Christmas 2012!

This year we decided to do homemade gifts. Christmas never really is a huge thing in my family. Well- at least it hasn't been for the past few years. That probably has something to do with us getting old and such... we kind of get things that we want in the year so we never need anything when it comes to Christmas. Like we couldn't even think of anything to ask for. Well- ok I could. I wanted luggage and a camera for my mission. But I just asked that if I were to get anything that I would be able to use on my  mission. That happened :)
We also got to do some sub for santa things for my moms work. We went to walmart and picked out cute things for little girls and boys ;) we really loved that part!
But anyways... I made my sisters these mini Book of Mormon cases... I guess you could call them. I figured out a pattern for a box that a mini BOM would fit just right in. Then I picked out cute paper for each of them, cut them out, printed part of a scripture on the front (Mosiah 18:9), laminated them, put ribbon on them so the Book wouldn't fall out, and made book marks with a quote by President Eyring on them. Then I made a list of 14 of my favorite scriptures and wrote it on each of the back and wrote my testimony to them in the front. It really made my Christmas season more meaningful and fun :) I got 2 super cute homemade scarfs from Katelyn, a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake temple that Ash took and had a quote put on it, super warm homemade pajama bottoms from Karly, and tons of cute homemade earrings that will be perfect for my mission from my mom :) our stockings had tons of fun treats and also some new undershirts, tights, leggings, and jewelry for all of us.
Over all it was very simple and memorable :)

Our cousins at the annual Bezzant Christmas party in their ugly sweaters :)

Footie pajamas  

What time we woke up on  Christmas morning :) 

Uh.... 

The nativity play

Ash shoveling my grandmas driveway

Call from Austin!

I was sitting on my couch on Christmas being a bum watching movies or something, and I didn't have my phone. It had fallen in the little crack of the couch. My grandma had called Ashley so I figured that I should probably check my phone. I looked and I had a missed call from my grandma (of course) and 4 missed called from Alabama... I was like what the... then I listen to my voice mail from them and the second Austin started talking I almost started crying. I know. I am seriously dramatic. But I was just so upset that I had missed his call! The voice mail said that he needed his dads number. I called him back, and it was just the best ever. It made me so happy! I don't even know why! Ok- I do. He's my best friend and I have REALLY been missing him lately and again I'm going to be totally dramatic, but I think in a way his phone call could have been answer to my prayers. It calmed me and literally just made my Christmas complete. 

So here is why he got to call me-

He was going to Skype his mom at like 4:00, but she hadn't been answering her phone. So the only other number that he had memorized was The Thornleys, because they seriously have the easiest phone number ever. He called them, got my number and then asked me for his dads number. But we got to chat for a few minutes and he told me how awesome he thought that it was that I was going to Tampa and stuff like that. I tried to sound cool and collected, but ya. Then we talked about some other things that I can't even remember because I was in so much shock. It was for sure one of those times that you want to be able to go back and listen to a phone conversation that you had. Hahaha oh man. I sound like a totally pathetic person right now. But guys, you don't get it. It. Was. The. BEST. Thee best. I cannot even explain it! My I got to talk to my best friend in the world on Christmas! :)  

I know... another picture update...

My cousin Riley got his mission to Portugal!!!

Went to Ash's game at Maple Mountain and then hung out with our favorite cousins at McDonald's till 11:00. This was also the coldest we have ever been in our whole entire life. 

I took this amazing picture of my hilarious Primary class. I'm going to send it to Austin ;) 

Went to Zoo lights with these crazy people. 

Made a paper chain for my mission. On this day there were 101 days. Today there are 100. :) 

Cutest money ever at the zoo. He was staring at me and putting his hand up on the glass. 

More zoo lights. Apparently I look like a man.  

Eating cold stone after zoo lights :) 

Merry Christmas 2012!

Here is my family's Christmas letter :) we thought that we'd put it online to save money... no... really it's just because we are too lazy and didn't get it done in time.

Well we figured that since we are kind of known for being late that we wouldn’t break that streak!

