Stupid Cancer.

I just found out yesterday that a sweet friend of mine recently passed away. We first met Kerry Rapp about 5 years ago when he became our home teacher. I was so embarressed when the first time we met him, that Bridger (then a baby learnng to walk) crawled all over him and wouldn't stay away. I later on realized how much he loved and valued children and how his testimony of the church grew a little each day. I will never forget him asking Jon's permission to hug me the day our HT's came over after I gave a talk at church and bore my testimony of Joseph Smith. I will also never forget the way he gave a HT lesson in our home on parenthood and had tears streaming down his face when he was done. The world is a much sadder place without Bro. Rapp in it. He will be truly missed! I don't think his obituary describes the spirit that was Bro. Rapp but it is HERE if you wanna take a glance. I thank the Lord for the time that we did have to get to know him.

Christmas at the J House!

Carli had her "girls only" gingerbread house decorating party at our dear friend's house.

When she came home with her finished project Jack couldn't take his eyes off of her colorful candy house.

He immediately said that it was Buzz's house.
(Does it still count if Buzz can't get his foot in the door?)

Our home on Christmas Eve.

The kiddos on Christmas Morning before all the excitement!

(Notice the sun isn't up yet)

Jack wanted a pic of his new toy story slippers

Carli with her new 'kids' video camera

A soft Buzz and Woody. Jack couldn't stop looking at them and smiling!

Nolan hugs his sister to thank her for the Pokemon cards she so thoughtfully got for him. (Note: This hug is a reinactment- it was so cute that he hugged her that I made them do it agin for the camera-lol)

Jon thanking Carli for the "True Grit" book.

(BTW- The new True Grit movie is AWESOME!- we got to see it for our anniversary!)

To all our loved ones,Thank You for making our 2010 Christmas Special! We love and miss you!

13 Years Already???

Today is our Anniversary. 13 years, Baby- oh yeah! And just an eternity more to go!

Today my poor Jonny is Sick. He came home Tues from work and when we finally took him to the dr. yesterday, he said it looked like Jonny has Pneumonia. Hopefully he will just be getting better before our Christmas break. But that means no celebrating our anniversary for awhile. Until after Christmas probably. I told the kids it was our anniversary and they asked if we were gonna go out. I said that we weren't going to for awhile. Carli said he can just stay home and smooch. (her word, not mine-lol) I told her I didn't think we would be doing that either. She said that we can just snuggle. I think we WILL be doing that!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Hope you feel better soon!

Love, T

Carli in the Choir!

Carli decided that she wanted to be in her school choir this year. They started practicing in Sept for the Christmas program. There are almost 200 kids in the choir. Some kids tried out for parts in the (musical) play- but Carli just wanted to sing. It was all the talk at our house for months.

The school is too small to house all the families of all the choir kids, so we had the program at the Faith Assembly church down the street. It has a huge auditorium. It was great cuz we got to sit close to Carli during her performance. (we never get to do that in the school)

Today.

At our house....

I am doing (never ending) laundry.

Spiderman is shooting bears.

What would I do without him???

Sweet, Sweet Sister Kristen.

This is my sister in law, (sister to me) Krissy. Krissy is the most special soul. She has a disease known as Retts. We see her about once a year when we go see Jon's family. What is so amazing about her is her love. She goes right up to you. Whoever you are. She can't speak, but just wants to be near you. (esp. if you are in the kitchen, preparing food- she is truly a girl after my own heart.) She is the most friendly and sweet spirit.

I took this pic while Krissy was cozied up on the couch for her morning nap. She looked so sweet and comfy that I couldn' resist.

Maybe because last summer we didn't see her, maybe because I had been thinking a lot about her when I was shopping for her present this year, but when I hung out with her last week, it felt like going home. (Full of innocent love and huge smiles)I enjoy being around Krissy and her loving spirit. If she could talk, I don't know what she would say. But for now- I will let her cuddle up next to me while I attempt to make rolls in the kitchen. I realized I missed her snuggles and I missed her.

I am so glad we got to spend (an unexpected lot of) time together. Take care until we see you this summer, Kris!!

What's gone on this month, you ask????

Well- let me tell you. First of all, I have no recollection of the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving - so don't ask. (No- I haven't been drinking-lol- I think we just did the everyday blah -blah -blah -stuff with Christmas shopping smushed in-between)


But for Thanksgiving we went to Utah to spend the holiday with Jon's family. Jon had a drew out for a hunting tag in AZ. So we had Thanksgiving dinner on Wed and on Thurs. morning, Jon and his Brother Aaron left for the mountains of Arizona (who knew they had those there-lol)

The kids and I stayed behind and hung out with my in-laws. It was a good break, but one that lasted longer than intended. Jon didn't shoot his elk until 5pm on the last day. He thought he would shoot his elk in the first couple of days like he did when he went to New Mexico a 2 yrs ago. But it didn't really happen like that. The kids missed 4 days of school last week. they cried (No- not really, they cheered actually-lol)

Did I mention that Jon's family are cattle ranchers in Bicknell, Utah (what....you haven't heard of it?- yeah, that's okay I guess it doesn't help that it doesn't have its own grocery store-lol) But it is a good place to raise cattle! On tues. night, a calf was born and because the weather was so cold, and her mother found a nice wet mudhole to birth her in -(Poor thing- what a rough way to come into the world) she was freezing and not doing so well- so Aaron brought her in the mudroom and we got to see first hand what a rewarding job cattle ranching is. This baby cow was so sweet and sucked down a bottle (actually it was choked down her throat- so she had to swallow- but you get the idea) Jack petted and loved the "Beebee cow"

She couldn't stand up for the longest time- but finally Uncle Aaron's lil' shadow (Carli) helped him to get the calf to stand up.

