BYU and the Vegas Bowl....2008

The Whittaker clan travels to the Vegas bowl together to watch BYU play Arizona. I sent Boom with the camera, thus the few pictures. They had fun together and enjoyed watching the game.

Todd and Chase went to the game as well. Fun was had by all those that went, even if BYU lost.
Jensen and Cheroo....
Love the patriotism...
Go BYU......

Legacy Christmas Sing-In!

This morning was the Annual Christmas Sing-in for all of the students at Legacy Elementary to perform for their parents. The Kindergarteners sang first. Easton sang "The Very Best Part of Christmas, and Santa's Too Fat for the Chimney". He stood in between two girls who wanted to be front and center, therefore squishing Easton out of his spot. He was a good sport though, and kept right on singing! He even did all the actions to his song. My nephew Jaxon sang with the 2nd graders. They both did great and sang loud!

Survivor Celebrations!

On December 14, 2007, I was awakened with a phone call that my Dad had suffered a massive heart attack and was at the AF Hospital. The events of this day were and are forever changing to the lives of my family. He was transported to Utah Valley where we received grim news and spent 17 days on a roller coaster ride. These were days and experiences that I wouldn't want again, but wouldn't trade for anything. Our family grew closer together through the experiences that we shared. I do know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of our needs, and we need our Dad to continue to be a part of our lives. We are so grateful for this blessing and celebrate 1 year longer that Heavenly Father has allowed my Dad to be with us. I am forever grateful for this and for my Dad. He is a great example of what a Patriarch should be and what I want to become. I love you Dad!

Jordyn's Student Recital

Jordyn had her Annual Christmas Recital last night. She has been teaching piano since she was 14. I don't know if she will ever give it up. All of her students played very well and each played 2 songs. One was a Christmas song, the other a Primary song. Jordyn played a duet with Kassi Taylor, "Ding Dong Merrily on High". She also played duets with Tayla Savage, only because Tayla broke her hand at gymnastics a week before the recital. Her students are Abbie Mower, Taylor Heward, Tessa Savage, Kassi Taylor, Talyn McMurtrey, and Tayla Savage.

The Start of our Christmas Holiday!

On the Friday after Thanksgivng, we met my parents and Kyle at Temple Square. We had a great lunch and went to see the Joseph Smith movie at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. I am so glad that we decided to go, because my dad had never seen it. It is always a great thing and it put the holidays into perspective for me. We have been blessed with so much, and we need to focus more on what Christmas is really about. We took the kids to the tenth floor of the JSB, and showed them the great view of Temple Square. After the movie, we went to Temple Square to see the lights turn on for the start of the holiday! They are always amazing and so fun to see. We were able to ride the Trax and went a little past our stop so that Kyle could get a good ride, seeing as this was his first time to ride it. We always enjoy being together and enjoyed so much the lights and the reminder of the true meaning of Christmas!

Full of Thanks for Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving was a first for the Whittaker clan. This is the first year that we have all been together for Thanksgiving! We never wanted Marilyn to be alone, so we always split up. Cari and Troy were nice enough to let us come up to Deer Valley to their families condo. We arrived on Wednesday night and stayed til noon on Friday. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. The kids played nintendo, Risk (board games), hide and seek, and enjoyed the warmth of the hot tub. The women cooked dinner, (except Ryne made awesome soup) and needed help to open a can of pumpkin without an opener. Jordyn had to work at noon on Thanksgiving so she left early, but were so glad she was with us for a while. We watched the tradition of "Miracle on 34th Street (my favorite) and of course lots of Football. We enjoyed being together and look forward to many more Thanksgiving's as a Whittaker Family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Easton and his friend Jake had their Thanksgiving feast today and came home looking like festive Indians! I am so thankful for so much this year and appreciate our good friends and family! We have had many trials that could have been tragedies, and have been miracles! I know that Heavenly Father is so mindful of each of us and that he blesses us in more ways than we can imagine! I am thankful for miracles in my life and in the lives of those we love. I am thankful for all the material things that makes life a pleasure and a joy. I am thankful for children that strive to do what's right and bring joy to me and many others. I have often told myself that I am undeserving of such awesome faithful spirits, but so grateful that Heavenly Father has entrusted them to me to be their mother. I wish you all much happiness and joy throughout the holidays and want you to know that we love you!