TOO MUCH GOING ON!!

We have a whole lot going on at this time of year in our family! (I know, so does everyone!) This is it in short for us... Begining with Thanksgiving Day, which was also Carl's birthday, the following day was Amanda's birthday, December 3rd was our 21st wedding anniversary, December 6th was Austen's birthday, the 18th of December is Ashlii's birthday, and Christmas of course! Then just throw in the fact that Carl works for Federal Express!! Busy, busy, busy time of year for us!! Here is just some of what went on during this time of year for our family. I haven't even gotten to Christmas Eve or Day... ENJOY!! WE DID!!


We had our family Christmas party at my Grandma Grow's home. We sang, enjoyed each others talents, good food and good company. I love it!

This is a picture of my Grandma Grow with her great and great, great grandkids!


It was touching to me to hear our whole family sing together while grandma played the piano.


My grandma got a real kick out of playing while we all sang Christmas songs!


Austen, Sophie and their cousins sang "Away in a Manger" I just loved it!!


My cousin Ben and his friend sang "Baby it's cold outside" it was soooo cute!!





Sophie performed for the group and sang Rudolph. (she actually did a few things for us, she loves to be the "STAR").


Santa made an appearance... it was fun for all!



Our family birthday party at Cheesecake Factory, we were celebrating Carl, Amanda, Austen and Ashlii's birthdays. I feel terrible Carl isn't in the picture, he is usually "the man" behind the camera!




For the first time in 20 years we were without both of our girls for Thanksgiving. Ashlii, Cole, Sophie and Rubie were in St. George with Cole's family. Amanda and Ryan spent a few days down south as well, visiting with Ryan's family. Although it was difficult to be apart, we had a wonderful day! Carl, Austen, myself, my sisters and their families went to my aunt and uncle's home in Peoa to spend the day with lots of extended family and friends! I love getting reacquainted each year on this great day with those family members I don't get to see as often as I'd like.

My Aunt Julie and Uncle Stewart's home.


My sister Marni and her husband Bob.


My sister Kristi and I.


Austen and some of his cousins.


We had a great game of soccer, I did score a goal for the other team... I quit playing shortly after that, but it was alot of fun!

The "I HAVE" tag!

BOLD the ones you have done.

1. Started your own blog. (Well Ash started it for me)
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain. (yes this really happened!)
9. Held a Praying Mantis. (not for long!)
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept over night on a train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.
24. Built a snow fort and slept in it.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. (oh geese... I am so sorry for this mental picture!)
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden a Gondola.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. Both!
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen Amish country.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. (wow at a time like this, I just feel blessed to be employed!!)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing. (I am assuming at the gym counts?)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sang Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a Drive-In Theater.
55. Been in a movie. (does a home movie count? JK)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. (I have run a child care business out of my home for 20 years)
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone Whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter. (NOT a good idea when you are afraid of heights!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Pieces of my blanket!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar. NOPE and I wont ever!
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job. Yes (Italian Village... I was 15)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car. (Too many!!!)
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved somebody's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one. (My mom)
94. Had a baby. (3)
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone. YES!!! I just got my very first cell phone... I'm 42!!
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. One cavity or less. OH PLEASE!!!

I must say... I thought this tag was so long! But I was too far into it to stop, I was also sad to realize just how boring I really am!!
Although... I am grateful I finished it! I will be making my "BUCKET LIST" I have been inspired by this tag.
Thanks Ash!

For this reason... I tag you all!

WHAT SOPHIE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS!

What does my sweet Sophie want for Christmas? Amanda asked her that all important question yesterday... to which she responded, "I want a nutcracker!" Amanda said "a nutcracker, is that all?" Sophie said "I want a Barbie too... and I think I'll ask for a new pair of pants because my butt crack keeps hanging out!"
She is the funniest!!