Missionary Life

What an exciting time of life getting a missionary ready to receive his call. Several of Tyler's friends are serving or leaving very soon. It just seems like yesterday he was out riding his razor scooter and causing all kinds of trouble in the neighborhood. We are so proud of the great young man he has become. The next month will be very exciting as he receives his call.

Tyler graduated from American Fork High School we are so proud of him and what he has accomplished. We look forward to whats in store for the next year. He is so excited to be done with school and relax for a month or so. We are so grateful for friends and family and what they have done for our family. Congrats Tyler Graduate of 2009.
Tom Ballard and Tyler graduated over and done so proud on you both!

Happy Birthday Tyler

I was feeling pretty good when I got up yesterday worked out at the gym came home when to have our taxes done and on the way home from Provo I had a melt down.  Tyler turned 18 which is not a bad thing, but I let my mind wander and we only have 9 months until he can send in his mission papers.  WOW I teared up in the car and thought my time is flying by.  Don't get me wrong I am so excited that he wants to serve a mission I am just not ready for it to be happening so fast. So after a good cry I pulled myself together and went on with the rest of the day.  I hope he had a great birthday.  Now for the next big event graduation if he can make it through the rest of his senior year.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER WE LOVE YOU

Great Friends

Meadowbrook ROCKS!  Joe and I are so lucky to live in such a great neighborhood.  This year for the Christmas party we went to play laser tag then had dinner at Los Hermanos.  I consider this neighborhood my second family.  The friendships that we have are priceless.  Thanks for the great times that we have had and many more to come.
This year for Christmas Tyler just had to have this jacket he is the one in white.  It's creepy to see him zip it all the way up although he says its great for removing snow it keeps your face really warm.  Tom is sporting the multi color jacket.

I am so grateful for such great young men that Tyler is associated with.  He has had the opportunity this year t0 meet Sam he is a foreign exchange from Brazil here for the school year. Adam (little derf) and Tom.   They know how to have a great time and have such great standards.  They were preparing to attend a school dance and all had a great time.

Family

Wow Alan is now about 7 feet tall I guess eating your veggies even as adult you can still get taller.
On Christmas Eve the Ashby family will get together to have a wonderful dinner and then exchange gifts.  Joe's mom has a wall at her house where everyone marks how tall they are every time we get together like the brothers are still growing.  They hate the fact that Tyler is now taller than all of them by 1/4 inch.  Notice in the first family picture to the 2nd Joe's brother Alan suddenly grew about 8 inches he just about cut his head out of the picture.  We are so lucky to have such a great family and to celebrate the holidays with them.

Christmas Traditions

The day after Thanksgiving my mother has all 21 grandkids come to her house to decorate the Christmas tree.  After they are done they all head upstairs to decorate gingerbread cookies.  This is a highlight for all the kids even the big kids think this is great.  Sugar overload is an understatement by the end of the decorating.  That evening around 10pm  the sisters the girls 12 and older head out to shop and will usually stay out until wee hours of the morning.  Even if you don't buy anything you still have a great time.  This year at the Parker Christmas party we decided to put items together for the House of Hope located in Provo instead of buying Christmas gifts for each other.  What a rewarding experience it was for all the family to help with such an awesome project.  Thanks to all my family members for making it a success.  

On Friday night we headed up to Zoo lights it was very cold, but we had so much fun.  My parents went and we met my sister and her family there.   I think this could become a tradition to try and do every year.
We had the Scott family Christmas party today.  I love going because there are some family members that I only see once a year.  Tyler was so excited to sit on Santa's lap he told him all he wanted for Christmas was more hugs from his Grandma.  The little kids thought he was so funny.  You can never be to old to sit on Santa's lap.

On Halloween we were so lucky to have a visit from Hannah Montana and her biggest fan.  Can you guess which Doctor is that I work with ?I am so lucky to work with such a great group of people at Utah Valley Pediatrics.  Shaylee, Polly and I decided to go all out and dress as M&M's the kids loved it.  I am still silently laughing about the lunch visitor.