Our Sunny Carribean Cruise, 2010

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Spring on Temple Square

The flowers are starting to bloom on temple square and they are so pretty.  We walk by them several times each week as  we go back and forth to church or shopping.  It has been fun to see what new flowers are blooming each time we are there.  We have loved the little orange flowers that seem to be a variety of tulips but the hyacinths are my favorites. They are so fragrant!  There have to be thousands of pansies all around temple square so if that is one of your favorite flowers you are going to love to be on temple square this spring. What a wonderful place to live by and to be able to see often.

My Dear Sweet Dad

A few weeks ago we got word that my dad's cancer is being very aggressive and as a result he has been told he has 9-12 months to live, which apparently has even been downgraded to 6-9 months. May I say how that has saddened my heart. When I think of the many happy times of my life I can attribute so many of them to him. He and mom have spent a lifetime taking care of us socially, physically, and spiritually. How lucky we have been to be part of a family that has parents that consider us among their greatest blessings. I know they would do anything for me if I just asked them and am grateful to know they care for me enough to do so. How does a person get to be so lucky to come to a big family that is gospel centered and family oriented? So many people are not so fortunate and for this blessing I will be forever thankful.

I think our parents are perfect examples of our church's "Proclamation on the Family", and if we can do as they have done we can be examples also. I am thankful my mom spent her life at home caring for our really large family, for the things I learned from her, sewing skills, cooking skills, homemaking skills, as well as lessons in obedience and example just to name a few. There were probably times she wanted to run away from home and get away from all that responsibility but she has always been there for us. I am thankful for a father who put our family first and went to work everyday to provide for us so we would have the things we needed as we grew up and even after we left home. He has always been full of fun, and willing to share all he had with others. That is one of the best things I have learned from him. Thanks to both of these wonderful people.
Because of their sacrifices I was able to grow up in a home where I felt safe, loved and needed. In today's society that is not found as often as it should be and I thank my parents for putting our needs first, so often before their own. Love to you both.

New Christmas Pajama Night

Here we are at West Yellowstone getting ready for Christmas. Russell hadn't made it there yet so we are missing him in the photo. Sorry honey. We had such fun with all our family there. What a blessing it was to be able to spend time with those that we love the most!

The Tall and Short of It!! Elder Jimmey My Love Allan Update

Here is a hilarious photo of Jimmey My Love with his new companion. He is Elder Austin and went to Lonepeak High School. He will be playing basketball for BYU when he completes his mission. (Karla, he is going to become one of your boys!) Anyway just wanted to share this with you.
Just in case you might want to send some Christmas joy his way, Elder Allan's address is: 1714 Lexington Cir #5, Edinburg,TX 78539

Thanksgiving, Trotting Across America and Birthdays

Come to find out, apparently my entire family was doing a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning. Eric and family were trotting in Hailey, Idaho, Blake and family in Ohio, and the rest of us were trotting in Draper, Utah. When we Utahn's were done with our turkey trot I checked my phone and had texts from Eric and Blake telling me about their trots. I think I knew Blake and Lindsey were doing a turkey trot but not Eric and his family. This is a photo from Eric's turkey trot. Doesn't it just make you warm and snuggly. This is his his wife and two cute kids, mother-in-law, and his sister-in-law and her hubby, . I didn't ask him what the temperature was in Bellevue but it doesn't look to awfully warm.

The Utah turkey trot was called the Human Race. It was a 5K. We had two groups of entries. The stroller gang which was Russell, Meredith, Saria, Easton and Grace. Royce, AubRee, Brittany, and Colby ran and I walked. AubRee was the winner at just over 24 minutes, Royce came in 2nd at the 25 minute mark, Colby was around 30 minutes, Brittany just over 31 minutes and I walked it in just over 37 minutes. It was pretty cold, 28 degrees and it took us a while to warm up after it was over. It was quite a fun thing to do and the general opinion was that we should do it again.




Besides the turkey trot on Thanksgiving it was also Royce's birthday. We went to the brunch at the Little America for our Thanksgiving so we celebrated his birthday and Thanksgiving there. Happy birthday Royce.

Brittany's Video Podcast Assignment, It's Yummy!

Here is an assignment Brittany did for one of her classes at school. It is delicious, and fun while being educational, good job Brit! I want to learn this.....