Choosing the Right Way...

Happy Pioneer day for those of us in Utah!





And a quote to ponder on a Friday...

"If we choose the right way, we are sustained in our actions by the principles of righteousness, in the which there is power from the heavens. If we choose the wrong way and act on that choice, there is no such heavenly promise or power, and we are alone and are destined to fail."

William R. Bradford, "Righteousness, Ensign," Nov. 1999, 85

Memorial Day

The day started off with the alarm at 5:45am...Yes, I said 5:45am! My husband serves in the Boy Scout program in our church and as part of their fundraising efforts, they put up American flags in the yards around our neighborhood on all the National holidays. I had a little reminder set in my phone to wake us/him up in time to go help. When I tried to wake him up he said "we decided last night the weather was too bad today, so no flags. I told you last night." (He hadn't told me and we finally figured that out today when we were both more coherent.) Of course, I had a hard time falling back to sleep and just as I started to dose off again, Brad got out of bed and said he had to go to flags. I said "What?" Apparently, he had looked outside and told me the sun was out with no clouds in sight, so they better get the flags put up... and off he went! When he returned, we decided it would be fun to go 4 wheeling. We loaded up the 4 wheelers, grabbed some lunch and we were off!


We headed up American Fork canyon near our home. It was a beautiful day and the drive up AF canyon is gorgeous! We unloaded the machines and started our trek up the mountain. After riding up the first couple miles there was a bottle neck and we were unable to go any further. We found out there were about 30-40 trucks, jeeps or ATVs trying to come down as we were heading up. We had to wait until they all passed... it seemed to take forever but really only lasted about 25-30min. Once the bottle neck was resolved, we continued our ride. The sun was shining and the landscape beautiful. It was peaceful and so great to be out enjoying nature.

Some fun pictures from the day...

This white truck wouldn't back down the mountain any further so he forced this poor blue truck to try to pass him while placing the 2 passenger tires on the mountain. They almost hit each other - some people...





We had to wait for all the trucks, jeeps, ATVs, etc... to pass since it was too tight ahead for us to move forward, while they were all coming down. Luckily, by the time everyone passed we didn't run into any back ups like this the rest of our ride... yipee!!

And they keep on coming... In fact, one had a flat tire so my "always prepared" boy scout husband said "I have a compressor, if you want to pull over here I can pump up your tire for you." He is always so willing to help! I am a lucky girl!

View from the top of one of the trails...breathtaking!

I love this time of year! As the snow melts, several random waterfalls appear. This picture doesn't even come close to how beautiful it was.

Several of the trails still had snow at the top.

Yes this is the same truck from before! After trying unsuccessfully to dig him out of the snow, his parents used a tow strap to pull him out with their truck. Come to find out "smart guy" (our new nickname for him) didn't have his truck in 4 wheel drive before hitting the snow. Which in most newer trucks wouldn't make a difference, but his was older and had locking hubs which of course were not locked! (For those unfamiliar with such terms... older trucks didn't have the 4 wheel drive "button" inside the cab. You had to get out and turn the center of the hub on the front two wheels. Then when you got back inside the cab, you had a 2nd shifter that had to be put into 4 wheel drive...did I loose anyone?)

At least while waiting, I took this great picture!!

And this one on our way back down...

Closer to the end of our ride. The water coming out of the canyon is really

high and moving very fast. It is incredible to watch!


Overall, a very enjoyable day. We ended up at a neighbor's home for a BBQ after we returned home and watched the Lakers get schooled by the Nuggets... good times! Oh and one of my cute laurels was on KSL news as well, 92 students in her class of 105 graduated with an Associates Degree from UVU before they received their diploma's for high school graduation. It was also her birthday today and she came over to watch the news with us since her family doesn't have TV. Happy Birthday Janneka!

HAPPY ST. PATTRICK's DAY!!

Ok... so I am part Irish and felt it my duty to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here are some corny St. Patty's day jokes for your enjoyment! Have a great day!


1. What is out on the lawn all summer and is Irish?
2. What do you call a fake stone in Ireland?
3. Why do frogs like St. Patrick's Day?
4. When is an Irish Potato not an Irish Potato?
5. What does it mean when you find a horseshoe?
6. Why did the elephant wear his green sneakers instead of his red ones?
7. Why is a river rich?
8. What does a leprechaun call a happy man wearing green?
9. Knock Knock Who's there?Irish! Irish Who?Irish you a happy St. Patrick's Day!
10. What do you get when you cross a pillowcase with a stone?
11. Why did St. Patrick drive all the snakes out of Ireland?
12. Have you ever heard of the 6-leaf clover? ?I haven't either!
13. What happens when a leprechaun falls into a river?
14. What do you call a diseased Irish criminal?

