A visit from Shaun

Shaun came for a visit to Utah and he brought his girlfriend Darcy to introduce her to the family. We all really like Darcy and she fit in really well. We played silly games and she was a good sport and seemed to have fun. We had such a good time. We had a nice dinner Sunday and Tuesday the boys played tennis and Darcy and I went to a movie. That night we had a holiday party. On Christmas Eve they flew to Texas to spend Christmas with The Stones. On the way to the airport we stopped by temple square. The lights weren't on and it isn't as beautiful but we still had a good time except it was so cold. These pictures are pictures we took at the temple. 

We sure love you Shaun and were so glad you came for a visit.

Darcy it was so fun to get to know you.

Ginger Bread Houses

The girls love to put together ginger bread houses. They want to have them every year. 

They especially like to have contests to see who can make the best house.

Aaron and Grandma

Kinsey hard at work.

Tykie sure loves his Grandma.

Kinsey, Sammy and Neil's house. They claim they were the winners.

Aaron, Grandma and my house. 

Neil traded teams when the other house was broken.

I went and fixed the other house and he came to the girl team.

This is a fun tradition even though we usually just throw them away.

We have so much junk food around. 

Sledding Fun!

We got some tubes today and tried forever to blow them up. Kinsey finally blew one of the tubes up with her mouth and Aaron and I went to the tire store and got the other one blown up.

We went up by the Provo temple to the "Bowl"

It snowed for a little while but we had a great time.

Well until I was forced to get on the tube. If you know me you know I am a huge whimp. I hate going fast, heights, danger of any kind. I always think I am going to be killed or hurt really badly. So I own this title of whimp. But I also give in to peer pressure. 

So here I am on the tube.

Look at my brave face. (I am faking it) 

So kinsey and I start to slide and Neil of course pushes us and directs our tube right over the jump. We hit the jump and go flying and pop goes the tube. 

Ok not only am I freaked out because we were going so fast and hit air. 

Now I am humiliated because the tube got a hole in it.

The kids said it's because it had too much air in it-(this is the tube we had pumped up at the gas station) That was sweet of them but still humiliating for me. I did feel a little better when we saw someone else with the same tube and there's was popped too. 

The two cutest boys in the world. I love you fellas!!!

Neil is always the biggest kid of all. He is so much fun.

Since we were down to one tube. They got creative and all went on one tube.

Kinsey and Aaron.

Charmer and her Pops.

Kook and T.

We had a great day today as a family. 

I love family time and I especially love that all my family is together. 

The Chocolate Factory

Chocolate's

My sister in law Peggy and her daughter Jodi invited me to make chocolates with them about six years ago and we have made them every year since. I love making chocolates for the Holidays. It is a lot of work. Unless you have made them you have no idea how much time and money it takes to get to the finished product. 

It starts with making the centers for the chocolates we do this on our own and then bring the centers to Jodi's (my niece) house and we dip all of the chocolates. I wish I had a photo. I'll get some for next year. It is such a busy time that I didn't think to grab the camera.

I did get photo's of boxing up the chocolates.

Look at my cute helpers. Sammy was at dance and Kinsey was sick. That left the boys to help me. They were actually really good about it and a lot of help.

My favorite chocolate is the chocolate cherry's Yummy! They to me are the most work. Don't they look pretty in the shiny red paper. The boys wrapped them. Neil was so funny he was teaching Aaron how to wrap them and he knew from years past just how picky I am about how they are wrapped. 

Most people's favorite's  are the mint truffles.

Wow look at all those boxes. Now comes the fun part of giving them out.

Thanks boys you were a huge help.

A Good and busy Day!

Today Aaron spoke in two sacrament meetings...

Our stake has a spanish speaking ward and today Aaron spoke in their sacrament meeting.

He spoke Spanish and he did such a good job. I didn't understand any of the words he said but I could still feel the special spirit that was there.

As I sat in sacrament meeting and since I couldn't understand any of the words I had time to ponder. The church is the same no matter the language or where the meeting is being held.

The music is still beautiful. There was Christmas music and it was fun to try and sing in Spanish and to think of Aaron having been away from home for two years and that the last two Christmas seasons he sang these same songs in Spanish.

The sacrament was still the same and I renewed my covenants even in Spanish. The Young Men who passed the sacrament were amazing. They all had suits on and were dressed so sharp. They were so precise and reverent. It was really something to see.

Aaron had many people come up to him after the meeting to greet him. He was handed a name and phone number and an invitation to dinner from a family who thought he might be missing the food from Mexico.

Aaron also spoke in our old Lindon ward. The ward we attended when he left on his mission. It was fun to go home. That's how it felt. We had many people come up to us and greet us. Especially the older members who loved Neil as the Gospel Doctrine teacher. We saw old neighbors and people the girls babysat for. It was fun to visit.

