D&D Update (January 2017)

Sent: 01/30/2017   From Derek
Subject: Brief D&D Update         Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:19:14 -0700

Hey Family,

Hope all is well for all of you! Good luck to Grayson and Pam as they go to pick up Landon! How fun for them! 

We were really sad to miss Seth's farewell yesterday. I had to speak in another ward at 9:00 and then play a special musical number at 11:00 in our home ward. We've been so busy lately, it was really nice to have a slow Sunday at home (slow after the early morning Stake meetings, the other ward, our ward, and home teachers). :) 

• Ani lost one of her front teeth last night. She was so proud to show everyone at school today. I'll attach a photo. She is such a kid now, and is growing so fast!
• Layla is talking up a storm. She has the cutest little voice and says the funniest things. She is so independent and has a temper, but it is really cute to see her little fiery personality come out in force. She loves to say the prayer lately and loves to wrestle with everyone including Noelle (which is nerve-wracking). I'll attach a little video.

• Noe is standing on her own, but not taking steps. She is so proud of herself when she stands up and we all clap for her. She is a much happier baby lately (out of her colic) and is so fun to be around. She is a total mommy's girl and cries if Danielle is too far away. :)
• This last week I had to move from my beautiful corner office over-looking the temple. They are building a fitness-center, and that needed to be on the 7th floor for some reason. So, I'll move to 21 and face the opposite direction. It's sad to lose out on that perk of a great office!
• I'm in charge of a special humanitarian report on the Church's efforts in 2016, featuring the Bishopric, President Eyring and the Relief Society Presidency. We are almost done with it when President Trump announced his immigration reforms. The impact that had affects the videos release as we need to be careful how overtly the Church is addressing political matters. It's been an interesting thing to get in the middle of. 
• I'm struggling with weight during the winter! I started to enjoy running last year and did a lot of it last year. I'm running on the treadmill that Shane and Alicia were so generous to let us borrow while they are in California - but I crave running outside and I just can't do it when it is so cold and slick. I'm hoping to run two half-marathons this year. 
• Danielle and I have decided to take a very simple approach to doing some personal histories. Basically, we are just going to try to write out some of the fun stories that we've experienced over the years so that we have them written down, even if they aren't perfect. I really don't know how all of you who have more kids and busy schedules find time to do this kind of stuff! Life feels so busy and we aren't as busy as a lot of you! 
• ​​Danielle is going to take a cooking class (pastries) at the local Harmon's to see how she likes it and we might take some together this Summer for date-nights. We love cooking together and learning how to make new things, and it might be nice to just leave the mess somewhere else! 

That's all for now. Love you all! 

Derek