This year has been full of surprises and fun for us!

In April we finally fulfilled our dream and went on a Caribbean cruise! We loved every second of it, even though it was very last minute. We flew to Florida and headed for the Bahamas on Easter morning. We were able to go to the Bahamas, Jamaica, The Cayman islands, and Cozumel Mexico. We gained a lot of weight, spent a lot of money, parasailed, went snorkeling, hiked a waterfall in Jamaica, went clear bottom canoeing in the ocean, laid on the beach, took a wind tour through the everglades, held alligators, and even swam with dolphins! Let’s just say, we had a LOT of fun! In June we went to Moab and did a lot of hiking and swimming! We then took a sudden and quick trip to Arizona for our Great Aunt and Uncle Floyd and Karin’s funeral.  We had a girl’s weekend at a million dollar cabin in Bear Lake with Duane’s side of the family. We laughed, cried, ate, got sunburned, and had some much-needed girl talk. In July we had our annual Flaming Gorge trip and had a blast as always. We also fulfilled another dream by going horse back riding for Ashley’s 18^th birthday in September.

Nicole (19)- Started by finishing her fun year as Miss. Saratoga Springs in March. Then fought her way through her third semester at BYU. She working for WDS and is currently serving as a Primary teacher for the 5 and 6 year olds. She also submitted her mission papers 3 weeks after the announcement of the age change! She was called to Tampa Florida on November 14^th and is entering the MTC April 3^rd! Her favorite event this year was taking her endowments out with her family in the Mount Timp temple. 

Ashley (18)- Will be graduating this year from Westlake high. She was planning on attending Utah State or SLCC, but has now decided to put that on hold and serve a mission as soon as she can. Her life has basically been basketball for the past several months, as she is the captain of the varsity team, but she, as well as all of us are loving every second of it. She has averaged about 12 points a game and is thinking about playing college ball. She is currently the Laurel’s second counselor and the Humanitarian Specialist.

Karly (16)- Got her license in June, and is now dating. She is busy with school and enjoys physics, astronomy, and pre-calculus. She loves to spend every second with her friends; her family might be a little too crazy for her ;). She got to see Mumford and Sons (her all time favorite band) in concert and will not stop talking about it even to this day. She is in FCCLA and is pleased by it… most of the time. As you know she is the only musically talented person in our family and can play piano and sing like an angel. She was the Mia Maid president but in June moved on to be with Ashley in Laurels.

Katelyn (14)- In about one week Katelyn will be driving! Adding to that she started 9^th grade and out here that means High School! She is playing basketball for Westlake on the freshman team. She plays a point guard on the team and starts every game. She loves her team and coaches. She is learning a ton and getting so much better! She is always with her 100+ friends, keeping us on our toes, and making us laugh. She was the Beehive president, but has moved on to Mia Maids.

Kristin (we won’t go there)- Is still working with UPS, doing hair, and a full time mom. She spends most of her days running things back and fourth to Westlake for the girls, grocery shopping to feed the neighbors, and going to basketball games. She is still dating and having a blast going to singles activities, but mostly loves just being home with all of us.

Dad- In June it was 4 years since he has passed away. We are sure that he is up in heaven having fun with his dad and uncles, but also teaching and preaching the people in the same way he did down here. We miss him more every single day but we have a firm testimony that this is our plan and we try and make the best of it J 

Sandee, Mandee, O.J.- I know. Big surprise that our dogs and rabbit are still alive. We are pretty sure their time is coming… especially after Nicole left Sandee on the roof in the 90 degree weather for 4 hours… 

Ash's (almost) broken nose

Ashley got hit in the face at her game against Payson on Tuesday. The thing is, it was her teammates head... 

