San Francisco with SonYA!

After Brooke's race, we headed to San Francisco.

We took Sonya to Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square,

Fisherman's Wharf and Lombard Street (the crooked street.)

It was a whirlwind tour of the city

but as always, it was so fun

and made me remember why I love that place!

Tyler and Sonya, ready to do some shopping in Chinatown.

And this is what they found...

...some real stylish hats.

*Tyler reluctantly posed for this picture. I promised that I wouldn't put it on the blog,
but that was before I realized how cute it was of Sonya...Oops! Sorry Ty, I just couldn't resist.

Mom, Dad and Brooke at our favorite ice cream shoppe,
Ghirardelli Square! Their hot fudge sundae is amazing!
Seriously. I ate one all by myself.
Mark thought for sure that I would share.
But no, I didn't! It was that good!

Tyler and Sonya at Ghirardelli Square.

Sonya is brave and holds up one of the crabs for a photo.

Enjoying Fisherman's Wharf as we walk down to Boudin's
to get some sourdough bread! Yum!

Ty and Sonya at the Wharf!

10:59!

Tyler and Sonya came to town to watch Brooke qualify

for the California State Indoor Track Meet yesterday.

Brooke led the entire 3200, out in front of the crowd,

and finished with a time of 10:59.

Check out the muscles in those legs!

Tyler and Sonya, patiently waiting to see Brooke race.

January birthday celebrations!

We celebrated Allie's and Dad's birthdays while we were in Utah.

Allie loves banana cream pie from Fat's restaurant in Roseville

and when she was little, would often request to have

a pie from Fat's instead of a cake for her birthday.

So we surprised her and hand carried a banana cream pie

on the plane from California to Utah.*

Fat's Banana Cream Birthday pie!

*FYI-I checked TSA website and there are many food items that you are not allowed to

bring through the security checkpoint (jams, jellies, salsa and sauces.)

But not to worry..."You can bring cakes and pies through the security checkpoint,

but please be advised that they may be subject to additional screening."

Good to know.

Allie and her birthday pie!

Allie and Dad, our January birthday kids!

Our friends, Brad and Karen Wilkes,
gave Dad a big candy jar full of old fashioned candy
for his 50th birthday! Yum!

Wilkes, Williams and Holt ski reunion!

We are in Utah skiing with our dear friends,

the Wilkes and Williams families!

We were missing Rhonda and a few of the kids but

it was a great day of skiing and fun!

Our cutest (and newest) little Cougar!

We moved Ashley into the dorms last weekend.
She is excited to room with Carlie, her friend from home!
Those two will have a blast together!

Ashley started classes this week
and has adjusted to college life quite quickly!
With Tyler and Allie just around the corner,
it will be NBD (no big deal!)

Now if only her mom can adjust to

Ashley being gone:(!!

The last picture taken of "the little girls" together!

Surprise! Happy 50th Dad!

For the past year, the kids have been talking

about having "the biggest party ever" for Dad's 50th.

But Mark is one that doesn't need a lot of fanfare or attention.

So having "the biggest party ever" in his honor

would not be his idea of fun.

So the kids decided to give him "the best present ever"

...but what would that be for a dad that is happy & content

and really never wants anything. Seriously.

He returns almost every shirt, tie or any other gifts

that I give him at Christmas or on his birthday

because he always insists that he has "plenty of everything."

After some thought and discussion, we all agreed

that the only thing that dad would like for his 50th birthday

would be to have all his family skiing on the slopes together.

But how could we make that possible?

Well, Brett came up with the great plan.

He and Kimber surprised everyone

and flew from AZ to Utah after Christmas

and meet us on the slopes on Tuesday morning.

Dad was totally surprised!

He said that when he saw Brett & Kimber, it was "surreal!"

That night it snowed.

The next morning we had an incredible powder.

As he was skiing down "The Pines" through the powder,

we all heard him singing,

"Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!"

We enjoyed 5 wonderful days, skiing together

and celebrating Dad's birthday with all of the kids.

Dad said it was the best birthday ever!

Happy 2010!

Wishing you...

{JOY}

and {LOVE} in

The lights at Temple Square!

We went to see the lights at Temple Square

for Family Home Evening along with a gzillion other families!

I can't remember the last time that we saw the lights,

but they are gorgeous and

totally worth braving the cold and crowds of people.

Brooke and I had fun using the new lens

that Kimber gave Brooke for Christmas!

Here are just a few of the pictures that Brooke took.

A win for the Cougars at the windy Vegas bowl!

It was a cold and windy night

but the Cougar football team was fired up

for the bowl game against Oregon State.

With the cold wind blowing over 40 mph

and the Cougars dominating the entire game

rolling over the Beavers 44-20,

it made for a crazy fun night!

It was so bitter cold that we spent most the night

huddled together, jumping up and down,

guzzling hot chocolate and cheering on our Cougars!

We stormed the field at the end of the game

along with hundreds of other BYU fans.

Thanks to the BYU cheerleader that helped me scale the fence!

So fun to celebrate with Tyler and the team on the field

and dinner at PFChang's was definitely memorable!

We were glad that we were able to share the fun night

and the great win with Tyler!

Bundled up and ready to watch the game!

Allie and Mom sporting their face tattoos.

Celebrating with Tyler on the field after the game.

Tyler celebrating with the newest and cutest BYU coed, Ashley!

Confetti being blown everywhere
during the celebration after the game!

The girls showing some Cougar spirit

with their BYU approved face tattoos!

The girls with the famous Cosmo the Cougar,

who made the ESPN highlights by helping with the fieldgoal net

when it got tangled over the goal post during the game.

Harvey Unga signing autographs for little BYU fans!

Bishop Falls...I mean Coach Falls, grandson found us on the field

and was so excited to get a picture with Tyler!

Tyler was excited too because

Bishop Falls was one of Tyler's favorite football coaches

in high school and I believe he was the one

who gave him the nickname "Kickerdude!"

Merry Christmas from Park City!

The girls spent the day on the slopes with Santa today!

Snow, sun and Santa...it doesn't get much better than that!

Just wishing you all were here to enjoy it with us.

Ashley's Goodbye Party!

Since Ashley is leaving for college this week,

we had a little party to celebrate.

She had lots of sweet friends and dear families

that stopped by to wish her well.

Her kind heart, contagious laughter and

sweet smile will truly be missed by so many!

Ashley's BFF's, Spencer and Matt

came early to the party to give Ashley a large fern,

decorated with festive ornaments and a plant.

There is special meaning behind this funny gift

but I'm not sure what it is nor should I share it at the time.

But there was a lot of squeals and laughter

that took place at the time when the gift was given.

The kids "hiding" behind the fern.

What is Ashley supposed to do with a

large fern at college?

Dad offered to plant it in the backyard

and care for it while she is away.

Ashley and her dearest friend and

favorite Sunday School teacher, Julie Hansen.

The first tears of the night were shed

when Ashley had to say "goodbye" to Sister Hansen.

Ashley and Haley. Best friends since 1st grade.

Ashley and one of her favorite families in the ward,

the McNaughton's. They definitely have the cutest kids!

Ash and cute little Brittany Ragan. Love that girl!

Ashley's going to miss these cute kids!

Aren't they adorable?!

WinterBall!

Tonight the little girls went to WinterBall!

It was Brooke's first formal dance!

They both looked gorgeous and had a good time!

Ashley and Brooke looking so cute!

Brooke and her date, TJ.

Ashley and her date, Craig.