December 2009

While were in Utah the first week of December for Grandpa Patten's funeral we went to see the lights at Temple Square. We didn't have too much time because we had to get Cory to the airport. It was freezing and snowing a little. We went around trying to find a parking spot. We were in the parking lot of a Church not far from the square looking for a place to park. We were in two cars, Shawn, Kim, Stacy and Christy were in one car and Mike, me, Cory and Jimmy were in another car. Shawn was in front. He thought he saw a parking spot and turned a corner in the parking lot...we heard a crash and Mike said "did they just hit a car?" We couldn't see because they had turned the corner in front of us. We stopped and got out of the car and sure enough they had turned the corner and slid on the ice...the car just slid side ways into a parked truck. Shawn and Kim's car got the worst of it! They hit the truck's bumper, it didn't really have any damage that was too noticeable. Shawn left a note on the truck saying "Merry Christmas-- sorry I hit your truck", along with his insurance info on the note. By then it was time for us to take Cory to the airport so we left while the others walked around Temple Square...I didn't feel too bad though because it was freezing outside and I was glad to be in a warm car! The kids took my camera and took some pictures so here they are!

Jimmy Stacy

Christy

Shawn

The next morning we went back to Temple Square so that Jimmy could take some pictures for his Photo class...it was still freezing. Luckily we couldn't take too much time because we had to fly back home in the afternoon. By the time we finished at Temple Square I couldn't feel my feet or my nose! I don't think I would last very long in a Utah winter!

Visiting with some sisters that Christy knew on Temple Square. Jimmy taking photos on the square. Mike bundled up for the cold.

Grandpa Patten

March 19, 1915-December 1, 2009

Michael's father passed away on December 1, 2009. Grandpa has been trying to go for about a year now so we are happy that he is finally with his wife and family on the other side. Grandpa has been such an example to us in our life. We have wonderful memories of Grandpa and will really miss him.

The day before he passed away. The Viewing

Stacy and Christy putting the palbearers flowers on Shawn, Cory and Jimmy.

Kim, Shawn, Stacy and Christy saying good-by to Grandpa.

Cory, Stacy, Christy, Kim, Shawn and Jimmy

Jimmy, Shawn, Kim, Stacy, Christy, Cory, Pam, Michael

The Burial

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a little different for us. For about the last 18 years or so we have been going to St. George Utah to my mother's for Thanksgiving. My brother Kevin and his family came from Colorado and my brother Brian and his family came from Cedar City. My sister also came a few times from California. My grandparents who lived in St. George were also there for Thanksgiving. It was always such a fun time with everyone there...the hiking...the card games, the laughing til our sides hurt, the eating, the rice puff balls, the movies, the shopping...all so much fun. When mom passed away in February we knew that this Thanksgiving would be hard. We all have to make new Thanksgiving traditions. We spent Thanksgiving at home with our family, me, Michael, Christy and Jimmy. Cory and his family came and spent several nights here too. We played games, ate too much, laughed til our sides hurt, had rice puff balls and tried not to miss mom so much. We had a very nice Thanksgiving but we sure missed mom and my siblings and their families! We really appreciate mom for having us all there every year for Thanksgiving and providing us with eternal memories. We will always remember the wonderful Thanksgivings in St. George with our mom and our grandparents.

Thanksgiving dinner

Butters, Megan and Jonny chillin!

Jonny and Megan putting puzzels together.

Butters turns 2 years old!

Butters turned 2 years old on Nov. 24th. Here she is in her new bed she got for her birthday!

Jimmy made a cake for Butters...of course we had to eat it all for her. She did get a dinner treat though.

Disney on Ice...the Princess Classics!!

Thanks to Christy's great idea, me, Christy, Megan, Kristal went to see Disney on Ice the Princess Classics last night at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. It was really fun. The show was really cute. Lots of beautiful princesses, fun music, ice skating and great visuals! And of course there were some not so shabby Princes too!

We were fairly high up but we actually had a great view! We were able to see everything. Of course I had a little bit of a problem. I hate heights...It took me almost one hour into the program before my vertigo subsided and I could actually let go of the chair. It doesn't make sense but the steepness of the seating really bothers me. I have to hang on for dear life for awhile before I can feel comfortable. I don't know why...even if I fell out of my seat I don't thing I would fall to far!

Here we are in our seats...Kristal, Megan, Christy and me!Megan and Kristal Christy and Megan Me Christy and Megan

Grandma Patten's Birthday October 1st

I think Grandma is anxious for Grandpa to join her! 

Today would have been Grandma Butler's 100th. Birthday.

We love you Grandma and

miss you!

Grandma and Grandpa Butler

 

Grandma and Grandpa Butler and mom. (Grandma Angus)

 

Mom, Grandma Butler, Aunt Jerrolyn, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Ilene.

 

I wanted to post a picture of Grandma helping me put my veil on in the Lobby of the Provo Temple the day I got married.  It would not scan so I will have to work on it and post it another time.  Grandma Butler went through the Temple with me when I got my Endowments and helped me the day I was sealed to Michael.  What great memories!

Jimmy's Birthday

Jimmy's birthday was on Friday September 18th.  We all went to Olive Garden (Jimmy's favorite place to eat) to celebrate.  On Saturday Cory and Kristal and the kids came over and we celebrated  Jimmy's birthday with the cake and presents and pizza.

Before the fun began Kristal slipped out to the fabric store and Christy went to Target.  While they were away Adam had a messy diaper.  All the diapers were in Kristal's car so we called Christy to get some diapers at Target and bring them home.  In the mean time Cory cleaned Adam up and I found a towel for a diaper.  As you can see by the picture below Adam was not impressed with the diaper.  He didn't like it very much!  He was tired anyway so he layed on the couch and fell asleep.

Cory was recently released as the Ward Mission Leader and put in the Young Mens with the teacher age boys. They have been learning about guns, shooting etc. Cory thought it was fun so he bought his own pellet gun. Cory and Jimmy set up a target in the backyard and shot at it. Jimmy was using a BB gun that was in the attic...I think it is Shawn's. They had a lot of fun...two city boys playing with guns!

This is a card signed by Butters to Jimmy!

The opening of the presents! It was a miracle...he actually got all presents and no IOU's written on a post it note. We usually get a couple of  post it notes with IOU written on them for our birthdays!

Cory wrapped Jimmy's present in the diaper box and used the diapers as filling!

The gang!

The cake and the singing!

A New Lawn!!

Last Thursday we had 1800 sq. feet of sod delivered!  Jimmy's summer job...and it turns out Pams too, was to dig up all the old lawn and get it ready for new sod.  Mike worked on putting  in a new sprinkler system. We had a big gopher problem in our backyard last winter and Mike has spent the spring and summer killing as many as he could.  We finally went a month or so without any gophers and claimed victory.  Then we called to have the new sod delivered and just before we got it  a new gopher hole appeared.   Mike put the poison down the hole and we think he is DEAD, or so we hope.  The gophers really tore up our yard.  Anywho...we did get our sod delivered and Jimmy and I spent Thursday and Friday laying the sod.  Mike had to work but he did help a little too.  I don't know what I was thinking!  It took me several days to be able to sit down and get up without pain after laying the sod!  Jimmy did all the heavy carrying,  I just rolled it out and did the cutting.  It is way more work than it looks!  We can't walk on the lawn or enjoy it yet but it sure looks nice!

Here Is Jimmy on Thurday as we were laying out the sod.

Butters enjoying the lawn.

When we were thinking we were almost done we still had all of the side yard to do!

The new lawn on the side yard!

The new lawn along the back!