Temple Worship

Erica and I made a goal two months ago to find a way to attend the temple each and every week. This goal has turned into a reality thanks to help from lovely babysitters such as Alyssa, Britt, Jana, Jared, Joan, Kris and others who have been kind enough to allow us this luxury. I must say that it is truly an amazing experience and even if your lives are extremely hecktic, there is no better way to strengthen your life and your marriage than to attend the House of the Lord. For those who haven't been or don't make it a regular occurrence, I would ask yourself, "why don't I go." Let us know if you would like to join the babysitting list, our boys are fun to watch!!

Random thoughts that make you say "Really!"

So I was on KSL tonight reading about local news and came across this article about the distribution of the movie called "8: The Mormon Proposition" and had to just stop and say REALLY!! I understand the arguments on both sides of the question and found it interesting the lengths that people go to after the decision has been made BY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE. I sure hope this movie brings about good discussion on ways to keep marriage between a man and a woman while allowing all the same 'legal rights' for those that choose another path. Yet, it is obvious with a slim vote of 52% yes to 48 % no, that we are getting even closer to the last days!! (take a moment to look up Mosiah 29:26-27)

Jaxon is 1

For Jaxon's bday, he got to enjoy a nice set of balloon cakes made by Erica. Don't they look great?

We decided to let Jaxon have his own to do with as he pleased.

At first, Jaxon was very hesitant and not sure if this was something he should be doing.

Then after he got a taste he decided to just jump right in and enjoy.

As you can see, he became a messy little boy by the end but it was so fun to watch him! How crazy it is to think that he is now already a year old!

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and here are a few of the things that were memorable about this year.

Here is a great link to Jaxon and Blake doing some dancing to the famous dancing Santa at Grandma Joan's house. Jaxon loves music and seems to always do circles or shake his arms when he enjoys the beat. One of his favorite parts of Christmas was to play with a gift box that my mom received that had a gift card in it. When the box was opened, it played the song "I'm so excited" by the Pointer Sisters and Jaxon loved dancing to that tune.


So, the biggest surprise came when the last present was brought out by my brother Corey. This was a huge box and I had no idea what it was. I expected it to be something with another box inside and another inside that one and so on until I opened something small. But no, it was a 32" Vizio LCD TV!! For one of the first times in the lives of my mother and siblings, they saw me completely speechless! I didn't know what to say and still cannot believe he got us the TV.

Christmas Letter

Yet another year has passed and here is our family Christmas letter. Hope you enjoy. Click on the picture to read the letter.

Christmas Family Pictures

Preparing for the holidays allowed us to go get some pictures for this year's Christmas card. The temperature was extremely cold but we made it. Here are a few of the good ones and the okay ones. Trying to get everyone to smile at the same time is extremely difficult!

Paid Labor

After months of waiting, the hospital where I do my clinicals (Utah Valley Regional Medical Center) finally decided to hire the students in my class. My job is as an LPT (limited practical technician) in the radiology department. At this point, I just fill in for those that are needing a day off in a few locations in Utah County. Just another step in the getting through school phase of life.

Walking!!

Trying to be as cool as his older brother, Jaxon decided it would be a good idea to walk at 9 MONTHS OLD!! He went pretty quick from crawling to walking and is all over the place since October. The time he started walking was close to the same time Blake broke his leg so we had a walking 9 month old and a crawling (due to pain) 3 year-old. While watching him have these accomplishments is super fun, he also has developed quite the naughty streak in him.

Broken Bone

As is the case for a typical three year-old, Blake has used his energy for both good and bad this year. The bad for him came just before Halloween as he was playing with his cousin and they both fell with Blake somehow on the bottom. The result was a Toddler's Fracture of the tibia and so he got to wear this lovely boot for a couple weeks. Thankfully, he has healed now and is back to his energetic self.

GO COUGARS

Yet another year for Blake and I to attend BYU football games. As you can see, Jaxon made it to one of the games and we thoroughly enjoyed watching as BYU beat Utah in overtime. This has been a fun tradition for us each year and we hope to enjoy more winning seasons.

Busy Schedules

How crazy it is to think that it has been three months since I was last able to update this blog. Our lives have been a roller coaster of events and the hours to do anything but take care of the boys and do school work are limited. Thankfully we have made it through mostly without incident. During these crazy times of life, I take comfort to know that there is a plan for our lives and if we continue faithful, we will be blessed for being "anxiously engaged" in a good cause.

Another Important Moment in Life

Blake has started school!! He gets to go to pre-school every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 and so far he has had so much fun. The days have gone by quickly and I sit back now a realize that this is the beginning of a lot of school years!! He loves his "pack-pack" that he got for school and also his new shirt to be in fashion with the other 3 year olds. Isn't he just a handsome young guy?