Berry Boys' Hunting Fest

All in one day Matt shot a deer (hanging behind Josh) and Josh slew three coyotes! I am very proud of those boys. ;)

What happens when Mikey gets me dressed!

Christmas Letter To The Masses

My first inclination for the Christmas letter was to say please refer to the blog archive for a summary of my year but in the spirit of Christmas I shall summarize for all those that only have five minutes.

I have been living in California for just over 1 ½ years now and many of my Idaho habits remain even though I retired the 1T Idaho plates earlier this year and don’t eat meat and potatoes for every meal. For an Idaho girl I am practically a vegetarian now by all the “healthy” habits I’ve picked up.

My year has been full of fun firsts: I attended the Silicon Valley Auto Show, attended my first hockey game and fell in love with the Zamboni, got lost in the city with the girls (oh wait, that wasn’t really a first), had my hair sculpted (if you’ve seen my hair you realize why that made the cut for the letter), went to my first Yankees’ game, ran two 5Ks, became active in politics, made Rejia’s gchat status, and had my first Thanksgiving eating on real china dishes.

My year can be summed up with attending as many baseball games my checkbook would allow, golfing as much as daylight would allow, and playing softball ad football as much as my body would allow.

The parents came to visit the bay in March and we had a blast. In May my friend, Jonathan, came from Seattle for our annual baseball bet trip where we watched the Oakland A’s beat the Boston Red Soxs for a series sweep while The Yankees swept the Mariners in New York. It really was the best weekend to hold the baseball bet trip. I met my family in Northern Idaho in July for some baseball and golf. My Grandma passed away in August, so I gathered with my family in Idaho once more. My birthday week this year was AMAZING!!! I do love the Berry National Holiday. The rest of my time was work, play, play, play, and play.

This year has presented many ups and a few downs but has been another great year to be alive. I am blessed to be alive and running 75 miles per hour (or driving that is)!

Merry Christmas!!!

P.S. To see photos of said events please refer to the blog (I am however still somewhat of a Grinch). ;)

SAM HALL THE GREAT

The first night in Palo Alto I met my new roommates and Samantha Hall. Little did I know that night I was being introduced to such a sweetheart. Sam in a word embodies service. Later Sam and I would work together in the Relief Society and I was amazed by her capacity to love and serve so much and so sincerely. Below is a pile of compassionate service notes that Sam kept while serving in that calling. I think this pile speaks volumes of what is important in Sam's life. She has again and again proven that in our interactions and as I watch from the background at her kind gestures of friendship. I feel a certain kinship with Sam Hall. On my gchat status it always reads I heart [Insert person or item here] while on Sam's status it always reads I am grateful for [Insert person(s) or item(s) here]. I do heart Sam Hall! She is a wonderful example of service, love, and humility. Sam will be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in February and while she will be missed I am happy that others will feel the joy that Sam Hall brings to the lives she surrounds. Thank you Sam, good luck (soon)!

The Way To My Heart

This is just a sampling of the wonderful ways my friends blessed my life last week. I had botox injections (in my arm...do I look like I need botox elsewhere?) and have been laying low. All these folks have learned a secret, I heart food and DP. :) Adriana made me my own Lemonade cake, KT brought DP and flowers. Pete introduced me to other desserts from the cheesecake factory other than cheesecake (I was surprised as anyone else). Heather and B are excellent cooks and I heart SH and SJ! Good work on getting me ready M&M. Thank you all! ;)

Christmas Under The Lights

We ate, we listened to beautiful music, and yes even danced. I have witnesses to prove the last one if there are any doubters.

Mike and I pulling off our human Christmas tree. Last year we had red and green on but this year we are classy and beautiful so it makes up for the color scheme.
A SJ Sandwich!

I do heart ARRRR and Mike.

Grateful Gourd: Isn't It About Time

Now some of you might be asking yourselves why I am now writing a grateful post when Thanksgiving has come and gone. The so-called "grateful" train took off a few weeks ago Jess while you were golfing; get with the program. I have three responses to the obvious confusion and questioning.

1. Last time I checked the blog author is me so therefore I can run on my own schedule.
2. Mike(y) and I didn't open the Grateful Gourd until December.
3. My 177th post had to be special so I was waiting patiently; and given it is the 177th post it is lengthy but well worth the read!

