Forget fashion, we are all about function!

See that car in the lead with what looks like band-aids on it? Yep, that's ours! Matt and Brett worked for hours getting his car "just right." Paint, axels, wheels, stickers, weights, (and a few things I'm sworn to secrecy about) . . . I could go on and on. They weighed this car over and over to get it just perfect. It was hand carried in a ziploc bag -UPSIDE DOWN - to the derby. I'm not sure why it had to be upside down - maybe I'm giving away another secret. Who knows? Matt was going to meet us there, straight from work.

We arrived, checked the car in, and it was weighing way too light!! Brett started freaking out. I knew Matt would be dying as well. I whipped out my wallet, dumped out a load of quarters and started taping them to the top of the car. All that time getting the car "just right" and now it's got a load of quarters taped to the top. So much for the paint job! We were all about function at that point. A quick call to Matt, who was stuck in traffic, just got me giggling. I thought he would have a heart attack as he tried to reach us.

Cheering Brett's car on!

Amazingly, he ended up with first place! Wahoo Brett! I kind of like to think that a few band aids and some extra weight can make you a real winner! If it's good for a car, why not people? Think I'll go have a cookie! :)

It all started with a bb gun . . .

Ben can talk all day, every day, about hunting. He is planning to go to Africa and go "Big Game Hunting." I think the Outdoor Channel is on our tv way too much.

Brett is a great shot, but doesn't like touching whatever he's shot. Matt about died when he asked for hand santizer after holding a duck. I was a proud mom when I heard that one. Way to go Brett!

The boys have gone down numerous times this winter to go "hunting." The first time they went, they didn't get a thing, so they decided to shoot up Ben's hat. It was a cammo Giants hat so those dumb Dodger fans didn't even blink at it. This poor hat had a hundred bb holes in it and now is a trophy in our home. On their last hunt, they were a little more successful. We had to eat duck and dove. Blech. Not my idea of a good meal but the boys LOVED it.

Christmas Day!

New hats - with hair included!!

Breakfast . . .

Everyone LOVES Uncle Chris!

Notice the "boys" are playing with their new

Christmas present.

Santa visits on Christmas Eve!!

Santa took time out of a busy evening to visit us on Christmas Eve!

Serious body language!!

Grandee and Choka Save the Day!

Grandee and Choka came out and saved the day! We were in the middle of so much yuck in the month of December. They came out for a few days to bring us some happiness and gave me a chance to start shopping! Thank you soo much!! We love you!!

BYU fans!! New BYU shirts for everyone!!

So far, I think Matt has enjoyed this one just as much, if not more than the boys!

Oakland Temple at Christmas

I guess I have a lot of favorite family traditions, because this is another one. Each year, we go to get awesome pizza at this great place called Pyzano's and then head up to the temple.We love to hear Richard King sing Christmas songs in the interstake center, see the lights and the visitor's center. It is always such a wonderful way to feel the spirit of Christ during Christmas.

Julie was worried that someone had eaten all of her pineapple and ham pizza! Don't worry Julie. We saved you a piece. :)

Sweet Nans

This is my Sweet Nana. We call her Nans. She is famous in our family for her lasagna, her "telling it to you straight," her brains and most importantly, her unconditional love and protection for her family. She pretty much was the most perfect grandma you could think of. She always had cookies for us in her cookie jar. We had sleepovers and made forts in her backyard. (She didn't even care if we used her good sheets!) She still adored us even though we hid all of her cigarettes she had packed to take on a cruise. (We thought she should quit!) She sent us little bits of cash and told us to keep a stash for a rainy day. "It's good for the soul," she used to say. She could play double solitaire with us for hours and she never let us win! She called and left I love you messages on our answering machine. I loved conversations that began, "Swear you won't breath a word!" and then she'd continue to tell me some bit of juicy Nana gossip. She taught us how to cook. We always joked that Mom had us washing dishes all the time so we never got a chance to learn anything. Nana corrected that. She taught me how to forgive and how to love. She gave me my Mom. She loved me. She loved my kids. She taught me how to decide who I am and have the strength to back it up. I love her.

She died three weeks ago. Cancer that was diagnosed six days before. Two days before she died, I had the chance to spend and afternoon with her. I treasure that time. We talked about a lot of things, but what I remember most was that she told me she loved me, and I did the same to her. We ended with the phrase we always said good bye with, "Love you more than you know." Nana. I love you more than you know. Thank you for loving me.