6,500+ Freshman students admitted:

Been hard at work running the first big freshman deadline files. From Dec 1-Jan 15 I've been working hard with my team at work to process all the freshman in the 1st batch by Jan 15th. Well, mission accomplished. Below is the picture of me with all the decision letters for the U of U. Mind you, there are only about 2,000 or so in this picture. We did over 6,500!

Talia playing, Jan 2014, 20 months old:

It's been warmer this January with little to no snow storms and averaging 37-47 degrees outside so we've taken Talia out to play every day. She loves the new yard and the space to run around in. I thought I'd post some pictures that I've taken this month:

Unpacking Living Room done:

With the new year we want to unpack each room in the house and deep clean. This weekend we did the living room. Chairs donated to us from my grandma Nola and grandpa Ronald:

Car Accident - Big Red smooshed

Poor Big Red. Our new car that we just got last month- smooshed. McCord accidentally t-boned a '94 blue car yesterday when trying to pass a bus. Don't worry, thankfully, we are all ok!! Everyone is ok. McCord was the only one in the car and neither he or the other lady were injured. Cars looked pretty bad though. We do have excellent insurance so we are hoping they will pay for the damages and we will only need to pay the $250 deductible. I've attached pictures of our poor Big Red just in case we need them in the future. Big Red is totaled. Sad to see him go.

Good news is we got a replacement car which is basically the same car only newer, less miles, and runs better. Jan 26th we purchased our 2001 Isuzu Rodeo (silver).

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

2014 has arrived! 2013 was a huge success with the goals that we accomplished. I like to write down our goals mostly for personal reasons, so here are ours and some of mine for 2014:

Personal Goals:

- listen to 1 conference talk every month at least

- read 1 book this year (probably shadow of the Hegemon)

- scripture study every day

- family prayers every day

- personal prayers daily

- play clix with McCord once a semester.

- monthly service to another person

- raise at work

Family Goals:

- 1 family activity each month

- reading books 5 times a week

- FHE every week

- Family Chore Chart

- family vacation

Couple Goals:

- romantic weekend

- FHE every week

- couples prayer daily if we can

- save $300 for baby #2

- 1 weekend night each month at home together or more if we can.

New Years Eve 2013 into 2014

New Years Eve was quiet here at home this year. Talia played a lot outside since it's been warm and she likes to run around in her jacket and explore. After 8 when Talia was asleep, McCord and I watched some romantic comedies reminiscing about the past year, how blessed we are, and what we wanted to do the next year.

Come midnight, we had our own little firework time. ;-)

Here is a picture of our very simple New Year's Eve dinner: (instant potatoes, Mac and cheese, lime orange jello)

Christmas 2013

Christmas preparations continued...

List of preparations that we have done today:

- shovel the walks

- empty the bathroom boxes and put up the towel racks

- vacuum front room

- vacuum basement

- shopping at: Target, Smiths, Lowe's, Walmart, Dollar Store, Batteries +, And the comic shop.

- Gift Wrapping!!

- finishing touches on Christmas decorating.

And then the usual things I do each weekend:

- cook food for the week

- laundry

- dishes - done!

- bathrooms clean and stocked

- nap time brings precious moments:

Snow Day!

They called a snow day here in Salt Lake. I got off work 2 hrs early and we came home and played in the snow.

Here are some pictures of Talia this month of December that I wanted to blog and save:

FAMILY PICTURES 2013

Christmas preparations:

As Christmas rolls around each year, we realize that we don't have much in the way of decorations. We've spent more of the small Christmas funds on family, others in need, and friends in need. This year is no different. We have simple decorations to express our love for the season and our love for Jesus Christ.

This year I thought I would document how excited we are for Christmas in our new house! The preparations began and are continuing until the big day:

1- The first week in December we read the Nativity story and put up the Nativity set that my grandma and grandpa Barker made for us when we got married:

2- the next week we put up our Christmas tree that we got last year. 2012 we didn't even have time or space to put up the tree. 2010 we bought a $6 1 ft tall plastic Charlie Brown tree. 2007-2010 we didnt have a tree at all. This year our awesome 7 ft prelit tree is wonderful, even with some of the lights gone out. 😉

3- Stockings are hung by "the chimney" with care. Talia picked hers out today. Mine was made for me when I was quite young by my grandma and grandpa barker. McCord picked his out when he was 2 yrs old.

4- emails to Santa

5- cookie baking

6- Christmas village

7- Christmas movies! Each year I try to get in all my favorite Christmas movies. I usually have them on while doing house chores so I can get through them all. Here's my movie list:

- It's A Wonderful Life

- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

- The Santa Clause

- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

- Home Alone

- A Muppet Christmas Carol

- Charlie Brown Christmas

- White Christmas (1950s)

Craig Day (Dad) 50th Bday!

Happy Birthday to my dad!  Recent picture of my dad:

For his birthday, my dad wanted to do what Brigham Young did and give presents to his children.  He and my mom forked over the money to rent 2 gorgeous suites at a hotel in Salt Lake City for the whole family to sleep in.  They took all of us out to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory!  It was awesome.  He also took the whole family and grandchildren to the Children's Museum in downtown Salt Lake.  The birthday bash was just awesome!  We all had so much fun!  Pictures below are my favorite ones that we took.
My dad is so amazing.  He's worked so hard his whole life to provide us with material and spiritual needs.  He's truly one of the best dad's in this whole world.  He's what every dad should be.  We all love you so much, dad.  What a wonderful childhood we all had and what a wonderful father and grandfather you are still!  Love, Lisa.

Joseph's Home from Argentina:

Happy Birthday McCord 30

For McCord's 30th birthday I threw an awesome party with full dinner and we invited all his friends. It was super fun and we had a good turn out. I made fetachini Alfredo and also a meat sauce.

We also went out for a nice dinner/date night on the weekend. We went to Tucanos and saw Thor 2. It was super yummy and such a wonderful night out.

Presents:

1- McCord's siblings pitched in and got us the beautiful trim that is in our kitchen. 

2- McCord's parents gave us a disposal for Christmas and for his bday.

3- my parents gave us new blinds for our front room so we can have some privacy in our new home.

4- I gave him his Cable collectible statue that now sits in the den. I purchased it from the comic shop.

Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart. I love you so much babe!

McCord & SL Lions in Newspaper!