Ahhhh Christmas!

So Christmas this year was just a bit different, but awesome! Grandpa Bill had been inviting us to his house for Christmas for months, so we decided that we would surprise him on Christmas Eve and just show up.

We got up at 3:00 AM Christmas Eve morning so we could be out of here by 4:00. It's a 10 hour drive and we wanted to be there in time to see the sunset at the beach. Steve surprised us with an early Christmas present. It was a Garmin and we named it Karen, cuz that was her name and we loved her cuz she got us where ever we wanted to go, (what did we ever do without her, especially in LA!)

Anyway, after a long drive we checked into our hotel then drove to the beach. It was just about the greatest thing we have done as a family...lots of pictures below. Then, using Karen, we drove to the LA Temple to see the lights. They were pretty, but nothing compared to Salt Lake, or Mesa, sorry Grandma and Eileen.

We knew that Grandpa Bill would probably be home by this time, so again using Karen, we drove to his house. Not there! We knew that he would probably be at the Christmas Eve service at his church, and, since we had Karen, we punched in churches and found his. As we drove up their service was just ending so we hid around the corner by his truck and waited for him to walk by. As he did we started singing Christmas Carols and he looked over at us and just about pulled a gun on us. I think we startled him a bit. My Grandpa (Bill's dad) was visiting from Florida so it was fun to surprise him too.

After we all settled down a bit we went to his house to visit. The next morning we were all going to go to Christmas Morning Service with them, but Raddon decided to wake up early and go exploring in the hotel. Unfortunately he got stuck in the elevator, for about 1 1/2 hours! The girls and boys were in different rooms, on different floors, so while I was getting ready I could hear the sirens (from the fire trucks!) and felt so bad for some poor family. Little did I know that my poor little guy was in dire need of his mother. And, of course his dad didn't want me on scene until they had him out! The nerve! Anyway, the front desk clerk finally had to call the fire department to come and help, and they got him out. They were great! They took everyone on a ride in the fire Truck after the trauma. :)

Steve had to come home early, to be back at church, so we took him to the airport after that. Sad he had to leave on Christmas Morning, but we had fun while we had him!

We spent the day visiting with family, and the next day we visited Nancy's family and my Aunt Maxine. She was always my favorite aunt, and it was nice to see her again.

On Monday we were able to go to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. So glad we were able to do that. I loved President Reagan, and being reminded of his positive presidency again was refreshing.

It has been one of the best Christmas Breaks I can remember. Tomorrow we all go back to school, except Mandy and Kale. Mandy is home until April, YAY!...and Kale goes back next week. :( I love my family, and love all the time we are able to spend together, and the fun we have!

Christmas 2010

My New Favorite Song!

This just makes me happy!

Busy Fall

So last Saturday my nephew Ray married this beautiful girl, Natalie.  They are so cute.  Earlier this fall my niece Jessie married Andy.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Andy and Jessie, but they are perfect for each other, as are Ray and Natalie.

It has been so fun watching these cute kids grow up and get married.  They are great people and married wonderful companions. 

Thanksgiving was really fun.  Mandy and Kale were both able to make it home and we spent the entire weekend together.  It was great.  Friday the girls and I went Black Friday shopping. We mostly go to make fun of people, and we weren't disappointed this year!  We also went to go see Harry Potter 7.  I think I will go into deep depression next summer when the last movie comes out.  What will all of us HP Geeks do when there aren't any more HP excitements! (I know, I'm so weird!)

Anyway, we are in full Christmas mode now.  Even though there aren't any little kids in our house we can still feel the excitement.  I think being with my sweet little students everyday really helps!

For now...Merry Christmas!

So spoiled

So we have been hearing about this hike for months now, and have been wanting to go, but you know how it is...life gets in the way.  So for my birthday, my awesome husband made reservations up in Page and took me away so we could go on our hike.  Conveniently it was a half day at work on my birthday, and then Fall Break on Friday, so we really got to go play.

Anyway, this canyon is up in Page and it is called Antelope Canyon.  It is one of the most fascinating places I have ever seen.  I'm so glad we got to go.  It is on the Navajo Reservation, so a guide had to take us through.  We were the only Americans in our group.  Apparently this is an International destination for travelers...and it is right here.

I had a great birthday, and I feel very spoiled by this amazing man that I get to share my days with.  Thanks for all your kind birthday wishes!

Fall

So how cute are these kids?!  I love good kids and I love good kids who are good examples.  These kids were in our home today on their Homecoming date and I loved hearing their conversations, laughing and fun banter.  These kids want to do good and they are good examples to their peers.  They went on a photo scavenger hunt and said they had a lot of fun.  Love it!

We are well into fall and all that that entails.  Lots of football, parent teacher conferences, dance performances, and the middle school play.  Mandy and Kale are both back at school, and loving it (well as much as you can love school).  Mandy is Relief Society President of her ward and is finding the trials of leadership to be a challenge.  She is lucky to have this challenge now, and learn how to deal with it.  We are proud of her.  Kale is also in the Relief Society Presidency.  She is 2nd counselor to a girl who used to babysit her.  Oh how the world turns!  They are good girls!

