New Mascot

What is a Billiken? It is the newest, in a long line of unique college mascots that have been part of Bryce's life. For those who don't already know, Bryce has accepted a job as an Assistant Professor of Theater and Technical Director at St. Louis University and will start this fall.

For more information about what a Billikin is, click on this link: http://www.slubillikens.com/trads/billiken.html

Here are other college mascots that Bryce has had over the years:

Info on what a Saluki is: http://siusalukis.cstv.com/ot/saluki-mascot.html

Info about the Aggie Big Blue: http://www.usu.edu/traditions/bigblue/index.cfm

Info about Buster Badger: http://www.snowbadgers.com/traditions/mascot.shtml

Owen's Dump Truck

Here is video clip of Owen riding his dump truck that Grandma & Grandpa Allen gave him for Christmas. It was the first time that we took it outside to play and Owen was the happiest little boy. He rode it all over the place for about a half-hour - which is a long time for him to stay focused on one activity.

Look out world, here we come!

So in many ways this week has been miserable, with colds and stomach flu all around, but some rather cute pictures have come out of it. So, last night I was not up to cooking - I had been home all day, not feeling well - so Bryce picked up some Chinese take out (which I like way too much). We gave some to Owen and couldn't understand why he kept throwing a temper tantrum because he usually loves Chinese, until we finally realized what he kept pointing to - the Chop Sticks. Here are a couple pictures of him trying to eat with Chop Sticks:

Later that evening, Owen decided that he wanted to get his tool box (full of wooden blocks) out, and he was quite determined to do so, and keep a hold of his blanket. This picture doesn't do the even justice, but it was cute anyway:

Also, to top off the cute pictures that I've taken this week, here's a picture of Bryce taken this morning as he prepared to head off to school for his mock-interview and portfolio presentation. Isn't he handsome?

Precious Little Boy

Tonight I felt like I might be accomplishing something as a parent.  We sat down for FHE and we were learning about Heavenly Father's Plan for us (Lesson 2 from the nursery manual).  Owen didn't pay much attention to the picture of a mom, dad, and baby, but as soon as I showed him a picture of Jesus with some children he pointed and said "Jesus" (or as close as he's able to at this point).  It made me so very, very happy that my little boy was able to recognize and name a picture of his Savior.  I know that I'm not a perfect mom, but if my son is learning about Jesus I am doing something right.

By the way, here are a couple pictures that I took of Owen this afternoon.  It's hard to get him to pose (or even look at the camera) very often any more, but I succeeded today.  He's a cute little boy and has a very contagious smile.

Christmas Time Epistle

Christmas time has been very busy, but wonderful this year.  Our friend Leslie drove us to the airport on Dec 17th and we flew to Denver then into Salt Lake City.  We stayed that first night with Bryce's family, and had a big sleepover with everyone - Grandma & Grandpa Allen, Bryce, Owen and Me, Aunt StacyAnn, Uncle Craig and Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Jonathan, and Uncle Garrett.  It was the first time that the whole family had been together since Craig left on his mission over 4 years ago, so it was a very enjoyable night.  Because of the time on the airplane and in the car, Owen's schedule was completely thrown off, so even he stayed up until almost midnight, and the rest of us stayed up playing games as long as we could.

The next day my mom and sisters (Grandma Royer, Aunt Nita, Aunt Emily, and Aunt Mary) picked us up and we went to Brigham City to visit with Grandma & Grandpa Christensen for a couple of days.  On Saturday (Dec 19th), Uncle Danny, Aunt Aleena and Cousin Memphis came up to Brigham City as well and we had a birthday party for Grandpa Christensen (his 80th birthday) since none of us were going to be able to go to the party that Grandma was throwing for him after Christmas.  We had a wonderful party and a wonderful visit. 

Sunday morning we left Brigham City, traveled to Pleasant Grove, where we went to church with Aunt Julie and Uncle Monte.  After church we traveled the rest of the way to Blanding, where we had a had a nice visit for about a week and a half.  We were there on the 23rd when Uncle Bradley came home from his mission and on Christmas.  It was fun watching Owen figure out how to open Christmas presents and play with all of his new books and toys.  I also enjoyed being able to spend the day with my family, since we haven't spend Christmas day with my family since we got married 6 years ago.  Christmas afternoon we went sledding and Owen loved the snow.  He even went down the hill a couple of times with just his snow suit.  We stayed in Blanding until the 30th, then drove the Jeep (which is driving perfectly by the way) up to Kaysville.  We are still in Kaysville now, after having a wonderful New Years and we are looking forward to staying here until the end of the week at least. 

I don't have all of my pictures uploaded to the computer yet, but here are a few of the ones that I have so far this year.

Owen reading with Uncle Benny and Aunt Emily - he found a book at Grandma Royer's house that had a train on the back and he wanted everyone to read it to him.

Grandpa Royer trying to look meek after Christmas Dinner.

The Royer Family Singers - we sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" in church the week that Bradley spoke after his mission.

The Royer Family: Top Row - Jennie, Bryce, Owen, Bradley, Benny, D.J. Middle Row - Uncle David, Grandma Mary, Uncle Eric, Grandpa Royer (Bruce), Grandma Royer (Peggy). Bottom Row - Sandy, Mary, Emily, Nita