My dear sweet cousin Jodie Daniels featured me, yes me. I know you are all thinking....."What?" She featured lil ole me on Friday Faces. Check it out. It is official I am such a dork!
http://www.mynameisjodie.blogspot.com/

Tradition Questions

This is our tubing video from last year. I still laugh so hard at it. Maybe you don't find it funny, but I do.

Just a little questionairre. I'm hoping everyone will leave a comment of a Christmas Tradition, or idea for one. Maybe even a homemade gift idea for kids to make. We are starting some new traditions this year. We do 1 activity a day until Christmas, read a story and sing a song at night, and of course it has been Christmas Music 24/7. We are having a "Back to Basics" Christmas this year. Very excited about it. We are trying to get away from the huge Christmases and get back to "The Reason For the Season". Wade is even on board. He sat this morning and listened to Christmas music for about 15 minutes, and he doesn't even complain about it in the car. What a good sport. Christmas is such a fun season, even if there is no snow yet. I would love everyones help, so leave those comments even if they are 3 or 4.

Thanksgiving 08 LV

O.K. sorry, no pics. I can't believe I didn't even take my camera out of the bag. In fact it is still in my backpack. What a loser mother. But since this doubles as my journal, I have to post. We went to Vegas and Aunt Marily and Uncle Craig came down. They were so fun. All I have to say is Ching Chang Chong where is the turkey?! The kids were great, all they did was play Wii. I was so impressed thanx to my rigorous work out schedule lately, I scored a 31 on the age thing, and I did pretty well on the Wii fit yoga. I was feeling pretty good about myself until Wade scored a 37, and did pretty good on the yoga thing too and he beat me on the Hula Hoop thing. All in all it was great. I think we are going to do THanxgiving here next year. I really miss out on the cooking. It is my favorite hobby. It was actually cold and overcast so it felt like Thanxgiving. I told Wade it was the first Thanx Day in Vegas that we have ever had it overcast, and feel like a winter holiday and I was raised there. Good times, Good times! Once again sorry no pics.

Busy Week

Daisy came to visit and loved the boys. Gage was a little freaked out and Ruger tried to get his groove on, good times, good times. She got to stay for a day and so did Ricks kids. All 5 of them. It was so fun. The kids had a blast and they played their hearts out.
Brett had his Veterans day concert. Yes, I do his hair every morning, and by 8:30 it looks like this. Have yet to find a gel that can tame the Brettmeisters hair.

New hair cut for me. I hate showering in the winter. It's too cold, and then to have to blow dry the mop, it's just too much. I cannot stand hair in my face. Someday I will cut it boy short. I envy those women that can pull it off. Besides it's the best way to lose a few stubborn pounds. I have been working out hard since August and havent' lost a pound, inches maybe but no pounds. I think I left 5 pounds at least on the salon floor . Wade doesn't love it, but WHO CARES!! I love it, so WUZ UP!!!???


Paity and I baking cookies. It is so nice to not have a ponytail like this everyday.



Petey after church. I wanted all the leaves in the picture, she wanted two. Guess who won?




I did this without permission, and Michelle I hope you will forgive me. I got onto one of our cousins blogs and she had her stand on Prop 8 on there. I was so impressed and proud of her for standing up and saying something. I agree that not many people will see it, but maybe if I post it than even more people will see it and know what I also do truly believe. I am so grateful to her for putting this on there with the messages from the apostles.
I was pretty shocked with all that happened in CA and here in UT over Prop 8. It makes me think of some of the persecution Joseph Smith and the early members of the church must have sustained. I was also impressed with those of other faiths that stood up for what they believed in and were the majority in the vote to pass this important issue. We may not win forever on these political issues, but I know that as long as we do what the Lord has asked us to do; to live his commandments and to obey because of our love for him, than our families will be blessed. I for one am with the prophet and the apostles. Marriage is sacred, and our children are the biggest blessings that come out of our marriages. That, and the opportunity to live again with our families in the eternities with our Heavenly Father. I don't want to take anyone's freedom of choice away, but I in turn expect the same.

