Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?

My Dad sure did!

I am so mad, mad, mad #$%^&* enviromentalist!

I knew that today was the day that the BLM was selling drilling rights in Utah so I was keeping an eye on the news, and was infuriated at this news article. KSL News Article I am so mad, first of all some of the leased were pulled before they even had the auction, "because the parcels were near some wilderness areas." Yes that is correct near. (sorry my computer crapped out on me and I had to restart.) I got this out of the Moab Times newspaper, which I left at my parent's house. When I tried to search for the article I couldn't find it. So I hope I got the quote right. Anyway I am really so mad at this total idot, he bid on leases that he never intended on paying for, and jacked up the prices for drilling companies buying the leases. No wonder the gas prices are all over the charts. I believe that Heavenly Father gave us this land and we should use it not abuse it. I wish that these environmentalist would put as much time, money and energy into working on renewable energy resources, instead of tearing down our struggling economy. Not to mention the amount of money we as tax payers are going to have to shell out because of the mess that this one person has created. I am so mad. I have to take a break, Check back later after I have cooled down and I may write some more. Here is some info from the BLM website

I finished! Now Christmas can come.

I finished the boot stockings I purchased last year and never had time to get them done.

The kids have been bugging me all year to get these done. I still want to get a glitter pen and do some fancy names on them, but that can wait, I don't want to overdo myself! I would hate to run out of things to do.

This is my light fixture in my kitchen, I made my sisters look at greenery for hours at Tia Pan Trading, and then ended up using things I already had.

People have been asking me about my house, well the only room that I have done is the Dining Room, so here is a picture. Keep bugging me though, because one day I am going to finish decorating.

Here is Parker's finished gingerbread house. I love how he did the chimney, and then as he was decorating a lot of the candy turned into bobie-traps. He is such a boy! I think this is what we are going to get Jer for Christmas, what do ya think?

Christmas Cheer

Parker's school did a little singing program for Christmas, he was so excited because he got to sing the "Grinch Song". I was impress by the program that was put on, but I was very put off how rude everyone was during the performance. People were walking around the whole time, and I took a video of the kids singing, but it turned out awful because the people sitting next to me were so loud, and were saying the rudest things. Parker sang great and loved doing it.

The other great thing that Parker's school did was decorating Gingerbread houses. Payton and I went into his classroom to help, and Payton ended up getting to decorate one too. My favorite picture is her with all the candy spread out in front of her, The girl was in heaven. Parker was very proud of his house.
Payton at the Candy Table

Parker working hard.

It has been very cold here, and then it started snowing not my favorite weather, but it did make a pretty picture.

I also wanted to say Thank You to my sweet husband. I ripped the old kitchen faucet out with my super hero strength. (Actually just went to turn it and it just snapped off in my hand. I tried to blame it on the kids, but Jer saw right through it.) So here it is my shiny new faucet. Jer is so awesome, he works so hard for our family, and then comes home, and works harder to fix everything we broke in his absence. He also is the first to go and help anyone else who needs help, and all my Uncles love him.

Crazy Kids, Christmas Cards, and My Grandma Mary Jean

Well I guess since I can't sleep I might as well keep you up too! So yesterday I was in taking a shower, and I was just getting out when I heard a lot of screaming. So I cracked the door open to find out what was going on, and I see streakers running down the hall. Now I don't have the most modest children, but it is super cold where we live, so I just stood there listening. The conclusion that I came to was that they had been outside doing snow angels. NAKED!!!, no wonder my kids hate snow. I don't know who told them that they had to make snow angels naked, but I really wish that person would have warned me so I could have had the video camera ready!







I didn't know my Grandma Mary Jean very well, I was very young when she passed away, but here are a couple of things my Mom told me about her, that make me think of her and my Mom this time of year.

• Whenever it had just snowed and the snow still clung to the trees, with that pretty new blanket of snow my Grandma would say "Oh it looks like a winter scene." Still to this day when we get up and it has snowed we all say. "Oh it looks like a winter scene, Grandma Mary Jean would have loved this." I don't even know if she liked snow or not, but she did grow up in the Salt Lake Valley, so maybe she did.



• My Mom is so fun to buy for at Christmas, that I usually end up getting her a few gifts, and then can't decide which one to give her. So I will ask her, and she will respond by saying all of them. "Then she always tells us that Grandma Mary Jean would say "Tell me what you got me for Christmas, I will forget by then and it will be a surprise." Isn't that the truth, I know that both my Mom and I hide the gifts that we buy for people, and then can't find them when it is time to give them away, or I wrap something, and then on Christmas Morning the person opens it and it is a SURPRISE to me, and I think "Wow I totally forgot that is what I got you."

