TRADITIONS

I just got back from spending some much needed R&R with my family in Jackson, WY. Rob had to stay behind and do that work thing, but Jack and I made the trek anyway. There is NO WAY I would try and do it by myself...I am SO blessed to have a wonderful family who helps take care of Jack. Anyhow, this trip was uneventful-cold, but relaxing. We slept, did puzzles, played games and ate...what more do you want for a pre-Christmas trip. BTW, Jack said his Aunt Abby's name pretty much 5,000 times...he now says it when he wants something, is excited about something and is mad about something- I never knew Abby could have so many meanings. On our way home we were having a conversation concerning holiday traditions. The question was posed, "Which ones are your favorites and which ones are you going to do in your own families?". I always think of making gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving day...that one is most definitely staying. I loved getting PJ's as a kid and getting to open them Christmas Eve- I think I'll start that one next year when Jack is a little more into it. Other than that, I don't really know. In sacrament meeting today one of the speakers talked about some traditions families do to focus on bringing Christ into the focus. I'm throwing this one out there to all you more experienced family Christmas goers...let me know what works for you. How do you celebrate Christ at Christmastime? We hope and pray that all of you are enjoying the holiday season. Much Love! Rob, Meggan and Jack G

Christmas is Coming...SOON!

The presents need wrapping, baking still needs to be done- are the Christmas cards out? How far away is Christmas? Honestly I can't wait! Yes, there is still a LOT to do, but oh how I love Christmas morning. I hope you all are enjoying the season. I'm trying to take some time out of all the TO DO'S and enjoy the meaning of Christmas- CHRIST. I've been listening to some of my choir cd's from college- it brings back such wonderful memories of singing around Christmas time. Music has always been an IV of the spirit for me. Anyhow, I pray that all of you are taking some time to feel what CHRISTmas is about.

Christmas Card Picture
Zoo Lights with Chris and April! Enjoying the season!

What's Happening?

Thanksgiving was WONDERFUL! We had a fun time hanging out with family and decorating our gingerbread houses (yearly tradition). In honor of the Utes undefeated season we did one house totally UTAH! Jack is loving his baths lately...he won't get out until he has turned into a prune. Here are the pictures to fill you all in on life at our house. (Thanks Misty for the pics of the game!)

Chris, Mike, Rob and Jack after the U game!
Me, April and Misty (PROUD OF OUR UTES)!

Bath Time!

GO UTES!

Gingerbread Houses

Seeing the Lights at Temple Square.

Jack would only eat off Grandpa's plate for Thanksgiving dinner.

My contribution to Thanksgiving.

Give Thanks!

I've been thinking a lot lately about how incredibly BLESSED I am. My thoughts have been centered around my eternal knowledge of where I came from and where I'm going. The world in which we now live in is in turmoil to say the least. Despite the grave outlook for our future, I still feel extremely excited and hopeful for things to come. I've decide to try a little harder to be a little better, not just for my sake but for the sake of my family. I've decided that at this time of Thanksgiving I will try to show my Maker how deeply grateful I am for my life and the good things that surround me. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and take some time to show gratitude for the blessings that we all have.

New Kids On The Block

Last night we had one of the best GNO's EVER!! My brother-in-law gave me some tickets (box seats actually-thanks, Rich) to the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK concert. Rad, I know! So I grabbed some of my girls and we went to PARTY 80's style! I can't say I ever was a big fan the first time around, but I did have a ton of fun singing along with the songs I did know. This reunion tour has brought out the teenage girl in many middle age women- and I think they were all at the E Center last night. Good times though! We danced, screamed and sung our little hearts out. Thanks ladies for the fun evening- it was really rejuvenating to be 13 again! BTW, the most musical part of the night was the opening band, Natasha Bedingfield (she was FANTASTIC)!!

NKOTB- "Let's get this"
Opening song
Clara and April's reaction to the NKOTB coming on stage
Becca, Clara, Meggan, April and Stephanie (the girls)

Bubbles are Snow and Pumpkins are Apples

It sounds like a riddle from the LSAT or something right? It is Jack's new little language. Yesterday morning we came out of the house to go to work and there was snow all over the ground. He looked up and me and pointed to the snow and said "Bubbles". I laughed and said it did look like bubbles, but it was called snow. We've been working on saying snow...it's coming. Jack has been saying apple for a while now, but with the Holiday season of pumpkins glaore he points to every one and calls them apples. I know pumpkin is hard to say, but there are A LOT of pumpkins around. Even when we are in the car he yells out apple for every pumpkin we pass on peoples doorsteps. Learning is fun, even if you need an interpreter!

Jackson has been so much fun this week. He is so excited to show me all the things he is playing with. We read a TON of books and he is having full-on conversations with me with his limited vocabulary. I thought I would document his plethra of words (ok, not really a plethra, but it sounds good). Jack's vocab list at 17 months; Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Abby, Alex, Banana (nana), Apple, Eat, Fish, Ball, Golf Ball, K-Ball (Basketball), Football, Touchdown (comes out sounding like uch oown), Amen, Bubbles, Drink, Binky (inky), Stinky (inky). Those are just the ones I can think of to list. Life is full and we feel so blessed!

