Halbasch Update

I seriously check this blog most days of the week and am always disappointed that people rarely update it, so for all of you like me, you're welcome. Here's what Craig, Bosley (our dog), and I are up to:

We recently moved to South Weber, the city that is at the mouth of Weber Canyon. Other than the windy mornings, it is a great place. We moved to a great ward that seems to have more children than adults.

I have exactly 3 weeks left of my dietetic internship and have been applying for jobs everywhere. It's been a long 7 months working for free.

Craig is at Weber State University and will hopefully be taking the LSAT this fall sometime. He tries to talk about politics with me, but I'm not too interested or smart enough.

Our dog, Bosley, thinks he's a guard dog at our new apartment. He growls at everyone who walks by. It's actually quite annoying, but he's cute, so that makes up for it.

The picture is of Bosley and Craig snowshoeing at Fernwood in East Layton. Sometimes we have time to do fun things.

Change of Address

Cody got a new address last week, so I thought I'd pass it along (this is the mission home address)

Rua Euzebio de Souza, 121
Jardim Londrina
05638-100
São Paulo, SP
Brazil

A Perfect Name for A Perfect Blog

I'm really excited about the new name. When do we get T-shirts with a big picture of Michael's face on the front and back? I'm considering getting a "Michael Chamberlain is the Man" tatoo on the front part of my humerus (That's where my bicep muscle would be if I had one. I learned about it in anatomy last semester).

Melanie-it sounds like you had a great Christmas. What was the weather like in DC?

We had a great Christmas. We went to Grand Junction and had a good time. The most exciting thing was Pickachu (I don't know how to spell that), the puppy that the family got for Christmas.

Kevin's engaged. Ask him if you want more information.

So, I would really like a good report on Cody, Michael, and Jeff if anyone knows any information. Talk to you all later.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The excitement of picking out the perfect gift for friends and family. Driving around the city looking for the best Christmas light displays. Hiking through the mountains by the cabin in search of the perfect tree, then spending hours decorating it. Dad recounting the story behind each of our ornaments. Belting out every song on Amy Grant's Christmas CDs for weeks. For some reason it took me a little longer this year to get into the Christmas spirit, but here are a few things that have helped (and don't worry, life has been feeling pretty Christmas-y for a few weeks now):

1. The National Christmas Tree. Well, the one in front of the White House - in my two Christmases in DC, I haven't been to the one by the Capitol

This is actually a picture from last year's tree. The huge bow ornaments were a little bizarre.

2. SNOW!! Ok, I hate driving in it, but it does look pretty and I miraculously was able to get home to Boise without the delays that everyone else in the country has had.

3. Amy Grant's Christmas music. I discovered that I cannot live without it. As hokey as it may be, Amy Grant makes Christmas at my house. I have no explanation for why, but her "Tennessee Christmas" was always my favorite.

4. Magical Mint Kisses. Not something I grew up with, but they're amazing.


5. Shopping for a Sub for Santa family with the roommies. I was reminded again why I hate Wal-mart, but why I love Christmas.

6. The Air Force Band's Christmas concert. Their rendition of "12 Days of Christmas" was fabulous. And I tried to get a picture of the woman sitting in front of us, but failed. She was wearing reindeer antlers. In public.

7. The annual ward Christmas program. It just wouldn't be Christmas without spending hours rehearsing for and performing in the choir. And then coming home and actually getting to watch a Christmas program, a la my parents ward.

8. Duke Ellington School of the Arts' (the school where i teach) "Motown Christmas" concert. Check out the Temptations' "Little Drummer Boy". Really, you'll love it.

9. Christmas movies galore. A couple of the really bad Hallmark/ABCFamily/Lifetime movies. White Christmas (a couple times), A Christmas Story, etc.

10. Dinner and a visit to the DC temple to see the lights and the nativities with a few of my coworkers. The DC Temple has a light display every Christmas, as well as a live nativity, nightly Christmas concerts and a display of nativities from around the world. Smaller scale than Salt Lake City, for sure, but beautiful.


11. Getting to talk to Cody and Paul!!!! Paul actually already called, to set up the time when he would call on Christmas day, so we got to talk to him for a few minutes. He sounds great!

Thank you Brian for the suggestions. They are all pretty funny. I prefer The Michael Chamberlain fan club. I have no idea who Chad or Bobby are- Brian maybe can enlighten us all.

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Happy Birthday Graphics

Some Possible Blog Names

Since I am the funniest one from my family (I had a competition with Amy to earn that title, and it caused me some embarrassment) I have decided to think of some possible blog names. They are as follows:

The Michael Chamberlain Fan Club
The Andrea Stagg Fan Club
The OGTFPAW (which stands for: The Organized Group To Find Paul a Wife)(when he gets back)
The OGTFPAD (which stands for: The Organized Group To Find Paul a Date)(when he gets back)
The Group in Support of Bringing Chad into the Family (ask Andrea if you don't get this one)
The Group in Support of Bringing Bobby into the Family (ask Andrea if you don't get this one)

Let me know what you think.