Road Trip
December 12, 2008

Mari and Aly came to visit me while Grant was gone at a training class. We stayed up late laughing and having a great time.

The next day we all loaded into Mari's car and headed for Salt Lake to see The Forgotten Carols.

Aly was hilarious. She kept us laughing almost the whole way. She really enjoys the "open road" as you can see.

Alek was less than thrilled to be in the car. He went to sleep almost immediatley after we got on the road and did NOT want to be disturbed. Alek leaned on Jayce trying to go to sleep, but Jyace was just to excited, eventually they had to trade spots cause Jayce wouldn't hold still.

Jayce and Aly played with my camera, and had a blast doing it.

Not camera shy at all! They make me laugh.

The Forgotten Carols

This year was my first time attending The Forgotten Carols. It was AWESOME! I was able to go with almost my entire family. Grant offered to watch all the kids so we could go. Isn't he sweet? That's how badly he DIDN'T want to go. He's not into the preforming arts. We still had a great time.

At the end of the show Michael McLean has everybody join arms and sing "We can be together forever". It made me very emotional. It just happened to be 2 days shy of the day Jared passed away 9 years ago. I was thankful I had the opportunity to spend the evening in the company of my family. I was reminded of how important my family is to me, and how excited I am to "be together forever someday" with all of them.

With that being said, I decided to list each one of my brothers and sisters and what I love most about them. Aly did this a few months ago and I really enjoyed reading what she thought was special about each of us. So thank you Aly for the idea.

Chris: My favorite thing about Chris is his attitude. Chris is amazing. He is the most upbeat happy person I know. I think mostly because he is focused on the task at hand and has enough faith to know that no matter what, it will work out the way the Lord want's it to.

Jared: Just saying his name makes me chuckle inside. His sense of humor is what I admire Jared for the most. Never sad, always happy and laughing. He is/was a great brother.

Marissa: Her thoughtfulnes would be my favorite thing. I wish that I could be more like her in this way. She is always thinking of someone else, and what she can do to help them. She is very sweet and delicate in the way she handles peoples feelings.

Amy: Her quick wit is the best part of Amy. Amy has a come back for any and all situations. And they are usually pretty dang funny.

James: His dedication and loyalty. Never have I met someone so dedicated to his family. James will always be the first one to offer you a hand when you are down and out. And he will always remind you that you have great worth.
Mari: Her patience and love for everyone. Mari is so loving and kind to everyone. She has such an amazing knowledge of how much Heavenly Father loves all of his children. You can feel it radiate from her. Mari has one of the most pure hearts of any one I have ever met.

Aly: My favorite thing about Aly is her abilty to complete us as a family and her laugh. The best is ALWAYS saved for last. Aly is the glue that holds us all together. She has such a passion for our family. And she is willing to fight for each of us if she has to. Aly's laugh is contagious. Once she starts to laugh you will too. It doesn't matter how grumpy you are, she will get you!

I also have to thank my amazing parents. I think all these attributes that I have just listed are a compliment to them. You have given us each a small part of yourself, and look what we have become. You rock!!!

Best Friends!

Aren't they cute? I love that they are such good friends. They don't fight very often and love to play together. This year they are in the same class in school. We were a little worried at first, but they have done so well. Their teacher on the other hand, not doing so well. Jayce and Alek like to wear the same thing to see how much they can get away with. She has only figured it out a few times. They think it is hilarious! I can't blame them. If I had an identical I would probably do the same thing. By the way "the identical's" is what they call themselves.

Yiruma

Just a little tribute to Twilight.
I had the opportunity to drive
to Salt Lake to watch the
premiere of Twilight with my
friend Sara, my Mom and Dad,
my brother James and his wife
Jerrica, and my sisters Mari

Aly, and Amy.
It was fun to spend time with
family and friends and watch
the movie.
it was super dooper fun and I
can't wait for the second movie!

The two most amazing boys you will ever meet.

Jayce and Alek are so funny. They come up with the strangest things. When we visited the swinging bridge we went outside of Utah very briefly. The boys were totally fascinated that we left Utah. They kept going on and on about it. On our way back into Utah it all became clear to me when the boys insisted we get a picture of them in front of the "Welcome to Utah" sign as proof of them re-entering the "country". It makes me wonder what they think when we go to California?
I am not sure how this happened, but not only did I get one picture of Grant, I got two. AND he is smiling. I have since tried to get another, but have been unsuccesful.
I will continue to try. Who knows, fourteen years from now I may get lucky again!





I love this picture of "the man". The only thing I don't like is that he is standing on a 300 ft cliff. I think that may be why is smiling. He knew I was freaking out, and he loved watching me squirm.

The Swinging Bridge

The swinging bridge is suspended about 100 feet above the Green River. It has wooden planks connected to one another and metal cables hooked to the rocks to keep the bridge suspended.
Grant and Alek were brave enough to drive across it first. The bridge squeaks and sways as you drive across.
Check it out!
You might have to turn your computer. I couldn't get it to rotate. Sorry!



And then they made me go. SCARY!!!!

Our new home...
It's a bit of a fixer upper, but we got an awesome deal.
And...

It comes with a guest house! I think you will really like it mom.

Merry Christmas!!!

So the count down has started. Every morning my kids remind me how many days are left until Christmas. As of today we are down to fifteen. We have enjoyed the Christmas season so far. December 1st we brought out all our decorations and transfigured our home into a winter wonderland. Jayce and Alek got to decorate the tree all by themselves this year while Grant and I went to the temple. The front of the tree is gorgeous. But the back, well it is barren. Alek said he didn't want to waist any of the decorations on the back of the tree where no one could see them. He's got at point!