Halloween Spirit

Our Halloween weekend started off Thursday night with a date-night to see "THRILLER". For those of you who don't know our dating story...Rob took me to see "THRILLER" for our first date second time around (ask me if that doesn't make sense). The night we saw it the first time (9 years ago) I think we were both a little nervous (I know I most definitely was). Here was Rob asking me out again after not seeing each other for a year and a half. I was cautiously giddy to see him again. Anyhow, the night (first time) was fantastic. The nerves wore off and we decided to start dating again...three months later we were engaged. So...in honor of that momentous night in our dating history I thought it would be fun to see "Thriller" again. Although this time we weren't nervous, but I have to admit that the giddiness of being with Rob has never wore off! I remember the first time we were both a little too nervous to eat, but this time we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Broiler- I really like to eat on my dates! Really fun date Rob! Thanks for being a wonderful husband.

Friday night we had pizza with friends and then took to the street to enjoy the Trick-Or-Treating. Jack LOVED it! He had so much fun knocking on doors and blazing right into peoples homes. He thought he was playing at each house. Good Times!

Here are the pics to document our fun holiday!

Weekend Fun!

A couple pictures from our weekend. Rob and Jack had fun mowing the lawn. We had an awesome tour of Rob's work. For those of you who don't know he works for a company that family and or friends are not allowed in. You have to have some serious clearance to go in. Once a year they have an open house for the families. It was really cool to see where Rob works and all the amazing things his company builds. I knew it was big, but I didn't really have a realistic picture of it in mind. I have one picture of the outside...no pictures were allowed inside. Saturday night we drove down to Provo to eat some of the MOST DELICIOUS yogurt at Rich's (my brother-in-law) new store, YOZONE. The yogurt store is really fun! It's self-serve with yummy flavors and all the toppings you can dream of. I've already planned out my next trip down there...toppings and all. They have done a FANTASTIC job with it. The grand opening was last weekend- started off with a bang for sure. Here's to selling yogurt for many years to come! Jack and Luke loved the Yozone so much that they found a corner and were going to spend the night. Congrats, Rich and Abby!

Thanks Jane...Fun Quiz

You Belong in 1958

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatyeardoyoubelonginquiz/">What Year Do You Belong In?

One Packed Week

We had one packed week last week. My brother and sister-in-law were here visiting from AZ and they brought their three kids. The week started off with the blessing of Baby Jillian- what a special day! Then we seemed to just have way too much fun. I don't think Jack has recuperated yet :). Thanks Josh and Cheryl for spending some of your vacay time with us. We sure love you guys and wish that we were closer, but always love seeing you!Great-Grandma Rogers with Jillian- she made the blessing dress that Jillian was blessed in. Abby was blessed in the same dress.

Alex, Ryan and Jack at the Pumpkin Patch.
Jack kept saying apple or ball for the pumpkins...maybe next year he'll get it.
Playing at the Dinosaur Museum.

Blowing bubbles with Aunt Abby.
Kangaroo Zoo with Luke!
Jump, Jump, Jump!

The Boys!

Jillian's Baby Blessing

Finding Pumpkins

Last night for FHE we went with our buddies to get pumpkins. Luke and Jack had a great time running around the pumpkin patch. Luke even found a rubber rat. Yeah for Fall!

Wicked Weekend Wakeboarding in Whaweap

Brayten, Rob, Barrett & Meggan
Great air Rob!
Here are the wakeboarding pictures from a couple weekends ago when we were in Lake Powell. We had such a great time. Thanks friends for having the cool toys that we can play with!

Things Are Happy At Our House

Due to last nights miracle that the Utes pulled off, my weekend will be full of joy and happiness! I love those great football moments when things turn our way. What a fun game last night. The stadium was PACKED, Rob's voice was gone by halftime and I couldn't stop him from storming the field after the game (not that I wanted to). You know the best thing about being 6-0? It's the chance to be 7-0...this is what I've been learning at my football class. Thank you Utes for pulling off that miracle win so I could enjoy a great weekend. TEAM LOUIE- we LOVE YOU!

September Fun!

Last night we participated in our ward camp out up Heber Valley Canyon. The campsite was beautiful, the food fantastic and the company was exceptional. We really had a great night! Jack LOVED the freedom of running around with his buddies and playing BALL. He slept like a rock on the way home and didn't wake-up until 9 a.m.!

Here's a little video of Jack walking. He just decided that it was easier than crawling and it's no longer a game but a way to get into more things! Oh and you get to see a little dance to his favorite Winnie-The-Pooh toy.

Thanksgiving Point & Work

Last week we went to Thanksgiving Point to the Dinosaur Museum. Jack LOVED it!

Jack and Luke checking out the Dinosaur Mat.
Jack and Uncle Bear at work playing with the bubble wrap.

Utah Women's Football Camp

This is the second year that I've attended the Utah Women's Football Camp and it just keeps getting better! Here are some pics from the first class. Highlights were spending time with my fellow Utah Ladies, Q & A with Coach Whittingham and going over plays from the Michigan game. I have to admit that I am really learning a lot about Football. I know your proud of me Rob :)! GO UTES!

Tammy and I at the Trophy case...did you know that the Fiesta Bowl trophy is worth 2.4 million! The real one is stored in Tempe, AZ.
Becca, Misty, Stephanie and Tammy chillin' in the weight room.
A fellow Ute Lady, Misty and I hanging out at our QB Brian Johnson's locker!