A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful Christmas and are so grateful for the fun we had with Rachel, Ryan, Mia, Isabel, Mom, Dad, Jo Jo, Robert, Peter, Matt, Kay, Zach, Hannah, Liz, Alex, Joseph and the Wii!! Thanks to the Blake's super generosity we were able to sleep comfortable and warm with lots of space to play.

Here's just a few photos from my "purse" camera. I'll put up the good stuff when John gets home from sledding with the cousins!!! Have a good one!
F.I. Fountain with the Gang.
Wahoos Fun!

Of course MANY trips to Golden Spoon Yogurt were in order!!

Birthday Week for Me!

So if you haven't started the "Birthday Week" thing then 2008 is a good place to start. I am just finishing my week tomorrow as it started on my birthday and ends one week later of course. But I just wanted to thank all of you who wished me well on this milestone 38 (because let's face it, everything after 35 feels like a milestone). I am truly blessed and grateful to have the wonderful family and friends that I do who never forget me or my special day! This above photo is of my DIET COKE tower made by my dear friends Lisa and Shelli (pictured with me). They put it on my doorstep after their morning run and this is what I awoke to on my birthday. Are you kidding??? What could be BETTER??? By the way, it WAS freezing that day and I can't believe these two crazies with their "I love Running" shirts actually ran! Go Sole Sisters!

And here a pic from our Stayner Utah Christmas party at my house this past Sunday. This is the kids' table (and Bhampa there in the back awaiting his very YUMMY Turkey dinner). Could they be any cuter???

38 Reasons I am SO grateful to be alive...

Today I turn 38.
And the following are the
38 BEST presents I could EVER ask for...
Happy Birthday to me!

1. John. Really, need I say more? Especially to anyone who has ever just MET him. Awesome.
2. Bailey. Everyone needs a 10-year old girl. She's the best!
3. Cameron. The life of my party. Such a joy!
4. Morgan. Loves to laugh with me and cuddle. What could be better??
5. Jackson. My boy. My heart!
6. Mom & Dad. For life. And life's lessons. My heroes.
7. Sisters - I could cheat here and name them one by one to take up space, but I won't. I love them dearly...my best friends.
8. Matt (the bro...always been so good to me).
9. Oh so AMAZING friends...that make me feel SO good about myself just because they are friends with ME!
10. Diet Coke.
11. Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cold Milk.
12. Growing up in Newport Beach (or really technically, Corona del Mar). Thanks Mom & Dad.
13. Being a BYU Alumni...and SOOOO proud of it! Go Cougs!
14. Having the opportunity to STRETCH by being a Choir Director.
15. Having the opportunity to STRETCH by being a MOM!
16. Being a member of the PTA.
17. Living in a free country.
18. Living in a beautiful state with soooo many possibilities!
19. Memories of the Ranch...and thoughts of going back soon. Beauty!
20. The invention of the Cell Phone!
21. The love of a Honda Odyssey Mini Van with automatic doors.
22. Residing in a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood.
23. EMAIL!
24. BLOGGING!
25. Fridays through Sundays (when John is home)!
26. Great shoes!
27. Target.
28. Golden Spoon Yogurt. Yum.
29. Good Television. Love to sit and watch "The Office" and "Scrubs" with John. New favorite..."Project Runway." Are you kidding me??? So Fun!
30. Forgiveness. Where would any of us be without it??? Especially me!
31. Prayer. And keeping that line of communication always open.
32. A living Prophet who actually lives just 20 minutes from here. Pretty cool.
33. A testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration.
34. A testimony of the Book of Mormon. And a love for its words and teachings.
35. Great church and educational leaders.
36. Great books.
37. A knowledge of the Savior and the Atonement and what it means to me.
38. A Father in Heaven who gave this all to me. I am sooo blessed!

Family Togetherness...

"Look! It's snowing. Let's have a family day and build a snowman....after all, our neighbors are doing it...isn't that what you are supposed to do when it snows?" "Ok, fine. I will go buy you some snow boots. Be right back." 40 minutes later. "Why did you take your snow clothes off??? Come on everyone! John, get up. Bailey, bring your friend. Cameron, get off the computer. Morgan, stop crying. Jackson, come back here. Now everyone we are going to have FUN! Do you hear me?? FUN!"

So is that how it goes? "Family Togetherness?" We tried. We built our snowman and somehow even survived without all having a total melt down. And even better...I have something to blog about...

Thanks MK for the Blog Design!

Shout out to the wonderful Matie Kay Designs for the blog layout. As most of you know, I struggle greatly with creativity so I am so grateful for those like her who have those juices flowing!