Okay now on to Christmas Cards. I have been procrastinating, but I think it is time. If you want one make sure that you e-mail me your address. mallorystacy @ yahoo dot com

This is our 2007 picture, Yep Payton has a funny face!
This is our 2008, the only diffence I tell is we all have more hair, and Jer hasn't slept for 36 hours. (ooops who planned that?(

I am so mad I want to throw a heck of a lot more than a freaking shoe!

Did you read about the Iraqi who threw his shoes at Bush? Check out the link here. I am so mad, it doesn't matter what America does everyone thinks it is wrong, I totally putting this on to the media. Not to mention what would have happened if an American had done this to a president from another country. I hope after this Iraqi got home his Momma boxed his ears in, and just so I can get my own cutting remark in "I bet this guy wishes he could throw like a girl". Kudos to Bush for his awesome agility in ducking the shoes, I guess he is getting faster.
Okay crazy side note: Started searching for "Bush hit by..." and guess what came up

• Bird
• Ball
• Eagle
• Tennis Ball
• Shoe
• Cricket Ball

Most of these things are probably the same news article, but still silly, it's like his head is a magnet.

Okay and the other thing is I am totally mad at Applebee's they use to have this creamed spinach dish that Jessie got me hooked on, and they no longer have it. If you have a good recipes I would love it.

I am now jumping down off of my soapbox, but since Jer is working I will probably drag it around and have a couple of new interesting topics to vent about before Christmas. (I am thinking about the auto bailout, if you want to fuel my fire.)

Was she born to be a Momma?

My brother's and his wife went to the NFR (yeah, I know I hate them too.) Well not really because they brought their little girl Crystal over for us to play with us for a few days. I have watched Payton in awe as she is such a little mommy. I can't believe how easily it comes to her, and can't help but be a little jealous of her.
So are a born Momma? or Do you have to work your butt off trying to keep it together?

A few of my favorite things.

These are a few of my favorite Christmas things. I love advent Calendars, they are so much fun.
I love this chalkboard Santa he is so fun, and Parker is working on his numbers, and counting.

This on sits on the self, because last year my favorite that Jer gave took a dive. (So hands off little people Santa's watching!)

I love fresh cut trees, I was so excited when Jer brought this years' tree home, because it came pre-frosted. I had to take a picture quickly because we keep our house so warm.

I love my tree topper (Thanks E-bay). I saw it on a tree, and the next day I found one on ebay.

And last but not least I love my sweet husband, who drags his butt out in the snow to get me the perfect tree, (Well not perfect, a perfect tree would be more Charlie Brownish.) When I wouldn't be caught dead out in the snow.

What are you favorite things? Share!

Christmas TAG

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, I like it when Jer cuts it down.
3. When do you put up the tree? Hopefully before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down? Within a few days of Christmas
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Ice Cream Parlor (sorry Mom, but it was my fav.)
7. Hardest person to buy for? Tonya
8. Easiest person to buy for? Mom
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes it is the Willow Tree one, I love it.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I am trying not to be naughty, so I can't think of one right now.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Christmas Story. (I love the line: You'll shoot your eye out.)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas ? All Year Round
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present ? Yes, but the person had asked for it, and knew it was recycled.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Bon Bons, Chex Mix
16. Lights on the tree? I love rainbow lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Carol of the Bells", and "All I want for Christmas is a real Good Tan"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, but I would love to stay home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid Donner, Blitzen, and then Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? rustic tin star, with holes punched in it.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? PJ's on Christmas Eve, presents on Christmas Day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People in the stores, let's be nice people, Santa is watching!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We always do a Cowboy tree, but I love to do a trendy tree every year.
24 . What do you want for Christmas this year? I want Jer to stop spending money, it is giving me an anxiety attack.
25. What is one of your favorite family Christmas traditions? Making Christmas Candy together, going to the festival of the trees, and seeing the lights at Temple Square, and writing letters to Santa.
Okay Tag your it, Post your answers on your blog.

Ward Christmas Party

We had our ward Christmas Party last night, really good food, and lots of people, more people than I have ever seen at church. Parker has a buddy in the ward, and finally Parker has been outdone in his cowboy enthusiasm. Tate loves cowboys just as much as Parker, and he is just too cute for words. This is Parker and Tate singing in the primary program.

