Magna Cum Laude

We are so proud of Laurie , she graduated from Utah State University, Magna Cum Laude! I have decided she is a December Girl, ( She chose December for her wedding day also)! We woke up Saturday morning to pick-up Laurie and Colby to head over Logan Canyon in 5 inches of new snow, and a total white out! It was slippery, and slow going, but we made it in time for Laurie to Walk in the graduation procession! She has worked so hard for this minute, I didn't want her to miss it! Larie has grown into such an amazing girl! Lots of hard work! Late nights studying, the last semester, driving over Logan Canyon weekly. But, She did it! And has a job!

Colby and Laurie at the Luncheon, honoring the graduates!

Colby found Laurie at Utah State. She has been a huge blessing in his Life in so many ways!

120th Graduation Commencement for Utah State!

Magna Cum Laude! Colby does tease her because she gets such good grades, but we know he couldn't be prouder of Laurie! Congratulations! We are so glad we could share this day with you!

Holiday Magic

Amber , Nate, Natalee and Noah came with us this year in the search for the perfect christmas tree! We found it!! Nate had it all strapped in the back of the truck before I got pictures! This beautiful tree is in Ambers home, so check out her blog, I am sure she will post pictures of it soon! We had such a fun time finding trees. Jordon ,Ashlee, Max and Hudson, came along also!

And talk about cute kids! They really love each other, and they were all in search of the perfect Christmas tree of their own! And they found them! Natalee dragging her tree and Noahs to the truck!

Natalee and Max, cute cousins! They were so excited to find a tree! Max brought his Superchain saw! (It was Plastic) It didnt crush his spirits when it wouldnt cut down his tree! He just recruited his dad!

More Holiday Magic! Look how much it cost me to fill up my Expedition! I just saved $50!

I shot this a few days ago, and since then it has dropped to $133 per gallon! I dont know how long this will last, but I am loving it for the minute! And just think of the money saved, to spend on Holiday surprises! On the news last night it was quoting the lowest gas prices, it said the cheapest one they could find was in Missouri for $151 per gallon ! Ha Ha they dont know about Wyo. Maverik gas!

TIS THE SEASON

A few decorations that give home a festive feeling! Nicole came to visit and helped me decorate this year again, I love her help!

I love Fall Tones, So we chose those colors for the tree this year!

Brie and Colby enjoying a Yummy Yogortland treat, at Town Square in Las Vegas!

Thanksgiving Dinner at Michelle and Gregs in Vegas! Dinner was so delicous, everybody helped out! Dallon wanted to tackle the Turkey Drumstick! This Picture shows how much the younger kids look up to the older ones!

And Aubrey had the same Idea! When Aubrey and Dallon get together it is a fun party, they do alot of laughing! Noah is really observing!

Mylee and the the Grensing cat, they were friends until the cat bite her!

This is the snowman we made at Super Saturday! Sorry this picture is out of Place dont know what happened!

Chillin at the Wyndam Resort in Vegas! Only GiGi can give the kids diet coke for breakfast, and only on vacation!

Nicole and Laurie, and Noah working hard at our Super Saturday! I was in charge of this event, so I recruited my kids for help!

Natalee and Ally, Coloring books for the Humanitarian project, at Super Saturday!

FAMILY ! FALL ! FUN !

I was so excited to get to spend time with Nicole. She needed to drive to Rexburg Idaho to attend a Graduate Fair, for her work, so I jumped in the white motor pool van, and off we went! We had a great visit and it was fun to see her in action with her job!She spent 10 days in the Northern end of Utah, we loved having her here, but it was so hard on her, to be away from Andy that long! She was so miserable without him , towards the end I was really counting the minutes until she could head South!

A Jazz game with Doug and I, Colby and Laurie, Brie and Breck. This is the only picture that turned out ! Go Jazz!

Freezer meals! Holly and Amber came up with this great plan to make freezer meals for each of us to have all prepared and frozen for a busy day! They planned 18 freezer meals, for 5 families! Holly ( Amazing) did all the shopping! She loaded her van with kids and food and drove to my house! We all went to work cutting ,chopping ,and cooking some very delicious meals! Then we divided the cost and everybody took home a big treasure! I have love it, on a busy day I just go the freezer and its ready to cook! Not to mention they were delicious! We plan on doing this again!

This is just some of the food, holly brought, we had used up alot by the time I remembered to take pictures!

The weather was so nice, the kids were having there own fun, while we made freezer meals, they made a huge bonfire and had a weenie roast! Not to mention fun times raking leaves and a big finale hot-tub party! I was to busy to take all the pictures!