The Grateful Gourd!

Heather Majors randomly emailed one evening and asked to stop by, we obviously accepted. She presented us with a ceramic green gourd and a stack of paper slips; explaining that we should write things we are grateful for as the month progressed and at the end of the month share with one another our thoughts. We gave it the awesome name!

I found myself somewhat addicted to the grateful gourd, it really did seem that everyday I was finding new things to be grateful for and got a slight thrill each time I tucked my thought into the gourd. I found myself emerged with things to write on the little slips of paper each day. I have decided everyone should have one, a grateful gourd that is. Mikey was a little harder of a sale but when the fateful day of the Grateful Gourd reading came Mike followed through like a base hit in the bottom of the ninth to score the winning run; in a word she was clutch.

I made Sloppy Dan's (for those that have had the privilege you can be jealous right now or if you haven't come see me and if you are lucky I will whip up a batch) and sweet potatoes (we are from Idaho after all), and even got Sparkling Cider to toast our gratitude.

It was amazing to read and look back on what we were grateful for. Some were serious things, others comical, others only Mike and I would understand, but all had the same tone: Thanksgiving!

Below are just a few of our random slips of gratitude; but there will be more to come as we've decided that the Grateful Gourd will reside year round at Park Blvd.

We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet
The Days when Max Hall was NOT the BYU QB
Funny emails from my girls
Yes on Prop 8
Adam's email 11/30
JB&MP are so skinny their clothes don't fit!
Silver bullets (our Hondas)
Heather Majors
My Gomer
Our testimonies
Costco tortillas
H&M (the people)
A roommate who forces me to write out thankful slips for the grateful gourd
The smell of wet grass at the golf course
Sloppy Dan's
The temple
DVR baby
Adam (The Inca warrior)
Jed's email
Sachi's gorilla hugs
The Top 5 (mine and Mike's!)
Being polished as silver
Rob Daines
Gchats
Gustavo, Gustavo, Gustavo!

Last but definitely not least in our home: Dr. Pepper BABY!

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

"When harder times come, stay with Him. There may be temptation to say, 'Well, I guess God doesn't care about me.' But when the winds and waves are unexpected and fierce, stay in the boat. This is no time for you to try your own little doggy paddle."
Jeffrey R. Holland

Fruitcake SHOULD Be Banned From Holiday Traditions

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

"Given the reality, however, of having "to look as young as you can, for as long as you can, so you can pay the rent," says former Designing Women star Annie Potts, who has had Botox, it seems fewer and fewer actresses will be able to avoid the needle. "I don't know why people want to make a controversy about Botox- it's a basic thing, like getting a manicure, or getting your hair dyed." Dr. Sebagh says. "It's on the grooming checklist. It is part of the game.""

Botox Confessions, People Magazine

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

Patience is not indifference. Actually, it means caring very much but being willing, nevertheless, to submit to ... what the scriptures call the "process of time."
Neal A. Maxwell

Little ladies’ man pens dating primer

Yes, that is right 9-year-old Alec Greven advises boys of all ages how to get the right girl.

My Favorite part of the interview:

Q: You say that boys should be careful around pretty girls. What do you have against pretty girls?
A: Well, pretty girls … all they care about is their looks. She doesn't care about a boy liking her, or how a boy feels about her. It's just, "Oh, do I look nice?" Regular girls can be pretty, too. Plus, a regular girl has other things on her mind and is fun to be around.

See Full article here:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28038281/?GT1=43001

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

"You feel as if everyone should write a book before they die, but their book is already written. The pages live within those they've touched" -William Shue

A Man to Emulate: Joseph B. Wirthlin

If ever there was a symbol of one man’s dedication to make the most of everyday, it is Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s old Olympia typewriter. In a time when computers dominate most offices, it sits on his wide oak desk and was put to good use each and every morning as he personally typed out his daily schedule on a small three by five card. “Every day is an adventure,” Elder Wirthlin said. “Every day carries with it a responsibility. I thought, well, here I am – sort of the 11th hour maybe in my life – I’d better make the most of it.”

See the full article here:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/elder-joseph-b-wirthlin-a-life-full-of-adventure-and-joy-that-surpasses-understanding