Giving Thanks '08

I had intentions of doing a lot more food prep yesterday than I actually did. Instead I spent a couple of hours making these with the kids, it was definitely more fun than food prep.

What we are thankful for this Thanksgiving morning . . .

Molly - I am thankful for my family and my grandmas and grandpas and ggs. I'm thankful for Jesus and Heavenly Father. I am thankful for my cousins and my friends. I am thankful for my teacher at school and I am thankful for church. I am thankful for Thanksgiving.

Dillon - I'm going to do Heavenly Father and Jesus first a'since they're higher than us and stronger than us and a'since they have powers. I'm thankful for my family and my toys and the TV. I'm thankful for my baby sister. I'm thankful for everybody in this whole world. I'm thankful for chupracabras.

Charlee - Babies. Puppies. Cookies. Gummy. Numnum. Daddy. Mommy. Molly. Dillon.

Travis - I am thankful for a wife and children that welcome me home each day and who are always there to provide support when times are hard. I am thankful for my faith and the guidance I receive from our Heavenly Father. I am thankful to live in this country and have the rights and freedoms that so many others do not have. I am thankful for my career and the challenges I encounter everyday at my job. I am also thankful that we made it through this year intact, finishing school, passing the bar, and remaining employed.

Me - I to am thankful this day for so much. My family, both immediate and extended (three amazing children and an incredible husband that I would be lost without). My health, both physical and mental. My happiness, I am especially thankful for this. The privilege I have to stay home with my children even on those days I am sure I might loose my mind. A home I love in a city I am loving more and more. I am thankful for the gospel in my life. A gospel I know to be true and one that defines my life and has made it all that it is and helped me to know all that it can be. I am so thankful on this day and will try to be thankful everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Girls Got Cut

This is the first time any of my children have gotten professional haircuts....
it was about time.

I bribed Charlee to stay still with a blow pop, the child will do anything for sugar, but it kept getting hair on it which she would just suck off and say ewe.
In the end, she got a super cute cut and I think it looks great.



I have cut Molly's hair many times, but she has been wanting it short for so long and I wasn't about to make that cut. I love her long hair but I definitely DO NOT like brushing it every morning in the dry winter air, so I gave in.

I was a little sad for the first few hours but I quickly got used to it and now I just love it. It is so fitting for her sweet and sassy personality.

All Sworn In

I know this is a little late, but I have just been THAT busy. So Travis got sworn in in Columbus on Monday, Nov. 17th. The whole family made the drive, here are the highlights...


The blurred person grabbing the certificate is Travis, the picture isn't bad considering just how far away we were sitting.


We made it through the whole ceremony, even with a trip to the bathroom to change a poopy diaper and try to dig a wad of paper out of Charlee's nose that she somehow got stuck up there. Thank goodness for freshly downloaded, never before seen, Scooby Doo episodes on the IPods for the other two.


The city of Columbus.


The building Travis took the dreaded bar exam in.


The Santa Maria, a ship Travis took the kids to see in down town Columbus.
Dillon was especially drawn to the cannons.



Well I guess that's a wrap. We're so proud of you Travis!

Reunited (and it feels so good)

Now I'm not a big fast food fan, but I do love my Sonic Burger and Cherry Limeade Slush. After being informed that there is a Sonic here in the Cleveland area, we were all over it. After moving here over three years ago we did a search to learn that there were no Sonics anywhere close ( I know it's pretty pathetic), but since then they have managed to move in without our knowledge. Never again will I be so deceived.

TX : #2

My family (all except my brother-in-law Xavier who couldn't be there) Lots of good times with a bit of dysfunction, it's the perfect combination.


We always have a good time at Grammy and Poppy's house. They live on about five acres and it always feels like I'm staying at some type of resort. It's a good thing they waited until after I moved out to move into this place or I might still be living at home.


Zilker Park is one of the best spots in Austin if you ask me. Whether we are swimming, feeding the birds, boating, or riding the Zilker Zephyr train we always enjoy this park.




It wouldn't be a trip without lots of fun with the cousins...





The beginnings of a fort the kids were building with some of the rocks they found on the property.

Be Honest

OK, I need total honesty. Do you think these men's shoes look dated? I got these for Travis a few years ago and I still really like them, however, he thinks they are to dated to wear. What do you think?

TX trip #1: Greggy's Wedding

I love my little brother Greg. He and Medina have been dating for longer than Travis and I have been married (over eight years), and it's about time they tied the knot. It was a beautiful wedding and a great reception. These are definitely a couple of popular people with almost four hundred guests. We left before it got really crazy.



The ceremony took place in the beautiful Chapel Dulcinea at the Wizard's Academy in Austin TX.


My other brothers, John and Robert (we call him Beezer) were the best men.




Lots of action. . . and then they cut the cake.

I'm so glad we were able to be there for this fantastic occasion. Greg and Medina, you guys were made for each other and things only get better from here. We love you!

Dillon goes dark

On the way home from church today Dillon swung his bag at me in the car and hit my arm. Frustrated with him I said "that was mean Dillon, I don't even know who you are sometimes". He then said " I'm a Lamanite". I'm not sure whether I should be disturbed by his comparison, or happy that he is at least paying attention in church.

Candy Time '08

All dressed up and ready to go. The Queen of Hearts, the Soldier, and the Pumpkin Fairy had a great time trick or treating with friends around the neighborhood. The only problem now is what to do with five pounds of candy. It's sad that they don't even appreciate the good stuff... snickers, butterfingers, twix, etc... All they want is the nasty hard stuff. The problem with this is that I'm the one who will end up eating all the good stuff if we don't find a new home for it soon. On a side note, thank you Grandma for the cool eyes and stuff to stick on the pumpkins. All the fun minus the sticky mess, my kind of Jack-o-lantern.

Note the hand grenade hanging from Dillon's belt. He wanted a gun to go with his costume and this was my compromise. Do you know how hard it is to find a toy grenade, even those I found on EBay were going for over $20.00. After a long search with no luck I just happened upon one in Rite Aid of all places.



Molly's Fall Party.

Dillon's Fall Party.

Trick or Treating in the John Carroll dorms with the Lamborn's. Lots of fun, especially when we went to the scary dorm basement and the kids totally freaked out (at least Jen and I thought that part was fun).

summit ward talent show olympics

Thanks Mom! Sooo Funny!