Last week was such a reflection of President Hinckley's life for me, I wanted to say a few things. There were probably 10 pages devoted to him in both the SL trib and the herald. I read both. I listened to news stories, tried to see the viewing (by the time we got there on Friday it was as 3-4 hour wait outside and we knew that just wouldn’t go with Parker so we went home) and I watched the funeral on Saturday. I was thankful to live in Salt Lake at this time because I really felt a sense of community with his passing and not just with LDS members. He touched so many lives because of his attitude of friendship and inclusion- because he reached out to those of other faiths and sought the media and sought to help the world understand us. The whole community mourned his death, and yet they celebrated it and that was the most touching thing. In fact it makes me teary now. There was nothing to mourn about his passing, yes, we will miss him tremendously, his wit and his wisdom, but his passing was this joyous occasion, a time of great gratitude for a man who gave so much to help so many. He truly touched my life. The funeral was so incredibly beautiful. I can’t even explain the emotion I felt as I listened to the speakers talk about different stories of remembrance- funny, touching, uplifting, optimistic. And then at the end the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang and they showed some film of his life and I just started to absolutely bawl. To see the Prophet whom I have grown to love, his quirky smile and kind way, the way that he reached out to children, dedicating temples, speaking to people all over the world, walking hand in hand with his wife- to see those images was so emotional to me. How I love him!! I bawled like I do not remember bawling. And yet not in sorrow, but in great great gratitude for our prophet, to have lived at a time when I was able to hear the words and be influenced by such an amazing man. The gratitude overwhelmed me and came out in great gushes of tears. Parker was napping and Spencer was at school. It was a very tender and sacred moment for me. As Spencer and I were driving downtown on Saturday there was a huge billboard that had a big picture of him and the dates of his life and then on a marquee of a small local business were the words “Thank you President Hinckley” It made me cry. Because that is how I feel completely, how so many of us feel – Thank you President Hinckley.

Christmas in Mexico

Well this post is a long time in coming, sorry. The Atkinson family took us to Mexico for Christmas. It was awesome. Everyone came but Greg who is on his mission: mom and dad; Spencer, Parker and I; Angie and Ajay; Bry and Mindy; KC, Haylee. It was a different Christmas than normal-no snow, minimal presents- it was great. We had experiences that we will remember forever-like that HUGE spider that Haylee, mom, Angie and I tripped over each other screaming and trying to get away from it—it really was chasing us! Playing games at night with the family- Scategories that we made up categories for like old flings and things Spencer thinks of, places Erin has been, things that make Haylee happy, etc. Rumicube and an occasional game of Phase 10. I loved our discussions at night. Just being with Ajay and Angie, running with Angie in the mornings through the town and listening to her say “Buenos Dias” so sweetly to everyone and with such clarity. I loved seeing the LDS chapel and having it be so familiar. Talking with the Mexican saints and feeling automatically connected despite the fact that I didn’t even understand what they were saying. Trying to learn Spanish, trying to understand what people were saying and kind of talking spaniglish to each other. Making a goal AGAIN to learn it. Eating Mexican food, and paying for bottled water. Spencer’s obsession with the tacoria’s and horchata. Eating at the Café in Merida, the tacqueria in Progresso, the hotel restaurant. Loving the beans and the chicken fajitas. Learning about the ruins and having the Book of Mormon take on a new meaning- understanding better who the people really were and what that book is about. Walks on the beach with Parker, picking up shells and playing in the sand. Christmas morning, refreshingly very few presents, talking about our thoughts on Christmas out on the back porch with the waves in the background and being touched by so much of what people said. Dad’s testimony. Angie’s tears. Ajay’s experience. Kc’s expression of gratitude. Haylee’s school service that really was so beautiful. Spencer’s thoughts on parenting. My mom’s sweetness and Bryant and Mindy just being there. My favorite part and a Christmas I will remember forever.

Christmas Video

For Christmas Grandpa and Grandma Atkinson are taking us all (all Atkinson siblings and families) to Mexico. We leave tomorrow and are so excited- pictures to follow. But because we won't be here for Christmas we are celebrating today as a Clegg family- here are some of the events of the day (besides going scuba diving in prep for Mexico!)

Fall Video

Fall Days with Mommy

Parker and I have been enjoying the beautiful fall days. Since we don't have much of a yard we go over to the church parking lot and run around. Parker loves it.

My Favorite Things

Parker loves to take the milk out of the fridge. Then he loves trying to screw the caps on and off.

He also loves to climb inside the fridge and take everything out that he can.

Especially his sippy cup.

But most of all he just LOVES making messes.

Halloween

For Halloween we were the BAT FAMILY. It was a fun Halloween. Parker didn't quite "get" it but he loved the attention his costume gave him and the candy he got to eat!

Batman, Batwoman and our little helper, Robin. Doesn't he look tough! Growl!

Every year my mom makes soup and puts it in these pumpkin soup bowls and we have a big Halloween party. It was fun this year. We did it outside in the backyard and it was beautiful. Here is the crew.. Basics L-R Haylee and her friend Abby, Bryant and Mindy and a neighbor girl, Josha, Tasha, and Asher, Aaron and Jessie Kerr with kids (jessie on the bottom), Jenny and David and boys, Spence, me and Parker, Sierra, Art and boys.

Haylee eating a soup bowl, texting (of course) and dressed as a butterfly

We had a little donut eating contest with the kids- eating them off of strings. Parker couldn't quite get a handle on it but he loved watching the bigger kids eat theirs!

Mom and Robin AKA- Parker

Bobbing for Apples. The record was 2 seconds- David Butler. I did it in 7.

Parker with an ENTIRE donut hole in his mouth. Ht's so funny-he wants his hands free so he just STUFF everything in his mouth so he can move around.

Eli as Spiderman and Sierra behind him as the web.