The kids last song was "Here Comes Santa Clause" and they were singing really enthusiastically, and then Santa walked in the, and all the kids could see him. They all the sudden dropped off singing, and just sat with their mouths open for a few seconds, and then started singing again. It was so funny I wish that I had caught it on video.

The kid before Parker asked for a cow, and so not to be outdone Parker asked for a farm.Payton was a pill and wouldn't sing or sit on Santa's lap, even though Daddy told her he would go with her.

Do I get Jer a Christmas gift?

I love Christmas, I am happy with the smells, and the colors, and the warm cozy feeling of the season. For me it is not about the gifts, but if there is a gift involved I want to be suprise.

So Jer and I have gone Christmas shopping for the KIDS, and have now come away with a new pistol (in my name) a new hackamore (which was more than one of my car payments), and a new long gun ( also in my name.) Jer works hard, and I think that he is very deserving of the gifts he has gotten, but I also want to get him a present that he doesen't know about. So what do you think should I just be happy with what he has picked out, or do I go find him something to add to his already $$$$$ stash of Christmas gifts.( I wish that I hadn't been so naughty this year, and maybe I would get cool gifts like Jer.)

Here is a silly picture of my kids what goofballs.

"What's wrong with the ceiliing?"

Jeremy asked me what I was doing the other day I and I proudly told him that I was fixing the bathroom ceiling. Before I tell you what he said I am going to post a picture of our bathroom ceiling.

So he asked me "What's wrong with the ceiling?" Has he never looked up? So not a huge thing the plaster is just coming down a little, so I patched it, and got it all smoothed out, and repainted. I also got the vent hole ready for a new exhaust fan, but that is one job that I will have to leave for Jer.
So here are the completed photos.
So now I have finished painting the bathroom, all I need to do now is the playroom, and Payton's bedroom.

National Adoption Month

Our family supports adoption, mostly because we have seen what our great friends Troy & Katie have done. Troy and Katie two cute friends of our family going back a ways. Troy and Jer worked together at Redd's Ranches, and Levi (my favorite BIL to hate!) and Katie were best friends in HS. So somehow they got married, and heavenly father decided that they had it way to easy. So he threw a wrench into the plan, and decided that he should make Katie think that she needed a new challenge. Well it's a good thing that Katie and Troy love a good Challenge, because then the Lord decided to send them a second challenge. We Love Katie and Troy, and we love their challenges, and we love the people that they have become because of their challenges.
Now I would like to share a story about Parker and his best friend Ethan. Parker use to like Troy, a lot! So when Troy told Parker that he was going to get a little boy around Parker's age. Parker was ecstatic. So we waited and we waited, and we waited some more; a ton of waiting for a four year old. When the big day finally came, we were at church and heard whispers that Troy and Katie had gotten the kids and they were at church. So we took our kids out into the foyer to say Hello. Parker ran right up to Ethan, only having seen pictures before and threw his arms around him and said "Oh!, I have missed you so bad!" Never in my life have I felt the spirit so strongly outside the walls of the temple. It is so awesome to see how little kids are so close to the veil. It still bring tears to my eyes when I think about it.
I would now like to do something I probably don't do enough. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I know that my Redeemer Jesus Christ lived and died for us, and that he was resurrected. I know that if we live our lives right that we too can be resurrected and return to live with Jesus and our Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan so that we can have our families with us forever. I love my family and I am ever thankful for the price that my brother Jesus Christ paid for us so that we could live together forever. I know that we have a living prophet who brings forth modern day revelation. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us, and that is why I am sharing my testimony today.
If you would like to know more about what I believe check here: http://www.mormon.org/

Funny Kids

Here is a little video of my kids doing a play of The Little Red Hen

For all my UTAH Friends

Parker brought home a booklet from the Utah Educational Savings Plan today from school today. This is something that I have been procrastin for a while. My kids have savings accounts, but I just haven't gotten around to getting college funds set up. This is a tax exempt program, and you can also quailify for a Utah state tax credit. Okay here is the website: http://www.uesp.org. Okay now I challange you to give your kids something they will really be able to use this holiday season. It only took me about 15 per kid to set this up, and you can have monthly payments taken right out of your savings or checking.

Elder & Sister Holyoak have made it to Cape Verde

I got an e-mail from Lyman and Sandy they have made it to Cape Verde. I only have the address of the mission home, but I promise to let everyone know when they have a mailing address. And I would like just like to let anyone know that if want to ship anything to them get it to me and we will combine shipping, because it cost $$$ to ship things to them.

