The Hoopes

Here's an updated photo of my sister Heather and her family. From left to right, Zachary, Jonathan (it could be Warner, but I honestly can't tell), Heather, Taylor, Jonathan Sr., Warner, and Avery.

The Stauffers

Here's an updated photo of my sister Michelle and her family. From left to right we have Mckinley, Cassidy, Michelle, Wyatt, Garrett, Colin, and Addison.

The Fountains

Here are some updated photos of my younger sister Lindsey and her family. Lindsey is with her two daughters Madison and Lauren. James, my brother-in-law, is with their two sons, Ethan and Tristen.

Going....Going...Almost Gone

2008 has been a wild and crazy year. With the long, drawn out election and the failing economy, who isn't ready for 2009? For Christmas, I spent a wonderful 5 days in Connecticut with my sisters Heather and Michelle and their families. It was complete craziness with 10 kids between the two of them, but it was fun to be with family, and especially kids for Christmas. While I was out there, I went into NYC to visit my friend Karen, her husband Bill, and their new baby Samuel. He is a doll and it was great to catch up with them even if only for a couple of hours.

I am not sad to see 2008 go, but I can't deny that it was a good year for me. I changed houses and jobs, and I feel very blessed. It was not without its stresses and frustrations, but those were learning experiences and I look forward to a great 2009!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I truly do believe that. I love this time of year. People seem to be a little nicer and more thoughtful. This photo was taken three years ago when Lindsey was still living in Utah. The coloring is not great, but the lights at Temple Square were beautiful, as usual.

Enough Said....

Rivalry Week

What can I say? We train'em young! My niece Addison (far right) is wearing Cougar blue! It's rivalry week here in the great State of Utah. A week when family members are pitted against one another and mature adults act like raving lunatics all in the name of college football. Ain't life grand? I love this time of year. I love college football, and I love this rivalry. I would like nothing more than to have BYU tromp the Utes this Saturday, but even if BYU doesn't win--it will be quite a game. You couldn't ask for a better scenario, Utah is 11-0 and BYU is 10-1. If Utah wins, the Utes will likely go to a BCS bowl. If BYU wins, it will be one of the biggest wins in Cougar history. It should be a great game--BYU has a great offense (except for the turnovers and penalties) and the Utes have a great defense (except for the occasional cheap shot). If BYU's defense decides to reappear after taking a vacation since the TCU game, then the Cougars will undoubtedly win. If not, then it will be a close one. The biggest travesty here, I won't even be able to see the game. I refuse to go to the game because the last time I went to Rice Eccles for a BYU/Utah game I had full beer cans thrown at me and one guy threatened to beat me up. I won't be able to watch it on television because my satellite company does not have The Mountain--what a joke!!! So I will listen to the game on the radio as I do every week, even though I can't stand the KSL commentary. The best part about this game is that for 3 hours this Saturday, we can watch and participate, even if only vicariously, without another care in the world. Again, ain't life grand? Cougars by 3!