Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year..... and we look forward to spending time with all of you in 2009!!

New Years 2007

Tonight we will again be going bowling with the my family and the Gilbert's which we have been doing at 5:00 every new's years since I can remember..... Then we are going to all come back to our house to ring in the new year.

Bonding for the Brother-in-laws

So here is my wonderful husband trying to sing with the Bros....... I think it was suppose to be Jon Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer..... Stand back ladies he's all mine!

Merry Christmas!!!! 2008

After seeing several of you in the last few weeks you have asked what happen to the Christmas traditions that I had promised you at the beginning of the month???? Well I just ran out of time and also I think I thought we had a lot more traditions then perhaps we do.

Just to recap our month:

• When we decorate the tree we each get a special ornament.
• Riding Trax downtown to see the lights on Temple square as a family. (Still haven't done it yet)
• Christmas Eve candlelight service this year we went to the service at Southmountain Christian Church it was really nice.
• Christmas Eve dinner at my parents (this year at the new condo) with close family friends. Before dinner we have a round of toasts with the group. Dad starts the toast he chooses someone and then that person picks someone else to toast you get the picture. Before presents are given between families the kids have to find the first star. (This year while driving to Grandmas DJ commented on how hard it was going to be given the weather conditions.)
• New Christmas PJ's - from Nana and Papa Chuck.
• Christmas morning: Open presents at home and then back to Grandma's for more presents and breakfast.

• Christmas night we get together usually at our house with the Nance family. This year Brayden's favorite gift was his new drum set (which I am sure David and I will regret soon enough. LOL)
  

While in PHX we ....

....of cousre saw Little Jessie....He was dedicated this week to the lord. So that was really nice to be apart of. .... celebrated Jasons birthday day! The big 28.

... and last but not least went to the zoo.

Rams VS. Arizona

This weekend we went to sunny and warm PHX to see the Rams vs. Cardinals game. It was a lot of fun.... David looks forward to it every year.

Christmas Traditions

Our family has several Christmas traditions and throughout this month I will be sharing some of these with you all.

Special Ornaments:
Our 1st Christmas tradition began in 1974 which was the year I was born (the first grandchild). Granny selected a special theme for each one of her grandchildren, and each year we would receive our special ornament when we decorated our tree. The list is as follows:

Me: Angels
Allison: Mice
Ashley: Rocking Horse
Aubrey: Toy Solider
Andrew: Bear

Here is my first Angel from 1974

When I started dating David my mother choose a special ornament for him. David had no idea 16 years ago that he would look so forward to finding out what his special ornament would be each year. Davids theme is NFL players / sports.

David's favorite NFL ornament

When my grandmother passed away my mother continued Granny’s tradition of giving each of us our special ornament each year. And once I had DJ my mother (DJ’s Granny) continued this tradition by selecting a special ornament for each of her Grandchildren:

DJ: Snowmen
McKinley: Barbie Doll
Brayden: Elfs
Beth: Cats
Maddie: Dogs
J.T.: Santas
Reagan: Pooh Bear
Jesse: Toy Soliders

DJ's first snowman

Brayden's first elf

As each of my sisters got married there husbands also started to receive a special themed ornament for each of them.

Jason: airplanes
Scott: sports

I love getting my ornament as does David, DJ and Brayden. I am sure my Granny had hoped that this tradition would continue forever and ever, but I think it has far surpassed her expectations. I am sure that she is smiling down on us.

Turkey Bowl 2008!!

Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed another year of the Turkey Bowl.. We had a blast can't wait to see you all next year :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I just wanted to take a minute and tell you all how thankful I am for good friends and family. All day I have been thinking about last year. We were all so happy and healthly and if I had ever thought that within the next few weeks our happy little world would be turned upside down - I wouldn’t have believed you.

But last year two weeks after Thanksgiving, my little sister was involved in a horrible car accident and her son (J.T.), my nephew passed away at 5 weeks old. This was not only devastating for my sister and her husband but for our family as well.

Two months later (Feb 11th) my mother was diagnosed with Leukemia. She was admitted directly from the Doctors office to the hospital where she stayed until June. There were several times during this long hospital stay and the three other hospital admits that we thought she wasn’t going to make it, but I am happy to report that my mother is here with us celebrating Thanksgiving this year and is getting stronger everyday.

Like I said earlier thinking back on last year, I wouldn't have believed that our family would be tested in our faith as we have. I am so thankful for God's blessings.... He has blessed my sister and her husband with another child…. Little Jesse. He is so sweet and I am so happy to see my sister happy again. My mother while the road to remission has been hard - she has persevered and has beat this horrible disease again.

I am Thankful for husband and my two wonderful boys (DJ and Brayden) they mean the world to me…. I am also thankful for my awesome family and friends. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!!!

UTAH vs. BYU Game

David was able to get tickets to the Utah game from RJ Sanford #25. Our good friends the Van Leeuwens invited us to spend the night in the tail gate lot on Friday night.. Can you say PARTY!!! It was a great weekend and we had so much fun. Thanks Jon and Chrissy for the invite.

To anyone who reads my blog you may realize I havn't posted much this month. It has been so crazy between home and work I just haven't had a chance to sit and think. So I am going to catch you up on our month of November.....

First Oct and Nov Birthdays.... I hope you all had a wonderful day...