Aaron did a great job of talking in both sacament meetings today. It is so fun to hear his testimony and see the man he has turned into. Aaron I am proud of you.

Christmas Music

I love Chistmas music. I try and find new music each year to add to my collection. I start secretly listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween. The rule in the house is no Christmas music until after Kinsey's Birthday on November 20th.

I haven't found too many new songs this year so I thought I would ask all of you for your help.

Please tell me your favorite Christmas songs and who sings them. I want to make a new Christmas CD and I want some new songs to add.

Thanks for your help and Happy listening. I think the music is one of the best things about the Christmas season.

Enjoying my son

We are enjoying Aaron being home so much. Ahh it is wonderful. My son is such a ray of sunshine. He tells me every day usually several times a day how much he loves me. He gives me hugs and kisses and makes me feel so special. He tells me that I am the best mom in the world.

I know I'm not... but in his eyes I truly think he thinks I am. It is so nice to be appreciated and loved.

I am so glad he is home. I am also so glad he went on his mission. Wow he is such an amazing man. His testimony is so strong. When he prays I feel the spirit so strongly. Sunday Aaron bore his testimony and soon Sammy followed. What a great example. The girls are also loving having Aaron home. Aaron just has a loving fun way that makes everyone happier when they are around him.

Neil is enjoying his son so much. It is so fun to see the two of them together. They wrestle and taunt each other, they laugh, watch sports, etc. It makes me smile just being around them. They are so funny. They love their Outback and Tucanos.

These were the places Aaron missed the most.

I am a happy mom. I am trying to enjoy each moment. Life is so uncertain. We don't know what is ahead for us. Life can never be predicted as to what may come our way. But I know that right now in this moment in life. My family is safe, we are together and we are doing our best to enjoy and love one another. I am grateful for the blessing of my family. I thank my Father in Heaven for all of my blessings. The blessings I see and those that go unseen or unnoticed.

I love you Aaron and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you as my son.

McKinsey Big Heart!

Kinsey has such a kind heart. She is always rooting for the under dog. She accepts everyone for who they are. She loves animals. Really loves them. Her dream in life is to own a pet store that is also an animal shelter that never kills the animals. She is a Vegan 

(which means she eats no animal bi-products of any kind)

Last night when she came home I heard her come in the door and I could hear these noises that sounded like a horse walking around. Well almost.

This is what she brought home.

I honestly don't know what kind of dog it is. I just know it is huge. 

I think it is a St. Bernard/Lab mix. 

Kinseys found it in the street and it was almost hit by a car. It had no tags. 

Kinsey and her friends spent half the night looking for it's home.  

With no luck.

She just couldn't let it be alone and cold all night. And what if it got hit by a car. These were all the things she told me when I came upstairs last night to see what all the noise was.

We opted to tell Neil about her friend this morning. He was not too happy but he gave her four days to find it's owners. 

Kinsey got up first thing this morning and made signs and put them up every where. 

She is determined to find his home. 

The dog is sweet and loving and old. He loved Kinsey instantly as most animals do. 

But we will not be keeping this dog. He could eat Tova as a snack. 

The dogs have done well together but its funny one little dog and one HUGE  dog. 

The pictures don't show how BIG this dog is.

Kinsey you always make life such an interesting adventure. 

I sure love you so much.

Thanksgiving, Holiday Decorations

We took photo's on Thanksgiving but our computer is eating photo's. (I guess it's hungry too)

Here is a quick update...

It was so nice after two years to have Aaron home for Thanksgiving. It was a really nice day. The boys went and played football in the morning and we baby sat Matt's kids. They were so cute. They watched the parade with Kinsey and then they helped me make rolls. We had Thanksgiving at Grandma's this year and that was nice. We missed those who weren't there in the family. We love you all.

Sammy was sick all day and she didn't eat anything or wasn't able to get out of bed. I felt so bad for her. She was in bed her entire Thanksgiving break. Kinsey had the same sickness and it was horrible for both of them. Sorry Girls.

I am thankful for so many things this year. Especially my family. It is so nice to be together.

I have a lot to be Thankful for. I am so blessed.

Our tradition is to put up Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving each year. Sammy was still not feeling well. Kinsey was a big help. She took Randilee and Hayley shopping at 1:30 in the morning. They had a good time shopping then they came back and help decorate.

Randilee was tired after the early morning shopping trip.

Hayley is our designated helper. She sleeps over ever year on Thanksgiving night and helps us decorate. I think she has done it for as long as she is old. Thanks Hayley for all the help.

Kinsey thanks for all your help and for being such a kind and loving person.

The finished product. Well done girls. We have a real tree again this year. They smell so nice. 

I just hope this year it doesn't die like last years tree.