Then we had Thanksgiving. It was delicious. The kids took pictures of all of food (individually) - you know I love to look at pics of food-lol
LOVED these beans. They are called dilly beans because they are pickled. They were crunchy and perfect and now I want some!

There are just no words for this pic- (Just an adorable Uncle Aaron moment-lol )

Gramma had it planned that on Thanksgiving day (Since we had already celebrated the day before) that the kiddos could make Turkey cupcakes.

They turned out cute!!

The kids "helped" Gramma decorate for Christmas. -lol Yeah- I'm not sue how much they actually helped, but the house looked gorgeous in the end!

Jack wore his jammies all week. Buzz is all he wears now. I can hardly pry it off of him to wash it. (Actually he has 3 Buzz Jammies and it is still hard to rotate them so that he always has one to wear.)


When I was getting ready to leave and getting things together, I came out in the family room and saw that these four when transfixed on The Grinch. Add some popcorn to the mix and it was an adorable pic of my fab 4!

Thank You Gramma and Grandpa for leting us visit. We really had a Lovely time!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Mindy Concert.

Sat Night, Carli and I and my new sweet friend, Tiffany went to see Mindy Gledhill in concert. It was awesome! Carli was quick to tell Jon all of the funny things that Mindy said on stage and I added that I thought that she had such a charismatic personality. You couldn't help but love the person behind the songs!

Okay- even though THIS FABULOUS photographer took a beautiful picture- sometimes there is just no helping me take a lovely pic. Good thing everyone else looks awesome!-lol

Soccer.

Bridger started soccer at the beginning of the fall. None of the kids were really ever in soccer (Nolan and Carli took it for about a month- but only practices, no games.) So we were all excited to watch Bridge in soccer. It took him awhile to get into it- but he finally did and kicked the ball a few times each game. (I think at one time he even scored a goal). He was so funny in these pics. He saw me with the camera and posed on the field. (I don't think the ref was too happy about that) oops!

Bridger had 2 jerseys that he wore for home and away games. (Even though it was the same field everytime) Jack saw that Bridger was getting all suited up for his big game and wanted to wear Bridgers other jersery. I didn't realize at the time that he thought that since he had the shirt on, he thought hewas playing. He ran out onto the field when Bridger did and was pretty dang unhappy when we pried him off and made him sit on the sidelines.

Bridger just had his last game on Wed. and now won't play again until Spring.

Halloween 2010

We wanted to thank Gramma Sharon for sending lovely Halloween packages for the kiddos. They sure enjoyed them!

(These suckers had me giggling too!)
Who ya' gonna call????

Ghostbusters! I felt bad for Nolan. When we went trick or treating at night- everyone called Nolan a "Camper" It was mostly older people that knew he was a Ghostbuster. But he had a good attitude about it. Bridger and I were walking around TJMAXX and saw this army man. I was a little disappointed at first until I saw the character in the costume. It was more a army look from way back. (Plus muscles)It was Vintage-like. It is hard to tell from the pic but I love the belt that cinched at the waist and left a little overhang on the shirt. It was so cute.Jack was just gonna be one of the 100,000 old costumes that we have when I went to a party store to visit with a friend (about visiting teaching) and saw that these costumes where only $5. He put it on that day and we still fight him to take it off. (He likes to wear his Buzz Jammies under it) Jack at the church party on Fri- he was so tired and so mesmerized by all the costumes!

Carls wanted to be some kind of warrior. She came to me with the idea of an Indian warrior. Carli's costume was found at a second hand store and was in perfect shape except it was an adult's costume. I had to take it in a bit but turned out nice in the end. While we were trick or treating she was called "Pocohontas" by several people. I could tell she didn't like that too much.- (poor thing.) My Fab Four!

The Candy Stash!!!! Hope you had an eventful Halloween!!!

Halloween Party 2010!

This year THIS gal threw a (adults only) Halloween party (Click HERE and HERE to see past years) The theme was black and white. I thought forever and finally settled on 1920s Gangsters for our costumes. I couldn't find a sort of 1920's women's suit so Just went as a flapper to accompany Jonny's Ganster (minus the tommy-gun) I made my dress and headband and made Jon's vest but otherwise bought everything else.

(Me having fun wit' it!)Da Girls!!!
I came out of the bathroom with my fake (feather) eyelashes and asked Jonny if they were put on right. He said, "They just look weird." I guess at least I got a straight answer (hee hee)

It was a great night. Thanks Debbi!!!

(Next to come- The kid's costumes)