Early on Saturday morning I went with the S Family to the beach for some family pictures. The rising sunlight was sublime as it streamed through the clouds.

Happy New Year!!

Because everything deserves a new start at the beginning of a new year - this is mine - with a post of our family's New Year letter.  Click on the photo to make it bigger, but since the message is much too small to read, please scroll down to read the message:

"We have had a great 2011 and are grateful for how much the Lord has blessed us. We wish the best for you and your family during the coming year. Here are some of our family's 2011 highlights:

 Picture 1 - Carina & Brady Jones - Peoria, Arizona. Brady got a new and better job with a law firm in Mesa so they are buying and remodeling a home in Mesa closer to both of their jobs. Carina, still seizure free since brain surgery in 2009, continues to work for the University of Phoenix as an academic advisor.

Picture 2 - Josh, Julane, Eden (9), Hunter (3) - Orem, Utah. Josh sells advertising for the Provo Daily Herald and sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Julane is a great mom and busy shuttling the kids to school and lessons and taking care of all things family.

Picture 3 - Rachel, Adam, Andrew (14), Colton (11), Cannon (10), Cali (9), Aidan (5) Barnard - Saint Cloud, Florida. Adam's job with Western Governor's University allows him to live anywhere is the US, so in mid-December they moved from Orem, Utah to just 8 miles from us!

Picture 4 - Jeremy, Jeni, Tyler (3), Jayce (1) - Eagle Mountain, Utah. Jeremy is HR director for G&K Services in North Salt Lake. Jeni is a wonderful mom who also teaches piano lessons and is expecting a new baby in mid-July.

Picture 5 - Alisha, Jason, Nya (8), Rex (3) Sabin- Duchesne, Utah. Jason graduated from police academy and is now employed as a corrections officer for the Duchesne County Police Department. Alisha quit her job teaching at Utah College of Massage Therapy and now works for La Spa Chateaux and the Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. She is expecting a baby the beginning of July.

Picture 6 - Melissa, Jason, Adam (7), Zaley (6 months) Gibbons - Orem, Utah. The Gibbons welcomed Alice Azalea (Zaley) on June 18th and a few weeks later Adam was officially adopted and went from Walker to Gibbons. Melissa teaches English at American Fork High School and is the cheer adviser. Jason is finishing his Bachelor's degree in English at UVU.

Picture 7 - Jeffrey - Rexburg, Idaho. Jeff returned from his LDS mission to Calgary, Canada (Spanish speaking) the end of June and started BYU-Idaho in the fall. His future plans are evolving.

Picture 8 - Jerrick - Rexburg, Idaho. Jerrick graduated from Harmony High in May and also started at BYU-Idaho in the fall. Wonderful life ahead!

Picture 9 - Jeff, Alice & Chris - Deseret Ranch, Florida. Jeff still works as the area controller over cattle at AgReserves. Alice fills every second with kids, grandkids, ranch kids, Nursery kids, sewing for kids, and photographing kids. Chris is a junior at Harmony High and loves filming and editing videos."