The Ogden light's parade and Christmas Village!!

Last night we went to the Ogden lights parade and the lighting of the Christmas Village.  All the floats in a parade of are lighted with Christmas lights.  The parade only goes about eight blocks down Washington Boulevard.  Similar to the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus are the last entry in the parade. 

Once the parade is ended, everyone moves over to the grounds of the city and county building, where there are hundreds of little houses with large picture windows. Inside these homes are beautiful portrayals of the Christmas season and all it's festivities.  They have a small lighting ceremony where as they light all of the house's and the grounds, fireworks go off to celebrate.  Hundreds and hundreds of people attend this great event. As a child I remember visiting these houses almost annually with my family.  It's been a fun tradition to carry on in my own little family.

This year we invited Brad and Julie to come with us.  We had a great time!  We learned a few things (like Ogden City has a roller derby team, who knew?). And the highlight of the parade was not Santa Claus for Jacob, but Star Wars!  There was a Star Wars float with a bunch of people dressed up in all of the costumes.

Below are some pictures I capture of the event. I feel bad that picture of Jake and his Uncle Brad is blurred.  It's so cute it's worth putting on here anyway.

Jake and his Uncle Brad..

The fireworks at the lighting ceromony.

Jacob looking inside one of the houses in the village.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was super yummo! Everything we had was fabulous!  I made 5 pies and 1 batch of mincemeat bites.  Pies are my favorite!  Not my best year making pies, they were ok not scrumpious.  Take a peak at some picts!

All these look prettier than they tasted this year!

Dad / Grandpa carving the bird: Think Darin McGavin on the Christmas Story, he is a Turkey Fein!!!

Layton Commons Park Lighting Ceremony

Tonight we went to the Layton Commons Park Lighting Ceremony.  Each year the city of Layton has a great little area in their enormous park where they display lights.  We make this an annual event in our family to go visit at least once.  This is the first time we've gone to the lighting ceremony.  It's a fun thing to do because you can take a hayride into the park to see the lights, drive your car through, or park and walk through the lights.  We decided to park and walk through the lights this year.  What I loved about tonight, was seeing my husband and son's face as the looked at the lights and all their splendor.  My little place of heaven on earth.  We have a great, great life!

We love living in Layton and really feel at home here!

The Annual Fall Leaves Fest!!

Every year we have lived in this house (which is now more four and a half years) Jake and his next door neighbor and friend Max, spend a day or two playing and jumping in the leaves. Here are some of the pictures from the fun!

Sooo much fun!!

It's so fun to have so many kids Jacob's age within four square blocks!!  Here is what the yard looked like before we started raking the leaves:

Later that night, Jake, his Grandma Karen, and myself, went to a local production of The Nutcracker Ballet.

You think he loves this pretty lady or what??

This is Jake pointing at the stage.

 He had never been in a theater that big before (It held about 2000). 

The music started and Jake started waving his hand to the music totally enthralled with everything from the live orchestra to the dancers and the music.  I found myself beaming with pride as I watch my child getting a little culture.  The ballet progressed and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him enjoy himself.  Just when I thought he had caught the vision of the ballet, the fight scence began where the Nutcracker has the duel with the Rat King.  Jake leaned over to me and said; "Mom, the Nutcracker is kinda like Obi One Kenobi in Star Wars!!!!" My breif moment of cultured pride was jolted with the reality that you can't take the "Star Wars," out of the boy!!  We had a super fun night and hope to make it a holiday tradition!

An Angel went to heaven this week

This is probably the hardest blog post I have ever written.

Last Saturday night I received a call around 7:00 pm.  Jeff was at the UofU game with his brother and I was busy doing Saturday Chores.

On the other end of the line was Melanie Adams.  Our dear friend Gary & Amber Hill's sister.  She informed us that just a few hours earlier their youngest child Gracie who was fifteen months old,  was accidentally struck by a truck that was hauling out dirt from a hole that was being dug for a trampoline.  Amber and Gary were with her as she took her last breath and left this life for the next.

I feel sick to my stomach!  I cannot imagine what they are going through. We have visited them and they are filled with the spirit that is carrying them through.  The spirit is strong in there home and we are grateful for that.

I am so grateful for the plan of Salvation and the knowledge of forever families.  Below is Gracie's Obituary.

Gracie is the littlest one.  This is a younger picture of her here with her sisters.

Our sweet Gracie returned to her Heavenly Father on November 7, 2009 after 15 too-short months with our family. She passed away with her mother and father by her side at home.


Grace was born on July 9, 2008 in Davis County to the great joy of her parents and four (yes, four) sisters. Gracie is the 20th grandchild of Mark and Darline Elggren of Kaysville and the 15th grandchild of Stick and Melba Hill of Bountiful. Few children have been blessed to be loved by more caring sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents.


Gracie loved animals, picture books of all types including "Goodnight Moon", all kinds of music, pictures of the Savior, and especially her sisters and mom and dad. We in turn have treasured her hugs, giggles, "moos," "meows," kisses, and snuggles. Our hearts are full but broken.


Gracie is survived by her parents Gary and Amber Hill, her four sisters, Anne, Livia, Lucy, and Eliza, 35 cousins, 22 aunts and uncles, 4 grandparents and 3 great-grandparents. She was preceded in death by her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hill, Great-Grandpa Jensen, Great-Grandma Rigby, and Great-Grandma and Grandpa (Pop) Elggren, all of whom we are sure greeted her with joy when she passed through the veil.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11:00am at the West Point 10th Ward chapel, 2850 West 300 North, in West Point, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6-8pm at the same chapel in West Point. A short viewing will be held the morning of the funeral at 9:30am. Online guest book and condolences at www.russonmortuary.com

Ode to our Jeffry!!

Jeff celebrated his birthday today. He is 36 years young! I tease him about this but I am so glad he is apart of our lives. I love him for so many things. Since starting my business almost two years ago, I am grateful he has let me spread my wings and fly. He encourages me, loves me despite my many flaws, and always, always makes me feel like the most beautiful, smart girl in the world! He is a man of God. A student of learning in the Lord's gospel, with a lot of wonderful insights to the trials in life we face by his studying of the gospel. He is who I laugh with, cry with, he is my best friend and partner in every way. Marriage is a wonderful thing when it is a true partnership. I feel blessed to have someone who works so hard to keep things good between us and gives me joy, laughter, and happiness everyday of my life. Happy Birthday Babe, you're the BEST!!

For the benefit of Elder and Sister Isom, here is a clip of us singing to your boy:

Goodbye for now, until we meet again in 18 months

As I previously posted Jeff's parent's were called to serve in the Vancouver British Columbia mission. On November 1, they were set apart to enter the MTC the next day.

Some of this gathered together for this event. We are so excited for them!
Up until this point, I do not think Jacob grasped the gravity of the situation that his grandparents were going to be gone for 18 months time.

After Ken and Leann were set apart, Jacob broke down and sobbed in Grandpa's arms.

Below are some pictures of that night we were privileged to be a part of.

Sweet boy who loves his Grandpa.

I love this picture, it captures everyone's personality to a tee!

No question all these people are related!!

Thank heavens for things like Skpe and email so we can communicate with them while they are gone.  Best of Luck, Ken and LeAnn, we know you will be awesome missionaries!!

Bosom Buddies, Kindred Spirits and best of all COUSINS!

I had to put this great picture and his cousin Hunter.  Two of the cutest boys I know.  They have there own private jokes and little things they only do together and only the other one would understand.  I am so glad Jake has a cousin to grow up with that he is close to.