Wow! I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my last entry...lazy, lazy, lazy. Sorry;(. The past few weeks have been busy. We took the 4-wheelers out over conference weekend and went camping...ok, I didn't technically go camping...I slept in my own bed every night....but Ed, Jordy, and Colton camped. That's what happens when you camp 40 minutes from home I guess... king size feather bed all to myself, and a nice warm jetted tub, or a trailer with a bunch of camp fire stinky people...anyway, I made my choice!
I really enjoyed watching conference. I always look forward to it. I got this love from my mother. I always feel her with me while I watch. We took the satellite dish with us, and watched the sessions in the trailer. This was kinda fun. I did stay home sunday, and watched curled up in my bed, in a very quiet house. Mmmmmm, it was awesome. Anyway, what a thrill it was to participate in the solemn assembly. President Monson is truly a prophet. What a blessing it is to have this personal confirmation by the Holy Spirit. We are truly blessed.
Last week Ed and I spent 4 days in St. George. What perfect weather! We left Wednesday afternoon. Ed had a conference on Thursday, so I spent the afternoon with Sharee (she lives there) shopping and lunching. I had breakfast every morning at the poolside... did I mention perfect weather? Anyway, Ed and I shopped Friday until we couldn't fit one more thing in the car. It was a very welcome break from the cold weather. We did our best to bring some sunshine home with us...lasted a good two days I think, and then yep, more snow....at least it doesn't stick around this time of year. Anyway, we are all doing well...Tyson is having a fabulous time in Texas. He had 2 more baptisms last week. He did have a knife pulled on him by a drunk man, but he swears it was nothing for his mom to panic about...or his Grandma Olive. We both gave him a good talking to about staying out of trouble...but I am sure he wasn't listening to either one of us....
I hope all is well with everyone.... Joey

Fun Week!

Ok, so I have missed a post or two the last few weeks, so I will try to fill you in. On 2/12/08 my friend Sharee was up from St.George for a business meeting. She came up a day early so that we could get together for lunch...so Toni, Sharee, Kori, Heather, and I went to the Cheesecake Factory...so good....need I say more? Later that night, Kori and Sharee called and said "wouldn't it be fun if we came to your house and fixed you dinner, and watched a movie on the big screen?" Of course I thought this was a fabulous idea! We watched 'Freedom Writers'. Very good flick. I highly recommend it.
On 2/14/08 Heather and Kerry went to Wendover for a little get-away night. I had the girls. We had lots of fun, (as we always do), but I didn't get much sleep that night. Dantley was not content to just sleep next to me...nope, she pretty much thought that under me would be a good idea...and then the kicking...and kicking...she however slept like a rock.

After the girls went home, Troy, Ed, my friend Lindsay and I went to see Lonestar in Wendover! Great concert! They have a new lead singer who started touring with them last September. It was a bit weird at first, but he is really good. Ed likes him better. Anyway, we had great food, and a great time!

Yesterday, 3/19/08, my friend Heather had her second baby.. another boy! His name is Carter LeGrand Martin. He was 7 lbs. 5 oz, and 19 inches long. Born at 1:33pm. He is adorable. Looks alot like big brother Kaden. Anyway, congrats Heather and Mark!I am so excited for you!

Wicked clips

DisneyLand Girl's Trip!!!

Oh boy, did we have fun!!! Alot of people have said..."4 women in Disneyland without their kids? What did you do? Did you ride rides? Isn't that a little strange?" I say heck no....it was amazingly good fun... I went with Toni Broadhead, Kori Park, and Sharee Webb. We left monday afternoon, and drove to St. George to pick up Sharee...we stayed the night at her house, and left early tuesday morning to go to Anaheim. That night we went to 'Wicked' in L.A. at the Pantages Theater. This I would have to say was the highlight of the trip. If you don't know about this production, read up. (I do hear that the novel is a little bit naughty, so beware if you go this route...)It is the story of the wizard of oz before Dorothy enters the picture. It is hilarious. The music is amazing. The cast was awesome. I would go again tomorrow if I could. This is a picture of Elfphaba (wicked witch of the west) and Glinda (the good witch of the north) when they were college roommates....yep, that's right, college roommates. Anyway, if you get the chance, go see...and take me with you.
As for Disneyland, we went on Wednesday and Thursday. I would have to say that the Hollywood Tower of Terror was definately the funnest ride there. We rode it over and over again. I am posting the pictures that the ride took of us. We had alot of fun with this. As we stood in line for the ride we would decide what we would all do in the picture....I know....crazy ladies...but we had a blast. We had to ride it one time first to figure out the timing of the camera. I have a real look of terror in that one. The second picture is supposed to be of the 'see no evil monkey...except there were 4 of us, so Toni is smell no evil....Sharee really dropped the ball on this picture...speak no evil...whatever...she forgot...anyway, check out the man on the front row in the 3rd picture of us with our hands to our mouths. He was in line with us, and knew what we were planning, and is watching us to see if we really do it or not...he thought we were very cool. I am sure that's what he thought....did I mention we had fun? We really did an awful job of taking pictures...the one of Toni and I wearing red is in the restaurant in Hollywood before the play. The other is of us in the teacups at Disney. That's pretty much all I have. Sorry....too busy playing to remember I had a camera with me. Anyway, that has always been Suzette's job, and she couldn't come play....:( We missed you, Suzy....
We left to drive home on Friday morning, and drove straight through. Got home just before 10:00 pm...that's a long day by the way... anyway, it is good to have such great friends who let you be who you are, good to have great husbands who let us play without any guilt, and good to be home. Joey

