ENGAGED (Hayley and Joe) Happy Day!!!!!

actual proposal re-enacted for a pic--but he did propose out in the snow blizzard--see Hayley's

blog for more detailes: http://hayleycall.blogspot.com

Dear family,

isn't it great that Hayley and Joe Jacob are engaged to be sealed in the SLC temple on April 23 ?

Dad and I --well, lets just say in short:we couldn't be happier.

Did you all know all of these fun facts?

*Joe grew up in Orem (but at one time lived in Payson Like we did)

*he is the fourth of five kids. one brother 3 sisters-

*he is "uncle joe" to a lot of cute nieces and nephews

*He moved back from NY (where he went to medical school.)

It was wonderful that he was accepted to the U of U to do his residency.

*Interestingly enough that is about the time Hayley was coming home from her Mission and after she visited brad and got back from Alaska (about four months ago).

* they started dating and fell in Love

* we are so happy to have him join our family.

*The official date of engagement was last Fri Night in Park city

*they will live and work in SLC

*Joe has a great sense of humor--the joke I love is that since Hayley was living at home at the time of their courtship--he basically enjoyed the pleasure of dating all "three of us" ha

*he brought us crab legs and brought me a winnie the pooh bank from mexico, he learned to play the accordian (during the Christmas holidays--I think it was Christmas day) , and he will eat the type of foods we eat like 'hotdog boats' and smoothies and such.

*He gave up being with his own family and came to eat Christmas dinner, so dad and I weren't just sitting here alone with Hayley on Christmas.

*He went to the BYU basketball game with Bryan and I and is willing to play the game baby steps game and pass the pigs

*he has helped make food and let us be their audience when they played a piano duet

*It has been fun to say hello when they were coming and going and he would tell us about things --like what it felt like to pass his first year medical boards--even when hayley would be anxious to be getting them on their way

*so yeah --he won us over long ago..no surprise that it worked out... they are both a great match for each other by our way of thinking.

I won't use initals this post

dress ups--are always fun

we're having a dance party in the front room but with exercise/dance dvd that is set up in the computer sitting on the fireplace--it was fun

cheerleading action goin' on...go M-U-R-R-A-Y

Dear family a few posts ago I wanted to chat about the kids , but didn't want to use their names--but all those inititals made it confusing so lets just summerize saying that this past week has been fun--I didn't work as- we had the entire week off. so here are some pics from Sunday, when the family gathered. then Mon when some of the family slept over, and then from Tues when I went out to Tooele. "A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL'

Bryan and kids playing Mario Brothers love the smile--too cute-well only 1 smile..

now he's happy--our little "man from snowy river

dinner on the house..& dad speaks on gratitude

Dear family

One of the most fun things that I have enjoyed about dad's calling is that, he has been able to share his testimony and give talks from time to time. Last Wed he spoke to the Young women of the stake who had recieved their young women madalion. He spoke briefly and shared his testimony of gratitude. The girls were given a pink booklet with a great quote about gratitude (see pic). He always expresses his thoughts just so well. It made me a little better to hear it. also we were invited to eat a lovly dinner with them. The Hamptons had me take their picture with Kalie and then for fun they took our picture too. Anyhow so I posted it here.

I just want to express GRATITUDE to each of you for doing what you can to build up our father in Heavens kingdom. I thank you for being so inclusive with dad and I in your lives and families. I thank you for being friends with each other and supporting each other in all you do.

what a wonderful world....

I love that song by Louie Armstrong..."What a wonderful world" When I am skiing, and looking up into the mountains up Big or Little cottowood canyon, I think to myself, what a wonderful world. These pictures don't capture it perfectly--but besides skiing for the exercise, I ski to bask in the beauty of the mountains and snow and blue skies. I read a book recently recommended by Kerri--about how it enriches our lives and our kids lives to be in nature and out of doors and what it can do for spirit and mind.
I'm so thankful the Alta resort started the ski f-r-e-e after Three (PM) program it has brought me so much happiness to ski again--

third Sunday dinner

Dear family
yup--it's time ........................to come play Lincoln logs with grandpa

and see the valentine window that mayley and hunter painted and...

eat good food and play hungry hippos

.and celebrate the red letter days of February--

*nancy's b-day

*our anniversary and

*valentines

See ya when you can get here on Sunday

It had to be ...the only one for me is you and you for me..so happy together..(think of the Beatles song)

dad and I were collecting some pictures and making a collection to make a movie that we could blog and I said what shall I titled it and he said--a great 32 years (and otherwise_)_and we laughed.