They were all scrambling for a lose ball and she got hit in the nose. She couldn't even get up off the floor because she was in so much pain. She said she was trying so hard, but just couldn't. Plus when you get hit in the nose you automatically just cry so it's a little hard to see. The game was still going on at the other end. It probably took a whole minute for the ref to actually blow the whistle. And once one of them did, they just stood there. It was the weirdest dumbest thing ever. Then the trainer didn't get over there for that minute as well because the refs were being stupid and he had no idea anything was even going on. It was pretty ridiculous. Then my mom went over and the trainer said that MOST LIKEY she had a broken nose. Everyone else (besides her assistant coach) agreed that she had a broken nose (probably because he nose was swollen and crooked). Plus she had 2 popped blood vessels under her right eye that just looked like either really small bruises or smeared mascara. The sad thing was, my mom and I went down there to laugh at her and then take some pictures. That's our family for ya. That must be why we have a quote on our wall that says the only way to get through life is to laugh. 

She missed the second quarter while they were cleaning blood off her clothes and waiting till the bleeding stopped. We all know Ashley, she went right back in the second half. They sure did need her too, but were also doing really great without her. It started bleeding again at the end of the game. 

We were just going to take her to the doctors the next day to get it checked out, but my mom wanted to get it checked that night so that it wouldn't swell too much more and just so we could get it checked out as soon as possible. We went to the E.R. Believe it or not, there was NO ONE in there! That is a huge surprise to me because I've only been to that place one other time and it did not go well. It still took quite a bit of time. So me, Karly, and Katelyn went and got some Dell Taco. 

But the diagnosis what that she DIDN'T HAVE A BROKEN NOSE! YAY! But also weird because her nose is TOTALLY crooked. I think that they said she might have chipped it or have a hairline fracture. If the crookedness (never used that word before in my life) doesn't go away then she has to go back in the get it checked out. Welp. That's all! Just wanted to share that kind-of-could-have-been-awesome story with you ;) 

But to be honest, with how hard Ash plays and that she's been playing basketball forever I'm surprised this didn't happen earlier than her Senior year :)

The sequel to- If you play with fire you will probably burn something (or someone this time)

Here is the sequel to If you play with fire you will probably burn something

We seriously do not know how to jump a car. Here's the story:

Karly is still kind of learning how to drive the stick. My mom has started making her drive it every single day to school. 

She drove the whole way to school with the emergency break all the way on... I don't know how someone could do that, but she said that she was too distracted to even notice. Ashley even had to tell her to turn on her lights... that one is understandable though. Our other car has automatic lights, and I guess you don't have to put on the emergency break hardly ever either. I asked her if she noticed the bright red light that said break on it... she said again that she was too distracted. 

So they made it to school... both of them said that it smelled SO bad... (the tires were like burning of course).

But Karly left the lights on. 

The car died.

We had to come and jump the car for them after Ashley and Katelyn were done with practice (Karl rode the bus home). 

I called Brock because... well... he was a boy and thought that he could help. I had jumped a car before, but I couldn't remember how to do it exactly. He said that he hadn't really done it except for once a while ago, but we could figure it out.

We got there... started hooking chords up, but the last one sparked so bad Brock couldn't even clamp it. 

So then he called his mom and she said that we were doing it right. We had the Mazda on and were hooking them the right way. So- we did it again and it worked. 

Brock's mom said to let it sit for a while. We did before turning on the dead car. But we wanted to sit in the car because it was really cold outside.
30 seconds later I see Lexi, Katelyn, and Ashley just sprinting from the car... I looked and saw that the chords were smoking!!

Here is it smoking... (Yes, we were taking pictures the whole time. Just like the candle incident )

We ran out there but didn't know what to do because they were hot but we needed to get them off! Brock found a sock and got one sort of off... but it burned through right away... I scrambled and found an ace bandage (don't know why that was in the car...) he wrapped it thick and then got the other chords off. 

They had melted all the way down. Almost all the plastic was off the chords... 

We called our mom. She didn't believe us for a while. 

Brock burned his thumb from when it had gone through the sock. It smelled of beef ramen noodles... 

Then we tried to push start it. 

We pushed it up and down the parking lot at least 5 times. We were so tired! It almost worked twice... then as we were about to go up the hill again a nice man (I think he was a principal or something) asked us if we needed help. We asked him if he could jump the car. 

