FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE

I'm thinking of you ~~~

Today, some our our loved ones are in Princess Cays ( I think).

Here's a shot of the beach from the bridge of their ship. Pretty cool how we can get on the computer and see where they are .
It looks sunny and warm. Hope they are having a good time!

I remember the good time we had while we were there!!


It's not that I am jealous or anything....It's not that I am bitter, because

I looooove the warm weather, beaches, sunshine...........

and YOU are there and I am NOT!!
and It's not that I HATE YOU...........cause I really don't......

It's just that while you are there, enjoying that.....You are really missing out on

ALL OF THIS !!! HA,HA,HA !!!





So There!

Merry!

If you get a chance to visit Temple Square during

the Holidays, make sure you do.

It is beautiful - as always!

Christmas in my Office ~

very festive!

view from my desk.....my girl Shawna's is the best - her tree ROCKS!
So....ya think she likes the BRONCOS?!?!?!

Hippo Birdy to my favorite Nephew!!

Can't believe you are 23!!!!!!!

NEW ORLEANS ~ A place where anything can happen!!

JUST BELIEVE !

I WANNA WALKABOUT !!

Lindsay - I can see why you fell in love with Australia. The land is beautiful, and the magic of the aboriginal people.....beautiful as well. Everything about this movie was great! I recommend it! Even though it is 3 hours long
It is just over flowing with beauty !

The scenery of the land is fantastic ( much better on the big screen!)

The little aboriginal boy that play Nullah
is adorable! And I believe in his magic !!
But the beauty I appreciated most .................................

I am thankful for............the weekend in MOAB !!

Can you see Em in there?

My biker guy !

Ma, Pa & Tess

Em & Tess

Joe & Tess
Wheelin' on the quads was so much fun! Who needs to eat & sleep!?

even though it rained all day Thursday, so it was more like mud racing!

Of course the best part of the trip, was our fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at the Red Cliff Lodge! The food was delicious, and the company even better!
My brother Dave and his family joined us. We had 25 in all! Fun Times!

Of course the next best thing was the kids! Love them! They brought the sunshine ! It was lots of fun watching them have fun!

Tessa - Kole - Ryker

Vicki and her kids

All the little Botts (and Mangums)

Ryker and his turkey

Off to the hills for some rock climbing
Ryker and Ethney all strapped in the Jeep, ready for some good times!

Here we go !

On the trail to the obstacles............

Tell me how those jeeps get up a canyon of rocks like this!!
Just a little maneuvering....and skill!

Ooopps!! Bryan leaned a little to far to the left!

Hang on kids.......we'll get you out of there!

Now- how do we tip this thing back up on all fours?!?!?! A little to much of the extreme for Grandma!!! WHAT A RIDE ! ! ! (thanks for the pictures Vicki & Joey- My brother Dave took about a million, so there will be more posted when I get a copy of his too! )

Tribute to a Great Man ~

"Come What May, and Love It" - Elder Joseph Wirthlin

S I M P L I F Y

"Those of us who have been around a while—and Elder Wirthlin and I have been around for a long time—have recognized certain patterns in life’s test. There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: “The best is yet to be." We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come. In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test—to return and live with our Heavenly Father—is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

These words of Elder L. Tom Perry, given in a talk just this past conference, hit home with us all. It is about Simplifying our lives......great advice. The whole talk is GREAT, and worth reading again. Nov. Ensign, pages 7-10.

Day of Glory !

CRIMSON HONOR - NO NEED TO SAY MORE!

HERE COME THE UTES !

I know you think that Utah football has taken over my life! Well.........it's true! This is the time of year I enjoy most in sports, and it's been great this year!

The lines have begun to be drawn....the colors are beginning to fly!!

This is one of the most exciting weeks of the year at our office ( sad, huh?)

But we really get into rivaly week. We have a pick the score contest !

(I've changed mine twice!) and it will be hard to win this year, because everyone's guess is so close to each others!

This is the week we come head to head in battle! I love the excitement! I love the atmosphere! I love the drum line! I love the game! I just love Utes football! Go ! Fight ! WIN !! (Stomp all over them!)