Drew's baptism

On December 5th, 2009 our nephew Andrew was baptized. Jon was able to go to Colorado for it. It's hard to believe he's 8 years old already!!

Thanksgiving trip to Utah

Tyaan and I took a trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. I hadn't been to Thanksgiving dinner at my grandma's house for many years so I was excited.

We got there a day before Thanksgiving so we spent a day out in Salt Lake. This is Tyaan ready to go shopping and to visit my other grandmother.


Finally time for Thanksgiving dinner! It was great food and great company.



We also got to go to Temple Square the night they turned the Christmas lights on. It is so beautiful. My cousin Shannon came with us, which made it extra fun.


Before we went home we got Tyaan to try on my grandmothers wedding dress. It fit her pretty well.

Haslam Family in Hawaii

While in Hawaii we took family pictures. It isn't very often that we all get together since we're so spread out. So it was a great opportunity.

Here is the entire Don Haslam clan.






Don & Susan with their grandkids.

Hawaii

In July the Haslam family went to Hawaii to celebrate my mother in law's birthday. We had been looking forward to it for several months. It is always great to get to go to Hawaii, but it's especially great to go with the family and see everyone all together.

We flew out of LAX direct to Kona. Here is Tyaan sharing her music with Megan while we were waiting to board the plane.


Finally on board! Melissa and Scott trying to get comfortable for the long flight. (It's about 5 hours.)


After seeing nothing but ocean below you for hours the island is a very welcome sight.


It's a lot of fun to fly into the Kona airport. They just roll the stairs up to the plane out on the runway and you get off. The airport is very small and all outdoor. Let the vacation begin!!


We stayed in a house for the week. It was nice to have our own pool. The house was beautiful. This is the view of the back yard. Just over the plumeria trees you could see the ocean.


The best part of Hawaii is relaxing. This was a day spent by the pool. Megan was a lot of fun, and had me almost asleep!


We had a nice dinner at Roys in Waikaloa for Susan's birthday. It was a great meal and was fun to have everyone together. Andrew loves Uncle Jon!


Susan with her birthday souflee! (It was delicious!)


We spent one day touring the island. Tyaan had never been to some of the places so it was great to go see them again. This was our first stop. We spent a lot of time here, it was beautiful. Several of the family hiked down a ways. Tyaan of course out in front.



This was a later stop. Akaka falls. It's a pretty easy walk down to this spot, and it's gorgeous.



We finally made it to Volcano National Park. It's amazing!! I was really looking forward to seeing it again. We didn't have a lot of time since we got there late in the day.

We did get to walk through a lava tube.


Jon's birthday also fell during that week. We had a cake for him also.


And of course my favorite view. I took this while laying out at the beach. What a beautiful place.

Me and my Grandma

This is me with my Grandma Anderson (my mom's mom) They were just getting ready to head home to Utah. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful grandmother and I love her so much. We've lived 700 miles apart since I was 4 so I didn't get to see her a lot growing up, but she was always so good to me that I knew, without question, that she loved me. I used to spend several weeks at her house during summer vacation and my mom would drive us to Utah a few times a year to visit. I remember when we would leave for home she would always stand outside and wave until we couldn't see her anymore and I would watch out the back window and cry. I was so thankful that they made the drive down here to go to the temple with us. It's still sad to say goodbye.

Our Temple Sealing

On April 25th we went to the San Diego Temple and had Tyaan sealed to us. It was a very special occasion and was just as wonderful as I had hoped it would be. We had a lot of family travel to be able to attend the temple with us and many friends make the drive to San Diego and back that day as well. It was wonderful to be surrounded by people we love, and people who love Tyaan in a place that is so special.


The three of us made the drive down together because we had to be there earlier than everyone else. It was a nice drive without any traffic and great weather. As you can see in the pictures the day was as gorgeous as possible. (Those who were at my wedding will know how much I appreciated that)

Here is Tyaan just before going inside. She was really excited and had been anxious to be able to do this for a long time.


