Andrew & Kelli's Wedding

While we were in Utah for Christmas Break, Jake & I flew down to Newport Beach for my youngest brother's wedding. Jake's sisters & in-laws were kind enough to watch our kids for us while we took this quick trip--and it was quick. We flew down Thurs. evening & flew back Fri. evening. We were there long enough to see the wedding, eat at the luncheon, do a quick shopping trip at Steve & Barry's & then head back to the airport. It was a great trip except for the flight down. Since the flu had been going around, of course, I would have to get it while on my way to the wedding. I was thinking all week that I felt it coming on, but if I kept eating the symptoms would stop. Weird, I know. As we headed to the airport in SLC I was not feeling so well so I started eating & drinking. As time went on, that trick didn't work anymore. The first flight to Vegas wasn't so bad, but on the flight into Orange County I wasn't so lucky. As we decended to the airport I had to use one of those barf bags. I was so embarrassed! I was sitting by the window & Jake was next to me, so he leaned forward to no one could see me. I was afraid the man in front of me could hear me, but Jake said he couldn't hear anything & fortunatly the plane noise is pretty loud. After I got it all out, I sealed up the bag & carried it off the plane to the nearest garbage. That was a first for me!! Amazingly enough, I felt great after that & didn't have any more problems. I was so grateful cause I was worried about being able to go to the wedding & if I was there, what do you do if you are feeling sick during the ceremony & need to leave the room? I'm so glad I didn't have to find out. The wedding was wonderful and the Newport Beach Temple is absolutely beautiful!! The whole area down there is beautiful! Kelli looked gorgeous & Andrew was so happy. I am happy for both of the them & wish only the best to them in the years to come.

My family at the wedding--minus 8 grandkids


My wonderful parents!! I love you both!


Andrew & Kelli Yorgason--Welcome to the family, Kelli!!


Newport Beach Temple

Christmas Vacation 2007

This year, we travelled to Utah so spend Christmas with Jake's family. I always get nervous this time of year to travel with the unknown of what the weather will be like. Our trip down was mostly blue skies & the kids did really good. Jake's sister, Julie, & her family were kind enough to put up all 7 of us in her home. We are grateful to them & I don't know about their family, but we were definitely comfortable & felt right at home. Here's quick rundown of the Christmas break events...


Christmas morning--girls in their new Christmas dresses from Grammie & Grandpa






After church, we went to John & Courtney's home for a "make-your-own pizza" dinner & decorate cookies






Christmas Eve, we went to Joe & Erin's home for yummy appetizers, BINGO (I took home the grand prize of $50!!), Christmas pj's, and a guys against girls Jeopardy (let's just say we have lots of competitors in the family)



All the grandkids in their Christmas pajamas











We braved the cold & went to see the lights at Temple Square. Brittany wasn't feeling well, so she wasn't able to go.

Christmas Day 2007

Christmas this year didn't turn out the way we thought it would. Here's what happened...
About 2:30 AM, Nicole came into our room & said she felt like she was going to throw-up. Before I could process what was just said, she threw up. Jake & I scrambled to get her cleaned up, clean the bed & carpet & put her back to bed without waking up anyone else. From then until around 7 AM, Nicole continued throwing up--about 11 times. It was a long night. Fortunately, it didn't take long before nothing else was coming up, but to see her little body go through all that is a killer. Julie's boys woke up & were downstairs ready to open gifts & Jake & I went down to watch. Brooklyn was the first one up (around 7:30), but the others didn't wake up until after 8 AM. It is so fun to watch them so excited & trying to anticipate what could be in their stockings & presents. They finally were all up & didn't waste any time getting things opened. Poor Nicole, she tried to open presents in between more throwing up (by the time she went to bed that night she had thrown up more than 30 times!! It was awful.) She seemed to like her gifts, but it was hard to get too excited when she was feeling so bad. I tried to take pictures of the other kids, but I didn't get much taken since I was helping Nicole. Melissa started to get sick early in the afternoon & the flow of the flu through everyone had begun. Every few hours & over the next few days we saw people, one by one, slowing down & finding the bowls. It's definitely a Christmas we'll all remember.

Brooklyn protective of her stocking. She had fruit snacks inside & she wasn't going to let anyone near them.

