Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Sunday after Church, I asked my SIL Kayla if she would take our family pictures...you know since we were all dressed up and stuff....SO we headed to Axtel to her grandma's house and had a photo shoot...we took lots..but these were 2 of my fav's...if you go to my facebook, you will see more pictures posted there. Thanks Kayla :)

Christmas Eve...yummy dinner tradition. First...it was LATE as usual....but ever so yummy, steak and shrimp...with the works! We watched "The Nativity" which was really good...the first I have ever seen it and I really felt so much for Mary and Joseph on their not so little trip to Bethlehem....then Daddy read from the Bible and the Book of Mormon about the birth of our Lord and Savior. By that time it was REALLY late and the kids were falling asleep (really and late was 9 pm, but that is late for them who are usually in bed by 8!) So they opened their Christmas Jammies, which ended up being WAY to big for the girls...so I will be doing some alterations on them! haha! and off to bed....for the KIDS...different story for MOM and DAD!!!!

****AND SANTA ARRIVES****

OH...Santa Came!!! the picture is dark, but it looks Christmassy so that is why I used it... :) The next picture is with the flash...and shows a bit better that SANTA did come! So excited for the girls to see the doll houses....my big "project" that I could NOT of ever done with out Brady cutting the roof and the sides and Rhett cutting the back and the middle! Putting it all together was more than I thought it would be...the picture on the Internet looked so easy! lol! If you can't tell...the house are made out of book shelves!!! Two REALLY tall bookshelves...It looks a bit plain...but I thought I might let them decorate it themselves...we will see! I can tell you this...I am not a carpenter! lol...my hands are SOOO SORE today! lol!  anyways...I had so much fun putting all the furniture and stuff in the house....

The little tree has 35 mini lights on it and some cute mini ornaments on it...Balls, bows, beads, candy canes and stockings....which are HOT glued onto the tree! Had fun doing this too! And I thought it was sooo cool that I found a cute mini nativity set that Barbie has all set up on her hot pink table! :) The first thing Jen noticed was the Nativity (may have something to do with the THREE nativities we have set up at home :) She said "Look mom, a nativity...Santa knows my Dolls love Jesus!" How totally cute is that!!!! Fun Fun!

WE didn't make it to bed until 4!!! Because it took forever to set stuff up! and then CLEAN everything up! Plus the kids bedroom is RIGHT by the TREE so Dad played guard...Valerie got up 3 times and Jentrie once...the boys slept like logs! Just before I went to bed Valerie asked me if Santa had come yet and I had told her nope...because mom is still up cleaning...and her response was "That's it mom, you are on the NAUGHTY list!" LOL!!! The kids started getting up around 6, so Rhett went with the boys and I with the girls...Peyton was still asleep and if any of you have a 4 year who needs to wake up on his own or else...you know what I mean...so by 7 :15  the older kids were just DYING!!! So we did wake Peyton up....BUT mom was to slow and didn't get a picture of them waiting to open their gifts.....The Girls LOVED LOVED LOVED their houses! Dallin loved his fishing pole and his binoculars and was totally thrilled with 2 new arrows for his bow! (you would really have to know this boy!) Peyton was totally stoked about his Peyton Manning football jersey and his new Football..."it's a big one" he said! (is old one is a really little one...that has HAD it! :)  Rhett and I got a new TV for the family room along with a nice Turkey Deep fryer! (plus that camera I got in JULY!!! :)
    I finally did get a group picture of the happy little souls!!!  Then daddy and I made breakfast and OUT the door they all went! For some fun in the SNOW!!!! Then back in for HOT COCOA and HOT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES...yum...made with orange flavored craizens!

yummy hot cocoa and chocolate oatmeal cookies :) a quote from my Jentrie...."this is the BEST day EVER!" It really was...even if I was TOAST all day! :)

We went down to Uncle Brady's and Aunt Kayla's for a while later tonite to see the new puppy (and all their Christmas treasures!)...but it was all about the puppy...Gator...which my boys LOVED!!! Specially Dallin! He was all over that puppy and that puppy was all over HIM....HUM...maybe it is time for mom to loosen up...all little boys need a dog right! Hum...maybe next year! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and that the NEW YEAR will bring much Joy....

"Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary’s cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind. At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life."
-President Hinckley


I loved this and totally needed to read it! Thanks Jenny for posting it! The picture is off Greg Olsens web sight...it is his New Christmas Painting....and I love it! I don't even mind that his water mark is clear thru it...I just wanted to have it for my post! It is BEAUTIFUL...I am going to see if  I can find a small print of it for my house!

HE PASSED THE TEST!!!

