It's about time!

Closed Captioning was unavailable so here are the reporter's comments:

Santa knows all languages, even American Sign Language. At Barton Creek Mall Wednesday night, deaf kids around Central Texas had the chance to tell a signing Santa their every Christmas wish.

The Egbert kids eagerly await their chance to meet him. Xavier wants a dinosaur. Isadora is asking for a computer, an IPod, some clothes and a camera. And for two-year-old Amelia, this is her first time to talk to Santa.

"I think it's cool, it's very nice, I'm very thankful they get this opportunity," the kids' father, Clyde Egbert, tells us.

Isadora knows Santa won't come to her house until December 25th, but says she's excited to talk with him ahead of time.

"This is the only time for us that we're able to communicate with Santa," adds Clyde.

The North Austin Optimist Club helped bring Signing Santa to the mall so deaf kids around Central Texas could tell him all they want for Christmas. For several hours, a line of excited kids wait to meet this Santa who understands them. Employees with the Texas School for the Deaf estimate there were about 200 kids there

It's Christmas Time!

Well, I've taken a 3 month break from the blog... and sadly, I'm disappointed. I've had so much going on that I should be recording but its just been crazy! Since I don't have time to write everything, I'll just highlight.

In October Robert & I went to Montana for my cousin's wedding and it was beautiful up there.  I went shooting for my first time, as well as golfing at the Beaverhead GC where Greg and Sara were married. It was great to see all my cousins and to have my Mom's side of the family completely together.  When we got back I couldn't believe in only 4 days how much Tuck grew! He's doing great though and is really a great puppy. He's now 5 months old and going to be neutered this next week (so he doesn't have to wear the cone of shame for Christmas!)

November was pretty much school, school, school. I did get to go to Apple Hill with my parents, Jen and Alix and we had a great time.  We took pictures, ate delicious apple donuts, tri tip sandwiches, and of course apple cider. It was an all around great day!

Since December has started I finished wrapping all Christmas gifts (I was done with shopping before Thanksgiving!) and signed up for my last semester in college--WHOO! We have our tree and decorations up and are getting into the Christmas spirit as best we can with our busy schedules.  I also was released from Primary after teaching, Sunbeams, CTR 4 then CTR 5 for two years.  It has definitely been hard not to see those adorable kids every Sunday, but Relief Society has whole-heartedly invited me in and made me feel completely welcome.  Since I was up in Primary since the first week we entered the Wilton Ward, it still feels like I don't know too many adults if they don't have children in Junior Primary.  I've loved going to RS events so far though and look forward to many more.  I am especially grateful for the Christmas season and for the overall happiness this world seems to embrace.  There are so many awful things in this world, but instead of focusing on the bad, we all get a chance to reflect on our Savior's birth and all that the Lord has and still does for us.  I am looking foward to what this Christmas brings and am especially grateful for the gospel in my life and the guidance it gives me!

September

It's crazy how time flies by without you even realizing it! To back track to my last post, I wasn't able to go test out the GC Turkey Creek but did enjoy a fun time at Dry Creek in Galt with my Dad, Uncle Ranse, and Robert. I scored a 106 and was thrilled! It's my best score yet and I really enjoyed the course.

As for this month, here are some highilghts

Sept. 1st--

 I started my Fall  2010 semester (2nd to last semester--YAY!). Classes are fabulous and I have said so many times "You know you love your major when you read weeks worth ahead in your school books just because you can't get enough!"

 Sept. 3rd--

Watched Ranse's first home game as starting QB for the JV team (although he's a Freshman!) They won and had an awesome game! So far they have been doing great! You can read about their latest game here.

Sept 4th--
Per Robert's request to add to the blog (although he rarely looks at it!), he went solo to Dry Creek and scored HIS best score in golf yet......96!  He is quite excited to try out another golf course next week in MT  (Info at the end of  the post).

Sept. 6th--

Was our 2 year mark of our first date and how did we celebrate? By getting this little angel... We named him Tucker.  He was 8 weeks when we bought him and he is a Miniature Australian Shepherd. It was the perfect choice for our smaller living space but still he's going to be a "dog-size" (according to Robert and not a "rat-dog" size). He has been a perfect puppy! We both just adore him.  I've been wanting a dog for awhile and Robert's reasoning for getting a dog was, "Makiya was neglecting Emily".

