Time out for Women, Oct. 2012

A group of ladies got together to go to Time Out for Women.  We had a large group, which always makes it fun!  We heard Sheri Dew give one of her memorable talks on Women's Role with the priesthood, heard Michael McLean and Mercy River, and two of my favorites:  Jenny Oaks Baker and the ladies from Our Best Bites.

 Michelle Larson, Sally Roberts, Leslie Fairbank, Lindsey Wolfe, Kate Waters, Michelle Spencer, me, Jessica Fitches

 outside the Convention Center

Temple Walk Sept 2012

When our Young Women's President, Kari Ginn, suggested that the girls go on a Temple Walk and walk 14 miles in the morning, I didn't see how they could do it, but she had confidence in them and knew they could.  The girls met at the church at 4:50 a.m. and left just after 5 am to walk all the way to the temple.  They had 6 breaks along the way to spell "T-E-M-P-L-E" with a spiritual message and get a snack.  If the girls needed to go to the bathroom, a truck would take them then re-catch them up with the group.  Near the end of the trip, they faced some temptation who tried to tell them to turn back.  The girls did it!!  I was so impressed!  Katherine thought her legs would fall off afterwards, but still a year later (now) she still mentions walking along some of the roads she walked on to do it.  I went along as the photographer to document their achievement.

 Becky Preece

 Katherine & Izzy Fairbank

 Todd Preece, Jeremy Fitches, Kirk Ginn

 Everyone Ready to Start--notice how dark it was when they started!

 Jackie Houlberg presenting the first message to the girls.

 Deanna Cole, Trish Madsen, Jackie Houlberg (the sun is coming up)!

Bishop, Bryce Roberts; Becky Preece

 Jessica Fitches

 

along the trail... Jeanna Kim (front)

 

Stake YW leaders at a stop near the mall

 Stop at Krispy Kreme for donuts--Katherine with Annie Kim and Sophie Anderson

 Brian Hillier, one of the Tempters

 Bishop Roberts

 Kari Ginn

 Dave Crawford (Stake Presidency) giving a message at the last stop

 Stake YW leaders at one of the stops near the mall

 Families there to celebrate with the girls (Kimberly & Holly Williams)

 Wow! She made it!

 the Finishers!

Kari with the Stake YW President

  

Oct. 2012 General Conference

We went over to see Kristina at BYU for the weekend to see how she is doing for our annual fall trip.  We also got tickets to go to the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference.  We really enjoyed being there for Conference, but were disappointed when we realized that that session doesn't have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  So, we'll have to go again at some point, but it was fun to take Katherine for her first time, which we had planned on doing when she was 12.

 

2012 Election Year

2012 was the Presidential Election year, and being in one of the crucial deciding states, we heard ads on the TV and radio ALL of the time.  I wanted to do my part, so I would have no regrets, to help Mitt get elected.  In the time Obama had been in office, I have constantly been dismayed at his choices and actions as President.  I went door-to-door with flyers, worked in the campaign office, attended Romney rallies, and made "get out to vote" calls.  Much to my dismay, Obama was re-elected, but as I said before, I have no regrets, having done all  I could to prevent that from happening.

 Eric Decker, Denver Broncos' Receiver showing Romney support.

 I was really close to Ann at the rally!  Pretty cool!

 Romney election supporters call center.

 Alabama performed at one of the Denver rallies and they were awesome!

 

It was quite a rockin' party at the Denver rally!

Elder Holland visits our stake, Oct. 2012

In October, Elder Holland visited our stake.  It's a BIG DEAL when an apostle comes to visit, but nothing like when everyone's favorite comes to visit.  Special tickets were issued and lots of people stood in line to get the best seats possible.

Elder Holland is so amazing, he did not disappoint.  It was so awesome to have him talk from OUR chapel and feel the power of his testimony.  He challenged the mayor, David Casiano, to be baptized.  He told the young men there is NO EXCUSE for them not getting themselves ready to go on missions and how his going on a mission changed his life.

We flew Kristina home that weekend just to be there for that experience.  It was totally worth it.  One of those "once in a life-time" events that we will always remember.  I don't know how we were lucky enough to have another Apostle visit our chapel in less than a year, but what a blessing it was!

Ward Campout August 2012

Our ward had a campout last fall.  We all brought up our own dinners and enjoyed watching the scouts do a skit with glowsticks.  Pretty cool.  Then there was a big campfire to roast s'mores and stay up and talk around.

In the morning, we had breakfast, packed up the tents, and played some games (like softball and volleyball).  The campout was simple, but fun--especially the kids' watermelon eating contest (which surprisingly, Katherine won)!  Some of the fun pictures:

Summer 2012 House Remodelling

During the summer, we also started a major house remodelling project.  We planned to refinish all of the wood floors, and also add the study and family room  to have wood floors instead of carpet.  While we were on vacation, our wood floors were supposed to be refinished.  The wood didn't get delivered, so of course, they ended up being done while we were still there.

We also got granite countertops.  It took us forever to finally agree on a slab of granite that we all liked and Katherine ended up being the final deciding vote.  So, the granite guys didn't cut the granite straight so we had to put granite in our backsplash.  It wasn't just the cost of it, but the fact that I really loved the back splash we had.  After talking to a few friends, they said we should have made them redo it, but I'm not so sure they would have done it anyways.

We also rebuilt our pantry with 2 doors instead of one and pull-out shelving.  The problem was, it had a hidden waterline, which had to be moved ($750) in order to move the door.

Then we decided to add a ceiling fan/light which also involved hiring an electrician.  He did a great job (no complaints there) and he also installed outlets in the basement workshop.

All in all, it took over 3 months of the kitchen being torn up and most of the entryway and family room.  I was so ready for it all to be over!  Plus, it cost us nearly double what we planned on it costing! We're happy with the changes, but not ready for remodeling again for a very long time!

 Pantry before--1 door

Tile topped island 

 backsplash before (as should still be!)

 granite installers

 nice new sink

 granite counters with natural edges

Rich building the pantry