Nicholas!!

On our trip up north, we stopped by West High in Salt Lake to visit Nick. We hadn't seen Nick for a couple of months, while he has been with his mom. Nick was so excited to see Chris especially, and we were pretty excited too. We were able to check out his school situation, meet his teachers and classmates and take him to lunch. It was a wonderful morning!! We are looking forward to Nick coming home for Christmas!

UBEE Award Winner!!

Chris and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Salt Lake City. Chris was notified a few weeks back that he would be receiving at least one award at the state Utah Broadcasters award ceremony. This is a competition for professional broadcasters all over the state. Well, when it was all said and done, Chris walked away with FOUR gold awards!! He only entered four radio productions. It is so good to see him recognized for his abilities and talents in an area that he loves!

Chris has been given many wonderful opportunities at SUU. Currently he is doing play-by-play with Art Challis for the football games, which can be heard on SUU's, Power 91. Chris is also producing a weekly-half hour news program, which is part of his Masters project. In addition, he is interning again for the athletic department, which pays most of his tuition. Between work at CMS, radio, sports, class, (and let's not forget family), he is one busy guy.

The kids also had a great time at home with Granny and Papa. I cannot express how grateful we were to be able to leave the kids and not have to worry. It was a wonderful day away! Thanks to a wonderful Granny and Papa!

Holmes' Halloween

Halloween at our house was filled with 2 trunk-or-treats, an SUU football game, and more trick-or-treating. Here are some photos of our day.

Farewell (For Now) To A Beautiful Cousin!!

Two weeks ago, today, our Uncle Kay's daughter was killed in a tragic bus accident. Heather was one of the band directors at American Fork High. This band was well known for its excellence and has been honored on several occasions over the years. The American Fork band was on it's way home from Idaho when the driver of Heather's bus blacked out. Heather ran up to take the wheel, but the bus was already on it's way off the road. In her attempt to steer the bus back on course, Heather was thrown out and died on the scene. There were several injured students, but no other fatalities. She has been hailed on the state and national news as a hero, who gave her life to save others. She has a broken hearted, but very proud family.

Heather was a phenomenal instructor, who related well with her students. The students from both high schools that she taught at,(Riverton & American Fork) paid several tributes to Heather. They held vigils and performances in her honor. They even competed at BYU 3 days after the accident and dedicated their first place win to Heather. Her students and colleagues are going to feel a huge void along with her family!

The funeral was beautiful! The students sat up in the choir seats and passed tissues up and down the rows as they quietly cried. Elder Bruce Hafen was there and gave a wonderful talk, along with all of Heather's immediate family. On the way out of the funeral, the band(over 200 students) lined the sidewalk and played as the casket was wheeled down the sidewalk. It was a very touching scene. The band parents catered a wonderful luncheon at the High School. Soon after, three bus loads of students followed the family to Delta for the burial.

A wonderful example Heather has left to her family, friends and students. She will be greatly missed!!

Kid Talk

A lot of you are so good to record the statements that your kids make through everyday life. I thought I better start recording some of those sayings too!

Alyssa just home from her fieldtrip to Cedar Breaks:

Me: "How was your trip?"
Alyssa: "Great. We got to see Jerusalem!"
Me: "You did? Where was that?"
Alyssa: "Just saw it on our way back."
Me: "Really? Who told you that?"
Alyssa: "Ashlyn. She knows EVERYTHING about the whole world and she can read anything!"
Me: "Wow! That's sure something!"
Alyssa: "Yep, and further on up is Bountiful!"



Jace has been big lately on saying "Thank You" for everything you do for him.

Jace: "Dank Dou Mom!"
Mom: "Uh-huh"
Jace: "Say YELCOME!!!"


While in Flagstaff, I took the kids to eat while Chris was setting up for the football broadcast. After we finished, I found out that the restaurant would not take a debit card. So I left Jocey and Spence at the restaurant while Lys and I ran to find an ATM. Well, the closest ATM was WAY farther than the lady at the restaurant told me. Lys and I walked quite a way before making it all the way back. By the time we were almost there, Lys was so tired of walking. We were approaching our truck which was about 7 yards away from the restaurant.

Me: "Lys. Why don't you wait in the truck and rest while I go pay."
Lys: "No thanks..........................Mom haven't you seen that commercial about how you're never suppose to leave your child alone in the car?"
Guess I learned my lesson from a 6 year old!!