CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAMILY!

There really can't be anything better than Christmas with your family. It IS the most wonderful time of the year! We had a fantastic time with all of our children at home. I know it is really difficult for them to make the trip and I am so thankful they were able to be here. Thanks you guys! Love you!

I got a camera from Perry and the kids and I am loving it!

Here are some of the pics:

Brooklyn and baby alive. She really wets her diaper! yeah!

Heath and Liz being really good sports at 7am!

Noah playing with his new toys!

Noah doesn't mind sharing his toys with Jack.

Time to move on...

Perry got all the Bourne DVD's! Thanks Heath and Liz!

Joel and Britni at our first Christmas stop, Nanna and Paw's! Nanna makes the best homemade cinnamon rolls you can imagine every Christmas morning.

Are Noah and dad already getting a little sleepy???....miles to go before we sleep Nick!

As a matter of fact, I'm gettng a little sleepy too.  Time or a nap.  I will post more latter.

YAMBOREE! and anniversary of blog!

It's Yamborre time again! Since my first blog was right before last year's yamboree, we will call this my one year anniversary blog. I am not the most consistent blogger but I really enjoy it. I just NEED a camera!!!

Alot of great stuff has happened since last year. Heath graduated and started his first job in his "chosen" profession. He and Liz have the cutest apartment. We are so proud of them. Our beautiful grandson Noah was born! Stephani and Nick bought and moved into their first home. Joel and Britni's family has grown and become so much fun. And I finally defended my thesis!

I can't wait to see family and friends! and to have a few days off of work. see you at the yamboree!!

Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!

Nick joined our family a little over two years ago. I'm sure it has been quite an adjustment for him. I don't think he is really that used to people voicing every thought that goes through their head. He has been a great sport and now we couldn't imagine our family without him in it.

Here are a few of the things that we love about Nick!

• 
  
  He doesn't get stressed out when his mother-in-law gets stressed out.


• 
  
  He loves the "great outdoors" even if he can't keep steph from petting ground squirrels


• 
  
  pretty good at building gingerbread houses and great at building rediculously large real houses!


• 
  
  He moved to Texas!


• 
  
  pays stephani's bills now!


• 
  
  recommends good books to read


• 
  
  he loves his neices and nephews


• 
  
  he is an awesome father to our perfect grandson, Noah!


• 
  
  
  

Britni's children's boutique

Britni has started a children's boutique online business. There are some really cute things, so go visit it when you get the chance! It is camberlyn.com

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Dollhouse Frock GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Dollhouse Frock GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

THE WITCH IS DEAD!

Finally, I finished my thesis writing and defense and I am essentially graduated. I have a few grammatical changes and have to pay my tuition for the fall semester...i hope I don't forget that. Steph and baby Noah were able to come up and it was so awesome to get to visit with them.

Why is it that when you are under pressure you can't think of things that you know? One of my committe members asked me what polarized light is. I taught this in my IPC classes last year. I lived through the invention of "polarized sun glasses". Do you think I could think of it when she asked. Of course not.

Oh well, I finished. I will not go down as the most brilliant graduate, but possibly the most persistent. At least I'm good at something.

Poor use of the english language!

I realized this morning when I looked at my blog, that last night, I actually wrote...."mom made these pictures." I say it all the time but since it's been pointed out to me, I try not to put it in print. I do realize that my mother did not "make" these pictures and she did in fact "take" these pictures. What can I say? It's all in your "raising". I noticed on our vacation together that my mother says the same thing. I'm going to blame that one on her. :)

What's more beautiful than a baby in white?

Just a few more pics of Noah's blessing. Mom made these.

Proud dad with Noah! Look how cute Heath and Liz are!

Thanks Sondra and Cason for coming! Isn't Cason about the cutest thing you've ever seen?
I don't think there is anyone that loves little babies more than Nana! Steph looks pretty darn good I think for a brand new mommy!

SUMMER CANNOT BE OVER!!!

Ok, so I know I get more vacation than most people, but I still can't believe how fast summer goes by. One GREAT thing....I turned in my thesis....now all I have to do is present it and defend. I say that like it is going to be an easy thing and it definately will not be. That is the way I am going to think of it "in my mind". :)

I got to go on a road trip with my parents and my neice and nephew. We had a great time. We got to see Heath and Liz and spent a little time at my dad's old stomping grounds. It was one of the prettiest places. It was the middle of July and when you stepped out of the car it smelled like a flower shop. Awesome!

