Merry Christmas

It is usually about this time that I start feeling guilty that I have not sent out Christmas letters to all of our friends and family. This year I thought perhaps instead of mailing out our letter, I would post our Christmas Letter to my blog and link it through Facebook. If your curious and have time on your hands, you can check out what life at our house is like by perusing other posts. (Most recently Christmas Tree Games )

Farris Family 2011

It has been a really fun year for our family full of ups and downs.  I hesitate to write about all the wonderful things, because I know there have been many difficult things for all of us as well.  However, I believe that when we count our blessings and focus on the positive instead of the negative we appreciate more the life that we have been given.


Shawn added 3 more countries to his list this year, Philippines, Hong Kong and Macau.  He is up to 51 countries now--so he is 6 countries ahead of his age.  (His goal is to have visited more countries than he is old.) The law firm of Farris and Utley celebrated it's 12th year and Shawn added another international client from Japan--he's a pro golfer.   Shawn recently was called to be a member of our stake high council, and shaved his beard of 7 years.  (Check out the recent experience Shawn and Gavin had at the post  Why Do You Need That?  )

 Jennifer:  I ran 4 Utah marathons--called The Utah Grand Slam-- this year with Kristi (sis-in-law), and some good friends (Surprisingly this is my only picture of it. I am second from the right!). I ran a PR(personal record) during one of them, and had a a lot of fun training with my group of girls.  Shawn and I took a really laid back trip to Vegas this year, and I was able to play with my camera, and take pictures into the early morning hours--to my hearts content (sigh).  It is wonderful to just get away together.  I am serving in the Young Women's organization which is energizing, rewarding and fun.

Jocelyn:

I am currently a Junior at Brigham Young University majoring in Psychology. Over the summer, I was able to nanny for my Uncle Matt's family. It was really fun to get to spend some one-on-one time with his kids while learning more about myself. This past Fall I was able to officially decide and stick with a major (it was an arduous process but I finally decided!). Renee, my roommate from my freshman year and this year too, is one of the few non-LDS students I have met at BYU and is an animation major. I have had a lot of fun getting to see the Church from her eyes and occasionally be a  reference model for her art projects. We are roommates again this Winter in a lovely little house off campus. I'm excited to get to be in a new ward and have some more adventures at the Y.  One of Jocelyn's favorite posts is this one.  Workers Run the World

Marissa is a senior in high school this year. She is extremely busy.  She works part-time as an assistant manager for Anti-gravity (a trampoline facility), is the photography editor for the yearbook, and is spirit club president. She is constantly perfecting her art of cupcake baking and even catered a wedding this year making 340 cupcakes. She is applying to colleges, and filling her time with fun, study, work and friends.  Marissa and Gavin look forward to their "date" about once a month--usually involving Icees and some sort of activity--swimming, trampolines, long-boarding etc....  She and Jocelyn just had a fun sister's weekend in Provo this past month. (Sisters Weekend in Provo

Tiffany is involved in student Ambassadors (similar to student council) at the middle school and is in the 9th grade.  She helps out with Math Counts--a competition math team that she competed in last year, and is helping to judge this year.  She is in National Junior Honor Society, and loves being in seminary.  Tiffany swims with the high school swim team and burns almost 1200 calories at workouts each day.  She comes home from practices exhausted and starving! She LOVES to read, and has a really great sense of right and wrong. (See post Tiffany and The Challenge )

Gavin is in first grade and has a fabulous teacher, Mrs. Gunther.  Because of Gavin's curiosity and ingenuity his teacher devised a behavior scale to help him know what is "appropriate classroom behavior".  Gavin is averaging 5's almost every week (the best score he can get).  He plays often with his good friends Noah and Issac and his favorite after school activity is to dump a huge bucket of Legos on the floor in front of the TV and build things while he listens to Ben Ten shows.  Gavin loves leaving random voice mail messages for Jocelyn, watching and discussing TV aliens and Legos with Tiffany, and riding with Marissa in Fireball (His name for Rissa's car) to get Icees.  There are sooo many posts I could link to Gavin but the girls and I decided on this one.  Phone Calls

We have talked in our family this year about bringing JOY to the season.  J- Jesus Christ  Remembering that he is the reason we celebrate Christmas and his atonement is his gift to us.  O--Others When we serve others and think of them before ourselves we have a greater perspective of what life is about and what is important.  Y- You.  You have to decide for yourself to do what is right and to follow Christ's example.  We can find true JOY, not a fleeting happiness,
when we celebrate and live in this way.
Merry Christmas to all of you this Holiday Season,

The Farris Family. 

