A trip to the temple

Lately we've had a lot of trips to the temple. There is a new temple that was just built near us, The Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We feel so blessed to have it near by. I've had the opportunity to serve at the open a house a couple of times and we've been thru it a couple of times.

This week, since Aunt Runnie and her kids are in town, we took them to see the new temple. It was really crowded, but we enjoyed the beautiful spirit there.

Then, yesterday, we took trax up to Temple Square in Salt Lake City and had a wonderful time. We took a tour through the Beehive house, walked around Temple Square, and saw the movie at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Nonna even treated us to dinner the Cafe.



I called it a success even though HY ended up in Mini-E tinkerbelle panties, and Mini-e ended up with no panties at all by the end of the day.

A day of sledding in Midway

Can I tell you how much I love going out for fun with my family and NOT being the one that takes the photos? I do, I love it. So, these photos are courtesy of Aunt LaLa.

We had such a great time sledding in Midway. HY and Mini-E were all dressed and ready for the snow so no crying like in years previous!


Farmboy took them all down the hill to get them geared up for more runs. I'm not sure if Mini-E is ready for what's about to happen.


Even all the moms had a turn. It wasn't the fastest ride of all time (as you can imagine) but it sure was a messy one for me being in the front. I got sprayed with snow the entire way down. Worth it!


A day spent in Midway is always spent well.

Christmas Past

I'm not a huge decorator, so I'm always so grateful that Farmboy begins the set of Christmas in our house. He puts up ootles of garland and sets up the tree (which we all decorate later). I would never get it done on my own mostly because as I'm putting it all up, I think of how I'll have to take it all back down in a month. But once it's up, I'm so glad.

When I saw this post, I knew that I wanted to journal a bit myself on the favorite Christmas decorations in my own home.

This is definitely one of my favorite ornaments on the tree. It was given to us by Uncle JB & Auntie T HY's first Christmas.

This ornament reminds me of my childhood. My mom had some old wooden ornaments on our tree when I was a kid. When she went on her mission, she gave a bunch of her Christmas decorations to us (for storage) & I found this one in the bunch.

This is a fairly new addition to our Christmas decor. Farmboy begged and pleaded with Santa to bring him a train set last year. I guess he was a good boy because this is what appeared under the tree Christmas morning of 2007. Our kids love it!

Here's Mini-E's first Christmas ornament. This year we found that many of the ornaments were disappearing & we later found them in the garbage. It wasn't until a few days later that we found the culprit. Miss E herself was chucking the. I saved this one!

This is my very first Christmas ornament (that truly belonged to me). Given to me in 2002 by ONEHM. I cherish it for every memory I have with that angel of a woman.

My handmade stockings! I love these. Not everyone has beautiful designer stockings. But I do because I have a very sweet and talented Sister. Aunt Runnie made us these stockings years ago. When we added Mini-E last year, she graciously gave us a matching one from her own family stack! She is the most generous person I know. I love how beautiful and one of kind these are.

This last item is a true treasure. It's a hand carved nativity scene from Madagascar. Nonna sent it home from her mission one Christmas. I look at the detail and think of the time and talent that must have gone into making it. And I love love love that Mary is holding Jesus!


As I look around my home, most of my favorite Christmas things remind me of my mother. She wasn't a big holiday or birthday celebrator, but when it came to Christmas, she went all out. In her own way.

She loved to decorate the tree as elegant as she could. The lights on the tree had to be strung just so that you didn't see the wire and every inch was covered evenly. She is quite eccentric and so we never knew what new things she'd bring home-- Glass balls that she's bought at the day after Christmas sale where a given. As we got older, the items became even more beautiful. I suppose because we were less likely to break them.

One year she even bought a white flock tree. I guess she was trying to bring Az a white Christmas all on her own.

Each year, one of my brothers (usually L the great) would dress up as Santa and we'd go caroling around the neighborhood.

The lights on the outside where always a treat as well. One year we changed the lights on the roof each night creating a new design. We even sat up there ourselves in black and twirled lights for the passer-bys. Priceless memories.

She wasn't about a lot of presents but she always made Christmas special and memorable. I hope that I can create the same wonderful magic for my children that she created for me.

Peter Pan

Somebody's a little excited to for Halloween!

Aunt Runny...we LOVE LOVE LOVE the costumes you made for us. Just gotta get some wings for Mini-E and we're all set. HY wants to be Peter Pan everywhere we go. Seriously, check out his face!

I'm in LOVE

Check out my new Bedroom Set! Aunt Runny made it for me. Isn't she amazing? Words cannot express how much I love this. It's brought a whole new feel to my bedroom. Thank you thank you thank you!
Aunt Runny lives in Arizona now so if you live close, better check out her sewing skills. She rocks!

See more of her awesome talent here.

