Kim's Bridal Shower - February 21, 2009

On Friday, February 20, Kayla and I drove down to San Diego to attend Kim's bridal shower. We made a stop in Barstow for gas and to Burger King to get something to eat. That Burger King was understaffed and we took more time there than we wanted to. Then we hit a detour somewhere on the way where they had the freeway closed and we had to get off and take the detour before getting back on. We heard later from Kim that there was some kind of sink hole in the freeway. That took an extra half hour because of the slow down funneling everyone off. We finally got there and stopped to visit Whitney for a few minutes and firm up our plans for the next day's trip to Orange County to the shower. Then we got directions from our GPS to go to Kim's apartment (soon to be Steven and Kim's). We found it with a little help from Steven and spent some time visiting with them before going to bed. Kim had not been living in the apartment yet but was getting it all set up to move in. It is a nice little apartment and we slept well. The next day we got up and got ready and then headed to the spot where Kim said we should all meet. A park and ride near where she was currently living. Then I drove Kim, Melinda, Whitney, Kayla and me to the shower which was being given by Kim's aunt. It was a beautiful home on the hills overlooking the ocean.

We could see Catalina from there. The shower was fun with a nice lunch and Kim got lots of fun things. I got her some things from Zappos.com, of course. I got to meet her Grandma Lenore that knows Brad's Aunt Phyllis. It was fun to meet some of the women in Kim's family. Back to the apartment we changed our clothes then went to visit a little at Whitney's. Then Steven, Kim, Kayla and I went to this little hole in the wall Mexican Restaurant to eat. Afterward, we visited before going to bed. The next day Kayla and I met Steven at Perry's for some breakfast. Steven had a nice talk with Kayla and she and I drove home in time to get to Grandma's for dinner. The sad part was I got a speeding ticket - but not until I was all the way back to town. Boo hoo. All in all we had a very fun time.

Auntie's Funeral - February 14, 2009

On Friday, February 13th we headed up to Panaca with Brad's Brothers Regan and Greg to attend Auntie Audrey Roden's funeral on Saturday. We had a nice ride and got there with no problems. Brad and I had gone to Panaca the weekend before to visit Auntie and we were glad we got to see her. She passed away Monday after we had been there so we felt good that we had been able to go up and spend some time with her. Brad read to her and we visited and she told us a little about when she used to work for the government by watching for airplanes that flew over. I think she said they kept a log.

The funeral was lovely. I led the opening song, Brad said the opening prayer. Dennis, Debbie and Daniel spoke. Andrea, Tammy, Danny and another young lady from Panaca sang. Tawny would have sung but she had surgery on her sinuses and was not feeling well enough. Later in the service Andrea sang a solo and it was lovely. Greg gave the closing prayer and then we went to the cemetary for the dedication. Then it was back to the church to visit and to eat some food provided by the ladies from church. We had more food later that evening at Bev and Jack's house. Heather and Quinn came with the twins so it was fun to spend time with them. Kristy and her husband Nat were there too. Aunt Rosalee and Lawrence were there from New Mexico, too. Uncle Dean and Uncle Royal made the journey from Salt Lake and left that same day to return.

The next day we ate some breakfast and visited and then had to head back to Vegas around 1pm so that Regan could make his flight home. Greg missed his flight home (sort of Brad's fault)! Who knew that if you aren't there an hour before your flight they can sell your seat to someone else. Sorry Greg. He stayed overnight and caught another flight the next day. Poor guy spent the whole day traveling. Here are the pictures from the funeral day.

The Twins - Christmas 2008

The day after Christmas Heather, Quinn, Braxton and Rykker came for a visit. They also brought the dogs, Jasmine, Cooper and Braveheart. We had a great visit. They got here Friday evening. On Saturday we went shopping to Nike at the Outlet Mall and then over to Bass Pro Shops so Brad could spend some of his Christmas present gift cards. Sunday we had dinner at Grandma's and visited. It was great to spend time with them and see the babies. They are changing so quickly. I hope we get to see them again soon! Here is a little video of the pictures we took!

Christmas Day 2008

This year for Christmas things were a little quieter, fewer gifts and a very nice feeling. This year we drew names for Christmas at Mom's. We did this for 2 reasons. Cut costs and just make it a nicer feeling - not all about gifts. It was also different not having Matt there. But he said he was enjoying the MTC and the spirit there and he would be thinking of us.
We had our traditional homemade (by Grandma) cinnamon rolls - Yum - and an egg dish.
We also started a new tradition. I brought a little white Christmas stocking for Jesus and those who wanted to put a note in it with their gift to Jesus. It could be anything from trying to be kinder or doing a good deed everyday, to something we wanted to do to improve ourselves or get closer to Jesus. I explained that the notes would stay confidential and inside the stocking until next year when we would get them out to review what we gifted to Jesus and make a new note for the next year. After I explained this new tradition we sang Silent Night and I reminded everyone that Matt said he would be thinking of us while we sang.