4 weeks ago Rhett took his Administration Endorsment final and today he got the results (yes we had to wait 4 weeks!!! and it has been a bit of a stressful month!!) so we are so happy (ESTATIC!!) to get GOOD NEWS!!! Actually this is GREAT News! With his Admin. Endorsment...the SKY is the LIMIT!!! I love you babe and I am sooooo PROUD of you!



I have a MILLION things I need to post and blog about....hopefully one of these days I will get to it! We have had craft day at home depot, made gingerbread houses (w/graham crackers), decorated and UNdecorated a tree (due to the fact that the real tree BROKE!!!), and many other things in between. SOOON when I get my PROJECTS finished I will blog the MEMORIES made this December!

CONGRATS BABE! I am sooo PROUD OF YOU!!!!

It's been a bumpy road but a what a ride.....

This post is soooo bitter sweet! I wrote it on Monday when Rhett resigned as GVHS Football coach...what a BUMMER day! This was not a fun decision to make....but it was either this year or next...either way...it was coming. And we are little sad....:( he is a lot..me just a little....I am more sad for my sweet hubby...who I love and I believe to has really done a great job...We have learned in our married life that there is more to life than wins...specially when you play your best and walk off the field/court with integrity...unfortunately not all agree with that....so a new chapter in our life is to begin.....
OH MY GOSH....16 years!!!! WOW!!!!! I cannot believe how fast the last 16 years have gone by and almost 14 of it has been our married life...before that I was the "girlfriend"! There have many great and positive memories from the last 16 years and some not so great. (sniff sniff!) Watching Sr's come and go...wins, losses (and not just losses from the game it self...but real losses), learning lessons. Over the last 16 years my husband went from the new single coach to the newlywed and husband, to home owner, to dad , to counselor during back to back losses of players and loved ones of players.  He has in this last 16 years continued his education (finally done!!) built a house (well my dad and brother's did that, but Rhett tried to help) and took on many city and church callings. There have been times so hurtful I wanted to LEAVE, but then there have been times so GREAT  I am glad we stayed! The road has been bumpy...but it has been great ride....from season 1 when the first two games of this new career were wins against So. Sevier and No. Summit....to years when we have been so beaten' up physically the team could barley move...I believe we were nick named the Band aid bunch....from the year we lost to Manti by a touch back to the year we FINALLY beat  Grantsville in overtime...to the handful of seasons we made it to a second play off game...or the years back to back  we lost Andy & Ryan. There have been lots of laughs and lots of tears..(sniff, sniff)..are.due to wins, losses, babies born at the 'wrong' time of the year, beloved parents of players passing (GB Michelle Ashton and Mike Neal, and bro. Stewart), missionary letters, wedding invitations, baby announcements and many many of these former players who are now married and are parents,  who have become very dear friends. ... I remember his VERY first home game here in Gunnison and I came up from Valley to watch it...I was SO nervous for him....I don't even remember who they played...I just remember getting sooo excited and in my Kane Co. Dispatcher mode yelled "Go Bullfrogs!" lol...took many years to live that down...lol...We were sitting behind some parents (the Dyrengs....as in Coach Dyreng's parents) Cody was a Sr (i think) and his mom turned around and said...."which new coach do you belong to?"  and of course...the girlfriend of the HEAD coach...HELLO!! I was mortified...sheesh..talk about red in the face! A few years later after a mission, college/marriage...Cody moved home and became the freshman coach...thanks Cody!!! Then a few years later when we married in the Spring of 1996, his senior players were our servers at the Gunnison Receptions....they were super good SPORTS!!! (i need to find that picture!) Our 2nd married year, my youngest brother moved in with us and played for Rhett...his Sr. year WAS A BLAST! I was expecting our oldest child and by the time this class (2000) graduated Dallin was like a mascot...he was in MOST of their Sr. Banquet Dinner Pictures (along with our future Aunt Kayla). 19 months later...I had baby #2 in OCTOBER...(not well planned!!!) Jentrie was born sick and had to got NICU in Provo, Rhett needed to go with her, so he turned the team over to Assistant Coach (Jim Reynolds at the time) and headed NO. with our super sick baby while I was in the hospital...I never forgot....before I left to go see her, I ran into Gavin and Zack and they asked about our baby...THEN a few days later there were visitors at NICU and it was Zack, his mom Delene and sister Markell....wow...I was so touched!!!! The game Rhett missed was against Manti on what would of been her DUE DATE!!! During that time several players came by to check on our little girl....20 months later...baby #3 arrived the end of JULY...hello!!!! She was born on the 25th, was also sick and sent north to NICU and came home 7 days later on Oxygen and an apnea monitor...Rhett started football the NEXT day!!! By then Coach B. (who played for rhett, part of the class of  2000) started helping out (along with many others who have moved away...Coach Ha'o, Coach Pickett, Coach Powel, Coach Smith to name a few- many others I am sure...right now my brain is fried!) My brother Brady started helping the last 2 seasons, after 2 tours to Iraq. Our baby who is now 4 1/2 came in the spring 21 months after Valerie and has been a football practice sidekick and loves the boys....he KNOWS their CARS!!! Named his stick horse after Brogan, looks for Cutler everywhere we go....likes it when they all come and jump on the tramp with him!!! We will miss this part of the game for sure!!! Getting to know these boys!!! and watch them grow into great young men!!! And thanks to some of you parents who have not only supported Rhett but become great friends...for "mom's" who have let me tag along to games from the VERY beginning....(You know who you are!!!) THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for the years of great (okay and some not so great) memories....my husband will truly miss a few things1. the boys...they become his boys and he really does love them!!! Always feel free to come visit!!! He (and   our family) would LOVE IT! (our family will miss them too....)
2. the coaches who have become great friends, not to mention family!
3. the GAME it self...he loves football and will always love football

