Liam Loves Christmas

We were excited to get to watch Liam for the afternoon on Saturday. He's loved Grandma's bear and Christmas decorations, so we decided to take some pictures. What a cute little boy!

O Christmas Tree

Saturday found us stepping foot upon a Christmas tree lot for the very first time. It was tough (and a litte disappointing) to not be out hunting for our tree in the wild, but you gotta do what you gotta do. After some debate and deliberation, this is the tree we brought home.

CAUTION: CONSTRUCTION ZONE.

Okay. So I didn't actually want to be left out of the Blog-Movement. So here is my blog:

www.smilingtherainaway.blogspot.com

But please be aware, it is still in the experimental construction stages...don't judge harshly...

Grandma's Birthday at McGrath's

Scotty's Blog!

I've decided to join the rank of cool family members who have their own blog. You've probably noticed that I post things so often on the family blog that it's really about time I had my own. Enjoy! Scotty's Blog

End of an Era

These are the adorable kids we've taught in Primary for the last six months. We have had so much fun teaching this 5 year old class. They are funny kids, and we are always amazed at how smart they are. Our ward was just split this Sunday, and we will no longer be in the same ward as any of these little cuties. We'll sure miss them!

Squaw Peak

I had a great time hiking Squaw peak and seeing the beautiful fall leaves.

Liam's cake

We had a family party for Liam the other night. He loves trains, so I made him this Thomas cake. As soon as I set it down, Liam and Lucas ran over and started eating the chocolate chips and M&Ms off of it! (Can you blame them?!) He was spoiled with lots of train, car and sporty things! Thanks to all who came and made it great!!

Liam and Ellie

Liam (for the most part-- until he got jealous) loved having Ellie here! I love this picture of Liam taking Ellie for a ride on his "motorcycle bike"!

Liam and his frozen friends

Liam was hanging out with these boys at the state fair when a mad
scientist came running in with his freezobronzoraygun. Luckily it ran
out of energy before he could get Liam. And luckily we got this shot
right on the exact moment before Liam realized what was happening and
used his Kung Fu moves on the villain.

Park City

This week we celebrated our second anniversary. We spent most of the week in Park City. We were both a little sick, so we spent most of the time relaxing, playing Wii games, watching movies and just hanging out together. But we also did go walk around Main Street, rode the Alpine Slide and went shopping. Our hotel was right up against the mountain in front of the Alpine Slide. You can see it in the background of the picture to the right.

Girls, Girls, Girls!

Friday night the girls came down to stay the night. My friend, Mindee, is a Mary Kay consultant and came to do a skin care class. Those lovely lips you see come from the lipstick samples. We had a lot of fun with the girls. Now we'll have to have a party with all the older girls.

More too!

PLEASE Sir, may I have some more???

Practicing Portraits

I know this isn't really a "Show off your wife" blog... But mine is REALLY cute. :)
Michelle let me take some pictures of her this last week. These are some of the results.

This is how Liam feels about shopping.

Llama Fest!

Yesterday was the 14th annual Llama fest at the Krishna temple here in Spanish Fork. Ever since I saw Megan's shirt (that I now somehow own...) I have wanted to go. Since we're now Spanish Fork residents, we decided it was about time. The temple is really pretty and sits up on a hill so you can see the whole south end of the valley. The llamas were pretty cool, but since we didn't fork over the money to buy treats for them, they weren't so interested in us.

A force to be reckoned with...

Watch out, Spring Breakers 2024.

The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden...

So that's what we did...

We've decided to try our hand at gardening. And look! We didn't kill everything (just the carrots, and the lawn)! From left to right you will see: tomato plants that have taken over more than their fair share; cucumbers that are now full of yellow flowers waiting to become vegetables for our salads; lettuce that is already being used in our salads; a poor blank spot in memory of the carrots that were planted there; cantaloupe, also flowering; and last but not least, some flowers thrown in for good measure.

In Loving Memory

Last night we said goodbye to an old friend. She was a sweet girl who worked hard to make sure our family was always headed somewhere good. She was the most unselfish friend we could have asked for; always willing to help carry our heaviest loads. Looking back it seems like pretty much everywhere we'd go, Ninja was sure to be with us. We couldn't even bear leave her behind when we went on our honeymoon!

We all knew this day would someday come. We all get older with time and these bodies of ours
can't hang on forever. Ninja slipped away quickly. Wherever she has gone now, we are certain she will be working hard to bring the same joy to others as she did to us.

Ninja is survived by her little sister Daphne who has already shown a determination to follow in her sister's tradition of lifting others' burdens and carrying the people she loves when they are too weak to make the journey alone.

Funeral information was posted on KSL cars last night at 7:30. By 8:00 we had already received more than a dozen calls from well-wishers offering their condolences and a place for her to rest. After a brief viewing, the services began. She had requested the traditional services had by her people: the Title Transfer, the Final Transit, and the culminating License-Plate ceremony.
While she is no longer with us in person, we know she will always live on in our hearts.

Red Pine Trail

Mom sledding on the 4th of July? For anyone who wasn't able to come along on the Red Pine Trail hike, we've posted pictures taken along the way, including some more wintery summer-time fun, in Zack's web album.

The Pushups

Grandpa Baker, Lucas and Liam do their pushups

Jonathan Sings

Roger Sings

Roger showing us his singing exercises

Ryan's Stanford Graduation

It's official!

Father and son/s walking across beautiful Stanford campus.

Congratulations to Ryan who received his Phd in Philosophy from Stanford June 15. It was a very fun graduation. Oprah Winfrey was the speaker and gave a great talk - teaching gospel truths about faith, hope and charity although she called it "feelings, failures and finding happiness." Jackie, Jonathan, Lucas, Jackie's parents and Dad and I were all there to cheer for Ryan. Of the four pilosophy Phd recipients, Ryan is the only one with a job!

Ryan looks very regal is his Stanford regalia.

Ryan, Jackie and the boys rented a van and drove with Jackie's parents to the graduation. After graduation they are headed to Yosemite for some great sight seeing on the return trip to Utah. (Dad and I did the boring thing and flew.)

Brooklyn's Baptism

Brooklyn's baptism went really well. She was SOO excited! I'm glad that the day turned out well for her, despite the rough road getting there. She was baptized by dad and confirmed by her grandpa Allison.

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without a few crazy things! In the morning while I was running around trying to get myself (and a talk) and the kids ready, I threw cinnamon rolls in the oven that the filling spilled out and smoked up the whole house!! And, right before the confirmation, Liam was sitting on a chair and I turned for a second and he fell face first on the wood floor. Like our unicorn son?

Brooklyn in her cute dress that Mom got for her.