IMT Revealed and OutBack

My boys love OutBack. It is their place. They go to Outback every Priesthood session and every chance they get. With Aaron going to Mexico City Neil knew there wouldn't be any chance for Aaron to go to OutBack and it would be too sad to go with out him. So our family did a two year strike on OutBack. No OutBack for two years. 

I can't believe we made it!

Kinsey is not a fan of OutBack. They serve a lot of meat here. But she was such a great sport and she knew this night was a special night for our family-for Aaron.

This night was something that was two years in the making.

Aaron enjoying his favorite food in the world. Prime Rib-Seasoned and Seared.

We all enjoyed our food but we were all a little nervous and excited.

You see this night was the IMT reveal. IMT means I Miss Tyke.

(tyke or tykie is Aarons knick name).

We all missed Aaron so badly when he left on his mission. Having only three kids in a family and him being the only boy. It makes a huge difference when one is gone.

When Aaron first left we were all hurtin. Missing Aaron.

Aaron had a hard adjustment in the MTC and that made it hard for everyone.

Neil and Kinsey made up a saying. "I ain't gonna lie I'm HURTIN"

They said it all the time and would say I can't wait until Aaron gets home and we can say

"I ain't gonna lie I'm hurtin NO MORE"

Tonight was that night. And they shouted it out loud.

When Neil was missing Aaron and worrying about how Aaron was doing he came up with a plan. He decided he was going to take the pain of missing Aaron and turn it into energy into action. Neil is a man of no talk but action.

As Aaron would struggle and over come things. 

The MTC, the adjustment of a new culture and country, the language, companions who were difficult and didn't want to work, home sickness, all kinds of other sickness, dogs, etc.

Aaron grew in strength, Aaron grew in his testimony. He became a man. One who loved God.

Neil grew in pride and determination to show his son how proud he was of him.

To show him that good should be rewarded.

Neil started the Tyke fund or the IMT fund. It started with $60 he earned by bowling at McKinsey's work Christmas party. Neil continued this fund by doing everything imaginable. He substitute taught, he delivered cabinets, tried to sell cabinets, sold old bats, sold baseball cards, wrote articles for magazines or anyone who would pay him money. He started a business. He worked so so hard in the last two years. He was a man on a mission. His own mission.

He couldn't sit still he was so determined, so driven.

So this was his gift to his son. Aaron opened it and just look at that smile. Priceless.

I wish I could of had a shot of Neil's face. He was glowing.

The gift was a key. Notice the key chain it says IMT.

Neil covered with tape on the key so Aaron couldn't see what kind of vehicle it was.

Aaron had to go to the parking lot and push the button to find out what it was.

It was a Toyota Tacoma. Aaron's dream vehicle. He was shocked. To say the least.

Neil will be driving Aaron's old 1986 Nissan Truck and he couldn't be happier. It has no air conditioning and is older than Aaron is. But Neil wouldn't have it any other way.

I now have my own saying "What kind of man" That is what I say to Neil all the time. What kind of man would work so hard and be so willing to give it all to his son with pride. 

Most men would want the truck, especially if they had worked as hard as Neil. 

Not Neil.

He wanted to reward his son to reward the good that he has done.

It has been hard for Aaron to accept it. He keeps telling Neil no you deserve it not me and I can't let you drive my old truck, or why? He will tell people it's our family truck. He hasn't driven it around much. He didn't call his friends to brag or go show it off. It is too important too special. Aaron knows the meaning behind the truck and it really isn't about the truck. It is about the love of a father and a family who sacrificed to show our son, our brother how much we love him and how proud we are of him.

I made Neil keep a record, a diary of how he earned the money. 

Some entries are simple like I substituted today and earner $45 dollars or I wrote an article and got $100 dollars. This money was earned a dollar at a time and it was not easy. 

Neil gave this book to Aaron and I know that the book will mean as much or more to Aaron than the truck does.

This entry has been long. I just wanted to document it and write my feelings about it. I will never forget. I am full of emotion. I am full of pride for my son for serving an honorable mission. For enduring the hardships that he had at times. For growing into a man. A man of God who has learned what is most important in life. I am proud of my husband for being a man of integrity a man who does not think of himself first. He loves his family and he works so hard.

All I can say is "What kind of man"? I love you Neil. I am proud and

I know the hard work this was and I know how much it means to you.

Football with our Lindon Ward

Neil and Aaron got invited to play in our old Lindon ward's annual football game. It was last Saturday. Aaron had only been home 3 days so he was still adjusting. But they had a great time.

Aaron was asked to come speak in our old ward on Dec 14th. This is the ward that we were in when Aaron left on his mission. I was really glad they asked him. He will be speaking with his friend Jeremy Bentley who returns from Guam on December 12th.

This ward does a lot of activities with the young men against the Elders. There have been a lot of fun games over the years. Neil and Aaron miss those.