A few things I  am looking forward to:
1. getting our dad home before 6:30 every night!
2. Him spending more time with OUR kids....while they are still little
3. Getting our summers and falls back
4. No more "sorry, can't come, Rhett has football"
5. did I mention getting our dad back :) (and our hubby!) I really shouldn't say back...this is all we know... :)

We wish Gunnison Football the very best! Sometimes change is a good thing, sometimes it is better for others than some....this is a good thing for our family. (I will miss the excitement of the season as it begins...but I am looking very forward to this 'freedom'!!!)  It is time for something new and different...even when change is hard. (I am NOT good with change...trying to stay positive) This has not in anyway been an easy thing, really really emotional...but it will be a good thing!  Thanks to all who have supported my husband and our family the last 16 years...like I said...it has been a great ride!!! And you young men who have been apart of his life for the last 16 years will always be great memories. From the first team he coached in the season of 1993-1994 to this year 2009-2010 and all those in the middle!!! Thanks to Mr. Hill and Mr. Jackson at the District and Mr. Larsen at the High School for ALL your friendship! Thank You!!!

I love you babe...I believe you have done an amazing job!!!! I am looking forward to what the future brings. Even if it takes a while to get use to this change we will make it GREAT!!!
**Sorry for any typos...it is hard to type with tears! sheesh!

So Blessed!

My Eternal family...
My husband...
Rhett's parents...
My parents...
Our Siblings....
Our Children...
Our Friends....
Our Job...
Food on the Table....
Our Home...
Our Health...
Our Faith....
The Gospel....
God Our Father....
Jesus Christ our Brother...


*not necessarily in this order....

So blessed...Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving 2009!













Thanksgiving Delights By Joanna Fuchs

Oh Thanksgiving Day we're thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.

For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.

We're grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.

The list of all we're grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!

The Day AFTER HaLoWeEn.....

The day after Halloween, which was a Sunday. Rhett had come home from his morning Church meetings and wasn't feeling well and chose stay home, SOOOOOOO he kept Peyton home with him. Well, Peyton LOVESSSS his Batman costume and WOULD not take it off (really monday night I took off him after 3 days!!! And that was a FIGHT!!! But it HAD to get washed and SO DID HE!!!) Lol....Anyway, I thought I would just come home and get his church clothes on and take him back to Primary.....he did have a bath this morning then put that costume right back on!!! BUT when I got home this IS WHAT I FOUND!!!!












But mom I am just trying to make my face Black like BATMAN....He did NOT make it to Primary this day! And thank goodness for MaryKay Makeup remover!!! The black was from a Halloween stamp he recieved trick or treating...leave it up to my cute little four year old to use it to paint his FACE!!! But check out the total CUTENESS of this FACE!!! Oh the Bubba! :)









Just because he is cute and I love these pictures of HIM!!!

THE DO'ERs

The galleries are full of critics. They play NO ball, they fight NO fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the DO-ERS. They make mistakes because they try many things. The man who makes no mistakes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything. He is the brake on the wheel of progress. And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes because the biggest mistake is the very fact that he tries nothing, does nothing, except criticize those who do things.....~ Gen. David M. Shoup

there is NO lasting satisfaction on being some who does nothing but criticize....but the do-er will ALWAYS know he did all that he possibly could!

2 lbs baby!!!!

5 more to go to hit my FIRST goal weight!!!!! YEE HAW!!!! soooo excited!!!

