Christmas Tree

This year we ventured out into the mountains to get our tree.
It was so much fun. It will be a tradition from here on out for sure!

It all started with waiting in the freezing cold for the permit.
Or so I hear, I didn't have to do that part!

Just heading out to get the tree.
It was SO cold. The wind was CHILLY.
Lucky for us, we all dressed for the occasion.

Eyes

My kids are seriously blessed with their Dads eyes.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken by none other than Jessie O'Neal Photography herself! ;)
(With a little help from her tripod, and her rockin sister in law to help get kids attention - the tripod can't do it all!)

Disney On Ice

We had a little date night with just our boy the other night and took him to see Disney on Ice.
He had a blast. It was so fun to watch his reactions.
He kept saying "is it almost over?"
and we would ask "why, are you ready to go?"
to which he would respond "No, I don't want it to end!"

So expected and typical of him.
He was so nervous when the whale and sharks came out. He is hiding here:

How Will They Know

My cousin has this posted on her fridge, and I love it. As a parent, I have so much responsibility to teach my children, because if I don't, how will they know the things I want for them? They won't. At this point it's all up to me to teach them. This little song opens up a whole train of thought... mostly on how important it is to teach children morals, right and wrong, how to be kind, how to treat others, how I need to teach by example, and on and on.

So, back to the poem on the fridge. (It is actually a song from the Children's Songbook.)

How will they know, the ones for whom we care,
That God is love and with us everywhere,
That life is good, with blessings all can share?
How will they know unless we teach them so?

How will they learn that, though they go astray,
God will forgive and help them find the way?
How will they feel the Spirit day by day?
How will they know unless we teach them so?

How will they grow in wisdom and delight?
How will they choose to follow what is right?
How can they trust the future will be bright?
How will they know unless we show them?

How will they live when they at last are grown?
What will they give to children of their own?
Will they reflect the values we have shown?
How will they know, as on through life they go?
How will they know unless we strive to teach them so?

Great Christmas Gift Idea

These would be a great gift for all you parents and grandparents out there.
CLICK HERE

Don't wait, get them soon!

Some Randomness

Here are a few of my thoughts.
1. I'm going to start a new business. It will be called "Green Box." It will be like "Red Box" only tons cooler because you will be able to drive up to it. (Hence the green... go) No getting out of your car. Plus there will be a separate place for online pickup, and returns. Great idea hu?
2. Sensored by Cole
3. The end of the world will be on April 6th 2038? I don't know, talk to Trevor about that one. He does have a pretty interesting conspiracy worked out. Makes for good conversations if nothing else.

Looking for...

I am looking for a chair/recliner similar to the above picture, but in that 70's green color.
Anyone have one or know of one they would like to sell?
I am getting sick of watching the classifieds and stopping in at Savers.
(It doesn't have to look exactly like the picture above, that was just to give an idea. It's more the color that I am after.) Come on, come on, help me out! =)

Today

Do you know what is significant about today?

No, it has nothing to do with the election.

Today is our one year mark of not eating candy.
How many more can Cole and I make it?
I will tell you what, it's the best thing I have ever done for myself.

You should do it too!

All Halloween Into One

Carving of the pumpkins

Kids Halloween Party
Nat you throw a killer party. You out did yourself, and I LOVED the Carmel apple. SO good!

Trick or Treating
Tate wouldn't stop. We told him it was time to stop and get dinner and he started to cry.
He had a blast running around door to door with his cousin. Trick or Treating is always funner with your friends! Apparently even when you are three.

Friends Halloween Party.
SOOOOO fun!
We were the devil and a dark angel.

We did the annual road ralley.
This year Greg and Taylor mixed it up a bit and sent us out with GPS.
They sent us to all the sites of the freaky things that have happened around here... murders, graveyard etc. If I might say, we had a stellar team, even though we didn't win!

Lisa lying in the grave were Ted Bundy burried a body. FREAKY!

There are true stories to go along with each place we had to visit.
Thanks again to all the planners and host!
Its always a good time!

Funeral

In an effort to keep things in order, I am going to blog in order.
I usually don't get this far behind but this last week has been insanely busy for me.
We had the funeral service for my Grandpa and it was beautiful. They split his life sketch between his four children. Then one grandchild from each family took a few minutes to reflect a couple of memories.
I few things I loved that were said:
*Just a day or so before he went he said "I'm going to see what I can get done today" (That is so typical of him. In a rest home, on his way out, and still trying to get things done.) =)
*"Keep on keepin on"
*How Wade put his hat on, just the way Grandpa would wear it.
*When you go visit, Grandma is in her chair, and Grandpa in his, and as soon as you walk in he would say: "Who's there?"
*That my Grandpa actually built his camper. (I didn't know that!)
*My grandparents have known each other from grade school. What a fantastic life together.
It ended with the congregation singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." I now have a new connection to that song and will love it forever.

After the service we headed down to Manti where both Grandma and Grandpa are from.

How sweet is this picture of my little Ella at her Grandpa Dales Grave?
I love that she reached over to touch it.
(My Grandpa is next to my Dad, so we were able to pay a visit there as well.)

*If any family wants pictures, email me your email address and I will send them to you. Email me at: jessieoneal(at)gmail(dot)com
(There are other that I didn't post. I do try to narrow it down.)