Answer key:
1. Paddy O'Furniture.
2. A sham rock.
3. Because they're always wearing green.
4. When it's a FRENCH fry!
5. Some poor horse is going barefoot!
6. The red ones were in the wash!
7. Because it has two banks.
8. A Jolly Green Giant.
9. Knock Knock Who's there?Irish! Irish Who?Irish you a happy St. Patrick's Day!
10.. A sham rock.
11. He couldn't afford plane fare submitted by Berta.
12. Have you ever heard of the 6-leaf clover? ?I haven't either!
13. He gets wet!
14. A leper con.

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE DAY!!

Christmas Eve...

The Toyota jump!

Every other year we spend Christmas Eve with Brad's family. The traditional evening starts with dinner at Chili's where Grandma Mary pays the bill. "Thanks Grandma Mary!" This tradition has been going on over 20 years and the restaurant they used to go to was at the Cottonwood mall. During our first year of marriage we headed to the restaurant and to the family's surprise it was no longer there! In looking for a new restaurant that was open on Christmas Eve, we ended up at Chili's and now we have spent 6 years eating at the "new" restaurant.

Monica, Chris and Lily

After dinner we then make the trek downtown to Temple Square to see the lights. Now, I didn't realize until this year... not surprising since it takes me several months to notice a new building on the side of the road that I drive by everyday. But I digress. Apparently, the family has a particular "route" they walk EVERY year and when you don't realize there is a route, it can be difficult to try and find everyone after taking pictures. :-) We decided this year to take FUN pictures of us doing silly things to shake it up a bit. So here are some of the results! We had a great time!

Megan and Dave...trying to make it look like they are jumping over the Temple... sorry guys!

Random... not sure what Brad is doing...he hates being in pictures..

This is everyone trying to help Brad enjoy the picture!

Brad loves to play like he is going to drop me.

Lily, Emma, me and Will

Nicole and Will

Dave, Megan and Lily floating above...

Close your eyes! Paul and Karen

Nicole and Will being silly

Me and Lily

Nicole and Lily (they sure are in a lot of pictures!)

Dave and Megan

Allison "accidentally" walked into the men's restroom OOPS!

Some interesting folks we saw on Temple Square. They had 3-D glasses on and they let us try them out. The glasses actually made the lights look very cool.

Another tradition on Christmas Eve is acting out the Nativity. A couple of year ago the Brad and his sisters made costumes and purchased props as a Christmas present for their mom and dad. They turned out great!

Isn't this picture precious?

An interesting coincidence, for the wise men costumes Natalie or Monica made the clothing and Brad and I picked out the hats and gifts. When we all got all the costumes together everything matched perfectly... amazing! The crown on Grandma's head has similar jewels as the collar around her neck.


Brad and Dave as shepherds and Allison as a cow and Megan as a sheep.

This was just funny... I was the Angel (I know cheesy) and the shepherds were "sore afraid"!

Paul and Karen reading the story and taking pictures.

We had a great time and look forward to spending Christmas Eve every other year with Brad's family. More to come.....

Cousin Dinner

I will try to post quickly about all the Christmas festivities and family fun. The first of which was the cousin dinner. We were so excited that Jill and her family made the trek out to Utah from Northern California to visit her husband Scott's family so we could all have an excuse to get together! Thanks Jill!

Me and Jill

Lisa (Jill's sister) and Jenny

Jill, Jenny and I were like the "3 Amigos" growing up! Jill and I are the same age and Jenny is a year older. We had so much fun together! There are so many memories from December trips to Bear Lake snowmobiling and skiing, to camping up Logan canyon or traveling to San Diego where Jill's family lived. Since Jill's family (my dad's brother Darwin) lived in San Diego, we looked forward to any trip when their family came out to visit or when we had the opportunity to travel out to see them during the summer. When our Grandpa Weeks passed away a few years ago it had been at least 5 yrs since we had all been together. We still didn't keep in touch as much as we should have until our Grandma Weeks passed away last year. We decided at that time to be better going forward. So when Jill emailed letting us all know she was going to be in town for Christmas we planned a dinner.

My dad grew up in a house of boys. His oldest brother Clair passed away over 10 yrs ago (Richard, Monica, Troy and Jeff's dad) his wife lives in UT, Darwin (Mark, Darren, Jill & Lisa's dad) and JoAnn still live in CA, Stan (Todd, Pam, Brian, Jenny, & Amy's dad) and Irene live in UT.

We don't get together as often as we should but when we do it is like no time has passed at all. We have a great time catching up and enjoy each others company.

Thanks for all the great memories - as well as those to come!

One end of the table... Chaselyn (Justin & Natalie's daughter)posed for the picture sooo cute!

