BYU Fans Congregate

We had the funnest time last night getting together, eating and watching BYU win the Pioneer Bowl! Dan and his girlfriend Ashley, his roommate Lance and Ashley's sister Madi joined us along with my Dad and Mom and Brad and the boys. (Christine was busy assembling some Christmas gifts and we missed her!) It was a great game and the end was especially nail biting. Scott had given up on our team, but I knew from past experience that you never underestimate the Cougars. They have pulled some incredible saves to win some great games and needless to say; it would have been hard to swallow if BYU would have lost since U of U won their bowl game. We are so proud We all are true blue!

The Things We Do For The People We Love!

Okay, there are those people who love animals and there are those who don't. My mom is one of those that just tolerates our pets. She hates dogs licking her, sniffing her, breathing on her, etc. My cute niece Nikell commented to her one time, "I bet you used to like dogs when you were younger". Well my mom came over the other day and asked me to take a picture of her with Griffin, our dog, for a gift she was doing for my niece Amoray. Needless to say I was shocked. So this picture has to be apprecited. I don't think Amoray will appreciate the lengths her Grandmother went to, to create a wonderful gift for her Christmas!

A New Christmas Tradition

Right now I am working three jobs, worked on two birthdays, Christmas and all it's trimmings, and a special gift for my siblings. I was feeling a little frustrated with the season and needed some cheering up. I saw a gingerbread kit at Costco and thought it would be so much fun to put it together with Carter. One night we got together and decorated his house. As expected he ate most of the frosting and candy, but we had a great time. He was so cute, after we would finish each section he would exclaim, "oh, it's perfect"! I am already looking forward to doing it with him and Easton next year.

Birthday's, Birthday's, Birthday's!

Well we just celebrated Jason and Scott's birthdays on December 9. Jason is 17 and Scott, well let's just say that he is very close to the big 5 0! We have a tradition of opening up present first thing in the morning. It seemed really different this year to only have Jason in our bed for the morning birthday celebration. We really missed Dan being there down under the covers pretending that he is conscious of what is going on. I don't know if I will be able to deal with it when there are no more kids to wake up to on their birthdays!

A Christmas First

Every Christmas I do the shopping for everyone and everything alone. This year Scott said he would help me out. Last Saturday was the big day. We not only have Christmas but Scott and Jason's birthdays are on December 9th, so we had some birthday shopping to do also. We were only shopping for a mere three hours and he commented on how much energy this kind of shopping takes. He was noticing that most of the men at the mall had a dazed look on their face and was proud that he had lasted three hours and was only minimally effected. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that he realized how much work I put into getting the right presents for everyone on our list. It is a challenge that I love to meet every year to find just the right thing that will put a smile on everyone's face. I was overjoyed to have some company this year.

Eleven Years + Of Memories

Believe it or not, we finally unpacked the last of our boxes from our move here six years ago. It was a roller coaster of emotions as we unpacked each box and viewed the contents. First I was laughing, then crying, then exclaiming with joy over something I had been looking for, for six years. We lived in Vancouver 11 years. That's the longest I have lived anywhere since I was 12. We had really put down roots, and I dearly loved our house there. There are so many things we miss about living in Vancouver, but overall we are glad that we are here in Utah. We enjoy being close as a family, and getting together and enjoying more memories. I'm glad it's finally done! It is a huge weight off my shoulders!

Six Years Of Happiness And Everything

Six years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life. This day marks the sixth anniversary of Brad and Christine's wedding. Brad has been such a great addition to our family. He just kind of fit right in and we really didn't have much of an adjustment or any bumps in the relationship. He has made a great husband and a wonderful father. Scott and I are so proud of Christine and Brad and their cute little family. They are devoted to their children, their faith, and their parents and we love that they are just minutes away from us. I am so glad that even though Brad is her everything she stills needs her Mom. I love having my daughter as one of my friends.

