One of the most funny things this Christmas was that Brad asked for a recipe book. We joked about it, but he was really serious. So, Santa came through and he did get his recipe book. I just hope that I can benefit from it and get a few good dinners.
Bob got her body pillow she so desired.
Its always so fun to have the little ones for Christmas. It adds alot more excitement to Christmas morning! We had a good one and hope all you did as well!
The Annual Cookie Party was much fun! We took lots of pictures, but takes too long to load them all, so this is a few! Hope everyone had as much fun as I did! Love you all!
I don't know why I am posting this, but I just thought it was too cute to let pass by. I sent this cute little mini tree to my Missionary and companion, because I wanted to start her Christmas off right. Besides, Missionaries are poor and need a little extra help. Not only that, this will most likely be their only Christmas Tree too. So, I just decorated it, rolled up some money to tie on, added a few little needed items and some gift cards and Voila!! This is the finished product! Cute, don't you think?
So...... we went to Cancun as part of a business trip we earned. We had a great time. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there. The water is so aqua and clear. I love it there. I love the warmth and the beauty.
This is Amanda with her friends. She makes odd friends wherever she goes. Below the same.
Beach view at Tulum. Isn't it just beautimus?
Tulum ancient ruins Thats all folk!! Buh byeIts so fun to be Grammy. Well, this week my name is Grammy. Last time it was Grandma Kongie. Either way, its just plain funny. I love to being Grammy. Its so fun. What could be more fun than baths, kisses night night through the railing spindles, tea parties, bedtime stories, and snuggles in the morning? Not to mention all the other fun and funny stuff! 
And another thing that is so so cool.... Jackson is obsessed with the vacuum. I love it because I benefit from it. I get my floors vacuumed every day. I hope he never outgrows this obsession. Its great!!
So...... the other night I was getting ready for bed and I pulled the covers back and it seemed like a spider jumped out at me. I screamed and pulled the covers back up so I could run get a tissue. I got my tissue and ran back to the bed and slowly pulled back the sheets to find this spider. It was big and scared me. With a closer look, I realized it was a plastic spider. Amanda had put it there because she wanted to tick me off or something. Can we say Paybacks?
Today while I was looking for something in the garage I ran across this note on Rachel's bike. Of course I had seen it before, but it just cracked me up again. She is just funny.
You gotta check out this new favorite spot of mine and Amanda's. Its not frozen yogurt like Cold Stone. This stuff is healthy and good for you. It tastes more like real yogurt but better. I don't love yogurt, but I really do like this stuff!
Check it out when you are in the area! YUM
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So today is 2 years to the day that Chad went on his mission. I have been thinking about him so much lately and just wondering, What if. I know..... that is dumb, but you can't help but wonder. I can't help but think what that reunion might have been like. Or what may have happened in the future. It still breaks my heart and we miss him so darn much. We have lots of good memories though and it comforts us.
This is the car that Chad wanted so so bad when he got home. 
From what I heard, he really loved this little old man without legs. It would have been fun to know the stories behind all the pictures. 
This is one of my most favorite pictures of Chad. It was taken shortly before he passed.
If you have not seen this, you should try to go see it before they take the flags down on Sept 15. Its in Sandy City by City Hall. You can write a letter to some of the troops. It is a pretty neat display and makes you reflect on Sept 11 and on how great this country is and how appreciative we should be to live here. Also, how much the troops are doing to keep this country free!
So, this is how I am feeling since my Kenyan kids went home yesterday! It was so sad to see them leave. I cannot believe how much they brought to our lives. Having met them, we just won't be the same. Hopefully, we will see them again someday. In the meantime, our hearts are sad that they have gone.
Some of the kids in the choir got the Chicken Pox. Unfortunately, Maxwel was one of them. He was so so sick. We didn't see him smile all day long until Brad offered to take him for a ride up the canyon in the corvette.
How can you not love a face like that?
After taking this family photo, we decided to take some funny faces photos. They all thought it was so funny, they laid on the floor laughing for the longest time! It was hilarious just to listen to them laugh so hard!
So, we had the opportunity to have the Kenyan kids back in our home again! We were so happy!! We have learned so much and our lives are so much richer, just having known them. Our love for them is so real and great. We wish everyone could share in our love for them. It is actually undescribable unless you have met them. Once you meet them, you understand. Its going to be torture when they have to go back to Kenya. Until then, we just get to love em, and have fun!
This is Edwin. In Kenya, the kids don't really know when their birthday is. Edwin told us it was his birthday August 22, and he had never had a birthday cake or presents. He wanted to celebrate and have us sing Happy Birthday to him. So that is what we did. I don't really know if it was his birthday or not. I didn't think it mattered actually.
Kombe had never celebrated his birthday either. In fact, none of them had. He wanted to be sung to as well and act like it was his birthday. It was so fun to help them celebrate!
We took them all on a shopping spree. Brad took the boys, and Amanda and I took the girls. They never get new clothes in Kenya. They get second hand clothes, or third hand. They were so excited to have their very own stuff to play soccer!!
Grace looked so beautiful in her new outfit and modeled it for us. I can't think of a better way to spend money than on people who really need new things!!
Maxwel was more than excited to get a new soccer ball, cletes and shin guards. Its so fun to put a smile on their faces!
This is Brad with Kache. She is an orphan at the Orphanage. She is 16 and is so so sweet and kind. She is soft spoken and very well behaved. She is LDS and also bore her testimony when she came to church with us. She was very impressed by all the temples we have here in Utah and encourages us to go there often, as she has not had the opportunity until she came to America for the first time this summer!
This is Kombe. He is so cute and loveable. He is extremely funny and has a great sense of humor. When he starts laughing, you cannot help but laugh yourself, even though you don't even know what he is laughing about. He laughs all the time! He is very full of life! He is 12.
This is Maxwell. He is quiet, but wants attention. He is also softspoken, but full of personality. It took a little longer to get to know Maxwell, but wow, he is so sweet and kind. He is also very funny. He has a beautiful smile! He is 11.
This is little Edwin. He is 11. He is quiet but so sweet, you cannot help but love him from the beginning. He loves attention, but does not want you to know that. He is so loveable. Amanda had fun just smothering him with love.
Edwin giving loves.
It was really fun to take them boating. It is awesome to be able to share something with someone who has never experienced that sort of fun. We enjoyed just seeing them smile and giggle.
This has got to be one of my favorite things about summer! I love pea's. They are so delicious! Especially right out of the garden and into my mouth. No cooking necessary. In fact, they don't make it to the stove, because I eat them faster than anyone else. I probably have the worlds fastest podding record. Its more fun this year too, because no one is here I have to share them with. (haha) I am very selfish with my pea's. A great big shout out to my Dad for planting, weeding, watering, spraying, picking, and all the other details it takes to get my pea's to me. You too Mom. Thanks a million! No one really knows how much I appreciate them except ME! 
We had the privedge of going to a wedding this past weekend in Portland. It was so beautiful. Congratualtions to the sweetest and cutest couple! We love you!!
Last week we went to the Oregon Coast. We had a blast. Time always flies when you have fun and it went by really fast. We have such a great time and create some fun memories as well. We really missed Roach this year! 