The other end! :-) Left front - Scott (Jill's husband) Right front Charisse (Mark's ex-wife)

Jenny and husband Brad

Holly (Troy's daughter) & friend John





















Natalie, Justin (Troy's son) & my dad
















Kelsey and Brock (Troy's son)















Becky & Troy

Becky, Chaselyn (Justin's daughter) and Lisa's daughter Alex

Jamie and mom

Ryan (Jamie's boyfriend) and Jamie



Alex (Lisa's daughter), Ian (Jill's son), Shannon (Lisa's) and Madison (Jill's daughter).

Jason in front left (Mark's son), Torrey (Jill's son) back left, Jessica (Mark's daughter) back right, Kylie (Charisse's daughter)

Aunt Margie (dad's brother Clair's wife) & their son Jeff.

****Sorry for the big break between pictures and names... not sure what happened but I don't have the time to figure it out. Anyone know why this happens all the time? The spacing looks correct in the "entry" but on the blog they are all spaced out. Thanks!

The true meaning of Christmas...

This Christmas season, Brad and I have been trying to focus more on the opportunities to serve around us, and have been amazed by the many others we have seen doing the same. I am extremely grateful for a wonderful mother who taught me about the importance of service and to think of others needs before my own. As I look back at my most memorable Christmases, they are when I have focused on others needs. I am so grateful I have a loving husband that feels the same way I do and will always support me.

This past Sunday in young women's we as a presidency each picked a special message we wanted to share with the girls about remembering the "true" meaning of Christmas. It is wonderful how through the spirit we each had a different message and yet after each was shared, they built upon the previous one. I am so grateful for the wonderful women I serve with and the inspired leaders that they are. I appreciate your friendship and support! Thank you! thank you!

As I was preparing my thoughts for Sunday, I came across this First Presidency message from December 1988 by President Ezra Taft Benson. I picked a few nuggets that touched me and thought I would share. Click here to read more.

"As we commence this Christmas season, a season of giving and receiving, I would like to discuss a few of the many gifts we have received from our Lord, Jesus Christ, and what we in turn might give to Him.

First, He gave us the perfect model—Himself—after which we are to pattern our lives. He said “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13.) Not only did He set for us the perfect example of earthly living, but for our sake He willingly gave His life. He went through agony both in body and spirit, which we cannot comprehend, to give to us the glorious blessings of the Atonement and the Resurrection. (See D&C 19:15–19.)

Some men are willing to die for their faith, but they are not willing to fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. Through His atonement and by walking in His steps, we can gain the greatest gift of all—eternal life, which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One—our Father in Heaven.

Second, in addition to the gift of the life of Christ, is the gift of His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—“the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.” (D&C 1:30.) The Church is the organized means which God uses to establish and expand His work. We must work with it and in it, build it up, and move it forward.

Third, in addition to the gifts of the life of Christ and His Church, is the gift of scripture, particularly the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Mormon, who compiled it, saw us in vision and was directed to put into the book those things God felt we would especially need in our time. We therefore should know the Book of Mormon better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really do our homework and approach the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men.

“So I ask you, what can we possibly give to the Lord this Christmastime? Considering all that He has done and is doing for us, there is something that we might give Him in return.

Christ’s great gift to us was His life and sacrifice. Should that not then be our small gift to Him—our lives and sacrifices, not only now but in the future?...Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life.”

Try as you may, you cannot put the Lord in your debt. For every time you try to do His will, He simply pours out more blessings upon you. Sometimes the blessings may seem to be a little slow in coming—perhaps this tests your faith—but come they will, and abundantly. It has been said, “Cast your bread upon the waters and after a while it shall come back to you toasted and buttered.”

"But just as when one loses his life in the service of God, he really finds the abundant life, so also when one sacrifices all to God, then God in return shares all that He has with him." - President Ezra Taft Benson - Ensign 1988 - page 2.


I could truly share experience after experience of wonderful Christmases past... but not enough time in the day to do so. Enjoy your final preparations for Christmas and may we all be reminded of the "true" meaning this year!!

The Tree!

We were finally able to finish decorating our tree. Yippee! Brad put the last strand of lights on Saturday afternoon and I hung the ornaments Saturday night.



Notice the deer in the meadow on the entertainment center... this was a compromise between Brad and I. When we bought the entertainment center we had differing opinions on how we should decorate the top. Brad thought a stuffed bobcat reaching out to swat a pheasant out of the sky was better option than more traditional ideas. I thought differently and went with a more traditional approach. So I figured at Christmas time we could go with a more outdoor theme to help with Brad's desire to bring in nature!

Here is a random picture from our ward Christmas party this year. We had a LIVE Nativity with a some of our ward members and a donkey. It looks pretty good right? Nice work Emily!

We also met my family downtown to see the lights and Temple square last night. Then we headed to dinner at Trolley Square. More pictures below...

I hope you are all enjoying the holidays!

Check out some videos and clips from some of my favorite Christmas movies on the sidebar. Also, a video by Hilary Weeks from her Christmas album.