Girls Day Dance

Just a really quick post this week. It is late at night, and I am packing for my girl trip...(sorry to bring that up, Heather Martin ;), but Josh had some pictures sent to him from the Girls Day Dance. It was last Saturday...His date was Kelsey...the cute brunette in the coral red dress...anyway, they had alot of fun that day. They spent the early afternoon at the institute building playing ping pong, ice hockey, etc....then had dinner at one of the girl's homes, then went to the dance at the high school later that night. You have to admit I have a pretty good looking boy....that's my Joshie.... Joey
(In case you are wondering about the last picture....he apparently received a marriage proposal from Chase...)
p.s. Tyson's new address is 8800 glacier ave #239
Texas City, TX 77591

Today is officially hump day for Tyson!! Yep, that's right....he has been out for a year now...I can't believe how time is flying. He was transfered last week, and hasn't emailed to give us his new address. I will post as soon as I know. I am a little behind on the posting this month. Our trip to LongBeach with the kids was alot of fun. We flew out on the 2nd at 6:00 in the morning....Ed didn't want to miss a minute of fun...that day we drove up to L.A. and went to Magic Mountain. It was a blast. Lots of good coasters there, but man, a lot of hiking involved. Needless to say, we were pretty tired that night. Sunday we went to church to a local ward in Anaheim. That was kinda fun...then went to visit some friends who live in close...then watched the superbowl later that night....Go Giants!!! (Josh's team, by the way). Monday was spent at the beach, and then some shopping and then Downtown Disney. Tuesday was some more shopping...Jordyn had to find some furry boots...then we drove up to Santa Monica Pier...and flew home late that night. Fun, fun, fun.We were pretty tired the next day, but it was good to get out of the snow. Anyway, that's it for now. I leave on my girl trip to Disney in a few days....so I will report later... ;) Joey

We got Tyson's memory card in the mail yesterday, so I thought I would share a picture of him....he is such a serious boy....yeah, what ever.

We had a good week for Jr. Jazz basketball. All 3 kids won their game today! WooHoo! Jordyn even took a shot and scored...her first of the season, after Troy talked smack with her about never taking a shot....she showed you, didn't she, little brother? Anyway, it was a good, if not long afternoon of basketball.

Well, I seemed to have aged another year this week. I must say that I have had better birthdays. It was a hard week for us all, and to top it all off, I was in bed sick for the day. For those of you that know me well, and know how I love to be the birthday "Queen", this was definately a bummer....I hope for better next year.

Just in case any of you haven't heard, we are having a celebration of Steve's life at Heather's church on monday, January 28 at 1:00pm. The address is 4000 s. 1150 w. in Riverdale. I believe 1150 w. is also known as Parker's Dr. The easiest way to get there from the south is to take the 31st street exit, get on the frontage road(which is Parker's Dr.) and double back to the south. Anyway, it will be casual dress, and there will be a luncheon provided by Heather's ward. I want to thank everyone for their love and concern, and prayers on behalf of our family. We couldn't get through this without you. Joey

I wish I had not so sad news this week, but for those of you who knew my brother Steve, he passed away this last week on January 16. The circumstances of his death were tragic (not a suicide), and saddens me more than I can express in words. I am not yet in a place where I can talk about it without falling apart, but maybe soon. As Heather and I have been getting an obituary ready, I came across this picture, and thought I would post it. He was such a beautiful little boy. I know that Steve is now happy, and with his earthly and heavenly parents, and can finally progress, where he just couldn't in this life, but it is still so hard. We love you Steve. Joey