Walk-a-thon

This year Gavin's school encouraged the kids to earn money for the school by participating in a walk-a-thon.  Basically he called his grandparents, and hit up his parents and sisters for pledges, and then decided that since he asked for dollar amounts-- instead of $ per lap-- he wouldn't have to actually do the walking.  Much to his dismay the walking part was mandatory and was done during his classes PE time.  Here is how he described the experience.
"They made us run around the track.  Not even walk.  We had to do it fast and a lot of times. I was so tired and they wouldn't let me stop.  It was like they had me hooked up to a treadmill to power the electricity at the school."

Gavin is Thankful For...

Gavin brought home a paper today that he had done at school.  He drew 3 things he was thankful for.  Here they are in order of value.

1. Wepins (weapons)  Shawn and I are not quite sure what weapons he is thankful for since we can't think of any that we own. 
2. Bate (bait)  We can only assume this ties into number 3--but in the picture it appears he is using someone for the bait...and he does have a sister who likes to wear belts.
3. Bugs  From the illustration we can infer that Gavin is about to grab the bug, and put it to death.  Oh did I say that out loud?  I mean in a jar.

Sister's Weekend in Provo

For Marissa's birthday Jocelyn and I conspired to have a fun "sister's weekend" at BYU.  At first we discussed doing it in November, but schedules and away games narrowed our options to this past weekend.  After we began talking about all the fun things they were going to do, I was jealous that I wasn't going for the fun!  So the girls pacified me with pictures and an occasional commentary via text.

Marissa took the shuttle up from Saint George so they could ride back together in Jocelyn's car after the weekend.  In Springville, where Jocelyn met the shuttle, their adventure began.

 They went to Salt Lake City, shopped at the Gateway, tried on clothes from Urban Outfitters, and saw the Christmas lights....

Posed in front of random objects and sent Mom texts about them as though they were especially important.

Had Caramel Apple Cider at Starbucks.

Then went back to Jocelyn's old apartment (She moved into a new one the day before Marissa came, but still had access to her old one.)  Jocelyn made up a slumber party area where they could giggle and laugh until they fell asleep.  (Kinda reminds me of when they were 8 and 6!)

Saturday morning they headed to the BYU bookstore.  (Side story.  On Friday morning I say to Marissa "don't forget to pack your BYU shirt for the game."  She replies "I don't have a BYU shirt." There was a stunned and awkward silence....cricket, cricket.  How did this happen?  Granddad overhears this conversation, palms Marissa a $20 and tells her to make it "right".)
Marissa and Jocelyn find an adorable shirt, suit up and head to the Marriott Center for the basketball game.

 Here they are at the game, having a fabulous time together! Marissa gleaned fun ideas for her job as Spirit Club President, and they yelled until their throats were sore.









Since BYU scored more than 80 points they scored at Yogurtland with a free yogurt!







They arrived home on Saturday night, exhausted and laughing about all the fun on their adventure.

...........GO COUGARS!!

Christmas Blitz

Mom and Dad came through Saint George for the CHRISTMAS BLITZ of 2011.  Usually we call this The Christmas Tour, but this year with 24 hours at each family's home it is more of a blitz.

I was amazed at all we got done.  They brought all the gifts for our family--beautifully wrapped as usual.  We shopped for stocking items--while dad replaced my battery in my car and Marissa drove Gdad around town and discussed changing a tire and learning how to change your own oil.  Mom and I found a poinsettia, and grabbed sonic drinks. 

 At home we made 2 quadruple batches of pralines, discussed republican presidential nominees, attached a wreath to Mom and Dad's car (Christmas tour would not be the same without car decorations), burned a Blitz country Christmas music CD, installed apps on Dad's Droid.

 Marissa sent cupcakes with Grandma and Granddad for the Colorado Runyans.

 Tiffany and Gdad were able to start the pralines(A Runyan Family Tradition), while Grandma and I ran to the store for more wax paper and better/larger wooden spoons.

 Dad instructed me on watching for the proper color and consistency to signal the Pralines are ready to lay out on the wax paper.

 Gavin takes one for the team and picks up all the little drips between the pralines.

 Mom and Dad were able to stop back through on the way back to Yuma.  Luckily Jocelyn is now home and they were able to see her too!

 Before they arrived, Gavin asked me what he and Granddad were going to do. I said Gdad wants to build something with you.  Gavin was thrilled and exclaimed "Does Gdad like to build things as much as I do?"  "I think so Gavin." I replied.  True to Granddad's word, they found time to build a birdhouse and make a couple presents for his sisters.

It was so wonderful to have them come.  It felt like they brought the Christmas spirit with them when they came.  Thanks so much for making all the effort to come see us Mom & Dad!

And then they were off again!!