Together Forever

Wow! What a day we had! I can't believe we really took the step we did today. I am so happy to be sealed to my best friend. It is amazing to think back over the last five years and see the changes that we have made. Travis has grown so much and is such a great example for me and our children. Yesterday was our five year anniversary, so today was a perfect day to be sealed together. Five years ago I would have laughed if someone said this is what we would be doing today. I never thought it would happen. I love Travis so much. I am so glad I will be with him forever. He has such a big heart and is the best husband in the world. I wasn't to stressed about today, once the dinner got planned and ready. When we got to the temple, I started to get a little nervous. But as soon as Travis and I were back together I was good again. I even did good during the ceremony, that is until the kids came in. Then the tears started. It was neat to have them with us. Brynlee was so beautiful and so excited to be there with us. She looked like and angle. All the kids were very excited to be a part of our day. I just wish Matthew and Emily could have come also.

After we all met at our home and had a little luncheon. It was so neat to have our family and friends join us. We have had so much support over the years. Everyone that was with us today has seen us through the ups and downs and the ups again. We are very blessed to have such amazing people in our lives. Thank you to all of you. I know there were some that really wanted to be there and couldn't. Thank you to you also! We know what true friends are! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family. In laws included!! I love you all and appreciate all you do for me and Travis!

Travis--I love you baby!

New York New York

So I've been a slacker in the blogging department! Life is just too busy when you have six kids a hubby and a dog! :) Actually, I've just got to be in the right mood. I really can not believe how fast time flies. I have always been pretty good at getting my Christmas shopping pretty much done by Thanksgiving. Not this year!! I am just not mentally ready for Christmas or winter or cold or snow or anything that comes with it.

All the kids are staying busy with school and everything going on in their lives. They have all managed to stay away from the flu that has been so bad this year. I am a little bit crazy, but was determined NOT to get sick before I went on or during my trip. I was willing to try it all--gargle salt water, swab my nose with salt water, zinc capsules, major hand sanitizer, lysol wipes. I did it all and it all worked. So far so good.

On November 5 me and 4 other gals headed for New York City. This trip had been planned and paid for months and months ago so it really didn't seem real. It was an amazing trip. I can't seem to quit talking about it and looking at pictures. It was a great place. We went to Broadway shows, shopped, ate, red bus tour, shopped, food tour in Greenwich Village, run in Central Park, shopped. We even did a temple session at the Manhattan temple. We didn't skimp when it came to eating either!! We went to some AWESOME restaurants and ate well! Our all time fav had to be Hillstone. Yummy ribs that I ate with my fork! I honestly couldn't believe all the fun places to shop. I was in heaven. If I had more luggage to take it all home in, I would have been even happier. Yes, Canal Street is all it is hyped up to be. I got some WAY cute purses! Everyone has asked me what my favorite part was and I have to say without a doubt, for sure, I'd do it over again in a heart beat---Wicked!!!!

All I can say is if you haven't seen it, you really need to. Seriously! Life changing!! A Spiritual awakening!! I will no longer watch the Wizard of Oz the same again as long as I live. I love the wicked witch of the west. She is my favorite!!! I could relate to her sooooo much. I was laughing and then crying and then laughing and then crying again. WOW! It was especially fun to be watching it with friends who have stood by me through my ups and downs in my life. They are true friends. I luv them!!

Well, Thanksgiving will be at my house this year. All of my family will be with us. It is always fun to get together with them. Luckily for me, most of the food is brought with them so I don't have to cook to much.

Today I called the temple and scheduled our date to be sealed. Dec. 12, 2009!! I am so excited and can't believe that it is really going to happen. It is just amazing to look back over the last 5 years at the ups and downs and where we are now. I am so proud of Travis and the example he is to the kids. This is one of those times I just want to sing, "To those who ground me, send a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying gravity!" (if you've seen Wicked, you'll get it) I love it!

I'll post a few pictures, but they just don't even begin to describe the wonderful, fun, amazing time that I had. And it is only fitting to say how thankful I am for friends. Friends that I can cry with and laugh with and just be crazy with. Friends who make be a better person. Friends who love me because of me. Friends who are amazing examples. Friends that because I know, "I have been changed for good....."

Summer is Over :(

Matthew, Peyton, Dylan. The sun was really bright!!

Sydney, Emily, Brynlee

"Hurry and take the picture!! The sun is in our eyes!"

Oquirrh Temple open house

Me and my Syd

Me and Brynlee beans!

Ready for church. A handsome little bunch.

mom, me, Trav, Alicia & Brent on Trav's temple day.

I can't believe it is almost fall. We had such a fun summer, but it flew by way to fast. Both Peyton and Dylan made a great accomplishment! They learned how to water ski. In fact, they are so good at it, it is hard for me and Travis to get any time in now. I was very proud of them. Sydney tried twice, but is still too small I guess. I was proud of her for at least trying. We finally got a lot of hour on the boat this year and hope to still get a few more. Maybe on Friday while everyone is in school!! :)

Peyton is going to Space Camp in Georgia the end of Sept. with four other kids. He is soooo excited, but has to come up with $100. I am trying to get him to do some kind of fund raiser. We'll see what happens.

All the kids were pretty excited to start school. Peyton & Matthew are in 7th, Dylan is in 5th, Emily is in 4th, Sydney is in 1st and Brynlee will start preschool on Sept. 9. I can't believe how fast they are growing.

Travis is staying busy as executive sec. in the bishopric and really enjoys it. He went to the temple on Aug. 4 for the first time. It was really neat. The memorable part will be when the fire alarm went off in the middle of the session and he looked at me like, "See, I told you something is going to happen to that building if I go in it!" It was funny, but luckily we didn't have to leave. It was a false alarm. We are planning on being sealed along with Brynlee in Dec. or Jan. (our 5 year anniversary) YEAH!! He has come such a long way and I am very proud of him and the changes he has made. He has a huge heart and an even bigger testimony. I love you Trav!!