We camped at wolf creek. Who knew that me and mom and rex could put a tent up by ourselves?

It got pretty warm during the day but there were still spots of snow!

Heath and Liz were able to come out and spend Saturday with us! We went for a hike and played a really fun game...Kuub...wrong spelling...still a fun game.

This is heart lake....not too hard to figure out why.

Then, we spent a couple of days with Heath and Liz. Liz was our tour guide...much thanks Liz! If you are ever in Salt Lake, you have to eat at Crown Burger! Yummy!

Heath and Liz's place:

Did I mention that I cannot believe summer is over!

Memories

Here is a fun little game... Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark...get set...blog your memories!!

Baby Noah's Blessing Day!

Also on the 4th of July weekend, out beautiful grandson was blessed! It was extra special because Heath and Liz were able to be here! It feels so good to have everyone under one roof occasionally.

Heath has a serious problem with keeping his eyes open for pictures. On the brighter side, at least he doesn't cover his face up when you try to take a picture anymore. Aren't they all beautiful?

Do you think Perry and I are looking old? It's tough to get old, but surprisingly there are alot of cool things too! like this gorgeous little baby!!!

We are so proud of our awesome kids! We have so much fun together! I just hate it that our time together goes by so fast. Thanks you guys for being so great to your parents! (Notice.......Heath's eyes-we are really going to have to work on this) Can't wait till Christmas!

Baby Noah

Jack's Birthday!

Jack is 1 year old! Just a few pics from his birthday!

There was a great 4th of July cookout at his Aunt Emily's house which was alot of fun with great food. Then we had Jack's birthday party. There was a little incident which involved Jack learning that while the candle is very pretty it is also hot! He didn't cry long though....

The cake was really cute and delicious....another great creation by Britni!

All in all, it is a pretty exhausing business; opening presents, blowing out candles and eating all that cake.




A little chocolate milk will wake a kid right up! Goes great with white birthday cake!

It was a great birthday party! Thanks for inviting us!

Jack

This is Heath and Liz at the farmer's market. It was a great necklace Liz was trying on but sadly it didn't come home with her. She did get a really cool ring though!

Salt Lake City

I was able to come and visit with Heath and Liz in Salt Lake City for a few days. I am having a great time!

Last night we went to Salt Lake's concert in the park series. It was a bluegrass group last night. It was alot of fun and the weather was perfect!

This morning we went to the temple early. We came back home and changed clothes and went to the farmers market downtown. I was thinking that there would be fresh picked cherries and fruits and vegetables. I was disappointed abou that but we did buy some jam that was really good. We spent the afternoon looking around at IKEA. That place is amazing. It actually makes me want to get organized.!

It is mostly just a lot of fun to spend time with Heath and Liz and see their apartment which is in a really neat location. The Gateway mall is right out side their door so it would not be a good place for me to live but is a fantastic place to visit.

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!

I don't remember when or where I got the bright idea to go back to school. I'm too too old for this. I bet Perry somehow or other put some kind of subliminal message on television or on CD. He did it so I would be stuck in this room looking at a computer for the last three years. It was his secret plan to keep me at home so I wouldn't spend any money or chase around the country having fun while he was stuck here working. If so, the plan has worked quite well.

Not only did I decide to get my masters but I had to decide to get it in a science. This means you not only have to write a thesis proposal, you also have to do it and then write about what you did or in my case, what I wasn't able to do. kill me now! please!

I've been in this room for three days straight! I leave the room to go to the kitchen to get snacks. I've gained at least 5 lbs in three days. If by some gift from heaven I am able to finish this writing in two weeks I will have gained around 25 lbs!

I've got to get finished! I can NOT take it any more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL!

I remember the first time I met Joel I had gone to see Britni for mothers weekend at "Ricks College". Joel actually didn't have too much to say at that first meeting but I knew that he was perfect for Britni and couldn't have been happier when they decided to get married.

Here are some of the memories that I have of Joel:

• He brought Britni a Jamba juice for breakfast one morning when they were dating and I was at Ricks visiting



• He loved to cut the umbilical cord at the birth of brooklyn and jack.



• He answered more of the "girls" questions than any of the other guys when our family played "Battle of the Sexes.



• running into the ditch on the way to my mothers house.



• singing to britni at the wedding reception



• Coaching his athletes at all the games I've attended....he can jump higher than most of the other coaches if he gets mad or excited!



• Helping me cook when everyone comes over for dinner. it is awesome!