VA-CA-TION

We've had a great week. Couldn't ask for much more.
We spent the week up in Midway at the Lodge.
This time we had a special treat. Aunt Runnie & her family came to spend a bit of time with us.
They just sold their home in St. Louis & are moving back to AZ in the fall. But first, a little quality time with the family.
We had so much fun that I'm sure that HY will go through withdrawals this week. He's already been a bit of a stinker this morning. He used to being outside & playing with all of his cousins, so this indoor-cleaning of the house- isn't his idea of fun. (Mine either but..)

I have to admit that it was so relaxing to spend a week with Farmboy & my family & not worry about anything. We had a few interruptions to our week (wedding, funeral, teaching, & work), but for the most part, it was nice and smooth.

Here are a few things we did this week:
-Tried to hike to Timpanogas Cave (unsuccessful)
-Successfully visited Cascade Springs (so beautiful)


-Went Swimming a dozen times
-Fishing Galore
-Visited nearly ever hot pots in the Midway area
-Watched movies
-Stayed up late
-Ate & Ate & Ate some more


-Took a million pictures (of course)


And one of myself...


I'm excited to tell you that it's not over yet. This weekend I'll be headed back up to Midway for a reunion. We just can't get enough! Yep, someday we are gonna move up to Midway.

Sunshine on my Shoulders

Horray! My sister (Aunt Runny) just put her first post on the coolest blog ever. She is an incredible seamstress & she's got a couple of her latest works of art up on her new blog. Check it out & leave her some love!! Welcome to the blog world---Sunshine on my Shoulders.

Sum it up Sunday

SadlyI've done it again. Poor little blog. All alone. Holidays really throw off the schedule, but that's the way we like it right?

Here's a bit of what we've been doing this week:

Here's a little something that I created for Aunt Runnie's YW in Excellence Program. The girls are making a recipe book & this is the cover. It didn't turn out the way invisioned it, but...sometimes you take what you can get in the way of creativity.
Thanksgiving dinner at Aunt CC's house. Here's the beautiful table set by her kids. Sadly, it took much MUCH longer to create this meal than to consume it. I suppose that's the story everyone has to tell.
This little girl is a bundle. You may recognize her from here & here. She's grown quite a bit I'd say. I was so happy when she & her parents dropped by for a visit. What a treat.
Visited this favorite friend & her fiance (yes, she is getting married...they have a date set & all) & watched the BYU game!!! We were so pleased (& a little nervous) watching our Cougars! But they came through once again. Ra-ra-ra, ra, ra-Go Cougars! Thanks for letting us hang out with you hf.

And I did a few of these last night & today. I'm all out of creativity so I decided to only do QuickPages that I found on Ikea Goddess. There seemed to be an abundance of them. They aren't my favorite when it comes to scrapbooking, but I try to use them ONLY to catch up on the old stuff. That's my rule...generally.

Aunt Runnie

I've been working on a few Christmas cards for family & friends. Here's what I did for my sister, Runnie & her beautiful family. Don't they look fabulous? They really truely are! Aunt Runnie does so many nice things for so many people. She really is a service oriented gal. She's made blessing outfits for my 2 kids, sewn my lovely curtains, & created Halloween costumes on a moment's notice. She's incredibly talented & sensationally funny. I just wish that she lived much...much closer. Here are a couple of blessing/bareavement outfits.

She does incredible work--& asks nothing in return.

What a service. She's a gift to everyone who knows her.

Memory Lane Monday & more

In honor of Halloween, Miss Tangie's new store, & Memory Lane Monday---I did this little LO.

This is HY last year at Halloween. We borrowed this outfit from Aunt CC, but I believe that it was Aunt Runnie that made it. She's so darn talented. She asked me what I wanted my kiddos to be this year. She's offered to make their costumes.

So, that's the question...what can HY & Mini-E be this year for Halloween??? Taking suggestions in the comment area.

Credit{ pretty much all Tangie}

1 wedding & a small table fire

Warning: This post is very long & may contain information that would incrimiate certain members of my immediate family. Read on at your own discretion.

A very unpredictable event occured in our family this weekend. Our sweet little JT was married to the most incredible girl M-shell!

Because of this blessed event, our family got to stay here at one of the most romantic settings in all of Colorado. (Sadly, Aunt Runnie & I were husbandless). Here are a few of the guests at the event: Grandad Grey aka "The Godfather"His sister, Aunt MJ.Aunt CC with her hubby Uncle Bishop Aunt Runnie & MiniE. Grandma JClassic Big Boy Pay. So many many more...

Here's a few of my favorite pictures of the evening.

Mini-E & Grandad. She loves this man.

The real JT with Grandad & Aunt MJ.

JT waiting with the priest for his beautiful bride.

The newly weds.

You know a party is good when: 1. shirts come off

2. A small fire is started (thanks to Grandad) Thanks to Aunt Runnie (who's a den leader for the Boy Scouts of America) that fire was put out without the bride's knowledge.

3.Uncle Bishop gets riled up from a little too much "gingerale"

4. The groom is dancing all night long with the kids! (what a fun uncle)

What a fun weekend. Thanks to Cousin JT & his beautiful new wife M-Shell for inviting us to share in the most important day of their lives. We couldn't be more pleased for you both.