Happy Anniversary

Chuck and Fay!

We hope that you had a wonderful day and have an eternity of happy years together!!

I cut my hair off

On Saterday I finaly gut up the neavers and got my hair cut. I have been growing it for over two year to donate it for lock of love. So on Saterday the lady cut 10 1/2 in off. My hair has not been this short scence 9th grade. It is a lot less weight and I use a lot less shampoo lol. I just wanted to show my new look.

Shelby's Special Day

December 27, 2009

Shelby and Grandpa Hicks on the way to the baptismal font.

Les, Grandpa Brother Duckworth, Charlie

Shelby, Brother Preston

Do you know this bunch?
Wish that all of the family could have been here.

It was a wonderful day for Shelby. We were not sure if it was going to happen for our Bishop fell and broke his ankle in 3 places two days before the baptism. Shelby had not had her interview yet but he was able to do part of it over the phone on Sunday and then gave permission for the 1st counselor to finish. (He is still really drug because they have not been able to do surgery yet because of some medication he was on.) She was so excited she kept asking me when it was going to happen during sacrament. When primary was over she ran out of primary because she thought it was going to happen right then. Talk about being exicited.

From Us to You

Merry Christmas

We wish you the Happiest of New Year's!

Mt. Charleston

A view from the restaraunt parking lot.

Dave, Lisa and girls.

Beth and girls.

Brian and I.

Dad and I.

There is a mountain to the west of the city called Mt. Charleston that is just beautiful. They got about 3 feet of snow 10 days ago, so we drove up today to enjoy it for awhile. It is nice to get away from the brown, rocky, dull city and see some real beauty. Dave, Lisa and family and Beth and girls went up with us. We had a great afternoon!

I DID IT!!!!

My title of college student ended today at 3:15 pm. I have successfully completed my college education and am now certified to be an elementary school teacher! I look forward to moving back to Michigan and starting a new part of my life.

A Peek into the House (for those who haven't seen it)

Ok, these pictures aren't the greatest because they are from my phone. My camera had a run in with some sand and I feel as though the sand has won. I only have a few pictures because everything isn't exactly done yet. I have only put a few things on the walls so far. I actually have a pretty good idea about what I want to do decorating wise, but my money tree in the backyard isn't cooperating so I have to do it a little at a time :) So anyways, here is a little taste of our house.

The Living Room

The previous owners left their couches for us and so I had to immediately buy some slipcovers for them. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that we have them otherwise, you would be looking at a very empty room.

The eat in part of the Kitchen

Sorry about the bright light. I tried to take the picture with the light off, but it was just way to dark. See that clock there? I was so excited to get it because that is what I had envisioned for that wall. Both the clock and the mirror in the Living Room are from Home Goods. Man I love that store.

Fireplace in Family Room

Not much to tell here. Although I was pretty excited to get the candle holder for super Clearance at Kohl's. Also, I made the Families Are Forever plaque like 3 or 4 years ago at a Super Saturday and this is the first time that we have actually hung it up. There were already a couple of screw in the brick so, we thought it was the perfect place for it.

Side view of Family Room
Again, sorry about the bright light. We are borrowing the lamp (because we have none of our own) and we don't have a shade for it. We bought these couches with some of our rebate money. Let me just tell you, I love them!!!! They are so comfortable. Maybe some day I will take a better picture of them. Either that or you will just have to come visit to see them :)

Beautiful Lady

I added this picture because the little girl in it is just so cute.

Las Vegas Marathon

Today, Brian ran the Las Vegas Marathon. 26.2 grueling miles! Starting temps were 31 degrees, windchill of 21 degrees. He had to start at 6:15 am, which meant being there at 5:30am. He did it in 4 hours 40 minutes and 57 seconds. Much slower than he had hoped. He didn't think he would be able to finish, but he did it!! We are very proud of him.

With almost 30,000 runners, it was impossible to see him at the start.

At the 15 mile mark, over half way there!

At the 23 mile mark, almost finished!

The cheering section.

Getting his "Good job", "Keep going Papa!" from the girls.

After 26.2 miles, tired and sore, but a winner in my book! Great job, Brian!

Hello everyone...

