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Thanksgiving at Junior Junction

John can't even stop working for Thanksgiving, but we are glad he came along. My cousin's husband Denis and he think so much alike, both ran to 7-eleven across the street during Thanksgiving dinner for a big gulp!

















My cousin Donita and Lauren. (Uncle Don and Mom in background)

Donita is such an inspiration to me. She was born with severe Cerebral Palsy but can type and play the piano! If only she lived in our ward! She adores Lauren - probably all babies, but we sure think Lauren is special!
















Cousin Russ -setting up the train for the kids? (I think it's for him). Russ and I went to USU together!
















Uncle Don and Lauren. (Mom in back) Interesting trivia. Uncle Don baptized me.




Ashley and Quaid













Audrey and Josh (I think)











So I realize it's a little late to be posting about Thanksgiving, but here it is. We spent Thanksgiving with my Uncle Don's family in Henderson. It was great because we had it at my cousin's preschool. It really made me want to move to Henderson. It was nice to be around family. I've got to say having Thanksgiving at a preschool it pretty much ideal if you have small children, because it's like Disneyland to them. The girls had such a great time playing with their cousins. I feel like we never see them even though they are just across town. My brother, mom, and cousin Richard came from Utah. Then it was just the Henderson crowd!

My cousin Jolyn was telling us how the boys liked to sit on outside while it rains and watch the car accidents happen at the corner and a few minutes later a car skidded into the vacant lot next the preschool and almost hit the wall. We thought she was kidding, but apparently not. The poor driver was so embarrassed with a whole family watching him. My cousin was able to tow him out and he was on his way. Note if you tow someone out, you should call the police if you had already reported an accident. They were pretty annoyed that there wasn't a car wreck when they got there.

HALLOWEEN

We spent Halloween going to a party, trunk or treat, and movie night. We decided to skip the traditional door to door trick or treating for a movie and passing out candy at home. Our neighborhood was pretty dark and the kids already had WAY TOO MUCH CANDY. We didn't get any trick or treators.... We have free candy! Seriously, someone save me from myself. I will be sending it to school with John on Monday. We did the Alice in Wonderland theme this year. Ashley was Alice, Audrey the Cheshire Cat, and Lauren the White Rabbit. Everyone had a good time.

We carved a pumpkin the night before Halloween. Ashley and Audrey decided on a "Jack" design and I did my best to oblige - cutting my hand in the process. That's why I shouldn't play with knives!

Halloween Carnival

Saturday, I took Ashley and Audrey to the local "carnival" at the recreation center. It was fun they had bouncers, cake walks, lots of game booths, and face painting (Ashley and Audrey's favorite). We had a good time. Here are some pictures of their faces. Too CUTE!

Wedding Anniversary

It's hard to believe that John and I have been married almost 9 years! It has gone by so quickly! John and I met, rather were introduced, in 1998 at Brother Hansen's institute class. I was taking the class. John was visiting with a common friend. He asked me to write him (he was in the Navy at the time), I said sure, but threw his address out on the way out the door. We went on our first date about a year later on June 26, 1999 (our common friend set it up-we shamefully ditched her to be alone). We went to the All American Sports Park. I let him win at everything (he really actually won, but I'm going to say I let him). We somehow got engaged July 5, 1999 - it's all kind of a blur (yes, it was only 10 days!) We were married Oct. 16, 1999 in the St. George Temple by my sister-in-law's, Tera's, grandpa, Brother Despain. It's kind of cool since I still get to see him occasionally. I enjoy seeing him around as it reminds me of our wedding day and his advice. He told us to never go to bed angry. Well, I'm pretty sure John has never gone to bed angry, which, quite frankly makes me angrier. I never could understand how he can be so calm about everything. That first year was tough with John gone so much with the military and me expecting our first baby. I learned a great appreciation for our military families. I salute all of you! It is a GREAT sacrafice. The next year was even tougher with John, baby, and my Mom and Dad staying with us and helping with the baby while I worked and John went to school. We made it and now it seems to be getting easier. Anyway, it has been a great 9 years...I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I am very grateful for John; he is a very patient person and always giving to others. He has taught me much about service, education, but mostly about patience (I don't really mean that he tries my patience, but he doesn't that occasionally too).

John, did drop me after this picture!!!

Ashley's Baptism

Ashley was finally baptized on Saturday, Oct. 11. She looked beautiful in her white dress. John baptized her in Spanish, much to the surprise of our witnesses! He confirmed her in English so that she would understand. We are very greatful for all the friends and family that were able to attend. We are so very proud of Ashley. She is making very good choices in her life! She's way better at reading her scriptures than I am!

Pictures from the Funeral