Saturday, December 31, 2011

Growing Up and Moving Forward

With the end of 2011 comes many changes. One in particular happens every year in Primary. The kids grow up and move forward to the next class. It has been fun watching these 10-year-olds grow and mature this year in Primary. I have truly grown to love and respect these intelligent, amazing kids as I have taught them, and as THEY have taught ME!!! I am really going to miss them!


It was fun helping the kids put together Christmas presents for their parents. Of course everyone knows how I LOVE to take pix, so I offered to the kids to snap some photos & either put them together in a 5x7 collage or bookmark for their parents. The kids LOVED the idea - YAY!!! Here's what they gave their parents for Christmas... Aren't these kids adorable???













Oh how I'm going to miss these kids! I'll miss Primary too. I've received the call to teach the 13-year-olds in Sunday School - Yikes!!! I am SURE I'll grow to love these kids as well!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Freshman B-Ball vs. Park City

Tonight's game was a tough game! Park City played real well, and man they grow em big there! AND Bridger was out because of a concussion from the previous game. Here are a few shots of Garet's game...







Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Family Christmas Celebration

A few kids gathered before we could start our family party. Duane had just returned from Hawaii and brought Karlee (and me) Christmas presents from Hawaii!!! Thanks Duane, you're an awesome kid!!!! And the girls stopped by unexpectedly to see Karlee.

LOVE these kids! Mikaela, Ayana, Morgan, Duane, & Karlee


We always celebrate Christmas with B&B & Gway & Pa either a few days after Christmas or on Christmas Eve. This year we had a nummy traditional Christmas dinner and awesome gifts. LOVE LOVE LOVE this family!!!


Aiden & Garet are true BUDS and will be forever!!! They love hanging out together whether it's playing or just watching TV. The second Aiden walks in our door he always says, "Where's Garet???" He could really care less if any one else is here or not...

Annie got Paul this awesome hat... EXACTLY what Paul wanted!


Pa looks NICE in his package bow earrings!!


Gway & Pa & Sophie


B - thank you for the awesome gifts!!!


No Brad... you have it backwards.... YOU go on top!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas at the Stokes Folks!

Christmas was wonderful at the Stokes Folks's home. We had a great time just the four of us. Although Garet explicitly spoke for Gway & Pa for Christmas next year - 2012!!! (Just saying for all of the family members out there who may read my blog on occasion & who may think that they get Gway & Pa next year... nope... WE DO!!!)


Traditionally, everyone is THRILLED to pose for the Christmas morning line-up photo.

And it seems that yet again Santa was VERY confused, or maybe just suffering from Alzheimer's. He obviously thought the kids had been good this year because they got what they asked for for Christmas. We need to have a chat with that jolly old chap!!!


Garet got a PS3 gaming system.


Karlee got a lap top.



And me??? Tho I got many wonderful gifts, one of my favorites is from Garet. I told him I wanted a cheese grater for Christmas. And I guess one wasn't good enough, so he got me three cheese graters...


BUT... one of them is a bit unique...




We sure laughed and wondered how long it would take me to grate a zucchini to make a loaf of zucchini bread!!! But, I think I can now officially grate cheese for any mice that might dare visit...



LOVE that crazy kid!!! Thank you, Garet for the cheese graters!!!


And thank you to all for the wonderful gifts our family received this Christmas.


And of course thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of your Son, and the continued gifts we enjoy daily through your love and guidance!


Merry Christmas to all!!!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Garet's Eagle Project Update

Natural Rock Products at the mouth of Weber Canyon is who we've been working with to accomplish Garet's Eagle Project - the outdoor sign for the Morgan County Library & Senior Center. We have learned so much about this company and have been so very impressed with each one of their employees. They have all been so excited to help Garet; I will forever be grateful for them!


Barry (pictured below - center) has been our major contact/go-to guy. He is the nicest guy - always willing to answer our questions and do whatever it takes to accomplish Garet's project. We definitely wouldn't be where we are today without Barry!


Allen (also pictured below - left) is the designer. Once Garet chose the rock with Barry, Allen sat down with him at his computer and within minutes he & Garet had the rock designed. Garet chose the mountain range from a design book, but asked for it to be changed a bit to somewhat resemble the mountain range in Morgan, which Allen easily did. Garet also had the awesome idea to include the M on the mountains just like in Morgan.


Max (pictured below - right) is the artist. Max blasts all the rocks. Sounds easy, but it truly takes a skilled artist to make it look good. Max was so awesome to stay late so Garet could come and blast on the rock. He dressed Garet for the job and took the time to teach him how to do it. When we got there he had everything finished except the mountain range, which he left for Garet to blast.


Pic taken prior to Garet Blasting on the rock. Covering the entire rock is a "sticker" with the design cut out for the blasting process.


Garet suited up to blast (in Max's hand-me-downs).


Garet blasting the mountains.


Max was so awesome with Garet, patiently teaching him how to blast the mountains!


I zoomed in on the mountains so we could see the results of Garet's blasting. He did an awesome job!


This is the next night. The blasting is done & painted and now we got to go & remove the "sticker" to see the finished product.


The rock is SO beautiful with the variation of colors. AND it's almost as tall as Garet. It is going to look amazing outside the library! (AND doesn't that mountain range look cool!!!)


So... the rock is done. AND paid for!!! YAY!!! Now we just have to prep the ground and get it installed!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Girlzies 1st Competition - Jordan HS

I am SO proud of my Girlzies after ALL they've been through this year in drill. They have risen above the hardships and controversies and absolute craziness! They did awesome at today's competition!!! Good job, Ladies!!!


Military Routine




I don't know why, but for some reason Karlee is ALWAYS fourth from the left when the team does the kick line, no matter what dance or how many girls are dancing...weird!




My Girlzies showing off their sparkley eye lashes!


Love these Ladies!


Karlee, Morgan, Amanda, & Sadie


The judges loved the Girlzies Tahitian routine. It is so much fun!


It has alotta bootie shakin'!


And awesome c-jumps!



Thank goodness we have Cherie step up and coach us!!!


Morgan placed in the drill down! Awesome job, Morgue!



And Daddy does love his BooGirl!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

MY Tahitian Girlzies

My Girlzies danced their Tahitian routine tonight. It was SO cute!!! And the look adorable.




There was alotta booties ashakin'...




Aren't my Juniors the most gorgeous girls you've EVER seen!!!





I love them SOOOOO much!!