We brought some goats back to our house. We have the goat Lexi had for fair and two other ones. They are all female and we are hoping to use them to breed and have babies for our kids to take to fairs in the future. We'll see how that goes. We only have a lean-to for them for shelter. We're hoping to build them a shed, but I don't know when that will happen. So far they have adjusted pretty well. Even the baby is doing well. She hardly bellered at all like we were expecting her too since she hadn't been weened yet, but she hasn't really.

We had a great time for Thanksgiving. It was such a blast to be able to hang out with family for as long as we were able to. I wish we could do it more often. Now we're back to the old grind and trying to hang in there until Christmas break. We put up our Christmas tree and other decorations on Monday. Ever since then Jaxson has been bothering me about his presents. I don't know if I can stand hearing about it (and hearing all the whining) for 20 more days. Man is he ever persistent.

Today I finished my final paper for my chemistry lab and the exam paper questions for my chemistry lecture. I did my chemistry lecture on Tuesday. I'm so glad things are winding down. Most of the work I have left are for my math and accounting classes. I can't wait to be finished. Next semester I have four classes again, but only two days worth. It will be so nice to not have to be at campus every day of the week. I have two online classes. I think it should be a schedule I can handle (although I thought that of this semester too, and ended up feeling overwhelmed, so we'll see).

Wrestling is in full swing with last night being the first meet and Saturday being the first tournament. I don't know that the pay Charlie gets is really worth all the time he puts into it, but I know it's something he really loves, and that is the only reason I put up with it. I'm going to be so glad to have it over. Although his pay from it this year will help us put braces on Lexi's teeth. Yep, that's right, she's getting braces. They go on in a little over a week. She isn't excited, not that I can blame her, but she will appreciate it in the long run. At least, I do.

That's about it for right now. Hope everyone else is getting back to normal lives since break and gearing up for Christmas. I think we are finished buying presents. I love that feeling.

ED HAS AN INTERVIEW

Ed has and intervew tomorrow at mcdonald in fowlerville i just wanted to let every one know ans ask to keep us in your prayer thanks a lot for a great weekend I love seeing you all.

SAD/HAPPY/EXCITED all in one.

Not enough time in MI this last weekend or to much work to do. It seemed like we were rushed all of the time. It was nice that Charlie helped Chuck put in a new water heater in the Flint house. Now Sabrina can have hot water from the faucet and Hannah will have when she gets there. The biggest surprise for me was how much Jaxson had grown and looks more like Merrit all of the time. I wasn't feeling the best when we up there so I didn't get to play with the grandchild as much as I would have liked to.

The grandchild that are with me are all praying hard that their mom gets to be in WV by Shelby's birthday on the 17th of this month. If everyone could help with more prayers on this matter is would be great.

I'm so glad that Beth, Jenny, and Hannah could get together over Thanksgiving. It's wonderful to know that friendship can be eternal to. Also want to thank Brian and Jean for feeding Hannah and letting her come.

I'm looking forward to flying out to Salt Lake to be able to drive back to WV with Hannah! I can't believe that it will happen next week. I have never flown before so I'm a little nervous and I am sad that I won't have time to do some sight seeing and meet some of the people in the area where Hannah served her mission. Maybe when I'm old and gray I can do that : -) I'm also not looking forward to the 33 hour drive back. That's a long time in a full packed car. But it will be nice to have Hannah with me I just can't wait. I'm ready to go now!!

We shipped all of our goats yesterday ;-( (How do you like my tear?) I will miss seeing them when I visit but I just needed to get rid of the feed bill. I can't be there to worm them and trim the hoofs when needed and then I would need to buy another buck and it just wasn't worth it to me any more. So the animals on the farm now are chickens, dogs, and cats. Maybe when we get back in 6 to 10 years we will get a steer or 2. Oh that is to far away to think about right now.

Christmas tree is up and the sister missionaries will be over on Thursday to help set up all my nativities. It's wonderful that I have the room to put them all out. (I think I do.) This is also the first year that I have been able to put up all of my Christmas tree. In the past I would have to leave the back side off so I could push it up against the wall so we would have some room in the living room to move. I have a wonderful house. Maybe for Christmas I will get a digital camera so I can post some pictures.

Would all of you please email me your mailing address because I'm thing about trying to get some Christmas cards out this year. cmh2@hotmail.com Thanks