Happy New Year!

It's the new year already?  How did that happen?  Is your life flying by, as fast as mine seems to be?  Its just a roller-coaster ride and I am holding on tight and enjoying the ride!

Since getting home from my trip to Mississippi (yes, I still need to blog about that) I dove right back into work, family, and my calling as Young Women President.  Therefore, my blog has been a bit neglected, but something has to give, right?

In a perfect world, I would have time to blog about:  Me, Chad and the kids sitting 8th row at the Jazz game, our delicious Thanksgiving holiday - specifically my pumpkin pie and Chad's amazing turkey, Caden shooting his first Elk, Jordan's broken toe, saying good-bye to our cousin Logan who is a missionary now, our failed winter family photo shoot in the cold/rain/snow, Christmas countdowns all over the house made by my darling children, Jordan singing another solo with his guitar in the assembly at WHS - he rocked!, losing 10 pounds and buying my first pair of skinny jeans, spending time in the temple with my darling young women and my two boys!, a December full of parties and festivities spent with people we love, the biggest pizza you have ever seen, a beautiful and wonderful and delicious and quiet Christmas eve with my favorite people, a magical Christmas morning filled with wide eyes and surprises and yes, some happy tears.... , and our amazing trip to California where we spent our winter holidays.


As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for all the blessings that fill up my life to overflowing.  We are filling every year with some pretty amazing memories and traditions.  After all, that's what its all about, right?  Living your life.  I am so truly blessed and I am thankful for every single bit of it.  I am so proud of what we have accomplished this past year!  I get so excited as I write my goals for the new year, and think of all the amazing possibilities that are waiting for us.  Happy New Year!!

  (our Happy New Year card that will be mailed out today!)

ARISE and SHINE FORTH!

A few weeks ago, Jordan was one of the 3,000 youth that participated in the Youth Spectacular

ARISE and SHINE FORTH!

(Jordan in the pre-existence waiting for his turn on earth!)

It was truly SPECTACULAR.

They performed for 2 nights at Weber State and completely filled the stadium both nights, (Chad and I were lucky enough to go to both - yes we are proud parents!) and in fact on Saturday night the stadium was overflowing with people and we actually broke the record for number of people in the stadium. 

It was rumored that the Prophet was there in attendance, but more than that - 

the spirit that filled the stadium was incredible!

(Our whole family came to enjoy the show!)

The Spectacular performed life from the pre-existence - to our life on earth - to life after death - and having faith in our Savior Jesus Christ 

and the power that is in each one of us and learning who we truly are. 

The messages in the songs were amazing, and I feel so grateful for Jordan to have been a part of it, 

to help him learn who he truly is, where he came from 

and have those messages and spirit touch his heart!

The Power in Purity!

power in the heavens...

power in the plan!

power in discovery...

learning who I am!

there's power in obedience...

the truth that sets us free!

To find a sense of confidence,

the power in purity!

 (Jordan on the earth - "Arise and Shine Forth that thy light may be a standard for the nations")

I never stand alone, when I stand with God.

And I stand with his prophets.

 Wherever I may go...

when I stand with God, I never stand alone!

I stand with Nephi and Moroni

with Abinadi who testified in faith, 

the saints through the ages,

the stalwart and faithful - leading me, telling me -

I never stand alone, when I stand with God!

(Jordan standing with God and the prophets)

Its hard to describe just how special it really was...

It was a beautiful way to spend a few summer nights.

To learn more about our faith and what we believe CLICK HERE.

Today was a Fairy Tale {Utah Natural Light Photography}

PROM sneak peek up on The Shoot Shoppe Blog!

CLICK HERE to see!

Looking Sharp as a Tack.

Here he is.

MY BOY.

Lookin' Sharp.

All dressed up for Jr. Prom.

Making his momma proud.

Oh how I love this kid!

2 SUPER COOL kids.

And he has my heart.

Oh yes he does.  :)

Our Christmas Ball

This Christmas Season, my cute sis Adelle had an idea.  "Let's have a party." she said.  "Not just any party, though.  A party where we can all get dressed up and go out dancing!"  "Let's throw a Christmas Ball!"  That is where this story begins.  A grand idea that blossomed into a fun and magical night.  With the help of my amazing family and some great friends, we were not only able to get together to eat, laugh, dance, sing and enjoy the holiday spirit together, but we were also able to raise a lot of money to benefit the children of the Angel Tree Charity.  

We had a lot of entertainment at the Ball.

This is my cutie teenager.

  He played the guitar for the crowd.  

  He was amazing.

Here are the proud parents of that cutie teenager.

We have a lot of fun together.

This little sweetie is a special joy to me!

There is just something about your little sister's baby.

Those of you who have a little sister with a baby, 

know what I am talking about.

She has my heart!

The music was amazing and we all had so much fun 

out on the dance floor!

And look at this handsome little man!

May I have this dance?  

Chad even got to squeeze in one little cat nap.

Those 16 hour days were hitting him hard!

My mom made all the grand-daughters a Ball Gown. 

Every little Princess needs a gown, right?

(I know.  I have an amazing Mom.)

And my little Darlings looked beautiful.  

Of course, the night would not have been complete 

without hearing a song from my sister Cindee.  

