Shane wanted me to title this: "For My Engineering Geeks"

This is the "in progress" new place of play for the Dallas Cowboys. It is huge and it really does look cool, even though I don't understand all the engineering details that Shane gets excited about!

Who Needs Fruit, Vegetables, And Pizza For Lunch When You Can Have a Penny?

Where do I begin! On Saturday morning I was at a meeting for work, as soon as I am pulling into the driveway, Shane calls "Brody just swallowed a penny!" I rush into the house and Brody is just bawling! He was pretending to eat his play ice cream cone and there was a penny inside it that slid into his mouth as he was enjoying non existent food. So we called the emergency room and they did suggested an x-ray. He kept complaining that his tummy hurt, and really wanted the penny out! (I of course explained to him that there really is only one way that the penny would come out, so instantly he went straight to the bathroom and was a little dismayed when nothing happened.) We finally convinced him to go to the Doctor's, but all the while he was so scared of getting a shot, so the tears just kept coming. To make a long story short, we got the x-ray, and he finally felt better after that. Looking back it was actually pretty funny and everyone at Ogden Clinic was super nice, they kept telling us they loved us! (Strange!) But needless to say, we are going to make it through this, and this too, as well as the penny, shall pass!

Look at how traumatized!

He actually smiled when they took a shot of his belly!

The whole family there to support!

And there it is! We have nicknamed him Penny!

Happy New Year

This year for New Years Eve we went to Matt and Calie's house and enjoyed it with my family and some friends, Melissa and Kodee. We played a great game of "Redneck Life" my name was Betty Beth and Shane was Cletus Joe. It was a hilarious game! Then we pulled out the Wii with some guitar hero, outdoor challenge, tennis, and Raving Rabbids. It was alot of fun! And even both the boys stayed up until midnight! Happy New Year!

The People We Love

Brad Brad is such a great guy! He is for sure one of the greatest that I know! He is so kind and so understanding! There has been countless times when I have just needed someone to talk to and he has been there for me. He always listens to what I have to say and he always gives me really good advice. I always feel like a better person after being around him!

He is also a great grandpa! AKA Beaver! Both the boys love him so much-he always makes them smile!

He also makes the best salsa in the whole wide world! And brownies and chicken and pork roast! I love his cooking! He also is very talented with photography! And he lets me use his very nice camera when I want to feel cool! Brad is a very busy guy with work and his calling in the Bishopric-but he always makes time to be with family and to take care of their needs!

Thanks for all that you have done for us Brad! We love you so much!
Oh and I must mention Rook-he is a great and worthy opponent!

Fun in War

There have been some boys in our ward that like to leave little pranks at our house while we are away...they left so many flyer's for the ward Christmas party that we had to get them back. So we gathered them all up and filled 2 boxes of them. Then we wrapped them and delivered it on their doorsteps, saying that the gift was from the other! It was a success! Even though they gave us all those flyer's, they have no idea they are from us! (Says their parents)

Merry Christmas to Nate and Lance (AKA Nance)

This is what we come home to...

Ginger Bread Houses

This was Grandpa Keith's 2nd annual gingerbread house event! It was really fun! We decided to do an actual village.

Shane and Me with our grocery store (patterned after Bowman's)

Ben and Lindsay's School House

The greatest Tashi and her Church!

Kara and her Movie Theatre

Keith with his bank!

Thanks Keith! We had so much fun! We love you so much!

Candy Making Day!

Every year for Christmas we make our own chocolates! This is a huge tradition for us! My Grandma has been dipping chocolates for 50 years!! This was my first time actually being there in all the action. I'm not allowed to dip because my Grandma says that I have warm hands, and that will make the chocolate not set up. So I just ran around doing anything I could! But I learned that this tradition is a whole lot of work! I couldn't believe all the tiny details that needed to be met! It made me appreciate even more all those years that my Grandma has put into her favorite hobby! And now she is 83 years old and she is still dedicated! It was a lot of fun! I love you Grandma!

Mom, Aunt Julie and me sampling some chocolate!

Here she is-Grandma the Great!

Chase liked the chocolate too!

Jamie and Angie making sure the chocolates are perfect!

Amber, Mom, Michelle, and Julie

To Be Thankful For

Kara and I have been running since June-trying to build our endurance! On Thanksgiving we ran our first 10k. It was a great feeling to run the whole time and to be running along side someone that you do have so much gratitude for! Also, to have great family members to cheer you on and to be waiting for you! I am grateful for my boys, Shane, and my in-laws!

Brody making my sign!
Finishing the race on Thanksgiving Day

What great cheerleaders

Look at Chase-he is so cute! (So is Grandma!)

We did it! Next time-the 1/2 marathon!

Happy Birthday Shane

It was Shane's Birthday this past weekend! Happy Birthday! We had bonus night for my work on the date of his actual birthday, so we partied the night before! We had a birthday party for him and his younger brother Corey! Happy Birthday to both! It was themed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

At Bonus Night

The Birthday Boys

Brody enjoying the party!

Our little ninja crew!

The Things Brody Says

Brody always says things that are so hilarious! And somethings that are so sweet! The other day he just came up to me and gave me a big hug and said, "Mom, you make my heart so happy!" It made me want to cry. At this time of year, when we reflect on the things we are grateful for, I most definitely am grateful to be a mom. There is nothing else in this world that compares to hearing a little child tell you how happy you make them. I love both my little guys so much. They add more to my life than anything else. They have made me who I am today-and I feel like that is a good thing! And without a doubt, Brody and Chase make my heart so happy too!

Halloween Pals!

Halloween was a blast! Trunk or Treat was so much fun! We got to park next to our good friends the Cowans and then visit a little with others in our neighborhood!

Some mysterious Monster and Me!

Jack, Chase, Lance, ? and Brody
(YM in the ward)
(the ? is really Nate)


Corbin and Gabe

Pac Man, a bat, and Cpt. Hook

The People We Love

Matt

This is my brother Mattie! I love this kid to death! He is considered one of my bestest friends! We can tell each other anything and everything! Matt has always been so kind to let me tag along with him to so many things! He is the goofiest person that I know and we love being around him!
He is so good to Brody and Chase! He is such a great example to them both and they both love him so much! Matt is always playing with them-especially anything sports! (He is the biggest Jazz fan I have ever met!)
He is also very close to Shane! I love their relationship-it's like they are actually brothers! Shane really only constantly talks to two people on a daily basis which is of course me and then Matt! They nonstop talk about everything Jazz and all the other sports facts in between! I have always felt it so special that these two get along so well!
Thanks Matt for all that you have been to us! I have always known that I have been deeply blessed because you have been my brother and friend! No one can ever take your place! You are so much apart of me! Thanks for being one of the greatest blessings in mine and my family's lives!