February features

Callie & Rayson celebrate birthdays. Brennan joins the family! Downtown Salt Lake City continues to rise. Princess Audrey plays sleeping beauty. Jami and Carolyn goof off trying on skinny jeans just for laughs. Chuck E. Cheese entertains while Bullocks go cruising.

We do so enjoy our lives, do we not!?

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands of our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities."
--- Pres. Benson ---

Love,
Momma & Poppy
Carolyn & Lane

Sweet Home UTAH

January 2010 wrap up:

A 3 hour layer over in Seattle yields breakfast with Lincoln & Carrie's family and Britni & Brian's family. A small happy miracle!

My momma hosts her annual "snowman" dinner in the dead of winter. All local Creek children appreciate the culinary talents of this renowned food-pusher.

Anissa's science project measures the likelihood of drawing out a red M&M from a bag. (Why didn't I think of that?)

Jami turns 23 and shares her chocolate mousse pies after a swim party.

Tagg makes every blog better!

Lane loses his 3 week beard and we are happy to be home again.

Love,
Dad & Mom
El & Sea

OAHU done right!

Our plan: 1 island - OAHU, 4 different beach house rentals on 4 different coasts/shores.

But first...what to do when the airline delays your Waikiki Beach access 7 hours?
-Eat at the LAX Encounter Restaurant, using your free airport vouchers.
-Download backgammon on your iPhone.
-Crochet an afghan.
-Nap on the floor.
-Take great pleasure in the FREE first class upgrade to Hawaii.

Waikiki...Diamond Head...next stop...
North Shore Highlights
Jan 5th-10th

Randi...Hau Tree Beach House rental... ...Matsumoto's Shave Ice...Bonzai Pipeline...PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center)..."Ha', the Breath of Life", stage show...

West Shore Highlights
Jan 10th-14th

Wai'anae beach house rental...unusual home design...sounds of crashing waves lull us to sleep...sunsets on the front lanai...keep the black flag handy for ants...nearby transient beach camps...you know you're in Hawaii when milk is $7.29 a gallon...

Waikiki Beach Highlights
Jan 14th-17th

Sunsets...Ala Moana Beach Park...McArthur girls visit...Paige transforms into a sea creature...Lane transforms into a hairy monster...Carolyn crochets...Honolulu Stake Conference...

East Shore Highlights
Jan 17th-22nd

Kailua beach...Lanikai beach...Boots & Kimo's macadamia nut pancakes...Musibe sandwiches (spam, rice, seaweed wrap)...indoor lizards...snorkeling with sea turtles, dolphins, fishees, McArthur Clan...horseback riding...

Mt. Olomana hike...

puzzle building...

afghan complete...out of yarn projects...time to head home.

ALOHA!
Dad & Mom
Lane and Carolyn

two zero one zero

Good bye 2009...it's been an experience.

We look back with grateful hearts.

An Ensign article held special meaning during a particularly trying time for us. A few quotes follow:

"In one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, every one of us is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail - spiritually speaking...
"Furthermore, we note that not only has the Savior suffered, in His case entirely innocently, but so have most of the prophets and other great men and women recorded in the scriptures. The point is this: if you are having a bad day, you've got a lot of company - very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived.
"...every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through it. These difficult lessons teach us that man's extremity is God's opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples - or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace."

Thank you Elder Holland. And thank you to each of our children for your support, prayers and listening ears. Talking it out proved very theraputic.

Welcome 2010!!!

Love, Dad & Mom
Lane & Carolyn

Ute Bowl Game

What a difference a day makes!
This time warm sun.
Beach time was much enjoyed.
The smiles were genuine.
Tagg saw this game.
Fabulous fireworks at half.
UTES win!
(was there any doubt?)



Good sports rode in our carpool.
Thanks!
We also appreciate trading vehicles
with the Hill family for 3 days.

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

BYU Bowl Game

One thing stands out above all else
(even 4 months later).
Ask anyone who was there.
Check with X, KC, Randi, Caden,
Meredith, Tyson, Taggart or Lane.

It was FREEZING!!!

On an already chilly night we struggled to withstand wind gusts (up to 55 mph) the entire game. Mer and Ty took turns rotating out to the van for Tagg's comfort. Carolyn found a spot under the stadium and sat out 3rd quarter. Nobody likes a complainer, but this was not fun! We smiled for the picture because the game was over and we could leave.

However, highlights happen...
A visit to the Las Vegas Temple grounds.
Being with family.
Meeting die-hard BYU fans.
Oh, and the Cougs ate the Beavers for dinner!

So Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out
We're on a trail to fame and glory.
Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out
As we unfold our vict'ry story.
On we go to vanquish the foe
For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.
As we join in song,
In praise of you, our faith is strong.
We'll raise our colors high in the blue
And cheer our Cougars of BYU.

Go Cougars!

We are so glad Caden joined us.
Love, Dad & Mom
Lane & Carolyn

Merry Christmas 2009

While shepherds watched

their flocks by night
all seated on the ground...

...an angel of the Lord came down
and glory shown around...

We really enjoyed the evening with family.
Carolyn is grateful for the support of this tradition.
Lane was glad for an excuse to rearrange furniture.
It wouldn't be a shepherd's dinner without squirt cheese.
Shalaun involved everyone during an
entertaining music time.
The scented candles were a little overwhelming.
Chicken pillows are preferred to pita bread sandwiches.
It is possible to seat 25 for dinner in our apartment!

Let's do it again soon!

Merry Christmas and Happy birthday to the sweetest babe, the Christ child and Savior of the world.

With love,
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane