Football Begins!!!

The start of a new era for both Utah and BYU football. 

                                         Utah is now a member of the...

Dave, Val & Mark heading to the game

BYU is now independent and to show there support Mark, his dad and brother Dave all too a rode trip to Mississippi to see them play Ole Miss.  They had an amazing time and enjoyed the great southern hospitality they were shown.  They were invited to enjoy some good southern b-Que at a tail gate party before the game and loved the experience they had.  While at the game they ran into there Uncle Steve and his boys, who live in Iowa, at the game so later they were able to meet up for dinner. They sure enjoyed this little quick trip to the good ole south.  They only thing that would have made it better is if they could have somehow met up with our nephew Aaron who is serving his mission in the Jackson, Mississippi mission but he was just a little to far away. 

Dave & Val at the Ole Miss stadium before the game



Dave visiting with an Ole Miss fan



FESTIVAL OF TREES

For the fast four years Mark and I have made it one of our Christmas Traditions to go to the bid night for the Festival of Trees which benefits the Primary Children's Hospital. I have always loved this even since I was a young girl and hoped that one day I could go and bid on some items to help out the charity. I have had many I know who have had to spend time at this wonderful children's hospital and wanted to give back for the amazing medical help that has been rendered on behalf of my family. A few years back my nephew Spencer was playing little league football on a team coached by Mark and suffered a pretty scary hit which caused his spleen to almost tear in half. He spent time in the ICU at Primary Children's Hospital while they did miraculous work to help save his spleen and to get him back on the road to recovery. He spent over three weeks in the hospital but thanks to the wonderful care he has no problems from the injury. It was pretty hard to see him laying there in such critical condition and it was then that I vowed that when I was able I would give to the hospital. It is an amazing hospital and do so much good for the community. We are so blessed today to have had this wonderful hospital so close and that the staff is top notch and concerned about the welfare of all kids not just those who can afford it.

I hope that each of you will take a few moments at this time of year to reach deep in your pockets and give to those who are less fortunate. We have been truly blessed by out Father in Heaven and needed to show him how much we care by making sure we are always serving others. I have attached the link so that you can read about the wonderful organization of the Festival of Trees.

http://www.festivaloftreesutah.org/index.asp

May the true meaning of Christmas permeate you hearts and home this Christmas Season. Remember that it is because the birth of Our Savior so many years ago that we are able to share this wonderful time celebrating with our family and friends.

So Much to Be Thankful For

Oh how I love this time of year! All the wonderful fall colors, spending time with family and enjoying be able to reflect on all that I am grateful for. Here are a few things that I am especially grateful for:

Love all the beautiful surroundings that we get to enjoy all year round. Heavenly Father created so many beautiful things for us to enjoy while we are here on this earth.

So grateful for my wonderful family. They have always been there to lend their to love, encourage and support each other in all that we do. It is the wonderful memories of all the fun times we have shared, the miracles we have been blessed with and to know that we are an eternal family.

What a blessing it is to have married into such an amazing family as well. It was such a blessing to be all together to honor their father & grandfather - Benjamin Ben Evans this past August. They to are a great support to each other and we all love being able to be together, lend love and support to each other. I am grateful to Val and Benda and all that they do for us as a family. Their example of faith and endurance is a strength to me.

How truly grateful to my wonderful mom and dad who lived their lives truly devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have both passed on but their legacy of faith will always be a strength to me in my life. They taught me what it means to be of service to others as that how they lived their lives. I love them both and so grateful to have had them as my mom and dad. This is there wedding photo - what a beautiful couple.

What an honor and privilege to have a living prophet on earth today to guide us, to teach us and to help us know return to live with our Heavenly Father again. President Monson is truly called of God to act in His name and to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints today. He also has to wonderful councilors in Elder Eyring and Elder Uchtdorf.