I hate my Toshiba Satellite A-105 S3404

I hate my Toshiba Satelite A-105 S3404. It has been an okay computer, but my battery won't keep a charge, and the power cable dosen't plug in tightly, so if you move the labtop it turns off. So I looked up the battery on the Toshiba website, and low and behold there is a recall on it. So I tried to get Toshiba to replace my battery, but was told that my battery is not the one that has been recalled HUH? So I have the model number, my battery is doing exactly what is explained on the Toshiba website, but my battery according to Toshiba is not bad. GRRRR!

If Sarah Palin is such an air head why does the media keep bring her up?

Okay, I know that I am just bored because of my bum knee, but I promise that this is my last post tonight.
It seems to me that the liberal media can't leave Sarah Palin alone, are they that worried that she is going to take over the country soon? If she is such an airhead why don't they just drop her and let her fall by the wayside?

• What do you think, is the media fair?
• Is Sarah Palin an airhead?
• Are her answers being taken out of context?

I want to know what you think. I will even let Levi comment on this, but just because I am really bored, and I need someone to fight with.

I Love the Phone Booth Segment on Jay Leno!

Oh my gosh, when Jer is at work I have a hard time going to bed, who wants to climb into an empty bed? So I stay up late watching TV, and my all time favorite is the Phone Booth segment, it makes me laugh so hard that I usually end up crying.

Payton's Crazy Dreams

Payton starts crying in the middle of the night, screaming and crying things like "Parker is eating all my Halloween candy!", "Parker is wearing my purple shirt!" But the best was last night and she started screaming at Parker for using her tooth brush. Now during the day my kids have there little squabbles, but the get along pretty good. So it just makes me wonder about her crazy dreams, and how realistic they are to her.

This is my little fashionista, we were shopping and I picked up the pants and they were on clearance so I put them in the cart. She saw this awful shirt (sorry Mom I know you probably had one just like it!), and wanted it so bad, well it was on clearance too, so I gave in. I should have made her try it on, because it covers up the satin bow on the pants, and she was having none of that. So as soon as I had taken the tag off the shirt she told me that she was not going to wear it ever again. I did make her pose for a picture, and then we hung the shirt up in the closet, probably never to be worn again.

What happened to Thanksgiving.

I get excited about Holidays, but they each have to wait their turn. I am so confused about what time of year it is. I woke up in the middle of the night last night in a cold sweat, because I hadn't gotten Jer or Parker anything for Christmas, and haven't even started my Dad's. So the television commercials, the Christmas displays in the stores, and Christmas Music on the radio, have me so confused. I miss Thanksgiving! It has the most beautiful decorations, with gorgous colors, the best smells, and the tastiest food. So I am bringing back Thanksgiving, even though I just added two Christmas songs to my playlist. I also just finished "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McClean, and can't wait to see the play.

So help me bring Thanksgiving back and send me your favorite Thanksgiving photo, poem, or tradition, and I will post it on my blog.

Well I WAS on a Roll

I went to the Dr today, because my knees were completely different shapes and sizes. I have something wrong with my Petella (sp???). So I am not suppose to use stairs, or lift anything, oh good because I was getting sick of going down the stairs to put a log on the fire, and I am really sick of moving boxes. I wish that I would have found this out before I moved all Jer's stuff to the saddle shed. Oh well. So two weeks off. I am already bored.

Payton and Parker are very popular names in the area that we just moved to.

It all started when we were getting ready to move here and we talked to a family that lives here. They have an older son named Peyton. Then on Parker's first day of school he finds out that that there is a boy in his class named Parker, and he has a brother that is four who's name is Peyton. Then I was doing some blog searching, and found 3 more families with kids name Payton/Peyton, and 2 more families with kids name Parker. How weird!

Thanks for coming to see us Lindsay

Lindsay came to visit this weekend, and I am sorry to report that both of my kids acted rediculous. I think that they spent most of the time in time out. Silly kids they were just so happy to see her. Thanks for putting up with us Lindsay, maybe they got all their naughtyness out so they can be really good at Thanksgiving.

