Roosevelt, UT

If you had asked me this spring where Roosevelt, Utah is, I would have had absolutely no clue. That's where Hannah is currently living. A big change from Vegas, but a good change. Now she's only 2 hours away and the drive is gorgeous! Driving north through the canyon and then heading east.

Fall is on it's way.

We met up with her at her home away from home, the school she works at. Growing up in California, I'm still not used to schools that consist of one large building where all the classrooms and hallways are indoors. Jonathan was able to help with some of her audio/visual problems. That's one of the reasons why he's a keeper. After we finished up at the school, we headed off to Vernal to go to the temple.

It is such a sweet little temple. 

There is an interesting story that goes along with this stain glass window. It originally comes from a church building in California that was purchased by my church. It didn't fit in with how our normal meeting houses are styled, so it went in to the church's storage. When they were working on changing this tabernacle into a temple, someone remembered this gorgeous window and suggested that they see if it would fit. The shape of it was perfect and so they just added around the edges of it so it would fit.

Our trip was really brief, but it did include going to church with Hannah at a singles ward. I forgot how reverent church was when there aren't dozens and dozens of babies and toddlers!

It was so great to visit Hannah and see just how different life is in Roosevelt especially compared to when we visited her in Vegas. I'm also grateful that we were able to visit before the winter storms come because I'm just not confident our cute little car would be able to handle going through that much snow!

Family Filled Week!

When it rains, it pours! We had so much family coming through all around the same time. First was my grandpa and Uncle Wess. Uncle Ed got my grandpa to tell some stories about his parents and some of his own childhood.

My personal favorite from the night was when he described his dad and shared that he never really got mad. The few times when he would though, he would say "Thunderation!" I'm going to teach that word to my nephew Tyler because he loves big words and I have a feeling that he will like this one a lot!

It was weirdly cold and so Ashley and I were wearing coats to stay warm!

On the next day, Hannah and Jonathan's mom came into town. Hannah's going to be teaching in Roosevelt and so she moved all of her things from Vegas. We're so excited that she will be a quick 2 hours away instead of 5 1/2 hours!

To celebrate their being in town, we had Taylor, Kenzie, and Mercedes come up and spent the evening with all of us.

I missed out on the picture because I was at work... Lame!

The next day, my parents drove into town! I was seriously so excited! I haven't seen them in over 5 months. My dad ran around town trading books and was able to get all of the books that he was hoping to get on this trip. My mom and I got some shopping in.

My mom got this gorgeous chair and I'm debating whether or not I'll let her take it back to California.

On their last full day with us, I took them down to the Manti temple. (Poor Jonathan was stuck at school!) It is such a beautiful and amazing building! We were able to see one of the spiral staircases. The incredible craftsmanship of the pioneers is just stunning.

This is the original entrance of the temple.

My adorable parents.

That same night we went out to dinner with my uncle Ed and aunt Terry. Jonathan could barely handle the similarities between my dad and uncle. It is very obvious that they are brothers from the way that they talk to how they sit.

These brothers are nothing alike...

The following morning they flew out to Tennessee and spent about a week in Kentucky. Tomorrow I'm going to pick them up from the airport and we're going to head up to Idaho for about another week.

I Am Grateful for Our Fun Family Trips

I am grateful for the family trips we were able to do this year.
In January, we went to Disneyland and the ocean with the Nelson family.

Taking over Tomorrowland!

In March, I went to Tahoe with some of the Nelsons.

My awesome wipeout!

In June, we went up to Idaho with all 17 Pattersons. (I still can't believe my family is that big!)

17 Pattersons and counting!

The wonderful farm we played at.

We saw lots of buffalo.

We split this burger with 4 people. That would not fit in my stomach.

We had pillow fights.

In September, we went back to Disneyland with my siblings and their boys. (Next time the little girls will come too!)

The gang of Patterson boys.

Group picture #1

Group picture #2

I am grateful that we were able to get away from everyday life and spend time with our families.

I'm Grateful For My Weekly Playdate

I am grateful for my Friday afternoons. After work, I get to go and play at the park with my sweet niece Mercedes. Here are some pictures of the things we do at the park.

We walk up and down a dirt hill, collect lots of rocks and sticks, splash in puddles, and go "up high".

We wear our winter coats as we hang upside down.

We make silly faces.

We go down the twisty slide.

We throw dirt like it's confetti.

We each take turns pushing the stroller.

We peek into the neighbor's backyard.

We sing and play songs as we walk hand in hand.

We race down the slides together.

We carefully put the bark through the hole.

We even ride sidesaddle.

We get in screaming contests with little boys.

We find old glowsticks.

We climb up slides.

We wear pretty shoes.

We climb around.

It has been so much fun to spend some one on one time with Mercedes. I am so grateful that Taylor and Kenzie live in Roseville so I can have this special time every week with Mercedes. I can't wait for this little girl (and her mom) to come back from Utah!

Life Lately (according to my phone)

I feel like a total slacker, so instead of doing a bunch of posts all at once I'm just going to share a bunch of pictures. 

Jonathan and I have done a lot together lately.

We toured the State Capitol the week before school started.

Jonathan said goodbye to the first computer he ever bought. 

(FINALLY!!! Now we only have 3 computer towers instead of 4!) 

We worked on our archery skills for FHE with the Nelsons. 

We played tennis with Taylor and Kenzie. (We need to do that more often!!!) 

Last week Jonathan took me on a picnic date.

The three 2 year olds are doing great!

Seth tried shooting the rubber band and luckily didn't hurt himself.

Garrett was reminiscing about the old days when he was just a baby.

Mercedes, as usual, took off with my shoes. (Look at how long and curly her hair is!!)

 Clara, much like me, is so much happier after a nap!

While driving around I've seen classic cars and lots of traffic.

That brown-orange truck is almost identical to the truck my dad had back in 1979. 

Down to the home made rack.

I'm still working on the chest and it just keeps getting better and better!

I just got the knobs last weekend and they are perfect!!

While shopping for the knobs, I found some inspiration for some new projects!!

Last, but not least. One of our neighbors got saran wrapped.

I honestly thought it was a huge spider web at first.

This is just some of the highlights of what we've been up to.

More post will be coming in the weeks ahead.