Our little town has been hit hard again.  We love the Rogers family and pray for them daily.  Bonnie was a good friend of ours, especially Rex.  Her loss was felt deeply here in our home and we will miss her.  Funny how the Lord works.  He is in charge, isn't he?!

School Started, Girls Leaving,, End of the Season...Sigh :(

The end of summer always makes me a little bit sad. I LOVE the warm weather, lazy days, being with my kids all day (even though most of them worked all summer...oh I miss those little kid days!), late summer nights, etc, etc, etc...Summer is just good and I miss it even before it is over every year.

Another school year has started (a few weeks ago actually) and Kale started her first year of college about a week ago. It was touch and go there for a while as to weather or not we were going to be able to keep her at school...she was a little bit homesick and really wanted to come home. She hung in there like a trooper though and is doing much better. We are so proud of her. She is getting involved in her ward and with friends and institute. She will love it.

Mandy leaves to go back up to school next Saturday. Boy I sure miss her when she is gone...we tend to take our kids for granted while we have them within our grasp, and then they leave :(

My niece got married 2 weeks ago, first one in the Hamblin family...she married a really nice guy from South Carolina. They make a great couple. They day after they were married my nephew Ray proposed to his girl friend and they will be getting married in December. I can't believe how old my nieces and nephews are getting...they were all here having sleep overs like yesterday...time!

We are super busy with Rex, Riann and Raddon activities. Football, Dance and Mr. VP stuff. Raddon started Middle School and is thinking it is pretty cool! Riann is a beautiful, graceful dancer; and Rex loves playing varsity this year as #88. Love the Elks!

Days keep flying by and we get one day older...course we are as young as we feel!

Family Vacation '10

So we went to Utah for our Family Vacation with the Sorenson's. Had the best time! Got pedicures, went to Lagoon TWICE!, school shopping, did lunch with my old high school friend Pam (love you girl!) and checked out Temple Square in the summer. I love Utah, forget how beautiful it is, and I am proud to have lived and grown up there.
Good memories with good friends. I love vacation!

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4th of July in Eagar

Isn't it the best?! I love the 4th and all that goes with it. Our float did turn out and it was AMAZING. We loved having Grandpa Bill, Grandma Melinda, Mandy & Tia here. We sure did miss Richard though. We had such a fun time with Walt and Wendy and the Sorensons, thanks for sharing it with us.

Hope you all had as much fun as we did!

4th of July '10 - flash slideshow

June

June started out in full swing with the Trek, it was amazing! Then 1 week later we had the plane crash that was horrible. The rest of the month has been filled with irrigation, float making and painting. Busy, busy June...

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Todd Bosen, we will sure miss that great man.

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Ulrich Family

So it ends up that there weren't two on the plane that crashed into our school, it was a family of 4 who were on their way up to the Grand Canyon. This is from their memorial...so sad.



(Igor Arizona?)
Anyway, just thought I should post this update. Our little town has been so supportive, this is just the best place to be. I'm proud of the people who I am surrounded by.

Happy Sunday, and Happy Father's Day to the greatest men in my life.

Plane Crash

So the craziest thing happened today! A plane took off from our local airport (which is SO small for those of you not from here) and crashed into our high school. The pilot and passenger were killed which is so sad. However, it could have been a horrific tragedy. It is a miracle that it happened today, Friday, and not yesterday. The district employees who are on a 12 month contract just went to 4 10 hour days 2 weeks ago so no one was in the building. If that had happened yesterday we would have had to bury half of our ward, as many of them work in the offices that were directly hit.

We live 2 blocks from here...it could have been a disaster.

Kale was coming home from work and saw it happen, she was pretty shaken, but once she realized that everyone was okay, she was better. Heavenly Father loves us and for that I am grateful!

Check this video out for more info.

Trek 2010

So we just got back from the Trek. It was amazing as always. In 2000 Steve and I were Ma and Pa, which I loved. I loved my family and the bond we created with those kids. I didn't think it could get better from there.

In 2005 Steve and I were adult participants in different families. Mandy also went, and I thought it was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. It wasn't better than 2000, but different, and I loved it.

Then this year we were asked to help in the back up camp. We didn't have to Trek this time, but we were able to be there the whole time and watch our kids from a distance. It was inspiring to watch their strength and the way they interacted with their own Trek families. No one can tell me that this program isn't inspired. It is one of the greatest things I have ever participated in. So many life lessons learned and pondered...

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Graduation

boo hoo....what more is there to say?

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Seminary Graduation, Baccalaureate, Spring Concert

Last Sunday was Seminary Graduation and Baccalaureate. Kale had to speak at Seminary Graduation and did an amazing job. We were so proud of her. She is such a good girl. Brother Smith said of her "I don't know another who is as pure of heart as Kale". She is kind and generous.

Monday was the Spring Concert for Choir. Riann is in the first choir, which is an all girls choir. Kale is in the second choir. They do a medley of Les Miserable which is really good for a high school choir, it is quite long though.

I will post pictures of Graduation later. It is hard to believe that we have yet another graduate in the house. Exciting times for them though.

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