Sept. 11th--

Picked up Elder Brady Campbell from the Airport. He returned from his 2 yr. mission in Texas. First time we actually met as brother & sister-in-law.

Sept. 18th--

Daddy Campbell graduated from University of Pheonix with a Bachelor's in Business Management.

We also are headed to Montana next week to attend my oldest cousin's wedding! It will be the first time in awhile EVERYONE from my Mom's side of the family will be together and I am so excited to see them all! After that we head down to Utah and back home for quite a weekend full of driving!

It's August??

I was absolutely floored when I saw on the calendar 8/1/2010....I thought--WHAT?! (Imagine the adorable little minion from Despicable Me saying that!) And now....it is going to be the 19th tomorrow! GOOD-NESS! Where does the time go? Robert and I have been busy having a blast the last month and a half. Figured I would just write an update on all the fun we've had.

 First off, my mom and dad were given the opportunity to host a foreign exchange student from France for only 3 weeks and she was so fun to hang out with. We drove into town almost every night to go spend time with her. Robert took French in high school and we knew that she would be coming so we bought a program and he freshened up on his French while I learned from scratch. We had so much fun just realizing how much more is out there in the real world and there is so much we don't think about and take for granted including different cultures, language, society, government, housing and even cuisine! We miss Claire but loved spending time with her and plan on visiting her in Chartres, France one day!

That very next week after Claire went back to France my dad went to Utah for a funeral and brought us back 3 adorable Spearman girls! Our cousins, Mikal, Nicole and Bridget (the 3 oldest in the picture) came for a week to experience the California sun but this time, without the parents! It was a short trip but still was so fun to see how big they are and how every five minutes someone is asking "Where's Robert?" "Is Robert here yet?" "Is Robert going swimming with us?" Anytime he was out of the girls' sight it was "Where did Robert go?" I have always had a close relationship with all my first cousins but I love how much they all adore Robert too! (Hopefully soon we can go visit and see the baby twins too----ooh that Sara and Brooke....SO cute!)

We also have been enjoying this Shell Gas Station promo that if you buy at least 10 gallons of gas, and a water bottle you get a free round of golf! Robert, my dad, Chad and I went and checked out Empire Ranch and had a great time! It was only my second time on a 18-hole course. Since we bought our golf sets we've gone to the range a lot. I am a lot more consistent and Robert isn't splicing his drives as much either! I scored a 115 but had some awesome holes...just some really really crappy ones too! While I'm gone this Saturday with  my parents, Jen and Alix (woo hoo birthday girl!) Robert got a bunch of buddies together and are going...so needless to say that I am VERY excited about Alix's surprise birthday gift on Saturday, still a bit bummed I don't get to go golfing with the hub on Saturday---but very excited that he promised to take me to Turkey Creek Aug. 30th!

Finally, wanted to blog about my morning! What a morning it was! Heather told me this past weekend that the new Henry's Farmers Market in Elk Grove (where the old Circuit City used to be) was having its Grand Opening and that the first 200 customers get a free bag full of groceries. It is a new store with a lot of organic foods which are not readily available in most normal supermarkets. Heather works in Natural Foods at Raley's and knows a lot about it....but me?....I wanted free food! :) We decided-----why not! So this morning woke up a little after 4am and drove to pick up Heather. We got to the store about 4:45am and got prime parking! We ended up being # 24 and 25 in line! We stood there and watched as the time went by and between 6 and 6:30 people were storming the place to run and get in line. The store passed out coffee, muffins, cinnamon bread and tons of snacks to keep us happy.  As the time got closer to open they passed out wristbands to all those in line so we could shop all we wanted and then on our way out get our bag.  We also had the news there--KCRA 3, News10, FOX 40, Good Morning Sac on 31 and eventually 13 showed up too.  Heather was also interviewed for a radio broadcast! The store opened at 8am but we were busy waving at all the cameras and getting so excited for a free bag of groceries... We found out while waiting in line that it was 25 lbs. and worth $50. Also, Heather kept getting texts from a friend saying "Every time a news camera goes live I see you!" We ended up leaving the store about 8:45am feeling a kid on Christmas with our awesome deals and our free bag of groceries! We drove to our parents and unpacked the bags practically jumping up and down with every find.  Needless to say, we had so much fun and I took two naps this afternoon because of my exhaustion!

FYI--I finished the Host almost two weeks ago now and loved it. I started up Hunger Games which was the most suggested on my last blog post, so really excited to get into those! Thanks for the replies!