Tribute to Grandma Bunch...June 10, 1914 - November 19, 2007

John's paternal grandmother, Elnora Pauline Sweeney Bunch passed away this morning after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Sandwich, Illinois in 1914. She was only about 5 foot tall and tiny but she had so much spunk. She was a concert pianist who could play anything and played almost to her dying day...even though she was legally blind. She married her sweetheart Frank Bunch on October 28, 1934 - he died in March of 2001. They were married for 66 years and you could always see the great love between them. He adored her. She was 93 and a spark of a woman who created an amazing legacy. She had 2 children, Charlene & Frank (John's dad) and 7 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Of course my favorite of her grandchildren and legacies is John. Although I only knew her for a short time in this life, I loved her and I will always be grateful to her for giving me my wonderful John and her four beautiful great-grandchildren, Bailey, Cameron, Morgan & Jackson.

Veteran's Day...the White Table

Yesterday on Veteran's Day John saw this book, "America's White Table" at our Book Fair. Here is a write-up about it from Amazon: "The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit. As a special gift to her Uncle John, Katie and her sisters are asked to help set the white table for dinner. As their mother explains the significance of each item placed on the table Katie comes to understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that her uncle, and each member of the Armed Forces and their families, may be called to give."

John was so impressed by the idea that at dinner, he and the children set our own White Table to honor the Veterans from our country and especially from our lives. Then for Family Home Evening we talked about what Veteran's Day meant and as a special treat called Dad who told us about his Uncle Neil.

Uncle Neil was a Veteran from World War II who was a 1st Lieutenant Pilot of a B-24 Plane that was shot down over Germany. Uncle Neil was my Grandmother Stayner's one and only brother and sibling and he died instantly. What a wonderful thing it was to learn about him from the only nephew Uncle Neil ever knew (my dad). The kids were surprisingly silent when Dad was talking and knew he was speaking of someone sacred. We all felt a wonderful spirit and a great love for our Uncle Neil and loved being able to honor him and all Veterans with our "White Table."

Looking Up! God Bless America!

Today my sister Liz sent me this awesome article. It was a talk by the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley given to BYU students in 1974 but is so appropriate for TODAY! I love this man, his never-ending optimism and I loved what he said in the last Gen Conf about how he had given so many different talks..."A soloist sings the same song again and again. An orchestra repeats the same music. But a speaker is expected to come up with something new every time he speaks."

Well I believe he could give this same talk again today and it would still apply as so much of his counsel does...Read it. It gave me a much needed boost and a better outlook on the world and especially on our great country. Click here to download the article titled "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled." Thanks Liz!

Yee Haw!

Finally...Here's our Halloween Pics! We had what I think will be our LAST Family Theme Costume...the Cowgirls & Cowboys...our last because of uncooperative independent thinkers. Yep...you would think it would be the pre-teenie Bailey, but NOPE, it's the 3 year old Morgan. She decided that she was going to be a lion. So I thought (since I already got all the costumes on EBAY) that we would just have the cowboy/cowgirl family with a pet lion. Then I got an idea that changed her tune. It wasn't the costume that did it. Nope, It was the BOOTS! I bought her these darling brown boots and she was SOLD! I'm telling you...she's my kind of girl if she'll do just about anything for a great pair of shoes.

And then there was Morgan's best buddy Brittan. They are inseparable at everything they do together....Nursery, Play Group, & Pre-school...and on their off days they want Play dates. But they get along so well and entertain each other so why not?? Well these two had Pre-School on Halloween Wednesday morning and then of course Trick or Treating that night. And Brittan was Superman for Pre-school and Morgan - a cowgirl (with her cute boots). Well cutest thing ever...when Brittan's mom was getting him dressed that night for Trick or Treating he put up a big fight and refused to wear the Superman get-up. "I can't wear Superman, Mom. I can't," Said Brittan." "Why not?" his mom replied. "I have to be a horse," Brittan sobbed. "A horse. Why?"she questioned. "Because Morgan is a Cowgirl and she needs a horse!"

Now I ask you...is that LOVE or WHAT??? Morgan did not even ASK for a horse but he saw a need and wanted to fulfill it for her. Yes of course he has our permission to marry her!

Red Sox Nation!

It really IS a Red Sox Nation. At least for us. Yes we went to game 4 of the World Series and YES it was AMAZING! We were SOOOOOO lucky to be able to get tickets (and also to have the wonderful Erica babysitting our kids at home)...we tried for the 3rd game to no avail. On Saturday night we went to downtown Denver to check out the action and try to score seats but there were hardly any tickets even FOR sale and the ones that were had a hefty price tag that we were not about to pay (I'm talking like $1400. for ONE ticket). So we got P.F. Changs and went back to the hotel room to enjoy the win from our room.

But we were determined to go to the 4th...so we immediately got online searching for that Rockies' fan that had lost all hope. Sure enough there were some (advertising "I give up on the Rockies. Take my seats.") Unfortunately there were a lot willing to take these seats and they went FAST and again the prices were outrageous. So we went down to the lobby of our hotel to get online John's computer so we could keep trying and happen to run into a couple from Mass that were going to the game and mentioned that they might have 2 extra tickets. NO WAY! What are the chances??? So we gave him our phone number and crossed our fingers and toes that he was for real and really would call us. And sure enough he did...and the rest really is history.

