Manti Temple

On Tuesday Brett and I had an awesome experience. We got to go to the temple with my sister to get her endowments taken out. It was the first time in a very very long time that Brett and I were able to attend the temple. We are excited to be on the right track once again and be able to take advantage of such a beautiful place as the celestial room of the temples. I had never been inside the Manti temple before and it was so beautiful and so peaceful. I'm glad that I was able to go, and also grateful to my sister who put a little fire under me to help get me there. I will always be grateful for that. It was emotional because I felt my Dad and Nana there with us. I am so proud of Alyssa and she has chosen a wonderful man to spend forever with and I know they are proud of her too.

Her wedding is on Tuesday. I still have a few things to get done for it. I am making a scrapbook for the sign in table and I am also making bracelets for the bridesmaids... (Thanks Diane for teaching me-- they are turning out so cute!)

J-E-W-K-E-S

This weekend was Joe's Valley! My stepdad's family goes there every year for the 24th weekend. I like to go. It was a lot of fun... We did a lot of things there....

Played games-- Alyssa and Kellen, Brett and I and Mom and Macy played a lot of games... which is typical while camping.. We even busted out monopoly..

Went 4 wheeling-- My uncles Boyd and Tom bring thier 4 wheelers and horses and they are a lot fo fun to play on...

Cliff jumping-- Joe's V alley Resouvoir is abotu 20 mins away from our camp site.... the water is pretty warm too.

Horseback riding--- Brett's second try on a horse... last time we rode Boyd's horses, one took off with him on it and he has been nervous ever since. We rode Tom's horses and he got the old tame one... no problems there. I got the crazy one that likes to run... luckily I dont mind.

We took the doggies.... Mimi was an angel dog... she did so good around the other dogs there, Lucy on the other hand was a disaster. Im not sure that she has ever been camping before... She barked at the other dogs, scratched on the door to the camper, And I thought she would be the tame one. maybe if we keep taking her she will get used to the idea. The Jewkes family does a lto of caming int he summer times. Joe's Valley is the biggerst and longest but there are several others-- Bear lake and Payson Canyon in August.

A Bridal Shower and A Karaoke Night!

On Saturday I hosted a bridal shower for my little sis. It ended up being a lot of fun. I dressed her up in a tutu and a veil and big beads. There was an awesome turnout... about 25 people. We played games and mingled.



My best friend Alana is moving home to New Hampshire this Friday. Her family lives there and she is going to go back to school there and live at home to try to save some money. I am pretty upset about the whole thing. We have been best friends since we met in 2005. We have been through a lot together and even lived together for a while right before I got married. She is one of the most amazing people I know and someone who knows me completely and understands me. I will miss her so much. So for her last hooray with the group we went to Achas for karaoke night. It was a lot of fun.

Here Comes The Bride

Isn't my sister lovely?

Lydia Kathryn Duval

My Brother Devin and sister in law Crystal had their first baby on Sunday. The bridal shower was on Saturday and she wasnt due for another 2 weeks so it was unexpected. They waited till the last possible second to go back to the hospital after they were sent home Sat night because it wasnt progressing. So Early afternoon on Sunday they went in and as soon as they checked her they said push and out she came. What a pretty baby. We have not been up to see them yet. I think we will wait till they get back home. They are in the Murray Hospital - (thats where she is from) I think they come home today so we will have to go see her.

They didnt tell anyone the name until after she was born. What a beautiful name it is. Kathryn is my step mom's (Devin's mom) name and i have always loved it.

So Congrats to them!!

S-M-I-T-H

THis weekend was the Smith Family reunion. It was really fun to spend time with the family.

Friday we both worked but we met up with them at the church for dinner and a family history game show.... Smithistory Squares. It started out with the siblings up there first and then they were replaced by one of their children. It was just like the game Hollywood squares with questions taken from our family history books that grandpa has written.


Then on Saturday we started out with humanitarian projects. We made quilts and folder games for kids. It was a lot of fun and I learned how to tie a quilt!

I had to leave for an hour or so for Crystal's baby shower. That was fun too. She ended up going into labor that same night and having the baby Sunday morning. I will post more about that later.

I came back to the reunion and everyone was playing games. We brought our tv and rock band which was a huge hit. There was a basketball tournament that was a lot of fun to watch.. i didnt play but BRett did.
Then we had dinner and the Talent Show. Its always so fun to see what the kids do for the talent show... Brett's act is his ukalailei. He doesnt knwo how to play anything but he pretends to know every song and this is his 3rd reunion doing that talent-- its still a big hit and everyone loves it. Its funny.

Sunday we went over to Wayne's house for dinner and a fireside which was really good.

So We had really fun time with family and we cant wait for the next one in 2011!

Farewell

Nathan went into the MTC Yesterday... We went the night before to take pictures since we couldn't all go say goodbye at the MTC. Only one car is allowed at the drop off plus Brett and I had to work.
We miss him already!
My sister in law Crystal is having a baby shower this weekend and I have wanted to try out making a diaper cake for a while and I think it turned out quite cute. I did it a bit different then most but i really liek it-- especially the pink cow on top.

Photo Shoot

This was Nathan's last week here before he leaves on his mission. Brett got to camp put with him on the 4th for a spot on the parade route, and they went bowing last night together, I know Brett is really going to miss him.

It is really sad for me to think he will be gone for 2 years. I love my little brother and I am going to miss him so much but I am so incredibly proud of him and what he is doing.

We had a farewell party for the family the other night and I was able to take a few pictures for his mission plaque. He is so handsome. I have to say that because he looks so much like Brett.

He will get set apart tonight and leave early tomorrow for the MTC.

I never posted a picture of my birthday present. I love it so much!


also-- my sister in law Nadia was finally able to pry this from my brothers fingers after years of hating it in her front room.... I told her a year ago that when she does we want it so she called 2 days ago and said 'come get it' so we ran right over. Its almost twice the size of ours long ways, a little shorted but a little deeper. Our fish are much happier in this one-- they were getting way too big for that other 39 gallon tank. There is a lot more room to swim around.