With football over we had our team banquet at Rock Creek Pizza it was a great night. It was sad to say goodbye to all the families we meet this year but we also made some great friends. Coach Heugly said so many wonderful things about DJ when he was giving DJ his gift... he told everyone how DJ was a leader for this team and how much he had improved since last year. It makes me feel good as a parent to hear others talk about your son in such postitive ways.

Twlight Premiere

I was able to go the Twlight premiere. It was great to spend time out with the girls. I had so much fun thanks again for the invite Renee....

So last year we had such a great group of families on our football team we started a Turkey Bowl. So it's that time again. Calling all Flag Football enthusiest..... It is time for our annual TURKEY BOWL... So if you can pull yourself off the couch away from the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and would like to come out and play with us just let me know.

Happy Birthday J.T.

I can't beleive that this year has gone by so fast. You would be one, WOW. I thought about this day a year ago and hoping on a plane on a total whim to come and see my new baby nephew. I am so thankful that I was able to meet and hold you. I remember everyone saying let someone else hold him and I keep telling them "I only get this one day". I can't tell you how thankful for that one day I am. Even though you were only here with us for a short time you have left an impression on our hearts forever. We think of you often and love and miss you very much.

Happy Halloween!!!

Well it eventually had to come to an end right???? And if you have to go out what a way to go!!! Last night we played in a tiebreaker game to see who would get to move on into the 3rd and 4th playoff positions.... The game was held at Cottonwood High School on the big field and under the lights.... it was so awesome to see our boys on the big field. My stomach was so upset all day!

So here is how it worked..... Each team started on the 10 yard line and has 4 plays to score. We had to play against Riverton and Copperhills. In the end our season is over..... These boys have worked so hard this year and I have been so proud of them. What an amazing season!

DJ..... I am so proud of you! You have been such a leader to this team and you have grown so much, personally and as a player. It is so nice to have parents come up to you and tell you what a great son you have. I know you are upset that his season is over but just remember how great this year has been and that you were a huge part of making it a great season. Love you baby...

David.... WOW what a season! You did an amazing job this year coaching. You never would have guessed from the sideline that this was your first year. I am so proud of you. I know you are disappointed that we didn't make it all the way.... but watching you from the stands on the big field under the lights with our son.... it was incredible... I can't wait to do all over again with you next year. "3"

A Family That Plays Together... Stays Together...

What a team we are!

On Our way home

Well we are at the airport getting ready to leave. We had a great time and hate to leave but have to be getting home to daddy.... We love you little Jesse, Ashley and Jason.

Our Newest Bengal!!!!

I found this Bengal costume and just had to buy it. Jesse first Halloween costume...... isn't it soooo cute.

Jesse's Bear

Last Sunday I took the kids to Build-A-Bear to make a bear for Jesse. We put 4 hearts in it with wishes from all of us to Jesse. We all had a lot of fun picking out just the perfert bear and then recording our voices which after several attempts we got it just right.

We'll he seems to like him..... What do you think?

In AZ with Baby Jesse

Just hanging with Baby Jesse. The boys and I were so excited to finally meet him.

On our way to AZ

This is the three of us on the plane waiting to leave UT on our way to AZ.

Here's Brayden taking the advice of the inflight video to learn about the plane and to find out where the nearest exit is.....

I got tagged....

HUSBAND
1. What is his name? Daivd James Nance
2. Who eats more? Him
3. Who said I love you first? I think I did... but he'll tell you it was him.
4. Who is taller? He is
5. Who is smarter? Me of course. HELLO MASTERS!! LOL
6. Who is more sensitive? I would say Dave..... well we are both pretty sensitive
7. Who does the laundry? Me.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at the bed-me
9. Who pays the bills? i do
10. Who cooks more? We both cook as well as DJ
11. What meals do you cook together? most recently we made salsa together with my dad (not really a meal but it was fun) probably spaghetti
12. Who is more stubborn? Umm... Him... Have you meet him... LOL!
13. Who is the first to admit they're wrong? me given the answer above
14. Who has more siblings? ME - Dave 3 sisters, Me 3 sisters and 1 brother
15. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I'd like to think I do but it is Dave
16. What do you like to do together? We like to watch our shows on TV, go out to dinner with friends, football with the kids and just be together.
17. Who eats more sweets? Dave
18. Guilty pleasures? For him alcohol and me shopping
19. How did you meet? 4th of July Breakfast
20. Who asked who out first? I think in the end I asked him to come to the Sugarhouse fireworks with me
21. Who kissed who first? He did.... with the most romantic line ever “Are you going to kiss me or what?” LOL
22. Who proposed? He did on July 3rd one year after we meet – it was so romantic and perfect….. You are the best Love.
23. His best features? his eyes….
24. What is his greatest quality? He is such and incredible husband, and father (he has his moments but don’t we all) .... I can't imagine my life without him.
25. Tag? Renee, Liz, Courtney

Really, the questionnaire is over now, but I've just got to say seriously I've got the best hubby in the world. He is always ready to help out, not complain, plays with the boys, and does things above and beyond his call of duty. He gets the kids fed and dressed and ready for school. Seriously, most hubbies would not do that. He is always helping with the dishes, getting the boys ready for bed and in bed, cleaning up the house before he goes to work, washing the floor, whatever. Seriously girls, he is amazing. So sorry he's taken. Ha ha! I just want you to know that I couldn't have accomplished all I have without you.... "3"