Some humor while I am thinking about the economy

I am still working on saving the country, but to take my mind off it I reread this funny e-mail from my SIL Tonya. Thanks Tonya it's a great read.
An actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries regarding a pond on his property. It was sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania. This guy's response is hilarious, but read State's letter before you get to the response letter.
SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County Dear Mr. DeVries:It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated. The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2008. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions. Sincerely,David L. PriceDistrict Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries: Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County Dear Mr. Price,Your certified letter dated 12/17/07 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane, Trout Run, Pennsylvania. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood 'debris' dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials 'debris.' I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic. These are the beavers/contractors you are seeking. As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity. My first dam question to you is:(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request? If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. (Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.)I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names. If you want the stream 'restored' to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams). So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2008? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them. In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump! Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.THANK YOU, RYAN DEVRIES& THE DAM BEAVERS

Supporting Change

Our family is in a really good place right now. We like where we live, we are living within our means, and even trying to put away for a rainy day. Okay now here is where the bomb drops. As many of you know Jer works in the oilfields, which just happen to be the worlds most superstitious job. If drillers even think they might lose work they pull out and stack the rigs out. Jer called tonight and told me that he just got a nice bonus, and then proceeded to tell me about all the rigs that were stacked out because of the election. I really wish that there was something that I could do, but I think this is a little bigger than me. I wish the government would quit the bail outs, or at least share the wealth with the drilling companies (I didn't say the energy companies, I said the drilling companies.)

Okay I know that the economy is shot and Jer and I are living on easy street, but I just really like it when everything runs smoothly. I did get a little excited and told Jer that if he had to go work internationally that I was all for that. He had no trouble bursting my bubble and telling me that I would stay put with the kids and he would go international. (RUDE!, I wish I had a job.) Anyway just to let everyone know we are JOB SCARED! Is anyone else out their job scared? (I think Jessie is probably set for life, or totally over worked?)

Okay so now on to the silver lining, Jer is on a great rig, and his crew is the fastest rig in his region, so we are doing just fine. Jer is a hard worker and has a lot of job skills, so if there really is no more drilling we have other options, and it is a major plus that we have moved and cut our rent payment in half. I just really like to worry and to feed my worry I listen to NPR and Sean Hannity.

So I am planning for that time when we will need our food storage, but for right now I kind of feel at a loss of what to do to support the economy. Any suggestions?

I read Katie's Blog, and I liked how she said that we should support the President Elect. (By the way this whole President Elect thing is confusing the heck out of my kids. Parker thinks that the country is still deciding, so he is still campaigning. ) So I am going to support, but I am also going to be pretty hard on him too, and I am going to hold him accountable.

Okay now I am going to reward you for listing to my huge vent. THE END

We are officially moved!!!

We are now in Gunnison, and liking it so far, well except for the weather. (It is snowing right now, I told Jer that we should move to St. George. Oh Well maybe next time!)
We have a ton of room, so if you are passing through the country we will be really offended if you don't stop by and say hello. Our cell phones stayed the same, and our home phone and mailing address is the same as Lymans, and if you don't know that e-mail me and I will get them to you.
A Great Big THANKS to everyone that helped us!

What a great weekend, Happy Birthday to the Holyoak Kids

We spent the week in Gunnison, and Spring City getting firewood for the winter. Thank you Nathan and Tonya for all your help and letting us stay at your house all week long. Friday night we had a family birthday party for Crystal, Nathan, Megan, Lindsay, & Stacy. Then Saturday we headed North to Lagoon. As we were driving the weather just kept getting worse and worse, in my mind I was thinking up things that we could do instead. I called Mom on the cell phone, and she told me that she thought that there would be a cloudless sunny spot over Lagoon. Ha Ha not so, but that is so my Mom always thinking things will work out for the best. So we went to Lagoon, and it was cold and wet, but we had so much fun, I laughed until I cried a bunch. What a perfect birthday present to spend some fun time with my family. I am planning another trip next year so clear your calendars.

This is Tonya, Nathan, Jeremy, Tori, Andrew, and Lindsay on the Cliffhanger. (I don't ride this ride because it makes me scream bad words, and Lagoon is a family place.) I love to watch Jer he runs from ride to ride, and screams like a little kid. At the end of the day he was hoarse from yelling so much.

This is Me, Jeremy, Lindsay, Andrew, and Megan riding the swings. (Gross, I really shouldn't ride this ride.) Jeremy told Andrew to spin around on this ride, and then Andrew got yelled at over the loud speakers. Way to go Jer!

