This year we had a wonderful Christmas. Not a lot of gifts and I have been once again recovering from another surgery but our hearts were filled with so much joy and we focused more on the true spirit of Christmas, more on our Savior, more on family and spending quality time with one another. We are so happy. Mike took the week off from work to help me with recovery and he has been so amazing. He has gone above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed. He has sat by my side and watch the chick flicks just so that I knew he was there and didn't get bummed out for being down at Christmas. My life is so blessed and I could not ever ask for more. Christmas Day was spent with Mike's family and it was great.

Dashing Through December

This has been an eventful month for us. Maddy had her Christmas piano recital. She played "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and did such a good job. Then the following week was her musical theater recital. I was so impressed with the show. We were sitting with Mike's mom and dad watching the performance and Mike's Dad leaned over to Mike's mom and asked, "why isn't Madyson smiling and singing? She should be more like the girl beside her who is smiling and doing such a great job." Mike's mom said,"who are you talking about?" He pointed to the girl next to Madyson. His mom said, "THAT IS MADYSON!!" We were dying, Maddy got contact lenses this month and he had not seen her with them in so he didn't recognize her. So funny!! Maddy did such a great job and looked so beautiful!

SHE MADE IT!!!!

Well, Maddy made her club vollleyball team!! She is so exctied and we are so proud of her. After the first day of tryouts she was surprised at how sore her muscles were - it's only the beginning sweet thing!!!! Congrats!!!

Halloween 2009

Maddy had her first Halloween Party last weekend. We transformed our house and had a blast!! The party was complete with a Monster Mash-Up Dance -Off, Speed Donut Eating Contest, Rock Band, Dinner, and we topped the night off with a scarry movie in the cemetary with a creepy gobblin - (Uncle Tom) - showing up to scare the girls at the end of the night. It was a ton of fun!!!

Josh's Baptism

Joshua Tanner was baptized last weekend and we were so excited that they all came to Arizona for the baptism so that we could all be there. This younger generation of kids, they are all so strong in their own ways and such wonderful kids...Josh seems like the gently peace maker and he always has a smile that just makes you see the goodness in him.

We loved being able to be there for your special day Josh and thanks for letting us be a part of it. We love you!

Random Thoughts...

We have had some great times this summer. Here are some pictures of just of few of the good times we've had!

For Labor Day weekend, Mike and I went camping with our good friends, Tyson and Bethany Tanner. We had the best time ever!! We camped in Forest Lakes - can I just tell you, this is our new favorite camp spot. It was so beautiful. The weather was perfect! It was so relaxing and we just had a wonderful time! Some friends of ours from our Ward let us use their pop-up tent trailer - that is the best way to camp ever!!! It made it so much fun and we are so grateful to them for their kindness!!!

The only downfall about this place that seemed like Heaven, is that there was NO BATHROOM!!! This is our "toiley tent" and poor Mike and Tyson had to empty out the little portable toilet at the end of the weekend. eeewwww!!! I could not have done that in a million years! They were such troopers. The little thing worked great and as long as I am not the one to deal with the end result...I'm all good. Our cheap little toiley tent held up great!!!

Some of you might not recognize this skinny man - this is my husband!!! Yes, that is right, he is more than 50lbs lighter and looking handsome as ever!!

Our ward got split a few weeks ago as you know and tonight I came home and found that all of the young women from Durango Ward gave me and Heidi Phelps across the street a heart attack!! Those girls are all so sweet and it touched my heart so much. I really do miss them so much! Wednesdays seem so weird to not have to go to mutual and on Sunday, I thought about them for a minute and cried.

I will say though, Mike and I are really liking the new ward so far. Everyone is so nice and we are having a good time getting to know new people and will hopefully make some new friends there too. We are excited for new callings and opportunities to serve!



We have been watching our friends' little girl on Tuesday nights while they go to a class. This is Haylee and she just lights up our house everytime she is here. She LOVES our dogs - FINALLY - someone who loves the dogs like I do! Mike has just as much fun as I do chasing her around the house. Here he is reading her snow white and then she decided to play dress up with the dogs. They were such troopers. Hank was a little bride with a dress and veil and Joey was sporting a red cheerleading skirt...hallarious! Mike thinks they looked like they had just lost all of their dignity...you be the judge!

When I am not working, this is the dogs' favorite place to sleep. This is Hank waiting for a massage! He loves it up there and when I call him, he plays dead and peeks out of the corner of his eye to see if I have gone yet or not...he is sooo sneaky!



These two angels and so much fun to have over. We sure do love Jake and Tyler!!!

So, Maddy is growing up to be such a beautiful young lady. Sometimes I look at her and I can't believe how grown up she seems. Here are some pictures taken on picture day.