Halloween Video....2009

I had so many pictures of our fun night i decided to make a video of all the fun...after trick or treating with the Carters and Robbin families...we came back to our house for Taco soup and appetizers, and of course CANDY!...can we say SUGAR overload! We also had a pinata the kids all LOVED! Super fun Halloween Night!

Happy Halloween.....

clownin around with my gang!













fun pumpkin candy bucket CAKE i made in honor of Halloween....FUN!!!















my trick or treaters!
















hummm...wonder what this costume is all about! lol!









Happy Halloween!

Carving Pumpkins....

Halloween Eve.....Pumpkin Carving.....The coolest...the pumpkins were ALL grown in OUR garden! YAY!!! We had 7 pumpkin and 5 survived the first freeze! the other two were pretty to little... :) it was pretty cool to know those came from our garden...




I let Dallin TOTALLY carve his own...I think he did a spooktacular job! :) however..seeing him wield a knife scared the holiness out of me! lol!



















Jentrie started out cutting her own but was having trouble so mom took over.....i love that she wanted HEART eyes!

She did cut a small pumpkin all by herself and did a good job (picture of that pumpkin is in the group picture - the smallest one, with vampire teeth!!)












"UUUU it's gooey!" She did a great job cleaning it out though...she drew on a piece of paper how she wanted the face..she has been talking about it for DAYS!!! lol...horrified at the thought of letting her carve this pumpkin herself...mom did the honors!












WOULD NOT TOUCH IT!!!...he truely started to GAG when we 'd-gutted' the inside of the pumpkin...lol...silly boy!

















Our spooky front porch :)

Jentrie's Baptism - October 17th...

She was so excited to get Baptized! We were able to share the fun day with grandma Peggy, Uncle Anthony & Kyson, Uncle Brady, Aunt Kayla, Hadlee & Houston, Grandma and Grandpa Jackson, Uncle Trent, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Bren, Aunt Lisa, Ash, Mavin, Jackson, Chan, Austin and Braden... She GLOWED the WHOLE day! (Her dress & cake was my BUSY the whole week!) She looked so pretty in it! Love Ya Sis! So very proud of you!

Jen's 8th Birthday Cake!!!!

Jen's cake! My friend Hope gave me the recipe and a few pointers for rolled fondant....It isn't perfect and I have a LOT to learn...but I am soooo tickled with how it turned out! (just don't look at it too close and you can see the uneven-ness of it) but still! sooo happy with the results...not to bad for my first time....so do y'all think I need ANOTHER hobbie! lol! That fondent is super fun to play with! Happy Birthday Jentrie...hope you have a great day tomorrow! I love you LOTS AND LOTS ( i will post pictures of Jen with her cake at a later date in her new Baptism dress :)

Stake Conf Couple Session....EVERYONE COME!!!!!

News Flash! Douglas Brinley, PH.D., co-author of the book, "Between Husband & Wife" is speaker at Gunnison Stake Conf. Evening Session. Don't miss!!!!! (November 7, @ 7:00 p.m.) It is gonna be AWESOME!!!! He is Rhett's former Mission Pres! Can't wait to finally meet him and his wife! This will be such a great fireside for ALL married or soon to be married COUPLES!!! Please come!!! :)

About the book:

Marriage,as ordained by a loving Father in Heaven, brings two souls together on the path toward His presence.

And the special intimacy that can exist between a righteous husband and wife serves to ennoble and enhance their union. But for too many, intimacy can become a source of guilt, frustration, and even conflict.

President Spencer W. Kimball stated, "If you study the divorces . . . you will find there are [many] reasons. Generally, sex is the first; they did not get along sexually. They may not say that in court. They may not even tell that to their attorneys, but that is the reason."

Where does a Church member go for a clear, gospel-based understanding of intimacy? What new information is available about the differences between men and women, and how does it impact intimacy? What new medical insights are available for middle-aged and older LDS couples who want to improve or revitalize this aspect of their relationship?

Drawing upon their years of experience teaching, counseling, and writing on the subject, Professor Brinley and Dr. Lamb have gathered teachings and testimonies of modern prophets and united them

with current medical research-available for the first time in this revised edition to offer valuable and straightforward responses to these questions.

The result is a wonderful resource for engaged or married couples who are seeking a simple and consistent gospel-based discussion of intimacy. It is also an excellent reference for middle-aged and older couples, making it a valuable resource for couples of all ages.

About Brother Brinley:

Douglas E. Brinley is the author of many books and tapes on strengthening marriages and families, including Between Husband and Wife. A professor in the department of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, Doug and his wife, Geri, are the parents of six children. He holds a master’s degree in Economics from Utah State and a doctorate from BYU in Family Studies. He served as a mission president in Dallas, Texas.