Cold, cold, cold......that's really all I have to say for this week.......Brrr. I think all of Tooele is frozen. It has been a pretty uneventful week full of work, basketball games (all 3 kids are playing), and the usual mom stuff. I am very happy, and a little embarrassed to admit that the highlight of the week was finally getting all of the christmas put away on saturday night. Hey, I say I put it all up, someone else should have to take it all down......unfortunately, I am the only one who sees this reasoning. The rest of the family thinks "the crazy lady put it all up, she can take it all down"....and so it goes....Anyway, we are all doing well. Hope you all have a great week! Joey From Tyson last week: yep things here are pretty good, still warm, usually about 65 70 here, no snow, not too much rain,.. its pretty sweet. we just got out of a funeral. one of the converts from about 4 months ago died from cancer,.. and so the missionaries in the ward were asked to usher, and they volunteered the rest of the District as well. It was ok, but kinda long. Its weird when i really sit down and think about how much time i actually spend in the church and talking about it. ha. but it was good, him being a convert, there were plenty of non members there and there was lots of plan of salvation talk. i felt like alot of ppl were comforted and feel alot better, and hopefully learned something goodabout us and felt the spirit. tomorrow we will have interviews with pres again, i like those, i know there are some missionaries who dont look forward to them, but when he doesnt have anything to yell at ya for, you dont get yelled at. this last week at church was really good, this new family that we have been working with, la familia perez, came to church. its a family of 5 and they seemed to enjoy church. i like them alot and have faith that they will go far. they are awesome and im really exited to work with them,. the work here is going well and seems to be picking up. i was sick this last wendsday and thursday... we are at Chili's(not as good as applebee's) and i think it was the spicy buffalo wings that got me. i felt horrible for about 2 and a half days and prety much stayed in bed. i hadnt been that sick in along time, and i lost almost 10 pounds, which is annoying, cause now i have to go back to the gym and work it back on, i feel super skinny. but im fine now.things here are good, the ppl are good, the food is good and the spanish is good. love ya

Well, not alot to report this week.... we did have a horrible wind storm friday night that caused some damage in the yard. Not to the house...thank heaven's, but with things like the barbeque grill blown off the deck, patio table damage(repairable), and the saddest of all....the BYU flagpole is down.......leveled......dead. This is very sad news..... we had one man in our ward ask Ed..."so when a BYU flag touches the ground, do you have to burn it? And if so, can I be a part of that?"...Thanks Rob, way to kick a man when he's down.... ;) Anyway, not much else has gone on this week.... I am posting part of Tyson's email from last week..... Joey



christmas was very good but a little differerent. i like to consider myself pretty tough, and i dont get homesick.. but i couldnt help but think about home and going to grandmas and seeing the cousins and everything,. but i never got homesick or sad. i love it out here so much. i really feel like if i wasnt here, i would hate myself, i would just have an emptiness for the rest of my life. i love working with the ppl here so much. especially the spanish culture. they are awesome. we had some killer french toast for breakfast on christmas and some good food with other members for dinner. wayyyy to much food hah! im shocked im not fat. i finally got your package. ha, thanks, i like the scripture case alot. its perfect. it looks really nice. and the food is all good, and yeah, the other guys in the apartment thought it was a tad odd that i got baby food, but i was pretty exited for it. ha, so they just laughed. we as missionaries were taken care of for christmas. 2 reasons i think, there are alot of parents with boys on missions, and we are partially in an english ward... so they know how to do christmas and they have money. i did have a question about the cd you sent me though... haha. im not exactly sure what to think about it,. cause yeah, its pretty country, and also its all about women and love and junk like that,. but the elders in the apartment and i were laughing pretty good at it.. but im not sure if that was the intent or not. anyways, as far as the official rule go's for the mission on music.. its pretty vague, it just has to bring and spirit and be appropriate. which leaves a wide range of music. but anything like himns of course is ok. but also stuff like the tribute to the prophet and even stuff like the best 2 yrs soundtrack. (both of which i have)the work here is picking up. we are really working hard. we just finished our 100% week. i think i told you about that. I called it Heaven week, like "hell week" in high school football, where we just wear ourselves out. and it helped alot. the rest of the missionaries followed it well and we are seeing alot of lessons taught. for us in particular, we usually have anywhere between 1 and 3 new investigators each week, and we had 8. thats a great jump. i could say i would like to keep it up there, keep this pace of working hard and such, but i want more. i know we can do more and work harder. i want to see more baptisms here. the average here is low, i want to change that, and i know with hard work and obedience, along with working more with the members, we can change that.we are currentyl teaching about 23 to 29 lessons(good lessons with good ppl), which leads lessons taught per week in the mission, or atleast its high. i love it down here. come feb i will hit the yr mark. weird. i dont want to be on the down hill, once that happens the time is going to speed up.. i dont want that. well, i guess i wrote enough, thanks for everything,. go cougs!! i will be sending home a memory card within the next few weeks. enjoylove ya!