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Though I am pretty removed from it here in NM, I am still aware of what is going on with the whole Prop 8 thing in CA. I have seen on the news, many different LDS temples with protestors outside, against our stand on the issue (yeah, like we're the only ones). It has disturbed me and irritated me. I find it ironic that they are protesting with THEIR free speech OUR right to free speech against it.... so whatever. And while I realize that this blog only reaches a few of my close friends and relatives, I have to speak up.When I first heard of Prop 8, not really knowing all the details, I just rolled my eyes and thought "Who cares? Let whoever wants to get married just get married. Big deal. I don't agree with same-sex marriage but if homosexuals marry, it really doesn't affect anything I do or believe, so why not?" What I didn't realize is that it does affect me. What I believe marriage should be-- a union between a man and woman--is no longer being protected. I was given an example of a fertility doctor who was approached by a same-sex couple wanting fertility treatments. The doctor said that because of his beliefs, he would not treat him but referred them to his business partner, who shared the same office, staff, billing, etc. The couple sued the doctor and won. Excuse me? What happened to protecting the doctor's rights? What about his beliefs? After hearing this and many other examples such as this, I stopped rolling my eyes and started to listen. This isn't an issue dealing with homosexuality vs. heterosexuality. It's about protecting the right and freedom to believe that marriage between a man and woman is something worth protecting.So where do you stand?

Neal A. Maxwell stated:Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions."Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat." --- Elder Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Devotional 1978

Brett and Wades Birthdays

I can't believe he is 41. Sheesh

Brett, the class clown, and family Ham. Just like his Uncle Ryan
Pleased as Punch. Happy 9th Birthday Bud. We love you and love the smiles you always bring around our house



Halloween

We went up to Rick and Em's for Halloween in Pleasant Grove this year. We had a blast

This was their ward Trunk R Treat and then we went to an awesome neighborhood that was all decorated and they gave out full size candy bars. The entrance to the Development was like the Sleepy Hollow bridge. Very cool. It sprinkled and was dark, and so awesome!!

This is the kids up at the Fremont Indian museum. They did a little Halloween thing. Brett got a little freaked out by the Jason character . He jumped out of the bushes and revved his chainsaw!! Hello! Children around.


Paitys' hair for the Halloween party at the school.



Halloween is one of the best holidays!!




Kids Pics

It is amazing that you can take almost 80 pics.and only 5 turn out.

Someone is doing something like this, or throwing rocks in the river, or just plain wont smile!
Today was kid pic day, and it is usually an outing, I enjoy. Today the scene I had in my mind for months turned out dumb so we were reduced to river rocks. The kids did great even though, not one turned out like I wanted. Oh well. They did well with their mother screaming at them to look at me and hold still.






Woops, this is our son Harry. Bad Hair day for him.
I was driving along and Holy Cow this big old Mountain Goat came traipsing out of the river. Stop the car, pull it over to the side. I have never seen one before. It started to run away and Lindsey started making goat noises and it turned around and started running for us. I wasn't sure if it thought there was a little Hottie goat, or if it was mad and wanted a peace of flesh for the other male goats up on the mtn. It was very cool. I have to say though I heard a little yodeling in my head, and started singing "Lonely Goat Herd"





Nice posing. I actually had to make them stop doing that. What is it with people thinking they have to pose like that for pictures?











This was the bridge I was thinking of all summer. I forgot that if you want a close up of faces, you can't really get a big ole bridge in there. Some were better, but you couldn't get the kids faces.







Up in a tree at the cemetary.








This was our last kid pic. It was taken in GA. How sad, that they have grown so much.










Football Season

Fall is my favorite season. The change in the air, the changing leaves, Halloween and last but not least FOOTBALL. I am so bummed it is already over. Football season that is. No, this kid doesn't love football. He sleeps in the pads, just waiting for 6th grade to be able to play tackle. What's that on his bed? A Richfield Wildcats blanket. Sheesh!!
Wade got to Asst. Coach the Junior Wildcat Football team with Kendall Willardson. He loved it, but really missed High School.They were undefeated until Championships and they came in 2nd. Missed it by 1 touchdown.
With a tear in my eye, we say goodbye to football season. I can't believe I am saying that!!!

Brett played Flag again this year and I love it. I have learned though that I need to tone it down a bit. Maybe like Aunt Marilyn suggested watch from outside the fence. I get a little heated and excited.
Brett absolutely loves it and he does a good job. They had a good team this year.

Caught it and made a Tdown.


