Malorie Turns 10

 

Happy Birthday Dear Malorie

 

Matching BYU shirts with brother Jason - well, his isn't Hello Kitty.

 

One can never have too many princesses!!

 

Christmas 2012

 

We spent another wonderful Christmas Eve at Grandma Janet and Grandpa Gary's house.

 

 

Me with my cousins - I'm so proud to be part of this group of amazing people!

 

 

 

Our Christmas morning...it started so peacefully -

 

 

 

Then the ants started marching...

 

Then we saw how a large family of 11 can quickly turn peacful into...

 

 

...a huge heap of fun!

Ward Christmas Party

Joseph was so proud of his creation!

 

 

But not too proud to be his mother's son when the camera came out!

Quick photo-op with Santa!

 

Megan Turns 14

It's hard to believe how fast the years are flying by!

It seems like yesterday that Megan would toddle down the hall to her bedroom and slam her door - then open it and slam it again if she didn't get the reaction she wanted from her parents.  Or was that just yesterday?

 

 

Megan is a joy!  So grown up - and still the fun-loving sister who will organize a scavenger hunt for her younger siblings or stop what she's doing to play with them with their stuffed animals.

 

Thanks for being such a wonderful young woman, Megan. You make being parents fun!!

 

 

Called to Serve in the Korea, Daejeon Mission

Finally!

And at the same time ... 

In the blink of an eye!

 

 

Jason had to work the day that his mission call arrived.  He got off at 7pm, but the family was all at their various activities at the church until 8pm - not getting home until after 8:30pm.  So Jason came to the church and opened his call with all of our friends who were at the church that night!

 

 

 

Drumroll..........

 

 

 

There isn't a mother more proud of her son than I am of mine.

 

 

Jason's ordination a few weeks earlier.

 

 

 

Volleyball and Basketball - Tis the Season!

Megan had a great Volleyball season this year!

 



 

She's not sure if she'll play next year in High School or not,

but she sure enjoyed Middle School!

 

Jacob's Basketball season is just starting up!

 

 

I'm not sure who has more fun - Jacob playing or mom watching!!

 

Thanksgiving

My loyal parade watchers!!

 

 

My mom & dad, Lindsay and Mardi's family all joined us this year.

 

Games and dessert and visiting - good times!

 

For the record - I took this picture!

 

 

Wrapping up October

Madilyn got her license!  She came home to a custom made cake from dad and the kids!

 

 

The last family tag (unless you want to tackle) football game of the year.

 

 

The ward chili feed...plop, plop, fizz, fizz

 

Trunk or Treating

 

Halloween!

Whew!

 

 

Happy Birthday to Me!

42 Years Ago Today (October 4)...my mom was shopping in Sears...

Ok, it's cuter when we do that with the kids!  So, here are the beautiful roses and oh-so-yummy Cherry Cheesecake that Brandon made for me!

The wonderful Brooks running shoes that my mother gave me - mostly because she felt sorry for me turning old and developing Plantar Fasciitis.  Nice, huh? 

(I added the pink laces.  I love them.  I know you hate them, Barnes.  Keep it to yourself!)

But I do love running, so this was a very, very awesome gift to get!  Thanks, mom!

 

The Cup Cozy that my cousin, Mardi made for me!

(Hot Chocolate tastes even better now!)

 

 

 

42 doesn't mean you have to grow up, does it?

 

LED pointer.  Yep, I'm that mature!

General Conference October 2012

We had a very eventful General Conference this Fall!

 

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available." - Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

Within seconds our phones were buzzing with text messages and emails!  Jason was planning to serve a mission, but had his sites set on July 28, 2013, when he turned 19.  This rocked our world!  Needless to say, Jason was on the computer as soon as Conference was over getting his paperwork together.  By the end of the week he had been to the dentist and the doctor.  That darned TB result thing set him back a couple of days - but within 10 days of the announcement, Jason's papers were off to Salt Lake!!  And then the wait begain!!

 

Not to be outdone by Jason's excitement, poor Little Joseph Evil Kenevil'ed over his handle bars and put a tooth through his lip - and then lost it in the driveway!  Luckily, when I frantically phoned Brandon during Priesthood Session of General Conference, he was sitting next to our dentist!!  They both left the meeting immediately and met me at the office...again...where I think one day they will name a wing of the building after us!

 

 

Joseph was thrilled that he was able to fool the tooth fairy with the small rock that was embedded in his lip from the crash!  Fairies can be so dumb sometimes!