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.

Russell's Endowment Day

On November 21st, 2009 Russell took out his endowments at the LA Temple. We were able to attend with him and it was wonderful.

Here is the beautiful LA Temple, which I love. I grew up in the LA temple district so it's where I went to do baptisms as a youth, and where we visited the visitors center and went to see Christmas lights. It is also where I took out my endowments and was married. So it is a very special place to me.


Here is Russell as we were leaving.


Russell and Tyaan. She got to go do baptisms while waiting for us to go through the session.


Russell and I. Jon also attended but got away before we could get him in a picture.

Riding Trip

On November 14th, 2009 Jon and Tyaan went on a riding trip with some friends. My work was moving to a new building so unfortunately I wasn't able to go. It sounds like they had a lot of fun!

Courtney??, Mike, Russell, Bo, Tyaan, Bryce

Tyaan and Bryce. This is when they were dating.


Tyaan and Bryce.

Halloween 2009

Halloween season was a fun one.

Our Ward Halloween party turned out great. They had people bring chili and lots of kids (and teenagers) came dressed up for a trunk or treat. Tyaan borrowed a hat and dressed as a cowgirl. She won an award...she was cute. Here's Russell and Tyaan.



We had our traditional pumpkin carving night with the Withers family. Here is Kathy, Russell and Mike.


Jon (in the background), Tyaan and Katie. This is a fun night for us because the first time the Withers came over to our house was to carve pumpkins. It was the start of a great friendship!


When Halloween finally got here Tyaan dressed up as a football player. Here she is with some friends.


and here she is with her 'lil sis' Katie!

Ride to Baldy

On October 10, 2009 Jon took me for a ride on his new motorcycle. We went up to Mt. Baldy, which is one of our favorite places. It was a great day to be on the bike, and the mountain was beautiful.

Russell's Mission Call

On October 2, 2009 my 'almost son' Russell opened his mission call. He is such a great young man and we were so proud of him as he prepared to go and finally received his call.

There was a pretty good group there. It was especially exciting for me because I'd never seen anyone open their mission call before.


Here is his call. Signed by President Monson himself, which was so cool to see. He was called to serve in the Brazil Fortaleza mission. He was really excited to hear he would be going to Brazil and reporting to the Brazil MTC in February of 2010.


Tyaan and Russell...


Russell and me...


Soon to be Elder Withers!

Water Polo Tournament

Sep 25-26th, 2009 Tyaan had a water polo tournament at her school. She hadn't been able to play since December of 2008 because of her injury so she was ready to get in the water. She worked really hard, practicing with her team all summer getting ready for season.


She didn't get a lot of playing time this year because she is a freshman. Here she is sitting with her team, ready to go in.