She treated us all to some beautiful performances.  

WOW that girl can sing!!

To see the rest of my photos from the Dennis Family Christmas Charity Ball click here.  And, to see more about how we helped the Angel Tree Children, check out our Ball Blog.  And if you still want more, check out these photos we took of our guests in the Cathedral at the Ball.  A huge THANK YOU to all who attended and gave generously.  We loved spending the evening with you.  If you missed it, we hope to see you next year!  IT WAS A BALL!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Night To Remember.

Last month, before Chad's job got absolutely insane, 

he was able to take our little man out for a fun night, 

just the two of them.  It's important, don't you think, 

to have those one on one experiences with your Dad?

I know the few times that I had my Dad alone,

paying attention to me and only me, 

are some of my most treasured experiences!

(It didn't happen too often - I am one of 7 children

but when it did, I felt really special!)

So off they went, to have some fun together! 

Chad took him to a Jazz Game.  

Their 2nd row tickets included a fancy candlelight dinner.  

I am so proud.  

He was even brave enough to try his first crab leg.

(He hated it, by the way.)  What can I say?  

He takes after his mom.

And much to our little man's enjoyment

the Jazz Bear was hanging out at the dinner.

Chad said the Jazz Bear kept taking Cade's hat 

and ruffling up his hair.  

Cade and the Jazz Bear are old friends.

When Cade was in 2nd Grade, the Bear picked him up 

and carried him across the stage at an awards show we were attending. 

They have been buddies ever since.

 

Here's what second row at the game looks like.  

Wow.  So much different than up in the nosebleed sections!

SO MUCH FUN!  GO JAZZ!

The private snack bar was open to them  

all during the game for unlimited soda's and snacks.

The Jazz Bear found where they were sitting 

and continued his playing and pestering.

I think Cade was loving every minute of it!

Yes, I definitely think this will be a fun memory for the 2 of them,

and I can't wait to see what their next adventure together brings.  

A Night Out.

Last month, we had the amazing opportunity to get all dressed up

 and enjoy a night out on the town.  

It was a Black Tie Event.  

Very Fancy Smancy.

And, we got to share it with some of our favorite people, 

Ryan & Samantha.

It was a Fund-Raising Event for Operation Kids, 

an amazing organization that supports many charities 

who help protect our children.

We also got to rub shoulders with a few celebrities.

Much to Ryan and Chad's delight, 

they got to meet (and take pictures with)

President Palmer.

OK, I know thats not his real name, 

(its Dennis Haybert - he was our host for the evening)

 but for those 24 fans out there,

its President Palmer. 

He is also the star of the CBS show The Unit. 

The other man in the photo is John Walsh - 

the host from America's Most Wanted.

He was being honored that night with a lifetime achievement award. 

(and very well deserved - after learning of his story, 

I see him as a true hero to children everywhere!)    

You may recognize some of the other people that performed for us -

Monty Powell (famous songwriter)

Anna Wilson, actor Daniel J. Travanti, 

and pianist Jim Brickman. 

And, to end the night, we were privileged to a private concert 

from country singer Collin Raye.

I tried to get a few video clips on my little camera.

The first one is of Dennis Haybert 

(and I apologize in advance that it is sideways)...

The rest are of the Collin Raye concert, 

performing with Jim Brickman and Susan Ashton.

It was an amazing and magical night!

I Survived... Barely.

Yes, I am one of those mothers.  

You know the ones I'm talking about - 

the ones that cry, fuss and fit about 

sending their little ones to school.  

The ones who spy on them 

and keep them under their protective 

watch even when they are at school.  

The ones who, on the first day, follow them around, 

taking hundreds of pictures, walking them to class - 

mothering them all the way...  

What?  You don't know what I'm talking about?  

I'm the ONLY one?  

Well, come to think of it, 

I actually didn't see anyone else balling like a baby.  

Hmm.... OK I admit it.  I might have a problem.  

But you would too, if you had a little sweetie like this 

and it was her first day of Kindergarten.

And she is your baby, 

and she is supposed to stay your baby forever...

But she didn't listen, and she grew up anyway!  

Man, kids sure don't listen to their parents, do they?  

How many times do I have to tell her 

that I want her to stay little?

Can ya tell she is sick of smiling 

for pictures by this point?

I can just read her mind, can't you?... 

"Jeez, mom, how many pictures 

are you going to take?  

This is so embarrassing!  

All the kids are already 

in the class in their seats!  

For goodness sakes, stop crying!"

"Um, Mom, I don't think you can stay here 

and take pictures during class.  

Please leave now."

Ha Ha!  She can't see me out in the hall!  

I'll just stay out here all day, and do some spying 

and take a few hundred more pictures.   

She'll never know! 

 Yes, I know.  I'm pathetic.  I need help.  

But, man do I love that little sweetie.

 

Chad and Jenny sittin' in a tree...

K.I.S.S.I.N.G!

First comes love...

Then comes marraige...

Then comes a baby in a baby carraige!  (4 to be exact.)

Happy Anniversary Babe.

Can't wait to see what the next 16 brings...

Special Moments...

A very beautiful, special day for a very beautiful, special girl.  Some days, don't you just marvel at all the amazing things God has blessed you with?  

I do.  A. LOT.