Wow, we're behind.......

Well, for the second straight week I am posting. I am turning over a new leaf. I have been cleaning, cooking, working, and now posting on our blog. (more will be explained later) As you can tell many holidays have come and gone and we have not posted a word about them or who we were with.

First things first....

We bought a car. We flew up to Utah about a week and a half before Thanksgiving and picked up our new 2008 Hyundai Sonata and yes we love it. We were planning on waiting until we had a baby before we bought one but due to the over zealous men in Corpus Christi we decided we needed one sooner. One day Lynette was walking to work and a man pulled along side her and asked her if she wanted a ride. She declined and he again insisted on giving her a ride, and again she declined. I don't know about you but I was pleased to hear she was alright. And after buying the new, I drive the old one and Lynette drives the new one. :) Could you imagine anything different?

Second......

We had an awesome Thanksgiving with the Bills here in Corpus Christi. The first Thanksgiving I had with the Weston's came when Lynette and I were dating. At that time, I convinced some of Lynette's family that we should have ourselves a football game while waiting for the food. As we began to explain the game and pick teams it dawned on me that Lynette and family had not grown up playing football in the backyard as often as it was played at my house growing up. (Thanks Rachel for some good times.) Well, to get back to this Thanksgiving my ward Elders quorum was hosting a Turkey Bowl. If you don't know what these are, a Turkey Bowl is where 20 and 30 somethings get to show-off and try to impress everyone else with their amazing football skills. There are always a few that are a little too wound up about this game and are decked out in all of their get-up. Shawn and I got talking about the game and I thought it would be a blast to have him there with my ward. He didn't seem to thrilled to play so we let him off this year in hopes he will play next year. His kids, on the other hand, did play and had a blast. Shawn, Bekah, and Lynette came, watched, and cheered on the kids as Isaac, Sadie, and Phebe played with all the young kids. (If you haven't had the chance to see their football skills, I suggest you play catch with them sometimes. ) Well to make a long story short, I get Isaac, Sadie, and Phebe on my side the next time we play with the Weston's.

We had a wonderful dinner in our small apartment. Bekah expanded our view of Thanksgiving by introducing Egg Rolls, place settings, and place markings made by the kids. I introduced a tradition of my own by making turkeys out of pipe cleaners and netting being filled with nuts and M&M's. It was a wonderful dinner and afterward we all played a rousing game of Fat Dog. Thanks for the great times Bills Family.

Don't be jealous of the 65 - 75 deg weather for Thanksgiving.

Everyone making Crafts and no we didn't wear the hats. (Thanks Shawn.)

The amazing table! (Thanks Rebekah and kids for all the decor.)

My family tradition. Miniature candy turkeys for everyone.

Rebekah and Lynette showing off their bubble blowing skills at the Beach.

Third.....

As was mentioned in the previous post, my nephew died. I will not say anymore as I have already posted about it.

Fourth.....

We're pregnant! We are currently 16 weeks along and loving the fact that we have a little one on the way. It has been hard as Lynette has been sick but we are getting through alright.

Fifth.....

We just had Christmas here at home. We love family and had planned to visit the Bills Family for Christmas and the New Year. Unfortunately, Lynette was not feeling well enough to go and our plans changed. (Hence the reason why I am doing so much around the house.) We had a wonderful time, but to our surprise we each had one gift sent to the Bills home. Lynette got me a Nerf gun that I was so wanting. Every time we go to a store and see them I tell Lynette that we should get two for us but she always said no. Apparently she gave in. I gave in to her request too and got her a grain mill. It was a wonderful Christmas and we enjoyed it so much. Thanks to everyone for helping make it so wonderful.

Well, that about sums up the past few months of our lives. Hopefully we can post more frequently but I am not guaranteeing anything.

My Nephew

I thought I would take some time today and post about by nephew. Many of you may know that I had a nephew who was battling a rare brain tumor called a Chordoma Tumor. In May of this year he was diagnosed and past away a few days after Thanksgiving. It was a very tender time as I began to think about what my brother may be feeling and thinking and realizing there is no possible way for me to comprehend what his family is/was going through. I love my nephew very much and it was so fun to be an outsider watching him grow up. Before making our trek to south Texas, Lynette and I found a second home with my brother Andrew and his wife, Jaime. We taught them the Weston tradition of Rook and Canasta card games and other fun games and spent many an evening with them. We watched their kids and played games, watched movies, read stories and many other things. As a result we became close to them and loved them. I am sad to see that Jared has passed away but I know that he is better and healthy. Unfortunately, for him to be happy where he is, his family is sad to have him gone. I thought I would attach the link to their story, I can only share it as an outsider and feel it should be shared from their point of view. Here is the link to their blog for those who would like to read it; jaredvance.blogspot.com. I thought I would attach a couple of my favorite pictures of my superhero of a nephew, Jared. The bottom shows Jared in the most touching picture (to me). There is something heavenly about seeing him resting with so much white around him.


I love my brother so much and am so sad to see him lose his son, but I know he has a testimony of the Gospel and will be stronger for it.

We love and we'll miss you Jared!