He had a huge truck and all he did was hook the chords up the SAME way Brock did, but he didn't have his truck on. It started right up and was fine.... 

The reason that the chords melted was because our Mazda had too much power with the car on. Plus it had a bran new battery sooooo that's why the chords melted.

Stuff like this always happens when we hangout with Brock ;) 

It worked :) 

If you're wondering how my mom felt about this... it was also the same as the candle incident... she laughed. Hard. She thought it was hilarious that we almost blew up both cars and could have potentially killed ourselves (if we want to go that far ;)) 

We just know how to have fun I guess... haha 

Saturday MOTAB Christmas Concert

We got tickets to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert on Saturday! We loved it last year and were excited to go again.

Saturday morning was spent playing Phase 10... all the way through. We always finish that game. No matter what. Then we headed to pick up Danny and go to Salt Lake.

We wanted to go somewhere nice for dinner, but everywhere was packed and the wait was too long for us to make it to the concert on time. We ended up eating at Panda Express and this other Chinese place at the Gateway. Not really what we wanted at all, but it was fine.

Then we headed to the concert!

To be honest we didn't really like the music as much this year, but it was still really beautiful and fun! The big surprise was the story at the end of the concert. I can't even try to explain the story because I know I will just butcher it. It touched me so much and I just wanted to cry. They even had the real man from the story that happened a long time ago! He was like 90 years old and still looked awesome! But ya. It almost made me cry. But you know how I can hold in my crying... unlike my laughter. They even dropped parachutes with candy from the celling. It was cool, but like I said also very touching and spiritual. I even ended up sending the story to Elder Miller and some pictures :)

On our way

We got pretty good seats 

After words :) 

I just love my Primary kids!

Only two more Sunday's till my little friends move on to another class :'(
I have grown very attached to these kids! Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy trying to teach them, have fun, be their friend, and keep them quiet, but it has been worth every minute! I teach the gospel in simple ways and they always have questions that I can answer, and I know that is because I pray every Saturday night that I will be able to teach with the spirit and be able to teach them the things that they need to know. I really feel like a missionary when I teach them though! They have the cutest questions about heaven, Jesus, the scriptures, and even things like clothes, candy, and hair that don't even pertain to the lesson :)
They have defiantly taught me more than I could ever teach them. Their sweet spirits and testimonies shine through as they say prayers, give talks, help each other, and always listen close and talk nicely of Jesus. They love and know their Savior and have helped me realize how simple and sweet this gospel is. That is why we are supposed to become as a little child to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 18:1-5
Sometimes parents might think that they aren't doing a good enough job, but trust me, I can see it. You are :)


*I really wanted to share this hilarious story that got me laughing so hard in church that I was crying...

They really like to play hangman. A lot.
This is kind of how it goes- They stand on the table. They either whisper a word to me that they want to do, or they tell me to tell them a word. Then I tell them how many lines to draw. Then all the kids will start guessing words. Every round I have to remind them that they need to guess letters. Once they start guessing letters then sometimes I will have to tell them where that letter is on their lines. Believe it or not they are actually pretty good at guessing the words! Zach was helping me teach last week and they all guessed the words even before him! There are 4 words that get used EVERY SINGLE TIME: resurrection (I might have drilled that word into their heads one lesson. Now they all just want to use it), The Book of Mormon (because they think it's long and they know how to spell it), church (they know how to spell it... most of the time... this last time it didn't start with a C), and cat (that story is coming up).
So the last 2 times we have played it was James turn. He got up there and I asked him if he needed help. He says, "Nope! I've got a really good word!" Both of these times he has put up 3 lines. The first time it took a few tries for them to get the word CAT.
The next time we played, he did the same thing. The other kids got it a little faster.
Yesterday was the funniest thing ever, he gets up there and says, "I have one and it's going to fool everyone!" I mouth or whisper to Zach, "I promise it will be CAT." He laughs and then goes, "You're sure? Like, without a doubt?" I go, "he's done it every time. "I KNOW it will be."
James draws FOUR lines!
My jaw dropped and Zach just started laughing.
There was one kid who guessed like P or something.
James drew a head.
Then all in unison, almost every single kid goes, "CAT!"
James sighs and writes CAT....
Yes. I know what you are thinking... there were still 4 lines. But it still was CAT! So he didn't fool the other kids, but he sure did fool me and Zach!!!
We laughed and laughed for a long time. The other kids didn't get what was so funny... I just told James that was a very good word and I was proud of him for doing it on his own. He was still happy :)
But seriously.
If only you knew....