We loved every minute of the action...even the nail biting end. We actually sat around a ton of Red Sox fans which was so fun. And at the end, we went down by the dugout to catch the players being interviewed and cheer them on again with all the other fans. Very cool.

Papelbon's final pitch. Look closely and you can see the ball streaking toward home base. STRIKE! And it's all OVER!


Hanging out by home plate to see all the players. That is TV star Michael Chiklis from "The Shield" by the wheelchair. No spotting of Ben and Jen though, darn it.

Obsession Confession...

You know me...I have NEVER been one to go crazy over anything designer (I mean high designer...not GAP) but I am absolutely obsessed with these SHOES! They are from Paris...Christian Louboutin and I am totally mortified to admit that the first time I saw them was on Nicole Richie several months ago before she was pregos (or showing at least). She wore a simple black pair of high heels with a simple black dress. But it was the RED SOLE that caught my eye. I have always had a fancy for black and red and these have been on my mind since. I Googled black shoes with red soles and came up with this designer and now I can not get over it! Every time I look at a magazine (i.e. People) or watch TV, I look for the red soles..."LOOK! Those are Louboutins that Oprah is wearing!" I know that my family and friends think I am crazy. But I can't help it.

LUCKILY...these seem to be sort of a trend thanks to the likes of Nicole, Jessica Simpson, and Oprah (who received 21 pairs of designer shoes from Jessica Seinfeld as a thank you for having her on the show...are you kidding me? and of course several were from MY designer) so since I am NOT about to plop down $500 plus for these babies and I don't think Nicole or Jessica are sending me theirs, I am grateful for one little word: KNOCKOFF! Yep. For a mere fraction of the price, I can have my RED SOLED shoes from OH DEER! And I will! Just you wait...

WHAT???!!!???

I think Ms. Rowling is a coward. If Dumbledore was gay all along why didn't she just say so??? I am NOT ONE to pass judgment on homosexuality. I am as accepting as they come, even with my conservative beliefs. I have seen many a movie and read many a book where there was a gay character. So why now? To reveal this...AFTER ALL BOOKS have been written, published, and MOST IMPORTANTLY the MONEY is in the BANK? That is why J.K. Rowling is a coward. She knows as well as we all do that had she revealed this from the beginning, her VERY LARGE check would not have been so LARGE. Controversy brings press but it does not always mean good business. Thoughts?

Anyone wanna go to the WORLD SERIES???

Well John and I had a quiet little weekend away planned for this coming weekend...going to St. George to stay in our friend's condo. But the mighty Red Sox have changed that plan! We just booked 2 tix on Southwest to Denver for Thursday night coming back Monday night. NOW we just have to score 2 baseball tickets! Wish us luck!

GO RED SOX!

Pumpkins and MoJo

Well I guess I have been on my own little blog fast because life has been so BUSY but that is just how it is. John has been home A LOT lately which has its ups and downs as all you-whose-husbands-travel know. When they travel lots as John does (usually it is 4 days a week for the past 5 years) and then they are home (it has almost been 2 months now)...you kind of get outta whack as far as the mojo goes. My MoJo is WHacKed. Any ideas on how to get my mojo back?

We do have lots of time for family outings such as this one to the Pumpkin Patch in Farm town with Knights and Taylors. So fun. We used to do the Pumpkin Patch thing in Irvine which was really fun but there is something unique about going to the farm where the pumpkins actually grow. Can't beat that really. Where did you get your pumpkins???
Great buddy cousins Owen & Morgan....
Great buddy Mommies...Annette, Meg & Hillary
And it's time to go home...Feet in Daddy's pocket and we're off!

This ones for you Rachel...COME BACK!

Our Aunties Rachel & Boo Boo have been BLOG fasting and this our plea to get them back. We love you! Come back. And Pick yourself a good one.

A shout out for the new blog...

A shout out and THANK YOU to Matie Kay Creations for her awesome blogging templates. And to Nicole via Lauri for the link. Thanks. We needed some spicing up over here!! Check them out!

Fall & Conference

I love General Conference and am so GRATEFUL for the awesome counsel we were given Saturday and Sunday. I am also grateful for my cute kids for their willingness to watch all 4 sessions...GASP...yes even Saturday. Okay...they were playing downstairs with friends but hey...the TV was on in the background. And they did SIT for Sunday. So that has to count. Here are some of the activities we tried to do while we watched... 3 girls...gotta have a hair salon during Saturday afternoon session. Bailey being the stylist of course. And then a walk to the playground/park in our neighborhood on a BEAUTIFUL fall afternoon. A great way to end a GREAT Conference.

HOME-MADE haircut!

The Before. Oh so cute!


John decided that we were going to save money, buy our own razor and cut Jackson's hair ourselves. Great thought. Check out the results.

Oops! A little bald spot never hurt anyone says John.