I have learned many things as I’ve traveled through this trial that has been placed in our lives. One of the things I have learned the most about is FAMILY.

Our Heavenly Father is such a kind, loving, compassionate Father. This web of people he advertently tied us to, this network of support, of unconditional love, is amazing. I am eternally grateful for the family he has given me, immediate and extended. I am eternally grateful to this family.

It was an amazing site, being swept up into their arms, their love, their service. The days at the hospital could have been unbearable, but we had family. Their presence there, even all of Thanksgiving Day. Here they were, sacrificing their holiday with their immediate family to buoy up our family. We’d walk into a waiting room full of breakfast sandwiches, drinks, munchies and most importantly family. I tried to find someone to give mom’s Thanksgiving turkey to, it was already thawed and was going to go bad. We returned home Friday night to not only a cooked turkey, but a complete Thanksgiving dinner. FAMILY. The only reason we were able to get mom to come home that Friday night is because of loving family that volunteered to stay the night with Jason’s warm body. FAMILY.

I am in awe of the generosity of so many people, so many family members. A whole day spent making a DVD out of Jason’s pictures, making arrangements with the cemetery (we never even had to speak to anyone at the cemetery!), suits, shirts, belts, shoes and ties that I know were still being used were given to Kyle to have and use for the funeral services, monetary donations beyond belief.

My testimony of family has increased immensely. My desire to continue a close knit, loving family is insatiable. I am so thankful to grandparents who nurtured and encouraged this in their children. I am more grateful than I will ever be able to express for such a wonderful family. I wish I had words to express what my heart feels, but I don’t. Thank you for being such selfless, generous examples to me and my family.

Thanks Lynnie. click here.
Obituary click here

We waited so long for this little man to come into our lives. He was well worth the wait. He makes me so happy everyday. Here are four of my favorite things about Gage:

• He is so affectionate. He has to snuggle every night. He probably kisses me at least 40 times a day and is constantly hugging me. He will tell me he loves me in the most random moments throughout the day. He is going to have one lucky wife.



• He is so polite. He always says 'please' and 'thank you'. Even today, each time someone has told him Happy Birthday he responded with a thank you.



• He is so happy with what he has. He is never demanding.



• He is completely infatuated with his Grandpa. It is so cute. He doesn't sit with us during church, only Grandpa. I can't tell you the last time he rode home from church with us most of the time he doesn't even come home to have Sunday dinner with us. He goes through withdrawals if he doesn't get to play with his buddy at least every other day.

Happy Birthday big guy, I love you bigger than a dinosaur!

Bridger has always been hysterical, and is pretty good at impressions. The problem is, at the moment he channels Brian Regan. All. The. Time. Even at school, which is the problem. Luckily his teacher has a funny sense of humor too, so she "gets" him. Awhile ago she asked the class what the i before e rule was. Any of you who are familiar with Brian Regan are now laughing. We just hope his teacher was too when Bridger raised his hand to answer.




And for the record, he does know the REAL i before e rule. We've just got to get him to remember he is Bridger, not Brian.

Read this:

http://thejollyporter.blogspot.com/2008/11/last-night-around-930.html

I almost peed my pants, which isn't hard for me to do these days. So if I sneeze in church and you see me walking out with Gage's bag hanging across my butt, don't mention to everyone else what's going on, ok?

I didn't really even care who won the world series. I just wasn't ready for baseball to be over. I love when my whole family is gathered around the TV watching together. It's probably the only thing we all agree on watching, even though none of us cheer for the same team anymore--damn those Yankees. It's a long, long time until April. Hopefully my Tigers will be healthy and pitching will be MUCH improved.

Uncle Lee

I was tagged by my friend Emmalee and my cousin Jodi so here I go:



1. I love Disneyland more than any 8 year old you've ever met. I would choose to go there over any other vacation.

2. I love to read in the tub. I think because it's the only place I feel like I don't have to get up and do laundry, make beds, do dishes, vacuum, etc. I lay there until my skin feels like it's going to fall off.

3. I love Christmas music. I usually start the end of September/first of October and go til February. This could possibly be the reason my 2 older kids and my husband don't care for Christmas music. And it's the same reaction every year, "oh my gosh!! Mom's listening to Christmas music ALREADY!" I love every kind too. Instrumental (Jim Brickman, David Lanz, George Winston--who I have on right now :)), country, pop, old classic Christmas carols (Jim Reeves). It's an obsession.

