Draper Temple Open House

We were so lucky to be able to go to the Draper Temple 0pen House. It was so beautiful. We all loved it. We met at a Draper church where we watched a movie about temples, then we boarded a bus that took us to the temple on top of the mountain. We walked through the temple and the boys had lots of questions. It was great to be able to show them where we go. I hope they will remember it. I think they will. I know that they will for sure remember the cookies and water they served after! I was about 10 when I went through the Denver Temple 0pen House. I loved it so much. It was then that I decided that it would be my temple- the one I would be married in. The primarys in the area were encouraged to do chores and save money for the Bridal benches in the back of the temple. I remember that I worked hard and donated $1.10. I got to see those benches that I helped pay for at the open house. Later, when Travis & I got married, those benches were the first place we took pictures after the sealing.

Visit with the Halls

Brody's 2nd grade musical

The whole 2nd grade just put on a musical. Their music teacher did a great job. It was really cute. The musical was called "Dinostars." Each class was assigned to be a different kind of dinosaur and Brody's class was supposed to dress up like micropachycephalosaurus. Yeah, this dinosaur gets the prize for having the longest name. It was a small, hard headed dinosaur, and Brody had very specific ideas about what his costume was supposed to be like. I hope it was all right. Probably not as good as Grandma could have done, but she was out of town so... Anyway, he had a couple of lines and he really did a great job. The songs were really cute and the kids really got into them. Brody was really excited about his play and Colby happened to be visiting for the night and Brody went right ahead and invited him. It was very gracious too, because he came, and it really meant a lot to Brody. Well, Travis went to a morning performance and so Colby and I went to the evening one. It was funny because I saw lots of my friends and they looked at me kind of funny for being out on a little "date" with Colby. Brody had fun and then the next day we left for our vacation to visit Halls.

TJ's area spelling bee

Here is TJ at his area spelling bee. He did a really good job and even though he was disappointed that he didn't win, I was really proud of him because he really practiced those words. My parents, Brody, and my sister, Nikki, came and we had a little celebration dinner at our house after. We appreciate their support and to Trav for staying at home with the younger kids. I have to tell one little story about this. There was one kid who did really well, and when it came to be his turn he would always ask for the definition, the origin of the word and so on. Now it was his right to do this, but it really made the competition go on for quite a while. So when it was this kid's turn and he would ask for the definition and origin of the word, Brody would let out this huge sigh. I couldn't really blame him either. It was getting kind of long. But he kept us giggling. Then when it was done, he raced to the front and helped himself to a large pile of cookies and punch. And yes, that is his blue gum that he is saving on his ear for later.

Brody and TJ's basketball season

Brody finished up a great basketball season. I can't believe the improvement he made. He learned so much. Now he spends most of his spare time out shooting hoops. It was a great bonding time with Dad and Grandpa. They both practiced with him and would work on different skills. Brody just ate it up. My Dad is really happy because he finally has a buddy to watch sports with and play with. Tara was athletic, but I certainly never bonded with him in any athletic avenues, being athletically challenged. At least I can give him grandsons to play sports with. He's great, and I love him for never complaining about us not having much athletic interest. He got dragged around shopping all those fun things that I know that men love. I also should mention that even though I don't have any pictures, TJ played basketball with the scouts every week and his friend's dad helped them. I watched TJ this last week and the improvement he has made is also quite amazing. His friend's dad is awesome for helping those younger guys. TJ has decided that he will now play basketball for BYU. I love these boys' dreams!




When Brody would have his games Charli and Lyssa thought it was great to color on the bleachers. Charli would color on a coloring book and Lyssa would color right on the bleachers. Here's also a picture of Charli after she got her face painted at family night at Texas roadhouse.

Valentines Day

Even though I'm a little late, I'm going to add these pictures for my journaling purposes. Valentines Day was really fun, and I'm kind of surprised that the kids get so excited about it. The boys laughed at any valentines they got that were Hannah Montanna or High School Musical, and Charli rejoiced when she got those kind! It was cute. I think I even overheard Trey trying to trade his girlie valentines away with Charli. I got to help with TJ's class party and that was really fun to see TJ in his element. Even though they are big and mature 5th graders, they still loved passing out valentines and got into the games. I guess you are never really to old to celebrate any of the holidays! A party is a party! Travis and I celebrated a little early, because I took pity on the missionaries because they didn't have a dinner appointment for that night. So that was kind of different, but fun.