• Chasing tuff down the oil road when he escaped as a puppy



• Making a lot of sacrifices to attend Steph and Heath's weddings.



• Helping to bath his kids and reading to them every night.



• Making Britni laugh when she feels down.



• Being a great friend to heath even when Britni broke up with him :)



• going parasailing at South Padre



• Marrying Britni for time and all eternity in the Houston Temple.

We are so glad that you are a part of our family! We love you tons! Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Steph!

On May 15th, Stephani gave birth to beautiful baby Noah! Our baby has a baby of her own. It is almost impossible to believe that it was 24 years ago that I sat and held her in my arms dreading how fast those "infant" days would go by. Sitting and holding didn't happen too often with two toddlers in the house. I could never have realized how fast 24 years would go by. In those 24 years she has brought us so much joy and fun and love. Here are some of the things I remember about Stephani:

• She was the best baby ever!




• She was the worst 4 year old in day care. I had to go get her on several occasions.




• She hated naps.




• She would cry to get on the bus with Britni and Heath before she was old enough to go to school.




• Her and Ciara pulling everything out of her closet when they played.




• Hours and hours at the softball park.




• The highest scorer in little dribbler history!




• Coming home from school crying because her hermit crab got pulled out of its shell.




• Always wanting her school work to be perfect.




• Threatening to go to the school counselor because she wanted to quit piano lessons.




• Making high school cheerleader even with a bum leg.




• An awesome tennis player!




• A great 3 point shooter in basketball and could handle the ball pretty well too.




• Wearing really high heels to junior high graduation.




• She was one of the first girl pole vaulters at Harmony and went to regionals




• Earning her young womanhood award mainly because she knew how bad I wanted her to.




• Bringing HER dog buddy home---he still lives with us.




• Showing the grand champion dairy heffer




• A pretty decent snow boarder




• Can put you through a really hard workout and does not let you quit!




• Always try to put the Lord first in her life. Fulfills her callings diligently.




• Managed to get ALOT of parking tickets at BYU.




• Loves all her family especially her neices and nephews!




• Married an awesome guy in the temple.




• Is an awesome mom to a beautiful new baby boy!

HAVE A GREAT DAY STEPHANI! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Britni!!

It should probably be a regulation that no one should have to be the first child in a family. However, it would be hard to keep the human population going if this were the case so in the interest of the survival of humanity, some brave spirits have to be the first ones sent to two people who really have no business being parents.

We would like to recognize Britni for actually surviving this ordeal even though her two undeserving parents were particularly inadequate. She not only survived but has managed to turn into a beautiful, talented, loving mother of two of the greatest children ever! Here are some of the greatest things about Britni (the short list):

• There is never a dull moment when she is around!
• She is still a mother hen to her brother and sister.
• She always remembers birthdays!
  
• She is a great photographer.
• She loves to craft! (Definately not something she learned from her mother)
  
• She could block out some really manly girls in high school and college basketball.
  
• She never forgets her friends and family.
  
• You usually don't have to wonder what she is thinking.
  
• She doesn't let you take yourself too seriously when you shouldn't be taking yourself too seriously.
  
• She can drive a hay truck.
  
• As of last year, she can still do a backflip.
  
• Even though she is terrified of flying she will get on a plane to visit family and friends.
• She is a proud TEXAN!
• Pretty decent snowboarder AND cake decorator!
• She loves working with the youth!
  
• She is proud of and hasn't forgotten her East Texas roots!
• She is an awesome mother and is willing to sacrifice to give her children the gift of having a mother at home.

• She has an amazing testimony of her Savior.
• She couldn't have made her mom and dad more proud of her!
  

We love you Britni! Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ!

We hope Liz has a fabulous birthday today! Here are some of the greatest memories we have of Liz in the short time she has been in our family!

Organizing the murder mystery dinner! It was so much fun!

Playing cards in the tent at Yellowstone because she was nervous during the storm.

Getting thrown out of the raft at Jackson Hole.

Surprising the girls at the zoo in Tyler!

Sharing corn dogs with Brooklyn.

Going to look at the Christmas lights in Rexburg.

ALL the hard work she does for birthdays and showers.

The first time she came to Texas she was surprised at how big the Texas flag was.

New Years eve on the San Antonio riverwalk with her flip flops on.

The GREAT time we had in Ashland for her reception with wonderful family.

Watching her and Heath being married in the temple for all time and eternity!!

We are so glad Heath found and married you Liz! You are perfect for our family! We love you and have a great day!