What Did You Do for the Holidays?

Missy got MARRIED!!!!

Meet Chris Parkin and Elvis. Missy married Chris in Las Vegas on January 2, 2010! So far, I like him. He is funny, has gray hair and makes Missy very, very happy!

Happy 17th Birthday Tanner!

Seventeen...I love this little man!
When Tanner was younger, he would spend a few weeks in California with Grandma and Grandpa. My dad didn't like his long hair, so while Tanner was SLEEPING, he cut his bangs and sent me this photo! My dad thought he did a great job!

I must admit as challenging as it is to be around Tanner's energy, that is what I love the most about him. Tanner doesn't like to give hugs...never has but now I usually get one before he leaves for seminary in the morning. It was a welcoming surprise. I also LOVE when he sends me a text and says, "I love you." My favorite moments is watching him get a shot. It's payback for all the torture of his toddler years. Sounds wrong, but seriously one must experience it with Tanner. I also love his ideas...his latest, SCOUCHING. He mounted 4 ski's on an old couch and hauled it up the golf course. Two friends gave it a push, while three ski down on the couch.

Happy Birthday Tan Man!

Meet Tegan and Max

My mom picked up her new puppies! Cubby hasn't quite warmed up to the idea of two dogs under 10 pounds each...Give him time!
Meagan is holding Tegan and Cubby is trying to feel the love from Max.

Tegan after his first day with Mom.

Returning Back Home

Final photos before we travel back to Utah!
Grandma and the Grandkids
Tiff, Mom and Missy

2009 Christmas Video

including another Dance Marathon

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Skating, Temple Lights with the Smith's

We had a chance to spend the evening with the Smith's. Great friends from South Jordan. It was sweet to see the kids reunite. They played football, baseball and cheerleading together when they were little. At one time they were all in elementary school...now two are in college and the other three in high school!
Kariel and Jordan...when the girls were smaller, Kariel who is all GIRLY-GIRL would try so hard to dress Jordan in pink and comb her hair.

Kariel tried so hard with Jordan and had little success until Tanner showed up. They have footage of Tanner (age 9) dressed in pink tights and a tu-tu!

and this is why we don't have a Christmas card this year...

Getting a family photo with Tanner is nearly impossible!

Jordan...

she is growing up....

Holiday Fun

Jordan was skating in a Holiday Ice Show in Park City. Missy and Leslie joined us.

A Very Special Christmas...

Tanner has the most amazing gift for the family! He shared it with Jason and I. Seriously, I can't wait for Christmas morning...The Christmas Spirit has just arrived. Time to decorate!

Thanksgiving Dinner

We had a great Thanksgiving Day! We even cooked faked TURKEY...I thought it was gross but Taylor and Jasmine loved it. Jason and Missy were caught rapping and dancing in the kitchen...
Missy and I before dinner. The next morning we left for St. George to visit Kathy and watch the horrible, depressing football game.

Jasmine's mother joined us for dinner. She is a wonderful lady. Notice my floating candle apples? Fun little table decoration. Tanner and Jordan had to have the "New Moon" cups on the table! We are excited to have Jasmine join us for the Christmas Holidays in California!
Tanner and Jordan. I love when they get along!!!

Taylor and Jordan

Can you believe it's DECEMBER????

Uncle Tom is in town...

We received a great email from Julie (Tom's wife) a few days ago. They were coming to Utah for Thanksgiving! We had a chance to visit with them. Tom and his family were staying in a condo at Sundance. Uncle Tom met us at the lodge and I was touched to watch Tanner, Taylor and Jordan run up to him and give their Uncle Tom a great big hug. They have really missed having him be a part of their lives...
It was a fun evening catching up and just relaxing.

I can't believe how fast Tanner is growing up!

My kids love spending time with their cousin Amelia. Jasmine (Taylor's girlfriend) also joined us.

Cute Roy! He is now 4 years old and LOVES airplanes!!!

I love spending time with Taylor. He is doing so well. I love him and so happy to finally be in this stage of his life. He is finally happy!

Announcing...