Congratulations Brad and Christine. Here's to many more wonderful anniversaries so we can tend the boys.

Our Grandkids Are The Best!

This past month we have had the wonderful opportunity of spending time with our cute grandsons one-on-one. We had such a wonderful time with each of them, and just getting to know them and their cute personalities. Carter spent the night at Mama's house. The next morning he woke so cute and cuddle like and we had pancakes (his favorite) for breakfast. Another day we got Easton all to ourselves without having to divide our attention between him and Carter. He is growing up so fast, and has such a darling happy personality. It was so exciting for us to just get to know our not so little Big E. Grandkids are the best! We love having them around. They can turn a perfectly awful day into something special!

Christmas, Already?!!

I don't know about you but I think that the retailer's are starting Christmas earlier every year. This year it seems really ridiculous to me. Here it is the first week of November and I have been trying to find Thanksgiving items for Bunco gifts and I was having a hard time finding anything because all the Christmas stuff was taking over. You would have to be shopping in September and October to catch anything for Thanksgiving. We barely get through with Halloween and it's Christmas. Whatever happened to Thanksgiving?! I feel like we can't even enjoy each holiday because they are pushing Christmas on us before Halloween is over with. I LOVE Christmas, but I would like to enjoy the other holidays too.

What do you think? Answer the poll to the right and let me know what you think.

Visiting Dan The College Man

Two weeks ago Jason had fall break and was out of school for three days. The only thing he wanted to do was to go and visit Daniel. So we headed down to Cedar City (about 3 hours south of us) for a visit.

Daniel showed us a his apartment and we met some of his roommates. We took a quick tour of the college and saw where some of his classes were. He is really having a great time there and is enjoying all of his classes very much. He even does his homework! (Who is this kid?)

We joined up with Christine and her family for some dinner as they were passing through on their way home from Las Vegas. Unfortunately they couldn't stay over night with us and so they headed home after they got the grand tour of Daniel's apartment.

The next day we visited Zion's National Park. It was spectacular!! We didn't have time to see all we wanted to see, so we will have to make a return trip. We took Daniel shopping at Wal-Mart for some food and he said between the dinners out and the new groceries it was the best weekend he had had in a long time! You see, it's all about the food for Daniel.

Jason got his first experience with the Polygamists. There are a lot in southern Utah and Daniel said there are always one or two families at the Wal-Mart.

It was hard saying good-bye as we left. Having Daniel away has left a big hole in our family. We always enjoy being together and sharing memories.

Dreams Really Do Come True

Scott had to go to a conference for work at the Disneyland Hotel and he knew that he could not go without me tagging along.

I have been to Disneyland, and I have a season pass. I have been to Disney World and my only other Disney dreams were to stay at the Disneyland Hotel and to go on the cruise. He was so pleased that he could make on of my dreams come true.

I have to say that we weren't too impressed with the room itself, but the customer service is incredible. If you want it and they don't have it they will find it for you. If they make a mistake they apologize not only once but four or five times. We really felt like someone special!

So dreams may not come when you want them, or exactly how you dream them, but they can come true. Mine did! 20 years ago I had a knight in shining armor rescue me, and he has continued to surprise and delight me and has helped in making many of my dreams come true.

My Super Hero

I had the wonderful opportunity to go and sit with my Father during one of his Chemo treatments. You know, I thought my Dad was pretty incredible but after sitting with him through that I am even more impressed! He was joking with the nurses, and then he picks up the Reader's Digest and starts telling me the jokes out of that.

First they pump him full of anti-nausea medicine, then they start the Chemo, which they monitor very carefully because if it goes too fast then it could destroy his vein. After an hour or so of the Chemo medicine going in, his face turns a different color and his eyes became very heavy.

When he is done, he tells the nurses that he won't have to come in for another treatment because this one is going to do the trick and it will be his last (This was his third treatment). He left the nurse speechless.

There is not much that can stop my Dad. He told me he's still got golf courses to play!