Annual Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

There is something so wonderful about this time of year. The warmth that is felt when Christmas lights are lit. The sparkle of excitement in the children’s faces. And most importantly the peace that comes with the knowledge of our Saviors birth.

Our hearts are full with the anticipation of the holidays and with memories of the year that has passed. We have, of course, been very busy. Our lives have been full with church, school, and many family activities. As many of you know we moved in October from California to Utah. We went from city to country and we are enjoying the slower pace. By far our favorite part of Utah, so far, is the SNOW!

Our biggest adventure this year was our drive across country to spend five weeks in New Hampshire. It was time well spent hiking, swimming, biking, horseback riding, camping, and of course spending time with family and friends. We drove 9,000 miles and visited many historic and educational sites including places in Burlington VT, Nauvoo IL, New York NY, and Washington DC. It was an amazing summer!

The children are growing so fast. Jessica, 10, is in the fifth grade and is really enjoying our new pastime of geocaching. Samantha, our third grader and comedian, turned eight and was baptized this year. Sarah, our budding artist, is six and loves first grade. Carrie, almost 5, LOVES being the oldest at home! Nelson, almost 3, is ever energetic and curious. And our cute charmer Wally just turned one in October, boy how the time flies.

It is our wish for you that you reflect on the joys in your life this holiday. Remember the most important things at this time when we celebrate our greatest gift, our Savior Jesus Christ. We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Joy and Peace filled New Year!

Love,

Deric Muria Jessica Samantha Sarah Carrie Nelson and Wally Everitt

Christmas 2010

P.S. Due to ever tightening purse strings, and an ever increasing Christmas mailing list (well over 200), AND our ever advancing technology, we are sending our Christmas letter via e-mail/blog/face book. If you are reading this via blog or face book and didn’t get an e-mail please let us know so we can update our list, THANKS!!

Luke 2

Since we have moved to Ephraim we have tried to be as involved as we possibly can. So when our neighbors (also new to Ephraim, also with six children) signed our families up to do the Nativity at our church Christmas party, we jumped at the chance!

We worked hard to get everything just right (in a very short amount of time). All of our children participated, except for little Wally. At the last minute the other two youngest decided it was too much for them too!

Jessica was the Narrator and she read the story straight out of the bible, Luke chapter 2 verses 1-12.
Mary and Joseph traveled across the stage to the Inn, where there was no room. All of these parts were played by the other family.


Mary brought fourth a child. Meanwhile shepherds (Sarah was one) were visited by an angel (our Samantha), while they tended their flocks (Carrie was the lone sheep since Nelson and the other little girl were too tired from practice!)

"Away in a Manger"

The children really did an amazing job. It was really fun watching them, and it really brought the real reason for the holiday to life for my kids!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

We were so excited to be able to go and cut down our Christmas tree this year. We went one afternoon and drove up the canyon and into the national forest (We bought a tree permit). The road was only plowed to the edge of the forest land and the higher we went the deeper the snow was (of course!), so eventually we stopped to put chains on the van (something Deric and I have NEVER done before!!)
The view was amazing!!
We finally parked and headed up into the woods to find a "perfect" tree. And by perfect I mean that it was good sized and was OK looking!! The snow was too the kids knees in spots!

Finally we found the one and everyone (except for Wally) had a turn with the saw!Then we hauled it back to the van and tied it on top! It isn't as dark as this picture makes it seem, but it was by the time we started driving back down! (Sarah is upset because she is could... imagine why? We did ask her to zip up her coat!!)

The next day we decorated! I love putting up Christmas lights and decorations. It makes everything feel so warm! I love this time of year.
The kids posed for a picture for my mom. They are holding up the ornaments that she sent to them!!

Bagel? What bagel?

"MOM, my bagel is missing!"
"Well Nelson, where did you leave it?"
"On the table!!"

... "Wally did you see Nelson's bagel?"

"Bagel, what bagel?"

"It surely wasn't ME!!"

"What would make you think that I could do a thing like that!!!!"

(Wally is getting too tall for his own good!! He has also had a much needed hair cut since this pic.)