The experience was wonderful, one of my favorite days ever. Afterwards we took pictures in front of this gorgeous building with those who stayed to visit with us. Some people weren't able to stay for pictures because of the 2 hour drive back home.

Here is The Don Haslam family: Amanda, Niki, Tyaan, Jon, Don, Susan, Jennifer, Melissa & Scott.


Here is the Boyd Anderson family (my mom's family): Terry, Rolayne, Boyd, Alice, Darran, Niki, Tyaan, Jon, Darci, & Lisa


Jon & Tyaan


Some of those that were able to be with us during the sealing.


Tyaan


Darran, Grandpa Boyd, Tyaan and Jon


Lisa, Terry, Rolayne, Niki (back) Grandma Alice, Tyaan & Darci (front)

That evening my mom had dinner at her house and it was a fun celebration. Our family that was in town from Utah (& Pennsylvania) were all there, and some other friends and family came by. My mom did a great job and put up decorations and put together dinner. My dad got tables set up outside and got Tyaan a really cute cake. It was a great way to celebrate the occasion as well as enjoy everyone's company.

Here is Lisa and Christopher (who had just turned a year old)


My Uncle Larry, Grandma Avis, and my dad.


My dad and his brother Larry in front of a painting of my grandfather on his mission



Tyaan & Katie


Tyaan with Megan Meier (Jennifer's youngest)


Tyaan and her cake


My mom with her 4 sisters: Terry, Lisa & Marla (back) Darci & Rolayne (front)


It was such a great weekend. Getting to see so much family that we live so far away from was wonderful. I nearly cry when I think about the effort they made to be with us in the temple. I am so grateful for the gospel and for the blessings my family is able to have because we have it. I'm so blessed to have Jon & Tyaan and know that if we are obedient we will be a family for eternity.

It was a wonderful day.

Trip to Salt Lake

Last week (Nov 16-19th) my mom, Tyaan and I all piled in the car and drove to Utah. The occasion was my Aunt Lisa & Uncle Chris' sealing of their adopted baby (lil Chris) to them in the Salt Lake Temple. They have just moved back to Salt Lake from Dallas (finally!) so it was a great opportunity to see them, the baby, and a lot of family that lives in that area.

We left Sunday afternoon and drove to my Aunt Terry's house in Cedar City. We got there about midnight and it was really cold, but no snow. This is the first time I'd been to this house that their family built themselves. It's a beautiful house and I'm glad we stopped to see it. The next morning we got up and ready and my Aunt Terry joined us for the remainder of the drive to Salt Lake.

Here are a couple pictures taken from her upstairs balcony.





We got to my grandma's house in West Jordan on Monday afternoon. We spent the evening visiting with family which was great. My mom and Aunt Terry spent the night at my Aunt Rolayne's house nearby (where they stayed up most of the night playing Wii from what I hear!) and Ty and I stayed at my grandparents house.

Tuesday was the day of the sealing. It was Chris & Lisa's 4th anniversary which is why they chose that day to do it. They actually ended up in the same sealing room that they were in when they were married. I'm so glad that I was able to attend.

Here are some pictures at the temple after the sealing.






Later that day a lot of the family got together at my Aunt Rolayne's house to celebrate. I got to see many of my cousins that I haven't seen in a while and got to see lots of new babies! There was lots of food, lots of visiting, and video games going on in the basement. Ty and I sat at the piano for a little while which I always enjoy.


Wednesday finally came and we had to head back home. I got up early and went to the Jordan River Temple. I had grown up seeing this temple just up the street from my grandparents house and had never gone there to do a session so I figured it was about time. I really enjoyed it and was glad I made myself get up and go.

We didn't leave until early afternoon so we got to visit some more with family. My Aunt Terry drove with us back to Cedar City and then the 3 of us headed for home. We got home around 12:30 or 1:00 Thursday morning and went straight to bed. Both Ty and I had to be up and at school & work the next morning.


It was such a fun trip. It's a long drive, but I'm so glad I went. I love my family and don't get to see them as often as I'd like to. It's also nice to get to spend time with my mom and Tyaan. I couldn't have asked for better friends to travel with.