Roots Run Deep

I have always felt a strong connection to family. From my mom's side of the family who diligently schedules family reunions every three years for Oswalds of six generations, to Leo's family who shows me that even if our cousins are former convicts they deserve a place at the Thanksgiving table, I've realized that family ties mean a lot.

My mom grew up in a small town in Nebraska -- West Point. We left West Point when I was 6 years old and followed Leo to Utah. From the age of 7 until 18 I spent time every summer in West Point, Nebraska with my grandparents. There was no shortage of uncles, aunts, or cousins. And even in the last 13 years I've tried to visit as often as possible to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, and the rest of the family.

This past year I lost both of my grandparents. At Grandma's funeral I remember thinking that it might be my last trip to West Point--and then thinking that I'm too young to have a "last" of anything. Still, I don't know when I'll get back there. Luckily, I have second cousins and other relatives in the area (along with uncles and aunts not too far away) who keep in touch and remind me of the kind of life in West Point, Nebraska.

Cousin Connie sent an email the other day about West Point's town Christmas tree this year. It just happens to be the tree from her parents' old house. Connie's mom and my grandma were sisters. They had coffee at least once a week for as long as I can remember. Connie's parents passed away several years ago and the kids sold the house; it was the new owner who donated the tree to the town. Connie said she remembered buying that tree for her dad, Norm, for Father's Day one year, and planting it in the front yard. You can see a picture and a story from the local paper here: http://www.wpnews.com/

This makes me think that there can't be that many Christmas trees around towns in the USA this time of year for which we know their whole history. I started thinking that only in West Point would the town Christmas tree have a story and only in a family like mine with such deep roots would we all share the story.

Attention Football Fans

Check out this youtube video, you won't be disappointed (I promise even Cougar fans will laugh)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6CROOR2QN8

Black Friday!

A few years ago my sisters-in-law talked me into getting up early and going shopping with them on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was reluctant to wake up so early, but when we got to Wal-Mart, snuck in front of everyone waiting in line, and pushed and shoved to get the Carebears, I was hooked! It's a woman's sport. This year did not disappoint. Some woman rammed Brandi in her tummy (her 8-month pregnant belly) so Brandi hit her with a Hannah Montana guitar. I got my toe run over by a cart and knocked over a bunch of DVDs but neither one stopped me. Deana was such a trooper to stand in line while Holli, Brandi, and I canvassed the stores for the best deals. We woke up at 3:45, hit Wal-Mart at 5:00 am, Target at 6:00 am, then Old Navy and Toys-R-Us. We paused for breakfast and then hit Kohl's just for fun. We made it home a little after 1:00, although I told Jeff we'd "for sure" be done by 12:00. Oh well, you can't stop until the car is full and we lived up to that motto. Check out these pics!

Thanksgiving in Kaysville

Bobby's blog says it all...

http://thewynnsofnorthogden.blogspot.com/

UTAH 48 BYU 24

Can you say "Mountain West Conference Champions"?
Can you say "Undefeated"?
Can you say "BCS Buster"?

Peyton and Ashley have something to say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sV1Sm-OuEM

Ashley Got Her Ears Pierced!

She didn't even cry!

Peyton Lost Another Tooth (#3)

Can you guess which one?

New Kids on the Block!

I've been waiting for my boys to return for 18 years and it was worth the wait! I was a pretty crazy 13-year-old girl in the summer of 1990 when all I could think about was Jonathan Knight and NKOTB--I became that girl again last weekend in Salt Lake City. My crazy mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and neice joined me and our craziness level just multiplied. By the time I drove to Utah on Saturday Deana and the girls were in the midst of making one-of-a-kind t-shirts for all of us. I brought along my duffel bag filled with 18-year-old NKOTB memorabilia (no joke), including books, magazines, posters, shoelaces, water bottle, bracelet, earrings, pins (the BIG ones!), and my homemade scrapbook including important info on each "kid" (like favorite color and the kinds of girls they like). I told you I had been waiting for this!

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when those boys came on stage. They are more hot now than ever before (of course, I've gone through puberty since the last time I saw them so I'm sure that has something to do with it)! We had great seats, especially when they did a couple songs in a small stage in the middle of the arena--I had a close-up view of Jonathan and his delicious arms and delectable rear end. I don't think Erika (Justin's wife) quite understood the depth of my feelings for NKOTB, but I think she realizes it now. Brandi, eight months pregnant, was pretty crazy herself.


You can visit Erika's blog at justinanderika.blogspot.com and Brandi's blog at mattandbrandi.blogspot.com for more pictures and stories. My infamous butt picture is on their blogs as well...

The Oregon Coast

On Friday we flew to Oregon for a weekend at the coast. Our friends Kim and Dan were supposed to join us but had to stay in Utah and take care of family so it was just the four of us. We stayed at a condo at the Inn at Otter Crest -- it's literally on the edge of a cliff! Our view was unbelievable!(http://www.innatottercrest.com/)

We had a blast and although the kids weren't supposed to get wet, I couldn't get mad at them when they had such huge grins on their faces. The weather was a cool 65 degrees most of the time. We hit the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Marine Science Center, but mostly we relaxed.

Halloween!

Halloween in Boise is like Pioneer Day in Utah or a home football game for the Huskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. It's a big event! Half the city turns out to trick-or-treat on Harrison Blvd. and it's wall-to-wall people. This year we were able to make the trek with a few friends. The grins on the kids' faces said it all. I can't wait 'til next year!



Ashley carved this pumpkin almost entirely by herself. She's pretty independent...I wonder where she gets that?...










The pumpkin on the bottom is supposed to be the witch from Snow White but the damn squirrels got to it before I got to take a picture. The pumpkin on top is Peyton's.









Is this the cutest witch you've ever seen or what?


























Our ninja was focused on only one thing -- treats!!!

The goblins (clockwise from top left): Peyton/Ninja, Owen/Dale Earnhardt, Geoffrey/SPD Ranger, Ty/Darth Mal, Charlie/Superman, Jack/Hedwig (the Harry Potter owl), Ian/Mystic Force Ranger, and Ashley/Witch.