Lizzie likes Santa

We took her to our ward Christmas breakfast and she didn't mind sitting on his lap.  I think she was too entranced by her candy cane.  But anyway, how cute it she here? 

In unrelated news, here is what she does all the time now.

She is baby-stands-a lot and now she is look-ma-no-hands baby.  She likes to see how long she can stand without falling on her cute little bum.  It's Christmas next Sunday.  Yipee! 

DMC Christmas Dinner with the First Presidency

So every year in December DMC has a special Christmas dinner just for DMC VPs, board of directors, and the first presidency.  I actually got asked to play in it last year because I played the harp and then got asked to play the violin and harp in it again this year.  Let me tell you, it's a real treat and one of our favorite events of the year.  It was lovely last year but somehow even lovelier this year. 

Dazzling isn't it?  The deco was blue and silver and the food was incredible - pomegranate salad, fresh Lion House rolls, salmon, filet minion wrapped in bacon, and asparagus and yummy deserets which I couldn't finish.  President Monson sat at that table right in front of the music stand and I got to look at him while I played.  I even got to shake his hand before the event started and he was so kind and loving and afterward I just stood there basking in the warmth and joy of being so close to him until my boss, Greg, kind of did an "earth to Nelda" wake up call.  Haha.  What a moment of joy.  I played the violin in a quartet with the choir  made up of DMC employees and the choir was just tremendous.  I know there were angels singing along.  Everyone was moved.  President Monson even stood up to applaud after the songs. 

I got to play the harp during the beginning of dinner. Paul got to come too so he could help me with my harp and he was tickled by the whole event.

While playing my harp, President Uchtdorf and his wife, Harriet, came up to me and started talking to me about how they remembered my parents calling me Neldita and asked about my parents too.  I told my father later on and he was very happy about it.  They were so kind and thoughtful to do that. 

It was one of those nights you never forget and can't believe really happened.  I got to observe President Packer and his wife and saw so many of the 12 apostles there it was truly moving.  President Uchtdorf gave a closing talk about the Savior which I loved.  I'm happy that Paul and I get to share that memory together and I'm grateful for my musical talents so that I could be there that night.  What a lovely December evening it was.

 

Baby Ben is born

So we got back from Hawaii on Tuesday morning November 28 (horrid red-eye flight with baby only sleeping two hours, don't even get me started) and we did some catch up.  The next day, Paul flew in on the red eye and we picked him up and went to visit Martha's new baby Ben Archer Mortensen who was born on Tuesday, Nov 28 at 3 a.m.  It was so fun to see such a tiny, precious little baby.  I can't believe Lizzie was ever that tiny.  Lizzie really liked him.  Greta ended up naming him.  How cute is that?  Maybe Lizzie will name our next baby.  We'd love to have another baby soon.  I'll keep ya posted.  Here is a cute pic of Lizzie staring down at baby Ben.  She squealed in delight. 

He was born via C-section a few days early and Martha looks great!  So happy all is well.  

We're in Hawaii

Wow!  I just partook in the most peaceful sunset.  It was pure perfection and I basked in every moment of it.  I have decided that partaking in a sunset is like feeling God gently smiling upon you.  It is so, well, I have no words.  Better to just show you.

So, where do I begin?  How about with this cute little bug below who has been my best buddy on this trip while Paul is at work working hard.   

I had to wake her up in the middle of her nap to take her to the airport.  She is sooo precious when she sleeps.  She sticks her little bum in the air and pretty much her whole body rests on her head!  

Here she is on our Salt Lake City to Seattle leg of the trip.  She liked this part of it but had a really hard time sleeping later.  I wasn't sure if it was even worth it until we got there. 

This was the incredible view from our junior suite (we got upgraded because we requested a handicapped room) of the ocean!!  It's so incredibly happy and peaceful. 

Here I am all dressed for church in my favorite white dress. 

Well, my computer is being weird, or blogger is or was.   It won't let me post a lot of photos and now we are back from Hawaii and I have so much to catch up on.  So I leave you with these a few pics below.  But don't despair, we had such a blast in Hawaii and took so many pics I have decided to make a whole photo book out of it for Paul for Valentine's day.