Updates...Yes, we are all alive and well!!!

It seems I've been out of comission for awhile. Let's just say I WAY over commited myself to Christmas presents this year. Never a good idea to make everyone's gift in the same year. Brad has already made me take the oath to no homemade gifts next year, we'll see! On top of that, my computer has been giving me major fits. I finally reached my whits end one day and took it in to be fixed...several days and hundreds later(not quite that much, feels like it though), most is well again. My printer isn't hooked up to it yet so that's a huge pain (for Shauna at least, she's been printing off my stuff for me, thankfully)! AND...my camera is shot! I guess I know what I'm getting for Christmas, the freezer can wait, I NEED a new camera. A pre-Christmas present sounds about right. Almost 90% of my pics are blurry and now my batteries are falling out the bottom. Any suggestions on a good camera and quick?!

So, I know it's a lot all at once, but here I go! I couldn't bear to leave anything out, this has sort of become my journal ya know! I figure, everyone else just looks at what they want anyway. Hope all is well for you all!!!

Our fam Hawaiin Style! (Hey, thanks to everyone that helped out with my kiddos while I was gone all day, appreciate ya!)


Christmas in the Islands!

Our ward Christmas party...Hawaiin style!!! I am a true fan of Hawaiin food, especially Kalua Pork...YUM! The decor turned out great, the food was delicious, the entertainment amazing (I'm pretty sure everyone in the room was glued to the stage. I am especially a fan of the New Zealand Hucka), and the company made the party! It was so fun having everyone dress up (my camera is going kaput, so most of my pics turned out blurry, darn it!). It's a good thing we live in St. George, not too many places could pull off the Hawaiin dress in December!

We really have had an awesome committee and I am going to miss working with them!


Thanksgiving '08 @ the Bang's
(Random shots throughout the day)

So much to be grateful for...a loving wonder family, amazing kids, remarkable friends, a fabulous neighborhood, work for Brad, our health, our beloved Saviour and Father in Heaven, and a truly happy life! The list could go on and on...we are so blessed and we feel those blessings in our lives daily! We had so much fun on Thanksgiving stuffing our faces with yummy food surrounded by such wonderful company! Thanks for housing the party Bang's!



Thanksgiving with Rylee's Class

We helped with Rylee's Kindergarten Thanksgiving dinner. It was quite the spread of food, I'll admit, I was wishing I had made me a plate. Isn't she the cutest pilgrim ever! They ate their food and then played a bunch of fun games and made some crafts. We just love Rylee's teacher, Miss Catlett, she is incredible!


White Trash Birthday Bash

I had to add this in because it is something I never want to forget, way too funny! Plus, these are some pretty sweet blackmail photos! Things I want to remember: dumpster diving for surprises like twinkies, body powder, beef jerky/cheese sticks, pregnancy tests, etc. ; toilet lid toss over pipe; darts hung on a ladder outside; spam carving; karaoke; all generic snack foods and drinks; toilet paper, spray paint, red carpet(paper), motorcycle in entry, diapers and cans by front door, tin foil in windows, flowers in big gulp cup, trinkets and fingurines on shelves, hilarious white trash invites (parts written in crayon and ripped) and of course pitures of the birthday boy hung around sporting some seriously studly apparel...Thanks for the memories!


HALLOWEEN 'O8

How about a little HALLOWEEN fun! Rylee was a darling doll, Jaysa our sweet little ladybug, and Steele our Buff Batman! Brad and I got in on the action for the YM/YW Halloween Carnival and I dresse up again to help with Rylee's class party. Good times and lots of candy (just what every parent wants around the house)!

I think that about sums it up! :)

High of 85

Some of my Saturday endeavors included:
Attending the Stake's Preparedness Day.
Thought this was a great idea for storing food storage. It fits under a bed and for rotation just take from one side and fill from the other. Just made from ply-wood.
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George Washington Academy's Halloween Carnival.
My little Rylee at her school's performance for the Halloween Carnival on Sat. She did such a great job!
Here she is with all the kindergartner's.
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A trip to Sand Hollow
Oh how I love Sunny St. George! There are not too many places where you can go to the Lake on Oct. 25th. Yep, this past Saturday we headed to Sand Hollow. It was a beautiful afternoon/evening and perfect water for the wakeboarders.

Rylee testing her skills with the camera...

Now it's Steele's turn...he took the two on the bottom.

I guess no one else made this photo shoot. The whole reason we went to the lake was because Brad's brother Jeff and his girlfriend, Marilee, were down for the weekend. They were all busy wakeboarding! Which I might add, they all did awesome. Kudo's to Marilee, up her first try for a while and went forever. What a great night!

She's Here!

Sadie finally made it around 8:00pm ( I think just before, not sure on the exact time). She weighs 7lbs. 7oz. and is 19 3/4 in. long. Jen was in it for the long haul that's for sure, she's doing great and so is the babe. I hesitate to even show these pictures because my camera is kind of blurry and they just don't do her justice. She still has the abx goop in her eyes and she hasn't been bathed yet, she is brand new! What a little angel!

The happy family! She has alot of short dark hair and look at her darling dark eyebrows. Beautiful red lips. Can't wait to see her tomorrow, hopefully Ky will let me hold her (maybe I'll ask Jen instead!)