So glad I'm speaking English!

Tonight I was talking to this girl that just got back from her mission in October. I had never met her but I heard her talking about her mission and I just kind of gravitate to those kinds of people I guess... she went to Panama and spoke Spanish (obviously). But she was telling me that I was so lucky to be speaking English because when you learn Spanish she said that they just teach you how to say your testimony in the most simple way. She said because I was speaking English I could REALLY share my testimony in almost a more complex way. I have to say that I feel better about that! That was the whole reason that I wanted to speak English. Whew. The end.

No finals for 2 years!

Yes. I. Am. Done. With school... for 2 years!!!! I can't even tell you how excited I am to be done! But I am even more excited to be going on my mission! I took my mom and Danny with me today to take my last final, sell my books back, and go to a meeting. The meeting was with the accessibility center. I had been through a lot of testing to see if I had a learning disablity. I am proud to say- I AM NORMAL. This is a huge relief! And probably a surprise to most people. My mom swore that I had ADD... so HA! I do actually have a math disability... but we all knew that already, and it's just below normal. Not SUPER below normal. Oh man. It's been a good day. Then we went to Chuck-a-rama... Danny's choice. My mom and I fought it forever, we wanted PF Chang... but he didn't. So he won... cuz he's hilarious. 

Then I went to institue for the first time today! That was fun! Cute boys though... not a good thing before a mission... 

"I'm Peter Pan trapped in an aging body."

My mom decided to try EVERY SINGLE food there. Like everything. Even all the deserts. Then we put all the drinks in one cup too. It was great. 

Her eating the food. 

Basketball!

I was trying to come up with a better title for this post... but I really just can't... 

That's been our life. I go to at least 3 basketball games every week... but this week it was four! Yes! Ashley is now 2-4 for the season and it's looking good from here. She had 19 points her last game so that's pretty awesome. Katelyn has only lost one... but I can't remember how many they have played. Maybe they are 3-1... ya... that could be it. 

We went to the BYU basketball game on Saturday! I forgot how much I miss watching college and professional basketball. I used to watch it all the time with my dad. Ash and I haven't really caught back up with that yet. We used to know every single player on BYU and the Jazz and would go all the time with him. We have 4 all sports passes because we wanted to be able to go to the basketball games as well as football. The students (oh wait.... I am one. Ya. That still hasn't sunken in and I just finished my 3rd semester) were CRAZY! It was so entertaining! I can't wait to go to the next one! 

We also went to Los Hermanos with everybody after and had a good laughing time there ;) I love these guys. 

We laughed pretty hard at this guys. Provo Utah everybody :)  (and I have to say I'm grateful that it is covered... I wouldn't want to see that all of dinner) (Ok I need to clarify... I don't think it's "gross" or anything because it's art. I just wouldn't want to be "distracted" by it all dinner....) (Ok I so need to clarify again. I'm not a crazy person... or... ok I'm stopping. You get it) 

Man I miss that guy...

I have a confession. I miss Austin. So much. Like so much. I can't even explain (like really- I can't). It feels like someone drilled a hole through my heart. Ok. That might be a little dramatic. But he was one of my best friends and it really does feel like something is missing ya know? Even though I'm so proud of him for doing what he is! It's not a crime to miss him so much?? Right? You really don't appreciate things until they are gone. He was such a good and amazing friend. Sometimes I just want to call and talk to him about things. Especially all of this mission stuff. I have to say that he is growing up SO much! I can't wait till I  get on my mission and can actually be called "mature" because I sure am not right now. To make matters worse, he couldn't email me last week and said that he'd send me a letter. On Monday. That letter still isn't here. Sooooooo that just makes me feel like I haven't seen him in even longer.
Anyways. Little rant there. I just thought that I'd share ;)

Plus James said on Sunday with a huge sigh, "When is Austin coming back?" I'm not the only one who misses him!