Nicole trying hard to open her presents & be a little excited about them.

The girls opening their gift from Grammie & Grandpa. It was one of the highlights for their gifts.

The kids enjoying Christmas morning.

The sick ones were quarantined to my room the rest of the day. We set up our DVD player & had bowls & towels around to try & keep things somewhat clean. So glad to have all the over with.

A trip to the firestation

A friend of mine from church arranged for a tour of the local firestation & invited us to go along. I took Allie & Brooke with me. Every once in a while, Allie gets really nervous about her surroundings & gets clingy real fast. This was one of those occasions. The firemen did a great job talking to the kids about fire safety, they showed a video & then let the kids get a tour of the trucks. Allie wasn't quite sure about what was going to happen, so she stayed near the back of the pack most of the time. I think she did enjoy it cause she told her dad & sisters all about it later that night.


Getting a close look where the firefighters sit while riding to a fire


The "Jaws of Life"--Allie seemed to be feeling a little more comfortable or was really interested in what was being shown. She's a little closer to the front


The firefighters wanted the kids to know that even though the uniforms looked scary, they were still nice men & would help them if they were caught in a fire.


Allie was nervous to stand by the firetruck by herself, but I got one picture of her there before the tears started to form.

We made it through the tour. Good job, Allie! Thank you to our local firefighters!!

Build-a-Bear Shop

Grammie, Jake's mom, came for a few days & took the girls to the Build-a-bear Shop. This is a favorite place for my kids. They have been a few times before, but they get so excited to pick out a new stuffed animal each time. It's fun to watch them try to decide the perfect animal, get it stuffed, clean it & then look at all the clothes & accessories. It's a cute process they go through. My girls love their animals & are grateful to Grammie for being so kind & generous. Thanks, Grammie!!














Brooklyn getting her dogged stuffed; Brittany & Nicole cleaning their animals; Melissa shopping for clothes













The shopping experience was a success! We love you, Grammie!!

Brooklyn Turns One!

Today, my baby turned one year old. I can't believe that first year has already gone by. It's amazing what they learn & how much they grow in that time. She has been so much fun in our family. She makes everyone so happy with her cute smile, blowing kisses, giving hugs or waving her arms all over when someone comes home. It was fun to watch her try to figure out what to do with her presents. She really had no idea what to do & had very little interest until we got it open to where she could see something was inside. She got so excited over such little things (great lesson for me to remember). One of her presents was a stuffed monkey that laughed when you touched its foot. She held onto that monkey & hugged it like it was her best friend she hadn't seen forever. She also got a toy train with animals that played songs & rolled along the floor. She had so much fun watching it move away from her & then she would catch up to it. She also liked dancing to the music. She just sits on the floor & twists her body back & forth to the beat. Brooklyn, we all just adore & love you so much. You bring so much happiness into our home. Happy Birthday Princess!!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra--Really, a rock concert?

A month or so ago, Jake & I bought tickets to go to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We didn't know a whole lot about them, but thought they were probably similar to Mannheim Steamroller. We were very excited to go. When we got there & they were just about to start, the leader was introduced. We were told he used to be a part of the Mega Death band. Jake just started to laugh & I just thought "What a change for him to go from that band to this one". Next thing I hear is "Are you ready for a rock concert?". I started to realize that it was a rock concert. I wasn't quite sure what the rest of the night would be like, but little to my surprise, I really liked it. As one person explained, it was like Mannheim Steamroller on acid. The music seemed somewhat similar just rocked out. Anyway, the show was very loud, the lights were very bright at times & we got to see these musicians play their electric guitars like a rock band does. I actually thought it was kind of funny at times watching them play their guitars while standing with their legs stretched apart, their guitar hanging as low as it could go, their hair long & straight & they'd swing it all around & then at times just lean their head back like they were so relaxed. After taking this all in I started to feel the rocker in me wanting to come out. It was really a great concert. They did a great job with their christmas message to be kind to your neighbor, they had an amazing light/laser show with their music and the concert lasted 2 1/2 hours (no intermission). I'm not sure I recommend my parents go to the concert, but I can see most of the rest of my family going. Jake & I even thought Melissa & Brittany would find it very entertaining. We definitely had a new experience, but as usual, we find that if we give something a try we may just end up liking it.