When we were all done opening presents we visited for awhile then went to see the movie, "Marley and Me". It was a great movie that made you laugh and cry.
Then - back to Mom's for a delicious dinner and pie with whipped cream. I whipped the cream and made too much! Oops.
Merry Christmas!

CHS Mariachi Concert - December 16, 2008

Kayla took a Mariachi Guitar class this year for fun. She has long wanted to learn to play the guitar and is having a ton of fun in this class. Here are a few pictures from her concert.

CHS Christmas Concert - December 11, 2008

The day after we returned from taking Matt to the MTC

we attended Kayla's Christmas Choir Concert
at Chaparral High School.
All the choirs sounded great.
Here is a picture of Kayla.
If you want to see all of the
pictures we took you can click here.

Expressions sang:

• Jumble Bells
• Deck the Halls in 7/8
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Still, Still, Still

Varsity Choir sang:

• Riu Riu Chiu
• Swinging With Santa Claus
• Baby What You Going to Be

Matt to the Missionary Training Center - December 9th and 10th, 2008

We all woke up early on December 9 to hit the road to Utah to take Matt to the MTC. There was Brad, Me, Kayla, Stephanie, Jeremiah and of course, Matt. DJ was there in the morning to say goodbye and take the picture for us and off we went!

First stop was McDonald's where we got some breakfast to go! Then on the road with a stop in Cedar City to deliver some presents purchased from Zappos.com for Heather and Quinn. We got to see the babies and visit a few minutes then we had some lunch and hit the road again. Matt drove part of the way from before we got to Beaver the rest of the way into Provo. We stayed at the Residence Inn in Orem which is very close to the MTC. After unloading the car and freshening up we hit the road to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square. It was very beautiful but cold!!! We also took some pictures inside the Tabernacle. Then we made a stop at a Deseret Book Store to buy a few things.
After that we met up with Roger, Melissa, Caitlin, Jessica and Maria for dinner at this neat Brazillian restaurant called Rodizio Grill. Yummy food. I highly recommend it, but bring plenty of money! We had a fun time there and then we headed back to our hotel where we were off to bed.
The next morning we decided that we would go to IHOP for breakfast. Same place we had breakfast before we took Steven to the MTC. We really missed Steven and were sorry he could not come but he had finals at school in San Diego. After breakfast we went back to the hotel to load up the car with all of our stuff and went to the MTC where they unloaded Matt's stuff and we went inside. Matt got his official name tag - Elder Kitchen - and we took plenty of pictures.
We gathered in a room with all of the other missionaries who were reporting at the same time and their families. They played lots of those sappy commercials about family that bring tears to your eyes before the meeting started - so I was already teary eyed as the meeting began. We got a little card with Matt's address at the MTC and they told us a little about what he would be doing for the next few weeks while at the MTC and of course we sang, "Called to Serve" which I had a hard time getting through.
Then it was time for goodbye hugs and Matt went out one door and we all went out another. Of course, I cried. We stopped at another Deseret Book and bought a card to send him before we left. We all wrote a note in it and found the post office (with our Tom Tom) and mailed it.
I cried off and on all the way home. We stopped at Cracker Barrel in St. George for dinner and purchased some fun treats to mail Matt in a care package. It was a good trip. We are so proud of Matt!

Mack Middle School Christmas Choir Concert - December 8, 2008

Stephanie's third year teaching and this was her best Christmas Concert yet! The kids were very well behaved and sang beautifully. The audience is starting to get the idea that just because the concert has to be held in the gym doesn't mean they get to be roudy and loud. There were a few times when Stephanie waited while the audience quieted down but they got the idea. I took videos and Brad took pictures. I am only posting the picture of Stephanie because I don't know if parents would object to their childrens' pictures being posted online. One of the groups wore cute antlers while singing one of their songs. Stephanie wore them too!

Open House - December 7, 2008

On Sunday, December 7th we held a joint Open House with Jessica at Roger and Melissa's home. It was great of them to host the party so that people could see both Jessica and Matthew and wish them well before they leave. We had quite a few people there, good food and fun.

Matt's Talk in Church - November 30, 2008

On November 30, 2008, Matt spoke in Church. It is tradition that before a missionary leaves for their mission they speak in Church. Also on the program that day were Roger (who spoke), Caitlin and Jessica did a musical number, then Jessica spoke (who is also leaving for her mission), then Stephanie, Steven, Matthew and Kayla sang a musical number "Lord Please Hear My Prayer", then Matt spoke. He did a fantastic job. He seemed so grown up. Bev and Jack, Robert, Whitney and Sam and Noah and Grandma came to hear him speak as well as Quinn and Heather and the twins. After Church we all went to Grandma's house and had food, fun and visiting. Its hard to believe that Matt will be gone for 2 years. We look forward to seeing what he does and where he goes! Good luck Matthew!

Here is a video of the kids practicing for their musical number!