Marley

After years of bugging me, I finally decided to get Tyaan a dog for christmas, but only if I could find one that I really liked. I started checking local shelters and found this adorable Puggle that was timid and quiet. (My kind of dog)

I wanted to surprise Tyaan Christmas morning, but the shelter won't adopt them out unless it's been introduced to everyone in the household. So she got him a couple days early.

She named him Marley. He's 2 years old and already house trained. These are pictures from the night we brought him home.


We are very lucky to have gotten him. He's the perfect dog.

Water Polo Banquet

Tyaan's water polo banquet was on December 11th, 2009. Her coach mentioned how hard she works and that she's an important part of the team. He also said he was looking forward to see how well she does in swim season. There was a nice dinner and they gave out awards.

Here is Ty with her head coach, Jackson


And here she is with the assistant coach Jody.

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.

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.

My birthday flowers

September 10th, 2009 was my 31st birthday. My dad sent me flowers which was a nice surprise. They were BEAUTIFUL!!








Thanks daddy!

Tyaan's 18th Surprise Party

On July 23rd Tyaan turned 18 and I threw her a surprise party. We had just gotten home from Hawaii so I convinced her that we should do a party later in the summer. I used my mom's house and set up while she thought I was at work. I told her that my dad wanted to take her out to dinner that night so she got dressed nicely.

Here is the backyard once it was ready.


She always wants a jumper...so we had to get one. They did have a lot of fun in it. And of course Russell had to climb up on top...




Her cake was amazing!


Can't believe she's 18 already. What a beautiful girl she is. I was so glad that she had such a good time, and that I was able to surprise her!

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.