Amber and kids, little worker bees, helping rake leaves! Iwas so thank-ful for the help! Not pictured was Ally pushing the Lawn mower and sucking up leaves!

And of course playing in the leaves!

A little Man! Noah is such a hard worker, he is happier working than playing, lets hope he stays that way!

Four of my Five grandkids with painted faces at Cornbellys! I have loved the warm Fall days!

Brie, Natalee and Noah in Cinderellas Pumpkin carriage!
We all had a good, time with wagon rides, picking out pumpkins,, pig races, cornmazes, games and Yummy food! We have had a Fall full of Fun!

Simply Beautiful!

The breath taking Tennesse Mountains! We had a chance to visit the beautiful state of Tennesse. Holly and Kevin were going that direction to move Chris and Jenny Yeager back to Utah! We decided to go along! It was so amazing! We picked the best time of the year to visit this beautiful state covered in rolling hills with trees in every hue! Pictured below are the Smokie Mountains! This picture does not even come close to capturing the beauty.

Everywhere you looked you saw trees! The Knoxville area, Gatlenburg ,and the Smokie Mountains were the most Breathtaking!

The whole area was Festive decked out in Fall Decor!

Dollywood, similar to Disneyland, was a highlight fot the kids! The weather was a perfect 80 degrees.

Taking a break from Hiking in the Smokie Mountains! Elevation 6500 ft. The same elevation as the Mountains I live in.

Its hard to explain the beauty of these Mountains!

The highest Peak!

Looking down at the Smokie Mountains!

Our own little Hillybilly named Mylee, at the end of the day at Dollywood! She had gone through 3 outfits at this point! While we were enjoying the warm weather, our kids back home were experiencing cold weather and snow!

Mylee and Holly enjoying the PIG RIDE!

Chris and Jenny and 3 boys, Kevin and Holly and Family!

Boston, Ally, Caden, Dallon, Mylee! Cute kids!

The Famous Dixie Stampede! While watching this entertaining show of Horse riding and fun competions, between the North and the South, we were seated in rows around the arena at a tables eating the most delicious Tennesee style food!

Nashville was also fun! The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum was 3 stories of fun History!

The kids performing on stage at the Ryhman Theater and Grand Ole Opry!

At the end of day this is how we all felt! Exhausted!

Kevin and Chris left on Monday with the moving van full of furniture with 27 hours of driving ahead of them! The rest of us flew home! Frontier Airlines did not know what hit when 2 young moms, a 3 month old, two 2-year olds, a 6-year old, an 8-year old, a 12-year old, and grandma and grandpa arrived! It was a zoo getting all kids and carry ons through security, but we made it on the plane in time!

SEASON CHANGE

This is a favorite bush in my yard, it turns such a pretty color, and has berries!

Halloween Boo! Holly made this for me! Isn't it cute!

The Bounties of Fall!

Example of Mylee brightening my life! Holly and I went shopping at Ikea, and Mylee wanted to ride in the shopping sack! Holly was afraid she would break it,or that we would get in trouble! Just the opposite, all the workers at Ikea, loved it and said we need a picture of this on our Ikea add! It was such an enjoyable journey through Ikea, she was so happy riding in the shopping sack!

Tryce, making me smile! At the buffet in Vegas, Gentry brought Tryce this treat, a brownie with whipped cream on top! Oh did he ever have fun, playing and eating! Michelle just let him get in this mess, then she just cleaned him and his cars up with wet wipes!

Noah always makes me smile! He has on my reading glasses! He is such a loveable boy! We were having a picnic on the grass sitting on a blanket, and when I came to sit down, he said, GiGi, sit by me! It just made my Day!!

Fall is in the air!

I love the seasons to change! I am always ready for the change, tired of watering and mowing the lawn, now I have piles of leaves to rake! Fall is my Favorite season. The brilliant colors, the chill in the air. The feeling of getting cozy in a warm home, as a yummy pot of soup is cooking on the stove and the smell of pumpkin pie! As the seasons change, it makes me realize I have so much to be thank-ful for, a very hard-working husband, a beautiful warm home, five kids, who are my very best friends, and they all married someone I aslo love to be around! Five beautiful grandkids that brighten my life daily! Freinds who really care. A cozy comfy bed, with a fun reading re-treat, and a good book to read. A hot soak in the bath-tub~! Fun get-away plans, health and strenghth! A good nights sleep! Getting to relax and listen to General Conference on T.V. ! Just a few things that come to my mind! It really is the simple things that matter most!