He put in MANY long hours...I love this photo and I love his voice.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Mom joined us for another fantastic trip. Jordan did not qualify for Sectionals held in Jackson Hole, but Jason was the chief announcer and we thought it would be a fun little get away.
Our family friend, Leslie, joined us. We had this beautiful three level, three bedroom condo.

Mom will always stop for a photo with a cub bear!

The weather was sunny but cold. We had snow the last two days.

This is my favorite restaurant, Merry Piglets. Cordero stayed with us the last two nights, along with his dog Silly. We are so proud of Cordero. He placed 4th overall and qualified for the US Figure Skating Championships (Nationals). It was a great competition and since Jordan was not competing we were able to watch many events.

We just love Leslie...she is a great family friend. We also went to the movies. I hardly go to the movies but I went twice in one week. We saw "This is It" - Loved it and "New Moon" - Hated it...Jason had one afternoon off from announcing. It was nice to spend some time with him too.

This is Silly, the dog that pooped in the front seat of our car. Jason was often teasing this sweet pooch calling him "fatty" or "white Q-Tip with teeth"...We watched a late showing of "New Moon." Jason was not announcing and I dragged him to the awful movie. Silly stayed in the car, which he is very use to. When we came out of the movie theater, Silly left a little gift on Jason's seat. I think it was payback for all the mean names! We laughed, REALLY laughed so hard. Cordero was embarrassed and quickly took care of his dog's mess.

Grandma's Back in Town

My mom was back in town to spend a weekend in Jackson Hole. Before we left, we made a stop to visit Aunt Jean and Uncle Harold.
We also made a coffee break with Uncle Steve and Uncle Jeff. I love Uncle Jeff's smile!

Uncle Jeff has a new dog, Tucker. We had to stop by and visit him. This dog just loves the camera!

Mom and her brother Steve riding in the Mothership...

Early Morning Seminary

It's been my goal this school year to make a large breakfast for the family before they leave for early morning seminary. It's been a big hit for the family and they have enjoyed all the bacon, pancakes, hashbrowns and eggs along with the orange juice and family prayer as the quickly leave the house for seminary.
However, this morning after they ate I found them in the livingroom back to sleep with their backpacks on!

Happy Birthday, Jason!!!

My favorite times with Jason...

1-Listening to him announce at a baseball games, ice rinks, ski hill or hockey games. I love working at the rink, especially during events and as I am running around, I can hear his voice announcing throughout the facility. It brings me comfort...

2-Attending or watching any kind of sports. We love attending the U of U football games or Bee's baseball games. Even being at home and watching the game is always fun with Jason!

3-Going away to Hawaii last February...oh yes, that was incredible!

4-The evenings he is playing War Games in the livingroom and I am playing Bejeweled in the office. We often shout at each other, "I love you!"

5-TiVo...late at night, he will watch my TiVo shows with me (General Hospital and Oprah!)

6-Friday nights...all the kids are out of the house and it's just Jason and I.

7-All the kids are in the house and watching him cook and chat with them all.

8-Late at night, when everyone is in bed and we talk until the wee hours...

9-When he comes home early, just to be home early.

10-Growing old with him...I can't believe he is 43 years old!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Thinking About Dad...

Seriously...two years. It's been 2 years since my Dad died. I still hear his laughter, I still smile when I see his photos and my heart aches when I think how much I miss him! Two years...

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

We celebrated Halloween with the Utes!

Great Game, Great Company

It was great...we didn't buy any candy. Left a note on the door saying "Go UTES!..."
I didn't have to deal with costumes! and I don't have to pick up candy wrappers for the next week and the UTES won!!!

Tanner's New Haircut

Tanner has a new job at the movie theaters at Gateway. However, they require short hair! (I love it...)

Skatin' Utes!!!

Jason's new adventure is now announcing for the University of Utah Hockey team! He really enjoys getting to know the players and staff. It's fun to see our rink turn into this loud, fast action game!
Missy and I stopped by a while ago to listen to Jason announce for a few minutes. We were hooked. We stayed for the entire game and now attend most of their games! We are learning the rules and trying to understand this sport...
The kids came and joined us one evening...