The blessing of the Temple are so special and I am so grateful to be able to have so many doting this great earth so that all can have the opportunity to feel of the great blessing that are given to all worthy members. This is the beautiful Bountiful Temple that I had the privilege of being sealed to my wonderful husband, Mark on November 15, 1996. So grateful to be able to attend often and be reminded of how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

Oh what can I say but that I am so blessed to have such and amazing husband. He blesses my life daily and I could not imagine my life without him. I love every minute I am with him. He works so hard to be able to provide for our needs. I love him with all my heart.

I am so grateful to live in this great country. We have so many wonderful freedoms that we are blessed with living here. I am so grateful for the the men and women who are serving in the armed forces to that I can continue to have the freedoms that we do.

Last of all I am truly grateful to a loving Savior who took upon Him all my trials, test, sins, and joys so that I might have the opportunity to return and live with Him again. He is given given us all that we have. Without Him and His atonement for each of us we would not have any of the wonderful blessing that we do. May this holiday season and always remember all the good things in our life and to remember what we are truly celebrating and that is the birth of our Savior

24th of July

Happy Pioneer Day!!!!

This post is late in coming but we have been keeping busy with the remodeling of the home and an unexpected funeral trip to Montana but I thought I would share some of the fun things we did over the Pioneer Day Holiday weekend. Marks parents have a beautiful condo in St George so we packed our bags and headed out for a four day weekend of fun and sun. Mark's brother Phil and his family came up from Las Vegas to spend the weekend also. We were sad that Val and Benda could not join us but they had to head to Montana as Benda's dad had taken a turn for the worst as was not expected to be here on the earth much longer so they went to see him for one last time. We missed them but had a great time anyway.

On Wednesday we went to the Bees game with John, Tracy and Addison to start our weekend of fun. It is always fun to spend time with them. On Thursday morning we headed off to St George. We stopped in Beaver at the cheese factory. Once in St George Mark had an appointment at a clients home so we headed there then after we went to Target to by some supplies for the condo then had dinner at Chili's. Upon returning to the condo we went to the pool then relaxed for the rest of the evening until Phil, Emily and the kids arrived.

On Friday the 24th we all headed off to a parade and carnival in Ivins. It was a small town parade so needless to say it was short and sweet. Just the way I like them. The kids got lots of candy and we all had our share of ice pops. Nicole, Natalie and Ben loved seeing the floats, getting sprayed by the firemen and of course getting all the candy.

Nicole and the camel from Tuacahn Outdoor Theatre

After the parade we headed to the Ivins town carnival. Both Natalie and Nicole were brave enough to be dunked at the dunking booth. We asked Nicole if she wanted to do it again and she said know that the pool was 10,000 feet deep. The looks on their faces was priceless as they went into the water. Ben enjoyed the slip and slide and of course we all enjoyed the Navajo Tacos for lunch.

Natalie getting dunked

Nicole's turn to be dunkedBen on the slip-n-slide

Mark, Natalie, Ben & Nicole at the park in Ivins

After the park we stopped for a tour of the Jacob Hamblin Home. He was one of the first settlers to the St. George area. Then we headed back to the condo for a little rest for the kids and pool time for Mark & I. Later that day Mark and I headed to Mesquite for a dinner at a buffet which we ended up eating at the coffee shop at Casa Blanca instead which made us both sick. Phil, Emily and kids met up with Emily's family and spent the rest of the weekend with them.

On Saturday we spent time at the pool then had lunch at the Pizza Factory before we headed off to see Foot Loose at the Tuacahn Theatre. There were thunder storms that evening and we were afraid that the play would be canceled but the show went on as planned. It was a great production and one of the highlights of our trip. On Sunday we got up early and cleaned the condo then headed home. We had a great time and enjoyed getting to spend some time with Phil, Emily and kids. Thanks to Val & Benda for letting us use the wonderful condo.

My Birthday

Just wanted to give a big thanks to my wonderful husband who treated me to a wonderful dinner at Macaroni Grill and gave me a beautiful sweater and a gift certificate to one of my favorite restaurants - P.F. Chang's for my birthday. Thanks for making my birthday such a great day. He is an awesome guy and treats me with so much love and respect. I am so lucky to be married to such an awesome guy. Love you tons!