New Orleans

Sterling and I went to New Orleans for the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention. We had a lot of fun but I don't have a lot of pictures.

The French Quarter in the back ground. We learned a lot about American history that happened in New Orleans that I had never learned before.

Pumps that are supposed to help prevent flooding. They weren't enough to combat Hurrican Katrina.

Alligator tour. We didn't see any alligator's but it was still fun. We saw a lot of the changes and still some boat debri from the hurricane.

President Trump spoke at the convention. The security was insane. Long lines and ID checks. It was fun to hear him speak. He knows how to command a crowd and say what people want to hear. 

There are more pictures on Instagram but I don't know why they are not on the computer. I'll have to try to figure that out.

December stuff

The Harker's had their annual food drive for the Utah Food Bank. I love that they do this. This year they had the hill lit up for sledding.

A community member, Heather Johnson and City Council member, Ryan Poduska and I, worked together to bring a public speaker named Collin Kartchner to our schools to speak about the dangers of social media. It was a great and engaging presentation. 

During the Christmas break we took the family to Temple Square to see the lights and explore the visitor centers. 

While playing with the Family History computers, we found that we are related to President Nelson. 

Also, our cat, Mali, loves Sterling. This photo was not set up. It just happened and it is adorable.

And this is what my brain looks like. I'd like to say just during the busy days of December but really its all the time. A mass jumble of lots of things.

Christmas Day

Christmas was wonderful. We had so much fun that I didn't take any pictures except this one.

Bryce and his neighbor BFF both got the uniforms for their favorite NFL player. A touchdown gift.

Touchdown Christmas!

Family photos by Christine

Christine Comstock took some gorgeous pictures of my family. I tried something new and rented a studio space. But the lighting was off because of a cloudy, rainy day. And the backgrounds weren't what we were hoping for. But even the backgrounds were a little bland, the people in the pictures are gorgeous. 

I love these pictures and Christine for being a genius behind the lens!!!

We also had a big Dewey family picture. This is the only one I have of them right now. Not my favorite venue.

And this is just a pretty picture of Sydney.

More awesome pictures by Christine.

Food Bank boxes

As a way to give back during the holiday season, we got cardboard boxes from the Utah Food Bank and decorated them. They then use the boxes to deliver food to housebound people. It was a fun way to get all ages involved. The Schusters and the Dolmans helped us.

Getting Ready for Christmas

After Christmas, we decorated the house for Christmas amid lights, ornaments, cookies and lots of Christmas music.

Sydney got a headstart and made plates of cookies for all the girls in her Laurel class.

Thanksgiving 2018

We started out our Thanksgiving Day with a run. Every year the Utah Food Bank sponsors the "Human Race." It's a 5K and registration is a donation to the food bank. 

We also ran this race in 2017

After the race, we ran into cousin Stuart and his wife. That was a fun surprise!

Then it was time to begin meal prep where we were hosting G'ma and G'pa Dewey, brothers Geoff and Mike and Aunt Cheryl.

And just to keep things real, the smoke detector went off more than once because of spillage in the oven. Yay. Good times!

I love these times and snapshots of family together. Geoff and my mom. And all the hugs that go around. Life on this earth doesn't last forever and I'm so grateful for the times we have together and the love we share.

After the Dewey side of the family went home, we trekked over to Grady's home and spent time with Brown cousins. Its the best, to have a strong relationship with cousins.

Time with Grandpa Brown. Somehow he always draws the grandchildren to him with his masterful storytelling and his ability to listen deeply to others.