This ride is called Bats, and Parker really enjoyed it. After the we left the park my Mom told me how the ride almost started without Parker bucked in, talk about my stomach dropping. Tori, Tonya, and Levi. Lindsay andy Jer. Megan and Andrew. This ride is another gross one. (It is amazing that I like Lagoon so much when all the rides make me so sick.)

Parker and Michael driving around. This is the craziest ride, it is powered by magnets, and you start out by going straight up four stories, then straight down four stories, but don't worry you only have 4.85 G-forces on you. Then the ride continues on around and spins you upside down. We took Parker on this ride, and thought he was going to lose his lunch, but as soon as he caught his breath he yelled "Can we do that again?!?!", and so we did.

I have to give credit to Levi for all the pictures. Thanks Bro

Sorry this didn't post, and then I sort of fell off the face of the earth for awhile. Here it is in all it's glory.

We are packing to go to Gunnison & Lagoon

We are getting everything ready for our move. This week we are going to be getting firewood, and visiting family, and this weekend we are going to Lagoon. Can't wait to see all our friends and family. See ya!

I finally got the picture to load.

So on Sunday I blogged, but only one of my pictures loaded. I then broke the computer, and so here it is.

Look what I found!

While I was cleaning up and packing I found this note from Jer. As I was working at a wrestling tourneyment my senior year. I kept yelling at his little brother for climbing on my truck. Finally my cousin came in and closed the blinds and I forgot about it. As I was getting ready to leave late that night I went out to my truck and it was all wrapped in bright yellow rope. When I got up closer I saw a note and a red rose. Here is the note:

As you can see it got rained on, and at the time all I could think was oh my gosh my truck was parked right in front of the school, and all the people at the tournement saw it. I was so embarassed, and know I think back at how shy he was and what a big thing this was for him to do. What a cute guy I have.

This is a picture of Mandy's 1st wedding. Look how sharp my honey is, and a shout out to what a cutie Bradly is. Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks.


I loved Sister Dalton's talk, I will try harder to have more virture in my life. I also love Pres. Monson's talk today, Let us all press forward. Oh and by the way that new temple in Rome, that would be a great place for my 10 yr. anniversary, anyone want to go with me, because Jer is still being a bum about leaving the country!

Funny things my kids do

We are reading the "Little House" books as a family, and we were reading about building their house. After I finished the chapter I asked Parker how they built their house. I was trying to get him to understand that they didn't go to the store and buy things. So I asked Parker what they used to build their house and he told me "lincoln logs". I bet the Ingalls family wished they had some Lincoln Logs.

Payton loves to sing and dance, she makes up some crazy songs. She loves High School Musical, I don't get it? The other day we were at the grocery store and she grabs some Sara Lee bread, and starts singing and dancing in the grocery store. As I am trying to pry the bread out of her hands she starts singing "But Mom, it's SOOO YUMMY!!!" Pretty much everyone from the surrounding isles come to our isle to watch Payton singing and dancing about Bread, I don't get it.

Don't you wish your were from Alaska today?

I was very worried about the VP debate tonight, the media has depicted Palin as an inferior VP candidate. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well she preformed under pressure. I did feel that it was very unfair for Joe Biden to have to debate a woman, but he did really well also. Not that I would ever vote for him, but I was a little worried that the debate would get ugly because of the vast differences. My favorite line of the night was when Palin told Biden that she was sick of the east coast politicians. Yes! Those are my thoughts exactly. I did get a little sick of the whole "Energy Producing State", but yes that is what I want her to be in office for. Especially because that is where my families interest are at right now. I really do feel that the east coast politicians are to far removed from Potash and Salt mines of Moab, the coal mines of Central UT, and Gas fields of Western CO. So to say the least I was very impressed with Palin tonight, and I hope that the rest of the nation was also. So what did everyone else think?

Do you have nice neighbors? How about Great Friends?

We have been very blessed here in GJ with really great neighbors. They are really great, always stopping to say hi to our kids, picking them up when they fall, and not complaining when the grass gets a little long. (Or when someone hits the irrigation pipe with the weed eater, and they have to turn the irrigation water off for a few days.) So that will be something that our family will greatly miss is our great neighbors. Here are a few pictures of us sitting outside watching the Blue Angels.

Parker took these pictures, so even though they are far away they are so much better than the up nose shots he takes.

The other thing I am totally going to miss about GJ is the Great friends that I havae made. I will miss them all so badly. I always have someone to talk to, to scrapbook with, to go walking with, and to help me with the kids when the weeks with Jer gone get too long. Thanks, Ladies you will be greatly missed.