Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy.

Tree Farm 2008

I LOVE this time of year! Its the best! We went to the tree farm this past weekend to pick out and cut down our Christmas Tree. It was a lot of fun & a tradition that we have. Aunty Juli & Uncle Shane are out of town, so Houstie was with us and got to see Santa, and take some rides in the wheel barrow. Now just counting the days down til Christmas! :)

Ice Skating Fun ....

To celebrate T's 10th birthday she wanted to go ice skating. It was fun but chilly...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CRAIGY!!!

Beginning of October we suprised Craig w/ a trip to Salt Lake along with tickets to General Conference. He has never been up in Salt Lake during conference time let alone, been in the conference center for a session. We were able to attend two sessions, plus Craigy was able to attend the priesthood session in the conf. center. While us girls, went to woman's night at Deseret. :) It was awesome! We loved our trip, it was a blast. We had such a good time showing him around Temple Square and just celebrating his bday. What an awesome trip! Here are some pics from our trip. On our way home, we stopped at the St. George Temple, and walked the beautiful temple grounds. :)

A lil fun w/ Guitar Hero

Ty's first time playing Guitar Hero 2!! He was so into it...lol... :)

YES, on PROP 8

This is a difficult Proposition for me, not because I question my beliefs and values or how I will be voting. I know that in Lord's plan, this isnt something he wants nor I want to be legalized in the state of CA or anywhere for that matter. Why I find it so difficult is that I have many good good friends and family that have chosen and live a different lifestyle other than a traditional marriage, and I respect and love them for who they are, I just cannot agree with them on this matter. Its tough, because in no way to do I want any of them, nor anyone in this world to feel that I am judging them, for the lifestyle they choose, cause I could never find myself doing that. Heavenly Father loves us all, no matter what. And I want all of my good friends and family to know that I too love them, regardless of our difference in opinion on this matter.

I came across this video and I thought it was great. I do not want my future children to be taught about same sex marriage in school. If I feel they need to be taught that it's out in the world, even though our beliefs are different, than I will do that at home, in the way I would feel would be pleasing unto my Father in Heaven.

I do know that we will never EVER teach our future children to judge those that have other beliefs as our own, for that is not our place. We are to love ALL, as our Father in Heaven loves ALL his children.

Cowboy/Cowgirl Up .. :)

ANNUAL CHOMP 'N STOMP '08

T, Lex, Hannah, & Ty

Yee...Haw.. Cowboy...LOL

All us girls... we were missing Shay though...

Lil dorks... LOL!

Lexy & I entered in the egg toss, we were the last girls standing. :)

Lexy & I

Our ward puts on an annual Chomp 'n Stomp, we all have so much fun. The kids absolutely loved it. Ty got really into it this year, with his cowboy hat and all. :)

Labor Day Fun

LABOR DAY FUN !!!!!!!!

Go lil Surfer Girl....

Houstie, not much of a fan of surfing yet...LOL

Houstie and I

The gang...

Craigy & I

Craigy diggin to China... always building tunnels for the kids... :)

Lake Buena Vista

Uncle Shane & his lil family were awesome enough to take us camping/boating on his new beautiful boat. We had a blast, here are a few pics from our trip. The munchkins while Uncle Shane took us out on a night ride on the boat.

It was so hot everyone wanted to be in the water at all times.

*The family*

Shay showing us how its done....

Mom & I being silly...

*Smiles*

Go Uncle Shaney!!

Craig trying out the wake board

YAY! My hubby got up!! GO CRAIGY!

A lil fun tube action..

There over ALREADY!?!?

I cant believe the closing
ceremonies have already taken place for the Beijing Summer Olympics! It went by so fast. Ever since Mom and I were able to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies and many of the venues of the winter Olypmics in Salt Lake City, Ut, a few years ago, we have really come to appreciate and love to watch the Olympics. For the last few weeks our family hasnt been able to peel our eyes away from the T.V.- from watching the ABSOLUTLY AMAZING Michael Phelps to gymnastics, volleyball (beach 'n indoor), track, diving, etc. It was awesome! Its always awesome to see all the many participating countries unite in once place to follow the same dream of achieveing the ultimate in their sport. Cant wait for the next Olympics!

Three Gates Only I Can Open

Three Gates Only You Can Open -by: President Thomas S. Monson

The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (History of the Church, 5:134–35).

Wow, what a profound statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I have truly come to have a strong testimony that happiness is truly key in MY life, yet as I stumbled upon this article in one of the church magazines, Joseph Smith said it perfectly. The Lord wants us to be happy and it truly is the object and design of our existence here in this life. The Lord has always and will always be out for my & all his sons and daughters happines in their lives. How blessed I feel that I have this knowledge and have been so enormously blessed to have gained a testimony of this truth. If I do my part than, I can along with my family continue pursuing the path that leads back to him.

Coming upon this statement has truly reopened my eyes and heart... to yet again re-evaluate and prioritize my life so that I can have peace that I am doing my very best to stay on the path of happiness.

A lil food for thought, sorry for my rambling, I didn't mean to bare my testimony by any means, yet I felt the spirit guiding my thoughts and feelings as I write this post on my blog.

PATH OF HAPPINESS... is truly where its at.

If any of you get a chance you really should read this article. Title is above.

Eternal Light

The Path to Take

When I look at the moon so bright

It lights a path for us to take.

God invites us to his light.

He says, " Come with me,

And I will help you choose the right."

(The Friend Jan. 2008)

It amazes me always that each and everyone of us have been blessed with the light of Christ as we come to earth and to our families. Then we have the opportunity to receive the true and everlasting gospel whole heartily and again be blessed by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, in which we can be directed eternally as we live our lives according the path the Lord has laid out before us. The Lord never ever leaves us alone, no matter if we have the gospel in our lives or we have not yet heard or accepted it. Its amazing. How much love he has for us ALL throughout this world. The Lord truly truly wants us to follow his light, and return home to him along with our families. So AWESOME!

Congrats Lil Patty!!!

A couple weeks ago we went down to Vista for Lil Patty's (aka Pita) suprise high school graduation party. I seriously feel so old.... I cant believe she is old enough to be graduating!! I remember when she was 3-years old and would put on her cowgirl boots..and dance around... lol! Couldnt get her to do that at her party....wonder why?!! LOL! :)

Congrats Pita!!

Mom, Nana, Me, Kris, Joe, Craig, Pita, & Tia Lola

I think Craig had a few to many.... LOL... Tacos that is!! LOL!

Craigy & I

Sistas Forever!!

Craigy, Lance, Joe, Kris, & Me

Kris & I