Let the vacation begin...

...I have known for a year now that we would be making the big trek out west to my parents home for Thanksgiving.  But for whatever reason, I waited until the last week to get ready.  NOT the best way to start the trip, but hey it works out for us all in the end.

20 hours in the car...
only stopping for gas...
driving straight through the night...
making it in time to see our friends football game...
Cafe Rio..

worth it.

Our many friends here have made the lack of sleep bearable.

Currently we are on day two and enjoying time as a family and seeing some of our friends here in Las Vegas.

The view from our room.

The boys are ready to play on the beach, who knew Vegas had a beach.

Sitting outside by one of the many water fountains.

So far the highlights of the trip have been friends and watching my children enjoy being together.  Tomorrow it is more friends and a date for Nate the Great.

Yes he has been waiting for this date for a long time.

...Peytonism: something always sounds better if you put "resort" at the end of it.

bed resort, bath resort, school resort... he may be on to something.

My favorite day at church...

...Once a year the children in Primary (children's church), present the program for our Sunday services.   It is my favorite meeting of the year. 
There are many reasons why, but the main reason is because to hear the testimony of a child through scripture and song of our Savior, Jesus Christ makes for a very powerful and uplifting church service.

Of course I cried a few times throughout the meeting. 

I love to see my children sing, and I always have one who does a little entertaining as well.

It is usually Cam, and he did so again.

Not sure if the  the highlight of his entertaining was him doing the "walking down the stairs" and slowly disappearing below, or watching him do the robot. 

We smiled, clenched our teeth, and mouthed SING!!!

Eventually he stopped looking in our direction. 

He did sing...eventually.

Marra and Peyton smiled, and between the three of them (Cam included), it was a wonderful meeting.

To watch my children testify of Christ and to feel their testimonies is truly priceless.

I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is my elder brother, and I am forever grateful for his atoning sacrifice for me, and all others on this earth.  I know that I am blessed. I know that it is through Him that I too can live with Him and Heavenly Father again. I know that I am a child of God. There is nothing more that I want for my children then for them to know the same. 

To witness this program every year gives me hope that I am on the right track.

Next year I will remember to bring tissue.

Wow it has been a while...

...I would love to say I have moved mountains in my absence, but no, I have kept up mostly with my family. 

Big things happening here, well big for our family.

Steve and I are officially the BIG 4-0. I know, I can't believe it either.  My hair has been telling me how old I am for YEARS,  (thank you Grandma O). 
40 has not been too bad.  I did have a small breakdown, but that may be due to the fact that my oldest set up a time to take his SAT. 
40 is reminding me that my children are growing up, and my parents are getting older, and life is not slowing down at all. 

Nate is an official driver.  I know CRAZY!!!! He can now drive without a parent in the car, he can drive to dances alone. Now here's to hoping he can get a job to drive to, to pay for this lovely insurance we get to pay for.

Mase made the singing group at school "Limelight".  It still amazes me how much he love to sing, or is it entertain?  He also made the 8th grade basketball team.  Let the basketball season begin.

Cam at Halloween, he was cleaner in this picture.

Cam survived three days at 5th grade camp.  Alright I will be honest, he LOVED it.  I missed him sooo much.  So I survived him being at camp for three days.  Now he is ready for more basketball.










Peyton earned his orange belt in karate!!! He has been working so long and hard to move up.  He had to break a board with his hand, and did it.  I cried, my kids do that to me. 

Marra is loving ballet and tap. I cry there too.

Steve is coaching basketball again, with four boys he will be doing it for years.  He is a great coach, and the boys love him and learn so much through him.

I just finished report cards and am starting parent teacher conferences.  I LOVE it.  I have the best class. Teaching is fun and the kids seem to be learning.  I hope they are learning, we are having a lot of fun. 

I am now helping out in cub scouts.  Scouts are always busy, I pray I can keep up.

Our family is planning on heading to St. George for thanksgiving. The Casper's are having a reunion. It  has been years since all of my siblings have been together.  It will be so fun.

Now all I need to do is think of talent to share at the reunion?

That,  and all the other stuff I still need to get done.