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While I was visiting our new little neice at the hospital, Brad got our kiddos ready and took them over to the Halloween Block Party! Crazy how miracles are occuring on one side of town and on the other people are dancing and partying! Here's my adorable little Bee!

Steele "Batman" with his little friends. Emma is spiderman and Pierce is a Harlem Globetrotter. I thought it was so cute, Emma came up and tugged on my shirt, "Where's Steele?" They are all becoming great little friends because of having preschool together. I didn't get a pic. of my Rylee girl, she was off playing somewhere-having way too much fun I'm sure!

Lunch Duty!

So, at George Washington, we are asked to help with lunch duty every couple of months or so. Last time I helped in the actual lunch room, that was fun because it was the first week of school. This time I wanted to be outside for recess for three reasons. 1) The weather is so nice, 2) Get to play with the kids, and 3) My own kids can come and play as well.


For the first recess I got to play catch with Josh almost the entire time (I was watching the other kids too!). I bet he played great in his game...all warmed up and all. He has a good arm!


The next recess was Rylee's, yeah! It is so fun to be involved and see my darling girl interact with her friends at school. Steele and Jaysa had great fun as well. Although you wouldn't know it from the face Jaysa's pulling in the picture. She threw a huge fit when we were leaving.












On another note: Jaysa has found her tongue. I think it is the cutest thing and I don't want to forget it!

This is how she looks most of the time now. My mom said my sister Miki went around with her tongue out like this for about 2 years! I think it's so cute I just want to squeeze her!!!

Aaaawwwhhh...MOM!

This morning me and the kids all slept in, yahoo! Rylee and Steele came rolling into my bed aound 8ish and we all cuddled for awhile. Steele slipped out of bed and I didn't think much of it or of the door shutting! Still a bit dozy, it took me a minute to register what was happening...


Rylee and I jumped out of bed. I ran to the garage to find it open. I'm yelling, "Steele, Steele, come in bud!" Not fit to go outside, I move to the front door and this is what I find...

"Aaaawwwhhh...Mom, I just want to play football!"

My darling little 3-yr. old got himself dressed and went outside to play football at around 8:30 in the morning!


How do you resist a face like this? Brad bought Steele this football a few days ago and he's been sleeping with it or near it ever since! We sure love you Steeley Man!!!

DHHS....Go Thunder!!!

Rylee and a bunch of girls from the neighborhood participated in the Desert Hills Thunder Cheer Clinic. They practiced for a week and then performed at the game, so darling! These are some of thee cutest girls ever! I love our neighborhood. We are surrounded by such great people, which in turn, blesses our kids with great friends! Grandma Penny and Papa were there to show their support. Our girls love their grandparents. (Grandma and Grandpa Glauser were there too! My bad, I didn't get a picture. We get to sit with them at all the games and we love it!) :)
Yeah! Miki came to town a weekend or two ago and we got to hang around with her. The kids love their Aunt Miki!

The girls at actual practice. Aren't they darling?!

Aunt Lexi is the greatest! One of the best parts of the cheer clinic was being able to work with Aunt Lexi. We love watching you cheer Lex!
Oops! A bit blurry. I really need to figure out how to upload video, it can't be that hard right?
"Thank Heaven for little girls."

-Maurice Chevalier, GiGi

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F.H.E. in Veyo

Wow! Thanks Uncle Lonnie and Aunt Dorothy for letting us come and reap the benefits of your labors! We had a great time picking apples, peaches, and raspberries! After being at their house I can see why some people love a lot of land and space. It was so peaceful, so much yard, so many fruit trees, a beautiful garden, a fun, new sitting area and deck, and of course, Horses! We had a ball running from tree to tree picking the fruit.

I am finding out that their is more than one reason that the prophets have asked us to be prepared. It is such a good feeling to be able to provide for yourself and others. Just from having our own "little" garden I have learned so much. Our kids love to watch the growing process, they love being able to help plant, prune, and pick. It is so rewarding and it is fun to share. Such good lessons for the kiddos and such great reminders for us adults!

Four Wheeling in Marysvale!

For Gordon's (Brad's dad) birthday we decided to celebrate in Marysvale, Utah (a hub for UTA's). Aren't my in-laws cute? They are the best people, we consider ourselves very blessed to have them in our lives. This trip was the ultimate (6 hour) 4-wheeling experience. We all had a blast!

The terrain was absolutely outstanding and I don't ususally get too excited about landscapes! Our little family fits perfectly in our side-by-side, it is so fun. (By OUR, I mean my dad's). Rylee graced us with her presence for a little while and then hopped on with Papa, Lisa (Friend of Hol and Ryan and now us), and then with Bailey!

The weather was beautiful for the most part. About 4-5 hours in, it started to rain and then it started to rain hard! Brad gave up his jacket to Jaysa and I took over driving because driving with your knee through what the sign called Rough, Narrow Trail was a little too scary for me! Brad was so cold without his jacket he put his hands in his shirt. We enjoyed lunch at one of the Piute Trail Reservoirs and even got our pictures taken for a UTA magazine. On our way out of the canyons Papa's 4-wheeler ran out of gas, he was pushed, coasted, and towed. A lot of fun was packed into those 6 hours, I'd do it again any day.

Look at these Darling kiddos! The picture of Steele is classic...if you have a boy, you probably understand!!! If only the rest of us had it that easy out in the woods.

We sure had a great time. Thanks Penny for arranging it all!