Spanish???

So I went to the temple for the second time with my cousin today. I had an amazing time and was able to learn a lot because it wasn't as nerve racking and I could actually pay attention. I still have SO much more to learn in the temple though! It's such an amazing place! I'm so glad that I get to go a lot before my mission. My goal is to go at least once a week, but more if I can! 

I've been having thoughts and impressions lately that I need to study/learn Spanish before I leave. At first I just put it off and thought that I was being crazy. But today in the temple, I just knew that I needed to. And from what we learn from President Monson is that we should NEVER IGNORE IMPRESSIONS/THE SPIRIT. I have no idea if I will even use it on my mission. I have just heard of so may missionaries getting called to Florida (Tampa even) Spanish speaking. I just want to be prepared. I don't want to miss an opportunity to teach and share my testimony of the gospel just because I don't know the language. Plus- I have heard that there are A LOT of people who speak Spanish who live in Florida. 

I know you probably think I'm crazy and that I'm not going to learn the language before April. But I trust in my Heavenly Father that if he asks/prompts/inspires me to do something, that with him I can accomplish it. No matter what. I have full faith that I will learn at least what I need to know, if I do all that I can, have faith, and trust and rely completely on our Heavenly Father. 

He knows exactly what we need. I know that he will lead and guide me to people that need to hear the gospel at this time. I know I say this at the end of every post like this- BUT I SERIOUSLY CANNOT EVEN WAIT!!!

Oh and I just wanted to thank my Sister Ashley and my friends Hailee, Jackie, and Kailey for helping me through these past couple of hard days when my mom hasn't really been avaliable. I couldn't do it without you guys! I love you!

13 things you might not know about my dad...

My dad's mission picture and him a little bit before he passed away :)

I know that I have a lot of post about my dad... but it's a good way for me to remember him! You really don't have to read it- it's just for my own benefit :)

A Million things you might have not know about my dad:

1. He loved the Savior and the church more than anything else and he would show it in the way he lived his every day life.
2. The only thing that comes as a really close second to the gospel is my sweet mom. He cherished every moment they had together and would always hug her close and tell her how much he loved her. Even if it grossed us out.
3. He was the greatest dad in the whole entire world. I never had any doubt that he loved me more than I could ever comprehend. He would always hug me and would tell me that he loved me without fail every single day. And it never got old.
4. He had hair. And lots of it. Yep. I know it's a big surprise to most people, but he actually started shaving his head before he even had cancer.
5. He was neighborhood wide known as THEE "tickle monster." We would all run and hide from him while he ticked us to death.
6. He could make anybody laugh. Especially my mom. I think I've already said this in a previous post, but he REALLY could make my mom laugh. He would just start laughing really hard and it would get them both going until neither could breathe.
7. I know some people don't believe in "true love" or "soul mates" or even just the thought of someone else loving someone more than anything else. But that's what my parents were. And I never doubted it.
8. My dad made an impact on every single person he came in contact with. He loved everyone and never said anything bad another person.
9. We would always pray together. He would gather us around and we all knew our night of the week and he would ask us to say the family prayer. Then we would have a big family hug.
10. He loved his family. I don't mean just us, I mean the whole extended family. He loved and treasured his mom and always treated her like a queen as he did my mom, and he loved to do everything and anything with his dad. He loved all of his siblings more than anything. Especially his brother, best friend and partner in crime Dale. They did everything together. They even literally had the same job- just at different stores.
11. He was amazing at every single sport. Especially basketball.
12. He was super competitive.
13. He served an 18 month mission in Tulsa Oklahoma (18 months because literally for like 2 years they tested the 18 months out... and he just happened to serve at the same time)

Hahahahaha I'm pretty sure that I have said all of those already... oh well!