One Final Holiday Hurrah

Our last day before Melanie and Ryan left for Oklahoma was spent at Town Square.  We shopped, ate lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, and watched the kids on the playground and ride a train.  It was a great way to end our week-long holiday with everyone.

Steve, Melanie, Ben, Weston, Cali, Ashton, and Natalie
by a Norman Rockwell Christmas statue at Town Square.

Ryan and Melanie

Steve, Natalie, Melanie, Ryan, Cali,
Ashton, Ben, and Weston

Melanie and Ashton

Ryan and Cali

Cali 

Ashton, Cali, and Melanie

Christmas 2012

Melanie and Ryan arrived from Oklahoma on Saturday, December 22nd.  It was fun to have them here.  We had a good time beginning with a yummy dinner with Ryan's dad and his wife, Mike and Kris.  After church on Sunday Kim and Linda came over with pizza and a salad for lunch.  We played a new card game called "Village Idiot."  Monday was Christmas Eve so we spent the day cooking and baking.  That evening we had Family Home Evening.  Tuesday after we opened our gifts and enjoyed a traditional Christmas morning breakfast, we spent the rest of the day enjoying being home.  Wednesday we had lunch at Panera Bread, got pedicures, went to a movie, and lastly enjoyed a great dinner at PF Changs.  Thursday after having a huge waffle breakfast we headed for Red Rock where we enjoyed being outside and being with each other.  Later that night we went over to Natalie and Thomas' house for dinner and a bonfire.  Julie left for Salt Lake City Friday morning so she could spend the weekend with Sheldon's family in Vernal.  Melanie and Ryan  return to Oklahoma Saturday morning.  Considering the events of this year and how dismal we were feeling in Vegas, the holiday ended for me with gratefulness in my heart for my family, the Savior, and my many blessings.  

Christmas Eve
Natalie, Julie, and Melanie

Christmas Eve
Julie, Melanie, Ben, Natalie, and Weston

Christmas Eve; the kids all got new PJs

Natalie, Thomas, Ben, Weston,
Ashton, and Cali

Christmas Morning
Julie, Natalie, Melanie,
Ashton, and Cali

Christmas Morning
Natalie, Thomas, Ryan, Melanie,
Steve, Ashton, and Cali

Christmas Morning
Our gift to the twins, a "Cozy Coupe"

Red Rock
Ryan, Melanie, Steve, Julie, Natalie, and Cali

Red Rock
Melanie and Cali

Red Rock
Cali, Julie, and Me

Red Rock
Cali, Weston, Ben, and Thomas

Red Rock
Ryan, Thomas, Weston, Ben, Julie, Natalie,
Ashton, and Cali

Red Rock
Julie, Natalie, Ben, and Weston

Red Rock
Thomas, Steve, Ashton, and Melanie

Bon Fire at Ellsworth's
Ashton on his new bike

Bon Fire at Ellsworth's
Ben and Weston

A 26-Mile Run

Saturday Julie, Natalie, and Heather Jones ran a marathon by Lake Mead and the dam. The race started at 8:00 in the morning. The girls thought it would take between five and six hours, and that's exactly what occurred. It was a beautiful day, and it was exciting to watch the girls pass us by as they made two complete laps. It was quite an accomplishment for all three girls. Sunday everyone was stiff and sore. Julie's knee is hurting, but hopefully it will be better by the Disney World marathon in a few weeks.

Natalie at the half-way point

Ready to start the climb again up the hill
and through the railroad tunnels

Julie at the halfway point

Natalie at the finish line.
It took her 5 hours and 40 minutes to
complete the 26-mile course.

All smiles at the finish line

Natalie with her dad at the
end of the race

Julie finished the race in 6 hours and 10 minutes

Both girls felt quite happy
they were able to finish

Heather Jones finished the race in
just under seven hours.
Way to go, girls!

The Twins Turn One

Natalie and Thomas planned a very nice birthday party for Weston and Ben. We met at a park near their home on the east side of town by the temple. We had yummy sandwiches, rode scooters, ate birthday cupcakes, and opened presents. It was a fun afternoon. It is hard to believe that a year ago these cute little guys were born.

Natalie holding Weston
Julie holding Ben

Cute decorations even at the park!

Thomas giving Ben
a little ride

Natalie and Weston

Ben and Weston
wearing cute little shirts
for their big day

The park had a sidewalk just for riding
scooters.  Ashton did an amazing
job as he went pretty fast down the hill.

Julie and Natalie had fun together
doing a ride at the same time.
Nice to see everyone having a good time.

I was surprised how long the run was from
top to bottom.  

Even Dad gave it a try

Cupcake time

The boys liked their cupcakes

Yummy!

Remembering a Wedding Anniversary

My parents wedding day

My parents 50th wedding anniversary
December 1, 1990

Today would have been my parent's 72nd wedding anniversary.  Dad passed away in November of 2000 ten days before they would have celebrated their 60th anniversary.  I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that they are together in heaven; exactly where they belong.  I pay tribute to an amazing couple that I am proud to call my parents.