for the record it has been a wonderful thirty two years--full of joys, sorrows, ups, downs, growing learning, loving , laughing, sharing, inside jokes, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, traveling, improving the house, gardening, raising a family, gathering the family together, going to church, going to the temple, going to our kid's houses, staying home, eating in, eating out, making do, splurging. I suggest never under estimating the power of two. The influence of a companion is never to be downplayed. For example: Two can give company. two can help you anchore your values, two can motivate you to keep going when you wanted to quit, two can give you someone to take turns saying family prayer . two can give you some one to be a voice of reasoning, two can help you eat all the leftovers, 2 can read the scriptures together and discuss them. 2 can raise the kids and have different input that is right for that day's choices. Two can ride down in the big inner tube sleigh riding and not fall through the middle. Two can drive on 18 hour road trips together and the one can keep the other one awake. Two can share a hot fudge sundae with the works. Two can split a sub-way sandwich. Two can Take turns sweeping, mopping and dishes and gasing up the car, and emptying the trash and putting new toilet paper out. Two can laugh at the funny parts of a movie. Two can play heart and soul on the piano. Two works out well so one can cheer the other one on, when tough assignments lay in the path. Two can play pass the pigs, or card games, Two can be good when one of you forgets that its 'trash day"and then the other one can run them out to the curb really quicly. Two can bike in Alaska, or body surf in Hawaii, or, make visits to the neighbors together, Two can camp at Payson Lake, or Two can make life of adventure. Well this is what "Two" has done for me these last 32 years

Happy Anniversary--

(to us Bryan-)-Its the best part of my life and the best descision I ever made.

went snow shoeing

look at all that powder --it was like being a kid again and being the first one to mess up the snow in the back yard...

Dear family
Today is sat and Bryan (dad) and I headed up brighton and went snowshoeing--since we'll both be working wed on our 32nd anniversary--we celebrated the day together in the mountains--taking a long hike and packing a lunch the weather was beautiful and we met another couple on the trail who introduced themselves and said they were celebrating their 23 anniversary--so yeah for anniversaries. it was just a very very warm and beautiful day. The scenery outstanding

grand parent years are "GOLDEN"

we've had some fun with all the nine grandkids since the new year began
a few -MC and HC stayed while their parentals headed to Hawaii, and we had fun painting windows, making cookies, swimming, nicklecade and day to day fun. HC told me something about a Buick, and I said how do you know about Buick and he responded mom told me that is a car 'old people' drive. They were craking me up. Hunter woke up one morning very early say 4am approx. aunt hayley watched a mellow movie with him to get him back to sleep--'he asked her if they were going to have some popcorn'? --that was the classic question of the visit.
Mayley let me know that she thought HK was getting 'bored' of drinking just milk--maybe you had to be there but It struck me hilarious.
Then we spent time with KC and FC on Web cam, *(well mostly _ KC and she was singing to us. Then later her mom kerri sent an email saying that she wrote a letter, expressing how she would like grandma and grandpa their when she woke up and how she missed us...and that was cute. plus we saw a clip on youtube of her 'reading her scriptures' that was so precious.
We also got to spend time with AK and AK and KK and MK on nancy's birthday and I got to spend some time with the two littlest one on a mon afternoon this week. Mk as usual was making me laugh and I can't remember all the funny things she said, but her facial expressions when you walk in the door and she tells you how she how been 'missing you' is enough to make your day complete. especially since you've been missing her too. And since grandpa wasn't there. KK actually got giggling and laughing with ME --as I am funny --j/k but the balloon was
so there you have it--the best part of my month so far...

bundt cake is still one of my favorites

happy birthday brad

For Feb 5-2011

Dear Brad --Happy Birthday--we are so honored to have been sent a spirit like you from heaven

you have been so good to us a parents and good to your brother and sisters. we appreciate all you do but just to name some of the things we admire *we thank you for the work you do day to day, and how you make it look fun, even though work is hard * you look for the next adventure * you take your preistood calling seriously and honor that. * you are spiritually minded-you seek that Lord out * you and you family, are good to make others feel at ease and make new friends where ever you go * you like animals, *you bring a new level of fun to activities with the family

*you get a kick out of funny stories and experiences of your own and of other people. *you know good foods and prepare them and also enjoy food others prepare for you. * you are good with the kids, your own and the ones at school, and in the family and extended family. * you are a good husband, *yours is a life of service. *you keep the commandments and are an example to the youth that you work with. Happy birthday--and may Father in Heave bless you in the coming year...with love from us to you