Happy Father's Day!

The "blizzard" of the decade

Many of you probably heard that Utah was supposed to get the blizzard of the decade last night. While they didn't forecast a lot of snow in the valley, the winds were going to be 50 mph. Afternoon school activities were canceled and many were let out early and because the storm was supposed to roll in at about 5pm, many businesses closed early. Brittney and I needed to run to the grocery store at about 3:30 to do some quick grocery shopping. Brittney's car was out of gas so we stopped to get some gas, the gas station was packed with cars filling up as well as people filling up gas cans. When we got to the store, it was worse than the Orem Wal-Mart on a Saturday night. No carts, no room in the aisles, incredibly long lines to check out. Exactly my idea of fun :)! Anyway, the storm finally rolled in and we survived. In fact, the storm was really weak. We got maybe 2" of snow and the winds were not even close to 50mph. There were some strong gusts, but it was not Armageddon like the news had made it out to be. The temperatures are cold, it was about 7 degrees this morning and it is about 19 right now. We decided to let Mercedes go out in the snow this morning. Her pants were way too big and her gloves were not warm enough. Let's just say her first experience wasn't exactly one to remember. As soon as she face planted it into the snow, she had had enough.

Rachel's Birthday

Today is Rachel's birthday! We got up early to make her breakfast and blew up a lot of balloons. I think Mercedes thought they were for her. We spent half hour this morning just running through them.

Here is the birthday girl!


I tried out my cake decorating skills on Rachel


Mercedes loved eating the scraps.

Family Pictures

This last week we had family pictures taken. Family pictures are always fun and stressful at the same time. Ours was more stressful this year because it rained for most of the day. Well after sitting in the car for almost a half hour the rain slowed down enough for us to take pictures. Here are some of my favorites.

Mercedes Happenings

Mercedes has now learned how to open doors. You can only imagine how much more interesting this makes life (let's just say that Mercedes doesn't want you to get lonely while using the bathroom).

She also thinks it's hilarious to put her jacket on her head and run around.

Mercedes misses her cousins and wishes that she had some nearby. This video was taken when we stopped at the Dallas Trayner's home on our way home from Georgia. This one is for you mom.

Interesting Quote

Brittney and I were organizing our collection of books last night and I came across a paper that I had inserted into The Chosen. I read the book when I first got home from my mission and loved it. Apparently, I liked a quote from the book so much that I wrote it down on a piece of paper and placed it at the front of the book. Hope you enjoy.

Human beings do not live forever, Reuven. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity. So it may be asked what value is there to a human life. There is so much pain in the world. What does it mean to have to suffer so much if our lives are nothing more than the blink of an eye? I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man that lives that span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant . . . . A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning . . . . A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest.

Summer Fun

This past summer has been so fun. We spent two and a half months in Georgia while Josh was working with the Georgia Court of Appeals. Luckily my parents let us bum with them. It was really fun to see my family and let Mercedes get to know them a little. We decided that if we had to drive to Georgia we might as well make it fun so we stopped and did things along the way. Too bad that Mercedes wont remember any of it. For those who don't know yet we are living in Josh's parents house while they are on a mission. We are all settled now and I think that the dog has adjusted to us.

Here are some fun pics of the last few months

Playing dress up! She is a natural diva.






The joy of spaghetti


Us at arches.


Fun at Nate and Megan's house.


Walking in Memphis.


Having fun with cousin Jane.


Every girl needs one of these.


Emery's third birthday. My sister made the cutest cake!


Mercedes first birthday. She shares a birthday with uncle Dallin so they each got an inchworm cake.


At the pool with cousins.


My brother Parkers high school graduation.


Looking cute in my suit.