Christmas in Eden

This was a wonderful Christmas of dreams coming true. I was also able to visit Leila Miller, we've been friends since we were 12. I love being with the Millers because I feel as if I was with my family. I felt right at home for the holidays. They live in "Eden"--exactly true to the name--Gracey, Kentucky. It's so beautiful and peaceful here. Ryan (at the top) is great with the horses and takes care of the stables. Brother Miller taking in Blue (I think) from the pasture for the night.

Sister Miller is amazing! She works so hard with the horses and taught me a lot about living your dreams!
I love how work brings a family together, in so many wonderful ways. I loved being a part of their daily work, talking and walking, watching "National Treasurer" as a family, shopping and playing games.

Ty is an awesome helper with the horses. He works hard!



This is the same pink bike that Leila would ride around Belleville and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois when we were 12. Awesome, she still has it! Okay, any woman who can shovel manure in flip-flops and clean up this good as quick as she does; she is amazing because she not only has talents, she knows what do to with them and does it!
Ecclesiasticus 6:14:
A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.

Christmas

Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas Eve 2007! We opened our presents (from our storage unit...since our move in May 2007 we haven't seen our stuff because we wrapped it and put it under the tree)! So much fun! Jarad kept saying, "The only present I want to open and really need is the can opener!" We opened all the presents and still didn't find it! Who knows where that box of stuff went?!
In the afternoon, we went geo-caching and found two treasures...first, a tree swing and second, a Virginia magnet for our fridge of states we've lived in collection. Sweet!

A dream comes true! Jarad flew me to New York for Christmas (he was working)! It was my first flight with him flying a jet. I've flown with him in lots of other littler planes, but this, this was so so cool because it was my husband flying the jet. I've flown on lots of US Airways planes lately, but to know that Jarad was flying it was so exciting! I wanted to turn to the other passengers and say, "This is my husband flying!" I restrained myself and sat smiling quietly to myself. It's so wonderful to see people accomplish their dreams and to be a part of it! My dream was to see all of the beautiful Christmas lights, trees and windows in New York. We took a train to Grand Central Station, went to Rockefeller Square, Central Park and saw the window displays in Macy's. It was a blast!


I love this picture, because it looks like the M&M's are little thought bubbles popping up to the one big thought, "Be happy!"

Visit to Family in Utah Friday, November 16-19th, 2007

Happy Fall Season from Virginia Beach! Before we left to Utah, we went to the Cape Henry Lighthouse on Fort Story. The lighthouse on the right (the small one) was the original built in 1792! The first lighthouse built by the government! There's our little truck: Driven from Coast to Coast and down the Alcan. The highlight of our Utah Trip was 1. seeing family--especially Cheryl perform as "Rosie" in Bye, Bye Birdie. She was phenomenal. 2. No snow! We couldn't believe how warm and dry it is there...so we all went outside and played... with Mason....

The big kids played too!On Sunday morning, we went to Church with my sister and her family. Little Daniel and Emma are adorable. I wish I had a picture of Emma walking in the skirt my sister, Jana, made for her. It doesn't have any slits to let Emma walk easily, so Emma looks like a toy soldier, woddling along. It's so funny.

After Church, we read books and played puzzles. Mom Carter gave us a gift and Jana threw us a little baby boy shower-giving us a gift for a little girl...(ha ha! It's so awesome! She even bought one for my two other sisters little girl's--one has two boys and the other is yet to be married... )-Thanks for your thoughtfulness Jana. She even had a fun name game with prizes. We had a great time with the Carter's and the Rupp's! We love our Utah Families and Friends!

awe

The Carter's to the Gurr's-October 30-November 6

October 30, 2007--Happy Birthday Kevan! We met together at Westwood Seminary to celebrate with him! What a fun tradition (this is the second time!) We went to the temple with Mom and Dad. I love receiving hugs from them in the Celestial Room. After, we went to Grammie's to pick out a quilt for our son.


Happy Halloween 2007! Jarad, Mom, Dad and I set up for a nice BBQ dinner with the Gurr's. We then went Trick or Treating together. The best part of the night was receiving a knock on the door from Daniel, his lions and especially the Den mother. Matt heroically save Marshelle and his little lions (they were locked in their bedroom and survived off their 72-hour kit)!

Joanna and Grace--Beautiful Ballerinas! Nate--The Happy Cowboy! Spencer--The Star Football Player and Grant--Harry Potter!

Baby Boy Carter...Baby Shower fun on Friday night, November 2nd from 7-8:30p.m.

Cousin Olivia drinking the yummy green punch...a kind of tasty unspiked brew! The spread was delicious, the decorations fabulous and the company wonderful! Aunt Holly, Emily, Becca and Gina came all the way from Queen Creek! Thanks to everyone who came! It was wonderful! Our little boy has the cutest clothes!
Two of my favorite hikes--one with Jarad up Squaw Peak (Picasso) and another with Elana all around the Nature/Mormon Trails at South Mountain!

Fun with the Bradley Family

Awesome Bradley family at the Washington D.C. Temple. We drove down from Pennsylvania to visit them. On Saturday, September 1, we all visited the temple.

After the Temple, we visited the Smithsonian! We all had the greatest time! We enjoyed watching the first BYU game of the season!