.Thanks 2009

This morning when Air woke me up before he left for work, I think I yelled back at him, "It's New Years tonight!" and then I'm fairly certain that I proceeded to tell him about the game which I had invented in my sleep.

He must've asked me what the game was, because I was telling him it's a type of "group rock paper scissors", where everyone uses both hands and you go around the circle and you can choose to take out anyone else's hand that you'd like; and you'd get certain hidden prizes for each hand that you choose. It was a really good idea at the time. In fact, I think I was dreaming about this game for the entire night. I was trying to figure out who I could get to play it with me...

Funny how that was the most important thing in the world to me this morning...

It's truly amazing how dreams let us escape reality for a little while. But what's even more amazing to me is the fact that I don't even really need an escape from my reality. Sometimes I think my reality is a dream.

Life isn't perfect, but it is so much fun! Being with Air this year has been the best time of my life.

Thank you hunny.


Happy New Year everyone!

2010... the year of the Gusa's? I hope so!

{anyone wanna play rock paper scissors with me?}

.

.Christmas Faces

We got spoiled once again this year.

Josh drew my name and got me a cute yellow hoodie (above). Tara drew Air’s name and got him this sweet blue hoodie:

Another highlight gift: Tam got a snuggie from her Grandma… and loved it! haha

But like I’ve said before… my favorite thing about Christmas is seeing people’s faces when they open gifts from me!

My sister Heather and her family down in Utah… getting the gift we mailed down for them: Ker Plunk. They are so cute!

Hi guys!

Air sporting his handsome new church coat from me

Air’s Mom hugging her gift from us: a ‘rain’ shower head and socks

Tessa opening her gift from us: a power adapter for her iPod touch and jewelry

Boy oh boy, those faces make it all worthwhile don’t they!??

Later, after the usual Christmas "lounging around the house for hours playing with our new things" we went sledding! Tons of fun!




We put together this puzzle and played games for the rest of the night. Thanks for sending us the fun puzzle Mom!

Made me miss home just a little :)



I wish this day could last forever. See you next year, Christmas!


.

.The eve of the day

On Christmas Eve we thought Air would be working all through Christmas. We were sad, but also grateful that he could get some more hours in while he's out of school for a few weeks.
We were both surprised when he got to go home early and have Christmas off (with pay)! It was so exciting!

So we went down to Beaumont to spend it with the family!

We had tons of good food and then talked about the story of Christ's birth from the scriptures

And frosted cookies

We all drove around and looked at some Christmas lights

We have so much snow! It's crazy!

When we got back home the pajama elf had stopped by with matching pj's for every girl and boy!

**WARNING: there are a lot of cute matching Gusa's from here down**

Can't say I didn't warn you!

.

.Dear Elisa,

Hey big sis! Do you remember this?




I found these pictures from 2003. They made me giggle.
I'll miss you this Christmas! I hope you have a really really good one with the family. Tell all of the niece-phews that I love 'em ok?


Love me, Amber

.What it’s about

*nativity display at Temple Square Dec 2008

It’s about this. It’s about everything that He did for us, and the fact that the only way we can give something back to Him is by giving to each other.

Giving a gift to someone and seeing that look of excitement on their face brings so much joy! This year I'm going to bask in the happiness and excitement I see in people's faces when they open gifts. Especially the gifts from me.
I don’t doubt that the joy I feel is just a small reflection of the joy that God feels when he sees us accept his gifts for us with excitement.
I, also, don't doubt that He has given us a lot! A whole lot!

One of those gifts being families

Luckily there were only some minor injuries last year.

On holidays like Christmas I know I have reason to celebrate, but sometimes I don't think about those real reasons as much as I think about all of the other hubbub going on. Those traditional things are really fun and everything... but I think it's important to have more meaning in our lives.

“The unexamined life is not worth living”

.......................................................... ~Socrates