Whitney & Tom Gourley's Wedding: Oct.24th & 25th, 2009

We are so happy for Whitney and Tom!!! What a wonderful weekend, and reconnecting with the DC girls at the same time was a blast (see all of their blogs)!! Whit and Tom were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 24th and had a beautiful ring ceremony and reception at Sundance on the 25th. The girls all had a sleep over at Traci Rampton's in-laws home (not a lot of sleep that night...) and it was wonderful to be with Whitney again so much that week.
The girls outside the SL Temple: Adrienne, Jill, Mauri, Kathy,

Anna, Catherine, Claudia, Traci and Cher

Inside the Sundance reception - sane group, adding in Whitney (gorgeous bride)!

Dinner with Frank Abagnale, October 24

If you haven't seen the movie Catch Me If You Can you may not be that familiar with Frank Abagnale, but I remember seeing that movie and being astonished that it was based on a true story. Matt and I attended a dinner at The Grand America Hotel with Matt's parents and were so excited to hear Frank Abagnale address the group as the keynote. We did not leave disappointed and I am now eager to read his autobiography, and am so inspired by what he's learned, what he teaches, and how he is so apply able to transfer that wisdom to others. His version of his life differed a little from the movie, but not by much, and he explained why there were some creative licenses taken with his story when it was made into a motion picture.

Pumkin Patch & Halloween!

First of all, the trees in our neighborhood look like this during the fall, and I wish this picture could do it justice because the streets look like they are on fire - it's beautiful.
Dad carved the best pumpkin this year & took great pride in it. It was pretty cool - see below!

Dad and the kids at our carving-fest!

Kayla and some cousins picking out their favorite pumpkins.

No, that was not Matt's final selection - I think he knew I would decorate with some fun small ones, but it still looks funny that he's carrying that one around while the kids were carrying gigantic ones!

Natalie, Kayla & Lauren

The Stockwell gang!

California... this time with the kids! Oct. 15-19

Noah, Kayla, Sarah at Salt Creek

Nate, Kayla & Mira at RFD!!

Shaun & Matt


We love the Goodsells!! Glen, Faye, Tess & Noah (pictured here), we miss you!

Mira, Nate & Kayla at Universal Studios with Sponge Bob...

Matt & Cher at Salt Creek

Matt in his happy place...

Great Nate

Matt's favorite bird...the Great Blue Heron

We spent an afternoon with the Eichenberg's in Newport Beach. Such dear friends that I wish we could see more of! They took us out on the "Duffy" to the Cannery for lunch, and then back to their house for a few hours. Bob let Nate and Kayla drive the Duffy...they're pros!

Robert Monson's 68th Birthday!

Tonight we celebrated my dad's birthday with my Aunt Irene and Uncle Terry and their son (my cousin) Brett Jenkins and his wife, Kathryn, and their son's Landon, Parker and McKay. It was a lot of fun to hear stories about the Monson side of the family, and to see the interaction of my dad with his family. It has been so much fun having him living nearby - and the kids love it just as much as I do! Happy Birthday - we love you so much!

California! September 25-27, 2008

We had a wonderful QUICK trip to California a couple of weeks ago. I had just worked a LONG week the week before with my job's annual convention, so I needed to relax and to be no where near work to recuperate! This trip was just the perfect balance between visiting loved ones and getting pampered. One of the highlights to the trip was an afternoon with my friend and former room mate, Jen Hawkins. We spent the afternoon at the Burke Williams Spa to celebrate her birthday (2nd year in a row)! I didn't take a picture, unfortunately, on this trip, but here's one from when we were room mates. I also found one from the wedding (with my bridesmaids)... Jen's the one second from the left. I love you, Jen!

Some of our dearest friends and their beautiful family!

Michelle and Stan Mortensen and their kids Ella and Steven.

Louise Jones was my former Relief Society president in the Corona del Mar ward and she and her husband, Chris, are just dear to my heart.
Matt and my brother, Shaun, got in touch with their feminine side with a little pedicure...
Kristy Dunning and Rowan and Sarah (and baby #3 on the way soon)! Love you, Kristy!

The only photo's missing are of our dear friends, the Goodsells. We love you guys so much and promise to get a picture for our blog when we're back there, next!

Kayla... sooo pretty.

Kayla & Jessica and the tiniest dog I've ever seen!
Jessica & Kayla and their music teacher, Mrs. Jones.
Kayla was just walking around the house this particular Sunday and she caught my eye - she's just so pretty and growing up so fast in this last year that I couldn't help taking pictures of her. Matt adores his girl(s)!!!

Lisa Lybbert's Wedding! August 9, 2008

Lisa & David Piantanida!

Snowbird, Utah
Cher, Lisa & Caroline at the reception
Jen, Cherstyn, Lisa, Caroline, Rachel at the reception

Dad's Birthay - August 14, 2008

( What fun to have Dad in town (Mom was with him for the whole summer except for the last little bit when she had to get back to St. George, and Dad stayed to watch some grand kids) for his birthday!! We sure love you, Dad!
(L to R: Cher, Kayla, Nate, Sydney, Dad, Connor, Michael, John, Laurie, James, Tresa, Jordan, Ashlee, Aliyah)