This just in from Texas!

I guess I just didn't realize how cold it could get in Texas! I should probably study up a little since my daughter lives there. Anyway, Look at these gorgous pictures Stephanie (Beth's Step Mom) sent. Everything's FROZEN! Thick with ice.
It's awsome what our Heavenly Father can do with really uncomfortable weather.
Time for the weather report. It's cold out there folks. Bonecrushing cold.

The kind of cold which will wrench the spirit out of a young man,

or forge it into steel.

Northern Exposure, Lost and Found, 1992

It just kept falling and falling and falling...

This is our Christmas tree. SLCo. Public Works hasn't pick it up yet so Mike has it "planted" in the snow...to give it some dignity I guess.



















"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from my appointed rounds."

Man, it just wouldn't stop! If you look at the driveway you can see that Mike just finished using the snowblower there. What Nate is shoveling is the NEW snow that fell while Mike was working on the sidewalk. Really, this post is for those people in Cali and Arizona who don't have a clue how "fun" this is. I say, "Come on up and try it sometime" it's a party!" Just ask Mike and Nate... and the postman. If you could only see their faces. WEEEEE! lots a fun.



Raise your hand if "powdering your nose" in the snow when you're this close to the ground sounds fun.

Oh look...Stockton actually did powder his nose!

I'm sure I've taken this picture before but the back yard just looks so cool covered in snow!

We have two speeds: Fun and Funner!

We went to Gorgoza Park (Up near Park City) with friends last Friday. I haven't been Sledding in YEARS!!!

Cold...is not my friend, so I never really thought much about snow pants. That would have been a good thing to think about since I knew about this chindig at least a week before! But as you can see, I and my husband (the Stocker standing behind me) were the only ones wearing jeans...NOTHING ELSE!

Jen & Jim Andrus, Jason & Jill Taylor, Julie & John Hammond (can I just say right here that this is the first time I've noticed that Mike & I are the only ones that don't have names that start with the letter J!) I don't think we can be friends with these people anymore...I wonder what it would take to change our names??? Jelly & Jike Hanson... nope

This was fun! We went down in a line forward, backward, and probably a few other ways that I don't know about because I wussed out the last two runs cause I couldn't feel my legs anymore

Thanks for turning 40 John and for letting us be a part of it...


I can feel my legs again so it's all good! :)

A little more Christmas Eve

Ok, I'm playing Christmas Catch up so I can get on with 2007! Keep scrolling down, it's in order from Christmas Eve to New Years Day.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

Christmas morning had finally come...for Morgan. For me it came way to soon...as usual. Gifts were given and recieved, even Stckton got a few new bones and his yearly monkey!

(Everyone sing!) To Grand Mothers House We Go

We had dinner at Larry and Ann's (Mike's Parents) as we usually do, then we sat around and talked and played with the kids new stuff and then we ate some more...you all know what I'm talking about.

1. Stacie and kids 2. Taylor 3. Mike 4. Lightning Reaction (Evil game) 5. Jonathan or David not sure which... but dang cute! 6. Me 7. Larry and Dave 8. Wild eyed Anna 9. Nate and Brett

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

New Years Eve 1

We threw a New Years Eve party! Yea...I know big shock, We rarely have parties but that's one of my resolutions...have more parties, get to know people better, mix it up a little. I do love a good party, and I love good friends and I think I'm gathering some pretty good ones at that. :)









1. Jim Andrus, John Hammond, and Jason Taylor 2. Brett getting a kiss from his long time friend Kristen Stirling for his 18th Birthday which happens to be on New Years Eve!









3. Monica and Chris Patch getting in a little pre New Years smoochin'! 4. Julie Hammond, Monica Patch, Me, Michelle Sanders, Jill Taylor and my new boyfriend Austin Taylor! 5. Don Stirling, Becky Hatch, Steve Hatch, and April Stirlings head. (Sorry about that) 6. Connor Weston








7. Ava and Jen Andrus.

New Years 2

8. Lily and Will Patch 9. Abbie Weston and Annie Andrus 10. Some game they were playing 11. Julee, Riley and Craig Weston.

12. Jaclyn Taylor and Morgan Banging in the New Year in the freezing Utah Night!

This year there was a tie for Mother of the year: And the winners are??????

Shelly Hanson and Jill Taylor for letting their girls out in that weather with nothing more on then flimsy jams!!!!!

The end of one and the beginning of another...

New Years Day. It was nice to sleep in. I decided I was ready to take down Christmas. I didn't get emotional like I usually do. A few deep breaths...Heavy sighs, but no tears. Yea, I'm lame. I'm looking forward to the new year instead of regretting the last, that's probably the difference this time. Looking forward not back. I did ok this year, I can recognize where I've done some good and not demoralize myself for what I didn't do. That's a very, very good thing.

To my friends, old and new, I'm proud that you consider me a friend. And to my family, The Maddux's, the Johnson's and Hanson's, and all those special "family" members I've gathered along the way, You're all so AWESOME!

May the Lord bless us and keep us safe throughout the next year.

Happy New Year!!!