Christmas Cards

I love the tradition of sending Christmas cards each year. To me, it is a simple way to remind people who we've met throughout the years and in different phases of our lives, that we remember them.  It is challenging to remain connected to every single person who has ever made a positive impact in our lives.  However, this one small measure and token of friendship, is so important to fostering a loving network of friends and family.  I realize that everyone does their best to achieve a similar goal with their loved ones, and personal efforts don't always include this tradition, specifically.  However, Christmas cards have proven to be a successful measure for us in reaching out to some of our family that we seldom see, and to friends who have carved out their own legacy within our hearts. 

I'm overwhelmed by the distances that separate us from the people that we love.  This year we mailed over 140 cards, to nine countries (not including the U.S.) representing four continents, and 19 states within the intercontinental United States.  We have family and friends in Italy, Estonia, Austria, England, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile,  South Korea, and Canada, as well as in Montana, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New York, California, Missouri, Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.  To all of you: We love you so much.  We want you to know that keeping track of your whereabouts matters so deeply to us!  We are better people because of the influences that each of you have had in our lives.  It is with full hearts that we wish each and every one of you a Christmas season filled with peace, a new year that will bring resolve to your trials, and opportunities that will strengthen your faith.  

Con tanto affetto,

Camille & Danny 

and....We're Back!

I realize that many of you forgot that we even had a blog... if so, that's ok.  I almost forgot that we had one too! My excuse for not writing in over a year is the same one that everybody uses when they neglect some big project or side hobby; I was too busy.  We've lived life in the fast lane this past year, and the blog was just one of those things that was left on some dusty shelf.  The task was easily forgotten. 

It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I realized I only had a short window of time to put our annual photo album together before Christmas.  The original purpose of the blog was to create a place where I could put all of our pictures and life's happenings.  Therefore, at the end of each year, all I would need to do was move everything over into my Blurb account, and ECCO LA - the annual book would be born.  I compile our books so that they include pictures from Halloween to September (our anniversary month) and then traditionally, we open the book together on Christmas Eve.  ANYWAY, about ten days ago I kicked into high gear in organizing all of our photos, and ended up finishing the book prior to any blogging.  All in all, we had 435 amazing pictures taken this year, and I've condensed them down to 62 photos for this post.  Hopefully I will be more consistent next year!

Sleight Family Pictures, Thanksgiving 2013

We scored lottery tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert last year. What a treat!

Christmas sing-along with some of our friends from the Vernal 2nd Ward. 

The Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus.  I sang in the Soprano section, and Danny played violin in the orchestra.  The group was newly organized as of last winter, and I had the chance to sing in two of the programs (Christmas and Spring concerts).  UBOC was remarkable experience, and provided much relief to my soul, especially. 

Utah Lindy Exchange, January 2014.  We had an entire weekend of swing dancing, and it was wonderful!

Danny's 30th birthday.  Mr. Birthday Boy received many wonderful gifts, including tickets to go see Wicked at the Capital Theater in Salt Lake.

My birthday. :-) Danny went above and beyond by getting me my very first puppy!

Weekend getaway to the Blue Boar Inn in Midway.  This was such a marvelous place, and we will definitely be back!

Me and Johnny, the birthday puppy.  We have become best buds!

Johnny in the car, the day we brought him home from the Humane Society!

The Dream Team! These are Danny's roommates from college, and we have all remained close friends.  This occasion was a mission farewell from Nathanael (third from the right.)  The other two guys are KJ (second from right)  and Sam (last on the right). We are so glad that they are in our lives! What a group of good men.

Annual siblings camping trip.  This year we went to Chrystal Hot Springs, and loved being around the hot spring pools!

Draper Family Reunion

My radiant grandmother, Celia. <3

My very handsome granddad, Raymond. <3

The Air Show at Hill Air Force Base

Danny could watch airplanes all day. :-)

T-birds

F-35

This was an incredibly special day.  Pictured here are fellow missionari italiani, including my mission trainer (Melissa Zenteno) and an elder from my MTC district (Jeff Sadler. We also served together in my first area, Taranto).  The elder in the middle is Antonio Chitano, who was baptized in Taranto while we were all serving there.  After he joined the church, his entire family followed, and he is now on a mission in Portugal.  This picture was taken the day that Antonio entered the MTC, and we had the special experience of sending him off.  It was very special. 

Me and Maura. :-) Need I say more? We have been best friends for eight years, and make special efforts to see each other every year.  I'm so incredibly grateful that she is in my life! 

Danny and his besties! We went down to Phoenix over Labor Day to surprise Daniel Brilliant (far left) for his 30th birthday.  Danny and Daniel have been best friends for a whopping 17 years, and we love their family very much! Also pictured is Brian Hendricks, who has been part of the three amigos since high school.  We had a great time catching up that weekend!

Lagoon

Utah Foster Care Giving Tree Event at the Lucky Slice Pizza.  We helped facilitate the event, and it turned out to be a huge success!

Event flyer, designed by my ever-so-creative sister, Raylynn.

After moving back to Ogden, I was fortunate enough to claim a spot in the Alto section in the American Festival Chorus, directed by Dr. Craig Jessop (former director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir).  My father-in-law also sings in the choir, and I have LOVED my first semester in this amazing group.

Family pictures 2014.  Photo Credit: Landon Weeks