Getting Closer!

Its exciting to see the progress of our back yard. Its starting to look like a yard and less like a desert patch with a big pool hole. If you haven't seen the other pictures of the pool, scroll down to the older posts.

Thanksgiving traditions

Jared and I come from families where food is very important. Not just any food, but good food. What I mean by that is homemade is always better, real butter, potatoes and homemade gravy are a must, and when it comes to our holiday meals, we don't cut many corners. Jared of course is a big part of this and helps me a lot. He helped make the pies this year, and single handedly took care of the turkey, rolls, potatoes, and gravy. (I know unbelievable huh) I had the broccoli casserole, two styles of yams, salad, and two kinds of stuffing to keep me busy, along with making the table look pretty. So fun, but I'm glad its only a couple times a year! My pies turned out especially nice this year, so I took a picture. Everyone has pie traditions at Thanksgiving, ours are: pumpkin, apple, and chocolate cream. Thanks for helping honey, I love that you are willing, you're the best!

Grandma June

Mine is a great heritage. My parents both come from LARGE LDS close knit families. I have just returned from my Grandma June's funeral up in South East Idaho where my roots are from. Grandma was 91 and had lived a very full and great life. She was my last living grandparent. Although it was an emotional weekend, I couldn't help but feel that it was more of a celebration of her life and her descendants. You see, Grandma had 12 children. (one died at birth-scroll down to see her children, all but one was in attendance). Grandma also had 66 grandchildren; 143 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was amazing at keeping them all straight too! I am priveleged to be one of those grandchildren to whom she has handed down lessons in loving FAMILY, GOD, & COUNTRY and a legacy of hardwork passed down from generation to generation. I would have it no other way. Thanks Grandma for your example as you waited patiently for Grandpa and you to be sealed all those years. Thanks for servng two missions and inspiring so many of your descendants to do the same. Countless blessings of the gospel have been spread world wide because of this. I am proud to be your grand-daughter and I will carry on your traditions. I love you. My siblings and parents: Back row: Kandra, Clark, Anthony, Dad front row: Kimberly, Geneva, Mom

Disneyland Magic

We love Disneyland in our family! We just returned from another fun-filled trip to Southern California where we enjoyed Disneyland, Legoland, and Sea World. Disneyland is by far my favorite. Just walking down mainstreat with the anticipation of the day ahead, seeing the characters, and hopping on that first ride is enough to make just about anyone giddy with excitement (and forget how much money they spent to get there). It somehow transforms me into a kid all over again! We were lucky enough to have lots of cousins, and G'ma & G'pa with us this year. Every year brings new memories and a new favorite thing each kid did this time. Carter loved riding Indiana Jones and Space Mountain. Hanna loved meeting Belle at Princess story time and California Screamin', Jake got to fight Darth Vader (he'd been talking about that for weeks), and Josh loved meeting Pooh Bear and shooting his BUZZ blaster at his cousins!

Trick or Treating with Cousins

Audrey 13-Witch, Austin 8-Darth Vader, Carter 8-Grim Reaper, Andrew 10-Army Guy, Hanna 6-Belle, Jake 4-Jango Fett, Josh 1.5-Pirate

With such a big group, it was hard to keep track of all of our trick or treators! We also met some friends from the ward along the way, so at one point we would arrive at a house and 15 kids would parade up to the door! The kids raced from house to house with Carter, Andrew, and Austin leading the way. We lost Jake at one point (not shocking for those of you that know him well), and we covered all, but one street in our little neighborhood. The weather was perfect-no jackets needed! It all made for a perfect Halloween.
Jake was the most excited for his costume this year. He saw it in a magazine and talked about it for days. I found it online for a more reasonable price and we caved and ordered it for him. It was the perfect costume for him since he eat, drinks, and sleeps Star Wars right now! He told everyone "I'm going to be Jingle this year". To their bewildered responses we would have to clarify that for him. By Halloween though, he was finally saying it right!