Happy New Year!

Our holidays this year were spent, as usual, not at home!! This year we managed to visit four different cities and two states between Christmas and New Years. (But we love it!!) We rang in the New Year at Laura and Cody's house in Grand Junction. This is two years in a row that we've spent it there, so maybe it's a tradition now.?. We had a lot of fun playing games, playing the Wii (Paul and I were unstoppable at tennis), eating, and watching movies. Cody was even able to kind of scare Paul with a spooky lady he hung in our shower. For all of you who know Paul, you know how impossible it is to scare him, and how good he is at scaring everyone.

"Happy New Year!"

Merry Christmas!

We got together with friends at Rodizio Grill before Christmas for dinner and a gift exchange. It was so much fun to see everyone! Since we don't have Jazz tickets this year, we don't get to see them that often. We are so blessed to have such great friends who we love! (Harry & Kasey, thanks again for the great gifts!)

Paul and I spent the Christmas holiday with the Campbell family in Richfield. We had so much fun hanging out with everyone and spent a lot of time relaxing, putting together puzzles, and eating. We also spent a day at Grandma Campbell's house in St. George. She is so cute, and we always love seeing her.

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too!!


Isn't Dave so cute!


Paul with his Mom & Dad and Brothers, Ryan & Steve
Ryan is holding Emma

I won a Hexa Bug in Christmas Bingo.
Steve was so amazed!


Dave Loves Grandpa!

Visiting Grandma Campbell
She is the Best!

"E" Girls' Dinner

The "E" neighborhood girls got together for dinner at Chilis. Amber was unable to come because she had to work, so we went to her. She was a fabulous waiter! It was good getting together and catching up. I am so lucky to have such fun neighbors who are great friends. Big thanks to Joey for organizing it!! Let's do it again soon!

Mine Tour

While staying at my parent's house last weekend, we were able to see the Crandall Canyon Mine memorials. My Dad also took us to the mine where he works. We weren't able to go inside, but he showed us some cool things. It's funny that I grew up in a mining community and know nothing about mines. My favorite part was seeing the control room. From there, they monitor everything in the mine and can even monitor where everyone is in the mine. It was an interesting tour!

Crandall Cayon Memorial at Huntington Canyon

Dave & Steve
They were having a blast running all around!

Deer Creek Mine


My Dad showing us how they "sign in" for work


Their Lights
I thought it was cool that the miners can get
messages sent to these red boxes while in the mine


Deer Creek Mine Entrance


The metal piping along the side of the road is a conveyor belt that
takes the coal from the mine to the power plant

Turkey, Food Storage, and Gingerbread Houses!

We went to my parent's house for Thanksgiving this year. As always, we managed to stuff our faces and be lazy all afternoon. It was great!

We also had the opportunity to do another round of packaging food storage items over the weekend. Along with the food storage, we were treated to several interesting demonstrations. My Mom made us "Survival Bread" to try. It was alright, but it had a very distinct lemon taste that kind of made it weird. Apparently, this stuff is easy to make, won't go bad, and will help give you the nutrients you need. If it ever came down to it, I think I could eat it. My Mom has also been trying to preserve cheese. In a year, we're going to try them to see what they taste like - yummy!! My sister-in-law Heidi also told us that Fritos are great to keep in your car and as part of your food storage. Not only are they a delicious snack, but the oils in them work as a great fire accelerant. Finally, my sister Laura told us to fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water if a disaster ever hits (if you have time). You can use the water to help flush your toilets in an effort to keep things "normal" and sanitary.

We also kept with Guymon Family tradition and made gingerbread houses. We usually use graham crackers for the houses, but this year my sister Laura shared a gingerbread recipe that I tried. It is not good for eating, but it gets really hard and is perfect for houses. Kara was great and let me use her rolling pin - I don't have one. I found a pattern off the internet that was simple and used it to cut out a house. I impressed myself with the great job I did!! It was so much fun that I think I'll always use gingerbread.


Food Storage Assembly Line


Survival Bread & Cheese


Miles, Cody, Kenya & Ashlee


Travis & Michelle


Colin & Jaime


Austin working on a sugar rush


Everyone hard at work


Sneaky, Sneaky Little Camden


Mark


I'm almost done!


This is the WHOLE family
(except for Paul taking the pic!)


Dad & Avery


Alanna & Laura


Paul helping with the frosting dishes

Haircut!

Our sweet, little dog Dave got a much needed haircut. We were hesitant to cut him while it's so cold, but we couldn't take his shedding anymore. Seriously, it was out of control. We were covered in little white hairs, and it was getting in our eyes. So far, he doesn't seem to be cold. We got him a cute little sweater just in case. I think he looks much better, and we're all a lot more happy!!!

Now he's ready to snuggle!

The Secret Life of Bees

Paul was such a great husband and went to The Secret Life of Bees with me. He wasn't that excited since he knew I had heard of the movie on Oprah's show. He probably won't admit it, but I think he actually enjoyed it too.

So, I totally recommend this movie. If you haven't gone to see it, you need to.

I have a funny story from our visit to the theater that day. We went to an afternoon matinee, and when we got there the theater was almost empty - maybe 10 people tops. We picked a seat towards the top and just waited for the movie to start. When the previews started playing, we had at least four different groups of people surround us within a 30-second period. Normally, this wouldn't bother me, but the WHOLE theater was open. The topper was a lady actually came and sat in the seat right next to Paul. Honestly, I was looking for the hidden camera! Doesn't everyone know that you're not allowed to sit right next to someone you don't know - especially when there's a million other seats to choose from?! Paul ended up moving to the seat on the other side of me, but it still had us scratching our heads. Apparently, we picked the best seats in the house!