So, Utah... We Meet Again!

Saturday morning came waaay too early, and after staying up all night to finalize my packed suitcase and clean my mess of a room, we made it to the airport at about 8:20 for our 9:30 flight.

This was taken just before bidding 'adieu' to Cam, Trev, and Lance. Kevin and Audrey were still sawing logs at this point... and who could blame them? It was rather early!

There are two notable things about this picture:

1.) I am wearing not one, but TWO coats along with my snow boots

2.) I have one checked suitcase, one small carry-on suitcase, and a messenger bag for the next year-and-a-half. My dad made the comment, "You've packed less for your mission than you have for most two-week vacations!"
Can I get some applause, please? :)

We landed in Salt Lake, and after sleeping lightly {or not at all!} the night before, we were all exhausted. We stopped at Hires Big H for some super chilled rootbeer in a mug and burgers. mmm... delicioso!

... Here we go!

My bracelet

My charm bracelet is one of my favorite things in this world! So, knowing this, my wonderful family got me a couple of charms to have with me when I'm away from them!

It's getting full... I love it!

Lance gave me this puzzle piece charm for two reasons.
1) I "complete him" haha
2) I'm worried I'm going to get Alzheimers when I'm older because I hate puzzles, sudoku, crosswords, etc. which are all the things you're supposed to do to keep your mind fresh-- so, he said he would help me out with them and get me to love them!

Cam, Kevin, and Audrey gave me the Dutch snowflake charm. It's to help me remember that underneath the snow, are the flowers that will eventually come up, because winter always gives way to spring :)

And Mom, Dad, and Trevor gave me this Texas charm, because my heart does, and always will belong to Texas!

I just LOVE these charms, and I'm so thankful to have such thoughtful people who love me!

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. "

Yesterday, after playing a rousing game of Split the Ward, we went around the table and set one new year resolution-- In 2010:

Lance will read extracurricularly
Daddy will write to his Ohio-bound daughter once a week
Trevor will get his eagle
Momma will keep the island clean and de-cluttered
I will bite my tongue when the urge to be catty comes on

Heres to a 2010 filled with self-improvement :)

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!

Lance and I got all dressed up and spent our New Years Eve at Main Event. We arcaded it up and bowled a couple of games. There was a barbecue buffet, and free fountain drinks. We had a great time!

Here we are at the entrance

...and again in the roller coaster simulator

We played air-hockey twice, and I beat Lance TWICE!

Then we bowled twice, and he beat me-- TWICE!

Me, with my eight-pounder

...And Lance with his sixteen-pounder!

The actual countdown was rather anti-climactic because Lance and I were playing a gun arcade game when he looked down at his watch and said,

"Oh, it's 12:03... Happy New Year!"

Happy New Year...

When we left Main Event, we went to Cam's house for our midnight waffle breakfast to celebrate 2010!

Our table looked beautiful!

Kevin was proudly flaunting his Spurs win that night-- Cam was doing her best to keep him under control...

Ready for some fresh squeezed Arizona orange juice

"Larry" and "Curly"

Waffles

With fresh strawberries on top

and delicioso turkey bacon on the side!

We all then played rock band... Daddy was quite the singer!

He rocked it!

Trevor drummed like no other...

...And Lance was amazing on the guitar-- as always!

At the end of the night, we were all exhausted!

Molly looked like we all felt...
It was definitely time for bed when we all got home!

Here's to an amazing 2010...
Happy New Year!

A Fairytale of Humble Proportions

Once Upon a Time, in a land not so far away called Pine, Arizona, a beautiful maiden named Cheryl and a handsome young man named Kent, decided to build a darling little cabin. It was hard work, and while the cabin was under construction, this is where the young couple lived:

It was a humble little lodge in Strawberry, Arizona where light shone through the logs when the sun was up. It was cold in the winter, and hot in the summer-- so they were ecstatic when at long last, their cabin was finished!



And who wouldn't be thrilled? It was a beautiful cabin that was finished just in time for them to welcome their beautiful bouncing baby girl, Chelsea, into the world!

Here's the 'young maiden' with her granddaughter on her inaugural trip to the family cabin!

Trevor was in such a great mood our whole Arizona trip... He even helped mama do the dishes!

After we had Tacos Sunday night, Mom, Cam, Kevin, Trevor, and I played a rousing game of Scrabble...

Trevor looked so scholarly looking through the dictionary! He was on my team... We did great!

Mom's so good at this game, she was able to be on a team with herself!
Cam and Kevin played together, and they kind of cheated a lot-- We'll have to put them on separate teams next time! ;)

This wood-burning stove is awesome! It radiates so much heat-- just don't open the door when the flames are going at full blast! Trev learned that the hard way!

We had lunch (because we missed breakfast) here Sunday morning, and breakfast (because we missed it the day before) Monday! I think this is one of Daddy's favorite places in the whole world!

It was so nice to spend some time up here with the people I love before I leave for a year and a half... We definitely made some great memories, and I can't wait to bring my own family up here one day!

Pop, Lock, & Drop It...

My baby brother has some hidden talents...


He can 'pop, lock, and drop it' like no other 17-year-old white boy I've ever seen! What a talented brother I have!

Oh, and he also decided to Nair a portion of his leg in Wal-Mart...

Yes, we are all concerned...

Dairy Queen

One of my favorite things about Arizona is their Dairy Queens actually have butterscotch-dipped cones! It's a must whenever I visit Arizona!

The Holy Grail of Dairy Queen Ice creams... The butterscotch cone!

We're triplets-- and we all loved it!

It was so cold outside... Trevor and Audrey loved it though!

Daddy looked was really enjoying his special treat-- Ice cream is generally a no-no.

We {heart} Arizona DQ!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

...and all through the house we were all stirring and having a Christmas Party!

The girdle-buster was made, my how it looked hardy!
Whipped cream and chocolate-- we must all be careful so we don't get 'lardy'!

And Mama in her red, and Grandma Jones and Trevor in theirs
looked a lot like a gang-- so we tried to convince them to change their wears!

When Aurdey, just about as cute as a button could be, let out such a giggle
we all sprang in to action to see what caused the wiggle!

...There we found not one Audrey, but THREE
two that spell it with a "y", and one with a double "e"!

So, naturally we snapped a photo, and while we were there we found

Double "e"s three boys-- even though they were a bit more round!
{disclaimer: they all look amazing- NOT round. I took poetic liscence here for the sake of the rhyme! :)}

Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a growing family with lots and lots of love in the air!
On Trevor, On Chris the birthday twins

On Beau, on Audrey, the new best friends!

On Chelsea, On Tanner with all your pink and red!

On Cheryl, on Terry looking like a holly berry!

On Glen, On Scott, on Ben and on Chris-- I won't see you for two years, you're sure to be missed!

We had such a good time with our guacamole and tamale feast that was done up right
and now it's time for bed, so before we go to our houses and turn out the lights:

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!