2008

Wow it's been an entire year since I last updated here! I'll have to remedy that this year. We are back together again as a family. Brent finished his contract with the Marine Corps at the end of June and came home. Elise and I moved back here to South Ogden in May but left California in March so we'd been apart for a few months.

Our little monkey is growing like crazy. She had a wonderful second birthday and a very fun time with Christmas. Brent has just made a job change and is enjoying the new things he's learning.

Snow in the Mojave!

So I'm quite behind since our last update but I just had to tell you we had snow today!! Here in 29 Palms! Not just little flurries but fluffy snow flakes that actually stuck to the ground for a little while. Elise wasn't quite sure she wanted to go outside at first. But she and daddy had a great time trying to catch a few!

First Official Haircut

Today Elise had her first 'official' haircut! Her first was given by daddy but we don't talk about that much.

She did a great job, mostly holding still even though she didn't like the cape.

We had her bangs cut to get them out of her eyes and the back trimmed to give it all a chance to grow to the same length. She had another 'first' today - a strawberry dum-dum sucker which she thoroughly enjoyed!

Our Thanksgiving Blessings

Once again we decided to stay in California for Thanksgiving and have some Marines over that wouldn't otherwise have anywhere to go for dinner. This day of abundance began with plans of having three Marines, Brent, Elise and me for dinner. As the day went on the number grew. By the time two o'clock arrived we had the total of 15 people in our living room! Miraculously there was enough food and to spare.

Elise had a great time moving from person to person and receiving plenty of attention she had been deprived of while mom and daddy were cooking this morning. We're grateful for so many wonderful blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Ambitious School Year

My brother Joshua is working to conclude a very ambitious year. He graduated from Northridge high school in June and will be graduating from Weber State University with an Associate degree in December! With all he has to do with school he has worked for FedEx and as a math tutor at the university. Way to go Josh!

Heading to Basic Training

Some of you know that my brother Jason has joined the Army National Guard Reserves. He ships out tomorrow morning for basic training at Fort Jackson near Columbus, South Carolina.

From there Jason will venture to Monterey, California for language training in Mandarin Chinese!
Here you can see Elise giving 'Uncle Jasey' a farewell hug.

Jenavieve is Engaged

My sister Jenavieve became engaged to Robb Smith on Thursday, November 2nd! Robb had a clever proposal that concluded in his popping the question on the grounds of the Logan temple. And she said, "Yes!"

Jena and Robb dated in high school and wrote to each other while Jena was at USU and Robb was serving his mission in Atlanta, Georgia.

They have not set a date yet but it sounds like possibly in the early part of 2007. Congratulations you two!

Marine Corps Birthday Ball

This past weekend was another great event in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775 so in celebration Brent and I attended the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This year it was held at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas on the evening of the 5th. Also, this year Brent's parents, Bill and Penny, were able to attend with us. We had a great time with the traditional ceremony, an untraditional video from the unit's time in Iraq this year, wonderful dinner and dancing. This was our final Marine Corps Ball as Brent will complete his contract with the military before next November!

You see my sister Jenavieve (and her fiancé Robb), they were kind enough to drive down and watch Elise for us while we were at the Ball. Elise just loves 'Auntie Jena'.

Sergeant Promotion

November was kicked off with a great first day for us. At about 8 am on the first Elise and I went to Brent's promotion ceremony for obtaining the rank of Sergeant. This was an exciting event for us and a bit unexpected. For those not in the military, becoming a Sergeant with only three and a half years in the Corps is not very common.
Congratulations sweetheart!

Elise had a fun time at the ceremony. She enjoyed picking up the rocks on the ground of the Motor Pool and was able to sit in one of Daddy's big trucks!