last year in the after Christmas sales, we finally busted forth and bought a 'normal' sized Christmas tree. So, I had to share a photo of it!

For family home evening Nya and I decorated the tree together, while Brian and Corbin set up the "evil" Christmas village. I don't have any idea what made it "evil" But they sure had a great time setting it up and talking about how the carolers were going to kill the snowman. Maybe it's a guy thing??

Nya's Baptism

Well, Nya was baptized last Saturday, so I just wanted to post a couple pics. She was so happy! A couple nights before the baptism as she said her night prayers she said, "Heavenly Father I am so excited to be baptized and receive The Gift of The Holy Ghost."

As a mother, it was a very proud moment. I keep thinking, 'Man, thank heavens she's so much smarter than I was at her age!' The only things I remember about my baptism were my new pink dress and getting my ears pierced afterwards. The actual ordinance is a blur. Have you seen the commercial where the waitress thumps a guy in the forehead for being such an idiot? It would have been nice to have that waitress around when I was baptised! Over the past couple days I have found Nya writing in her journal several times. I'm so proud of her.

It was also a very great experience for Brian. This was the first baptism he has ever been able to perform. He served his mission in Southern France and they aren't exactly diving into the font over there.

Australia

Over the weekend my mother in law, mom, dad, and I went to see the movie Australia. I have to say it was fantastic! It was actually shot in Australia, so the scenery was incredible. The acting was great;and the movie was very well written.

My favorite thing about the movie was the little aboriginal boy they cast as 'Nullah.' He was darling! From what I understand this was his first time acting, but you couldn't tell. He did a great job. I really liked Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman as well.

The movie is pretty lengthy, (about three hours) but the story is so fantastic that the time just flies by. The following is how about.com described the film.

"A romantic action-adventure set in northern Australia prior to World War II, 'Australia' centers on an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a ranch the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle driver (Hugh Jackman) to drive 2000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country’s most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier. With his new film, director-writer-producer Baz Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together romance, drama, adventure and spectacle."

After the travesty of Twilight, I think the box office has redeemed itself a little in my eyes.