4. I can't stand being late. It ruins my whole day and completely stresses me out.

5. I can fit my entire fist in my mouth. I know. Talent.

6. I HATE when guys don't wear shirts!! Gag. Puke. It is a total turn off, no matter how good they might look. It doesn't matter if they are playing sports, washing a car, riding a motorcycle (and don't think I won't laugh when you wreck and have permanent road rash the rest of your life), etc. It's just sick and wrong.

7. I love storms. Everyone is always complaining about winter, but I love it. A good thunderstorm is my favorite, but I love when it snows and snows without stopping. It makes my home feel so cozy.

I tag everyone who reads this...and don't think I don't know who you are!

Thank you so much for the joy you bring into my morning. Not everyone gets to hear the noisiest truck on the planet started every morning at 5 am, and then get to hear it's wonderful melody as it runs in your driveway for the next half hour. We all know how great pregnant women sleep in the first place, and once I'm woke up--forget about it. The complaining about my dog stepping foot on your property and my kids cat LOOKING at you was getting old, so I guess I should be thankful you're mixing things up here.

p.s. Your dog was on my yard yesterday, and the day before.

One of Gage's favorite things to do is to go feed the horses with Grandpa. On Saturday he came and got all of the kids and took them so they could pick pumpkins. (Thanks uncle Milt & aunt Cheryl!). After that they went to Cabela's and he bought them lunch. I have a strange daughter, this is her absolute favorite place to eat. She loves the elk and wild boar sandwiches. She thought she hit the jackpot, cuz I don't take her to eat there!

(photos by Halley)

On Thursday night we went to Odyssey Dance Company's Thriller. I was so excited that they were doing shows at The Covey Center in Provo this year. This is probably my all time favorite Halloween thing we do, I LOVE it!! We even took the boys this year and they enjoyed it as well. The zombie in red dances at Halley's studio, so it was fun to watch her dance. She tormented Halley quite well--even following us to our car! (This is the only picture we have and it was taken on Halley's phone. I brought my camera--with no memory card!) If you have never been, get online and buy tickets now! It is fantastic!

Last night Jonathon's mom took us to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It is a production they do in American Fork. It was so fun and very well done. We bundled up and the weather was great, not one of us was cold. Even Gage loved it, he was clapping and laughing at the play.

They had a hayride through Sleepy Hollow before the play started. They had games from that period that you could play, too.

If they ever do a remake of A Christmas Story I think we might have a shot at the lead role!
The amphitheatre was such a great setting for the story. The view looking down on the valley was so beautiful.

While we were in line to get hot chocolate, the full moon was over the temple and it was so beautiful! I wish I had a camera that did it justice.

I live with a romantic. It's true.

He asked me on a date, which is nothing new, we go on one every week. But this one was different.

Me: Where should we go?

My Romantic: Let's just stay home this time. We will need candles and food. And you should wear a bow in your hair.

We had our date at lunchtime today. He insisted we close all the blinds so it was dark. Then we had leftover homemade chicken noodle soup--by candlelight. We also pretended we came in a long, long car.

Me: Thank you for bringing me on this date.

My Romantic: My pleasure.

Seriously. I swear. My 3 year old said, "my pleasure". It took everything I had to hold those giggles in.

After our dinner, my date even helped me scrub the bathroom. He told me he would do it for me because he's a man. It might be the best date I've ever had.

Jonathon, you have SERIOUS competition.

I think this is what Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox does in the off season.

I've been typing up our ward cookbook for the last several months. It's so fun to see new recipes and try them out. I could go all summer and not cook once and be fine with it. For some reason (probably the heat) I don't like to cook in the summer, but when fall hits I can't quit cooking and baking. I love making soups and baking all those yummy fall/winter goodies. This is my very favorite cake recipe. My mom's birthday is in September and I usually make it for her on her birthday. I've never had a better apple cake, if you have you better send me the recipe! I double the recipe and cook it in my Emile Henry baker ( if you don't have one, it's my favorite!) It looks so pretty when it's done. The sauce ends up as caramel on the bottom of the cake. Mmmmm.

Apple Cider Pudding Cake

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 large egg
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups chopped apple (I use Granny Smith)
1 cup apple cider
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar

Streusel:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp cold butter

Butter an 8x8 inch square baking dish. heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, 1 cup brown sugar, milk, melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients and chopped apples until well blended. spread in prepared pan.

In a small saucepan, bring apple cider, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup brown sugar to a boil. Pour slowly and carefully over the batter. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until tests done.

Put streusel ingredients in food processor (can use a bowl and cut in butter like you would for a pie crust) and pulse until butter is cut up and mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the cake 10 minutes before it is done cooking. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.