The more I learn the more I like the sport. I can't believe I am saying that. I really am starting to get addicted. Not like it's not on in our home whenever Wade has the remote. Luckily he just watches highlights and not the whole thing. Everytime football is on it's a learning experience. Thank you TEVO. I am even starting to understand High School Football. Our last game is this Friday (away) and I am so sad. back to the closet go the Stadium Seats and the big quilt to wrap up in. Gone are the date nights. Yes, our date nights consisted of the Wildcat Football game. But hey at least during football season we have a date night. It's actually fun having Wade in the stands with me, because he helps me understand it. By the time Brett is playing I'll be like those other mom's with their radios on, and standing up cussing out the white hats. O.K. maybe not cussing out, but saying strongly worded phrases.

Ables Reunion 2008 Continued

I don't ever remember that these things go backwards, so sorry!
I just can't believe it is over. We needed the vacation with all the stress going on here. Our third buyer for our house fell through again, Wade has been coaching 2 sports. It has been a crazy year. This trip was the best thing for us in a long time. The anticipation was much more than Christmas even! I am so sad it is over. THe kids really did so amazing, we had the stomach flu going around to each of us too and we still made it. I can't even describe how wonderful it was. It makes me depressed to be back to normal with nothing to look forward to for a long time with my family. I haven't laughed that hard in so long. I cryed a few times from laughing so hard. Lisa peed her pants. It was great. We always have such a good time when we are together, and I am so glad we have such a great legacy to pass down to our children. They will remember these trips with fondness just like we did when we were kids. We are so very blessed to have such an awesome family. Bill Emily and Leah fit right in. We are so blessed to have such great additions to our family. We don't even call them in laws. They are ours. Mom, Dad, Lisa, Bill, Rick, Emily, Ryan, and Leah. I love you so much and I am so grateful to call you my family.
And your little dogs too Aaaahahahahahha!!
Cheer Up Charlie.
Newport Beach was amazing!!! HOW FUN
Paityn liked to run from the waves
Rick boogey boarding with the kids. We even saw dolphins.

Entrance to California Disney. The Halloween decorations were so cute!!! My favorite time of year!
That's Uncle Ryan! We used to call him rubber lips. The kids absolutely adore Uncle Ryan. He is a big kid!
Bug's Life
Paityn's face when she saw Ariel in the Parade. That is the best thing about Disney. THe kids excitement!!
Rick wouldn't let me take a pic of him in his wetsuit.This is the best I got. He is so funny.

Waiting, waiting, waiting,
Casey Jr. Train
The water ball in Tomorrowland. The kids liked to change the direction with Uncle Ryans help
Tarzans Tree house. Notice all the monkeys. Not in the trees, but on the kids backs. They were a lifesaver, and look so much more humane than the old leashes. There were 4 of them. We needed about 10 though. Hehe
The whole family minus Wade.NOpe he didn't come not at all. Thanx babe for staying home and working for us!! It was so much fun going up in line for the rides and saying 23 please. 14 kids and 9 adults. People just stared. A couple times you could hear people say. Man,that's a lot of kids. Especially with Em and Lisa walking their 5 around. People would just shake their heads. One lady even asked Em once why she had so many. Hahaha


Poohs' HOney Pots
Pai Pai on Pooh
Waiting for Splash. Splash has always been our first ride when we enter the park
all the kids in their Disney shirts. The day after the wedding we got everyone together and exchanged Christmas presents. Aunt Em. passed out Disney shirts and everyone opened them at the same time. We then told them they got to wear them at Disney. They were so surprised and screaming and some even cried. They were so happy!!
Me and Em on Splash!



Lisa and Grogans Family. His name really isn't Grogan, it's Bill just like my dad's. It's just his new nickname. for Bill Grogans Goat, a song we used to sing as kids.
Briar
The Happy Couple walking up for Pics.I think that is cute that he is holding her dress. She had the cutest teal wedge heels under her dress with a brooch on each one. SO CUTE Congratulations Ryan and Leah Ables!
The Entrance to the Park
Cruella was a crack up!@




All the kids together.I spent months making all the girls dresses and mine. 7 total. They turned out pretty cute I think. It was so much fun making them. Don't those boys look handsome in their tux vests!
Aw! Pretty girls. Lisa, Dad, me, mom, Ryan , and Rick
Sisters, sisters... There were never such devoted sisters. Hehehe
Ry and Bribee





Mom and Ryan making pancakes!
papa and pai pai
The happy couple! snigger snigger.Leah is such a good sport. She gave her house over to us for the weekend,and dealt with all the kids. She is so easy going and loving. Our older girls just adore her, and she is so good with all of them. We are so blessed to have her in our family. We love you Leahlila!
Brett lovin the poolOur 3 older girls. All 9 months apart.