W - Siblings THANKSGIVING!!!

We are so lucky to have the greatest siblings in the world! We just want to thank them for being the great people that they are and let them know how much we love all of them!






Laurie & Ken



















Debbie & Joel



















Spencer & Becca



















Brian & Cali



















Lynnette & Neal













Melanie & Tom













David & Kimberly














Kami



















Chanae

We Love You All!!!

Sunday's THANKSGIVING!!!!

We have so much to be thankful for and some things we are MOST thankful for are our Savior Jesus Christ...





















temples...















and our living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson!

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of our lives and we are grateful for all that it gives us. Our lives, marriage and families are all blessings that we have thanks to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. We know He lives, and we know that He loves us- for this we are most thankful.

Yet more THANKSGIVING!!

We want to thank another fabulous couple for the role they play in our lives. The Baileys are always providing us with great laughs and funny stories of situations they get themselves into. They always provide us with great Sunday dinners and an awesome Bed and Breakfast for us when they go out of town. They are always the life at every party and go all out to have a good time. We love them very much and are very grateful for all they do for us!!















Mike is always supportive of us and is our local handyman. If there is something that Jeph can't fix, Mike is always willing to give it a try and do anything he can to help us out. Mike is always a good sport putting up with all these boys and their wives. He is very generous and we love having him in the family. Thanks Mike!

Lynn has been the best mother for her sons and has always done so much for her them. Her biggest concerns are always her children and will do anything to make sure everyone is happy and well. Lynn is someone we all respect and admire for raising 5 boys who all turned out pretty amazing, I must say! They all served full time missions and married in the temple. Mom has always worked hard to make sure her family had everything they need, financially and spiritually. You did a great job! Thanks mom!

We are grateful for all that Mike and Lynn have done and continue to do for us! Thanks!!

Another day of THANKSGIVING

Today's thanks goes out to the fabulous couple that brought me into this world. I have learned so much from them. One thing I have I got from my mom (involuntarily) is to talk in my sleep. I have always enjoyed talking to my mom after she has fallen asleep. She always comes back with some great response of nonsense and we all laugh and have a good time while she gets mad at us for bothering her while she is sleeping. It seems Jeph has discovered our fun game, but instead of harassing my mom, he harasses me while I sleep. I have been woken many times in mid sentence not knowing exactly how to finish my sentence or what I was telling Jeph. Though this game is currently only fun for Jeph, I would like to thank my mom for the countless memories of such good times and that now I will be able to pass the same joy that this has brought me on to my family. Thanks mama!















My dad, being the talented guy that he is, is always working on some project. For instance, last summer he added more cement for parking at our house. The summer before, he added a garage. He's moved the stairs in our house twice, he has added two decks to our house and refinished our kitchen, and besides all of this fun stuff, dad worked on the farm throughout the summer as well. I have learned that summer = projects! You can make anything you want. Also, if my dad doesn't know something, he reads the encyclopedia or the owner's manual or whatever is available. So I've learned not to settle for not knowing the answer but to look it up and do the research. Thanks papa!

Brent and Karla were married November 21, 1973 and have raised ten beautiful children and now have 21 ½ grandchildren (Cali’s due in January!) and counting. They worked hard to financially support such a large family but they worked even harder to make sure their children knew that they loved them and they understood the importance of the gospel in their lives. They sure have done an excellent job! Thanks you two and congratulations on 35 years together!!!

Week of THANKSGIVING!

Since Thanksgiving is so near, I thought we would dedicate a few posts to those we are so thankful for. The kick off post is going out to the guy who introduced us to one of the greatest food combinations ever!




















+















Mix the two together and you end up with a delicious meal!!!



Jeph was too young to remember his dad, and I obviously never had the chance to meet him, but those who did know him only have the best to say of him. Grandma Simmons was kind enough to make a book with pictures, poetry, and cards from those who knew him. Included in the book was a poem written by Grandpa Simmons after John passed away on November 20, 1987.

TRIBUTE TO A SON
This House still echos sobbing cries at night
a little boy who learned to live with pain
he grew into a man with courage great
endured his woe and seldom would complain.

Dear Righteous Son, your journey now is o'er
you lived your life like heros from the past
we miss your winning smile and thoughtful ways
you cast a dauntless shadow that will last.

You wed a lovely girl who bore five sons
your love a gleaming model to behold
a sweet companion just as brave as you
worth more to anyone than precious gold.

The world's a better place because of you
your example of true courage - a shining light
a beacon for all to follow and admire
beaming comfort to help others in their plight.

--Raymond E. Simmons
10-10-88






















I also wanted to thank him for his wonderful son Jeph and for giving him his beautiful smile!

October Photos

So it has been almost a month and a half since we have done any serious update on here. So here is that time in one post. Enjoy!

Jeph and I at the circus.















Mission Reunion - V's mission comp, Kim stopped by to see us!















Our drive up to Silver Lake with Mike and Kim

























































We went to Idaho and visited the famous Minidoka Dam.















This is what Jeph thinks all of Idaho looks like.














The park at Walcott Lake.














The Wilson Bed and Breakfast














Halloween Party...
































































































































Carving pumpkins with Mike and Kim




























The Branch Halloween party!

Venita's favorite

I figured I'd put this on here so Venita can laugh everytime she checks the blog

Peter B concert

As you all may have noticed, I had a birthday last week. Jeph surprised me this weekend by taking me to the Peter Breinholt concert at Thanksgiving Point. The amphetheater background was pretty sweet with the waterfalls and all and the music was as awesome as always!














Mike and Kim were great to make us dinner and join us for the concert.
Surprise Kim! As always, we're sure glad you came with us!















The awesome scenery and the opening band that no one knows.














Peter and the Big Parade














Us again, enjoying the music!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VENITA!!!

The Gorge 2008