Christmas, In a cabin far far away...

...well not too far. Just in Midway Utah, a charming town between Provo and Park City. We had our first "White Christmas" away from home. We had a splendid time. We had guest throughout the week. My Mom aka "Magums" OR Grandma. Matt, Brynn and Makenna (my brother and his fam) Holly and Roxanne (My Sister and Niece) Robin and Barry (My other sister and her hubby) Caitlin, our future daughter in law, and Jamie (Tiffs friend). Our activites included, skiing/snowboarding, snow shoeing, sledding, winter fly-fishing, playing board games, have "Just Dance" dance-offs, eating, wrapping gifts, opening gifts, baking, creating gingerbread houses, reading by the fire, decorating trees, a visit to Temple square to see the amazing lights, and snowball fights, that evolved to some typical seasonal family quarrels...Overall, it was a wonderful Success and we enjoyed everyone. Thanks Guys!

A view from the back of the cabin

Lights and Temple in SLC

Sledding!
"Just Dance" with Tiff, Jamie, and Austin

Yes...This crazy guy of ours fly fishes in the winter!

"Magums and Makenna"

Dorough Girls

Sledding at Soldier Hallow
The guys watching the Laker Game.

Holly and Mom, saying "CHEESE" before...

Being bombed with snowballs!

The FOUR stooges

Making Gingerbread houses

A Family effort decorating the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" for the Cabin.

And she said YES!! JOSH gets ENGAGED to Caitlin...

Right before Josh was supposed to come home for Thanksgiving break, he informed us that he wanted to propose to Caitlin sooner rather than later AND he wanted to do it in in California (since they are both from S.CA) NOT Utah. With 35 plus people coming over that week we had to act quickly. First thing was he needed was to get a ring. On Monday, with Aunt Leslie's connection at the jewelry mart in LA, Josh was able to find a beautiful ring that Caitlin had described. He he bought and paid for it that day. On Tues the cute couple headed to Temecula to visit Caitlin's family. She didn't know that Josh was secretly planning on having "Thee talk" with Caitlin's father. In the meantime that day, I drove back to LA to pick up the ring after it was sized and designed perfectly. I had to fight LA traffic so I convinced Austin to come with me so I could use the carpool lanes. After that little errand, the same night we met Kirk back at home and then got in the car and drove to Huntington Beach to meet and have a late dinner with Caitlin's family; they were wonderful! I also had the chance to pass off the ring to him. Weds evening before Thanksgiving, was the night he was supposed to "pop the question." After much discussion with Tiff, Aunt Leslie and myself, Josh decided to ask her on a private beach in Laguna, thanks to his friend that owns a home there. The plan was that on the way back from Temecula to our home, Josh planned to stop at the beach for a romantic stroll. Josh enlisted the help from Greg and Tiff. While he was heading to Laguna from Temecula, Tiff and Greg also headed to Laguna. They had to drive through LA Weds before Thanksgiving, traffic was a nightmare; BUT they endured. They arrived early to set up the Beach, with candles, roses and rose petal, Martinelles, Tiki torches, and a big sign below. Mission Accomplished!

Thanks and Giving

Thanksgiving was filled with lots of cousins, fun-crazy chaos, football, yummy food, making fools of ourselves playing "Just Dance", although the little kids were adorable getting their dance on. The week started with Josh getting engaged, ended with a beautiful sunset; and in between were lots of fun-filled memories. Thanksgiving Sunset

Matt and Greg being good sports

Greg with Logan

Emma and Ellie

Ellie love...making her Thanksgiving placemate.

Josh and his adorable fiance, Cailtin

Tiff with Makenna

Tiff showing her little cousins how to rock at "Just Dance." We kinda got obsessed.

Mark holding our niece Sarah...Greg and Holly's little girl.

Treehouse Fun!

My favorite pic of Thanksgiving. This depicts Austin and his cousins perfectly.

Washington DC in October

Kirk arranged for Tiff and I to go to DC for a Birthday Girls Trip. It was the perfect gift since we both love travel and history. Here it is:

Jefferson Memorial

Met up with longtime Family friends, Ashley and Whitney Klepinger

Streets of Georgetown

This WWII vet viewing HIS monument was so moving and inspirational to me. There was a group of them there, I wanted to hug them all.

Alexandria...Founding Fathers including GW were regulars here.

Library of Congress

Steps of Capitol Hill

A view to Arlington Cemetery

Fall-Foilage-Football 2010

How I love the fall colors! I got to go to Utah a few times this fall. I haven't been there during Fall since my Father passed away. It made remember how much he loved it and why. Now Tiff appreciates it just the same.

This is Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon...Where my Dad purposed to my Mom.
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Other Fall Moments...

Fall=Football
Kirk was Assistant Coach for Austins Flag Football team
They were division CHAMPS!