TEN years today

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! To celebrate, we went on a little get away for 3 days, kid free (my parents watched our kids). We went to Las Vegas for a night and then to St. George, UT for another night. It was so nice to travel without listening to our kids fight, or ask how much longer, or are we there yet, or Marlee screaming. It was great to talk with one another without any interruptions or having to stop for potty breaks. We decided to go to Vegas for one night and stay at the CIRCUS CIRCUS hotel, because we went there for part of our honeymoon-still can't believe that was 10 years ago! The first night we walked down part of the Las Vegas Strip- there are tons of cool hotels, stores, restaurants, etc. I didn't take any pictures during our long walk, just a couple photos of the hotel we stayed in.

The hotel is huge. It has arcades, restaurants, shops, rides, and of course a casino- since it is Vegas we are talking about.

Then we went to a buffet for dinner, I love that the dessert and drinks are included.

This was a sweet taffy maker/machine in the hotel. Our cotton candy machine has nothing on this baby.

The next day we went to a breakfast buffet, which wasn't that great. Maybe my body was already sick of buffet food, that fast. Then we went to the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple, for an endowment session. We had never been inside this temple before, but it is probably the prettiest temple that I have ever been in before, breath taking really. The outside was cool, but the inside was just amazing. After we walked around and got some photos.

We had someone take this photo of us outside of the temple, and this boy really wanted to be in the photo with us. And by the way, I did brush my hair that day, it was just windy outside.

Then we drove to St. George and went to another endowment session today. Since we've gone to a temple three times this month, can that count towards some of the other months that we slacked off in going this semester? I sure hope so.

It was a cold night, and I was dressed like we live in Tucson or something. This temple is gorgeous on the outside, and the inside it is very historic, and looks much older than the Vegas temple. It was cool to see how different these two temples were from each other. I actually had been to this temple ground as a child, but I had never gone inside before.

This is us outside of the temple. Going to these temples, really makes me want to go to more temples that we have never been to before. It was so great to go together, just like we went to the temple ten years ago, to be sealed for time and all eternity.

Then we checked into a hotel in St. George, and I was very happy to see a Cafe Rio across the street. Their sweet pork salad is delicious.

The next morning we headed out and drove with lots and lots of pretty snow to look at.

I fell asleep on the drive (as a passenger, not the driver) and Laun woke me up to get some pictures of this bird. It is a California Condor, and Clayton has really been wanting to see one. You might not be able to tell from the pictures, but their wing span is huge.

It was a beautiful drive back, a winter wonderland. On the way home we stopped by a gift shop and got the boys toy bow and arrows, Marlee little, silver star earrings, and my parents a gift certificate to Olive Garden (I'm sure they appreciated having a quiet house again, more than the Italian food:) We got chicken alfredo and salad as take out; let me just say that pasta and salad is not the easiest meal to feed someone as they drive. I'm sure Laun prefers feeding himself. It was such an awesome trip to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. I love Laun more than he could ever know and appreciate all that he does for our family. I am blessed to have him and I'm happy that he chose me for time and all eternity. We are thankful to my parents who kindly watched our children and made it possible for us to go on this trip.
Happy 10th wedding anniversary Laun, I love you always!

mmmmmm....steak

We started a new tradition last year, for Christmas Eve dinner, we eat steak, good steak. Since we were at my parents for the holidays this year, we had mexican food on Christmas Eve. That is a long time Turley tradition. So we shared our steak tradition with everyone a few days later. It was one delicious meal.


Tonight we went over to Grandpa Mecham's home and visited with family.

a home full of traditions and memories

I have always loved going to my Grandma and Grandpa Turley's home. They have had many traditions, which have created many wonderful memories throughout my life. I love every time I walk into their comfortable, clean and organized home. The spirit is always present, along with something yummy to eat, and good conversations. We enjoyed visiting with them this holiday season.

A favorite treat is Grandma Turley's chocolate pie.

The kids love getting down the toy box.

Marlee already looks like a pro phone talker. She likes to grab my cell phone & say "talk to dad".

Elizabeth, baby Monson, Andy and Grandpa Turley (sitting at the kid table-that's where the kids sit to eat and color at family get togethers).

Monson is such a handsome boy.

The kids had fun playing outside. Notice that some are in shorts or a dress- it is December but the weather tells otherwise.

Marlee and Grandpa's citrus trees.

Turley Grandparents and my parents.

I love this photo of my Grandparents.

Merry Christmas!!!

The line up {the kids stand in order from youngest to oldest as they walk out to Christmas}


Santa still found us even though we were at Grandma Turley's house for Christmas. He filled the stockings & brought the children a cotton candy machine-yum!


Some of the stocking regulars were mango's, crackers with easy cheese, new toothbrushes & tooth paste.


There was lots of family at my mom & dad's house this year on Christmas morning- Our family, along with Laura & Andy's families were all there. And later Rachel & Ted's families joined us. It was one full house!


The boys got sweet pocket knives from Santa & Laun showed them how they worked.


My mom with Andy & Elizabeth's baby boy Monson- he is precious.

We had the traditional coffee cake for breakfast which my mom made.

Lots of content tummy's around mom's kitchen table.

Dad's piano playing put Monson right to sleep.

One of the stocking contents, balloons.

The boys big gift from Laun & I this year was a gun for them to share.

My parents got both the boys different sequence games. Which I'm excited about because we can play the games with them. Clayton got states & capitals & Porter got a math version.

Marlee got a little people castle & a pink mini van {both were hand me downs from our friends the Allen family-Thank you guys!}. I got her a couple other gifts from thrift stores too, so it was a ridiculously awesome cheap Christmas this year.

Porter was especially excited about getting the Lego-Indiana Jones wii game.

Marlee shoving her bunny ornament in her new mini van. We get each child a ornament each year but, I forgot to take a picture of them. Marlee got the bunny since we had lots of bunnies at our house this year. And Clayton got a hiking backpack & Porter a sleeping bag- both ornaments were camping ones since we took a camp-out this year. Laun & I got a tent & hiking boot.

The boys excitedly opening their new gun. This gift should provide great memories for years to come.

Marlee enjoying her new book from her Turley grandparents.

I think all the excitement wore out Marlee- I found her laying down with a doll.

I love this Lydia baby. Rachel & Brandon sure make one cute little girl.

Laun busted out the cotton candy machine & made lots of kids happy. It even takes hard candy & turns it into cotton candy, big hit.



My parents got rockets for everyone to make & shoot off. Last night & even this morning everyone finished their rockets & then we went out this afternoon & shot them all off. Some kids did more work than others on their rockets but, a lot of the dad's did the majority of the work.

The menfolk & the kids with their awesome rockets, before blast off.

Our rocket was red, green & white so we called it Christmas Express.

Grandpa setting up Porter's rocket.

It got some pretty good air.

The kids had fun retrieving the rockets. Here is Clayton with our rocket.

Clayton's cousin Ben sent him Flat Stanley (paper boy) to take on an adventure. We taped him to the rocket for a fun ride.

Even Marlee got a turn to shoot off the rocket.

Laun setting up Brandon's rocket, his flew the highest. There was a big variety of rockets & it was fun to watch them all shoot off.



Another activity of the day was cutting down two of Dad's citrus trees. They weren't producing well anymore, so with the help of a chain saw & many men, they were cut , pulled out & hauled away pretty fast.

My dad using a power tool- this is a small miracle in itself. He is a very safety conscious person.

Andy & Justin working away.

As you can tell from the picture, Laun is a very safety conscious person too, wearing his flip flops & shorts, while using his power tool;)

Avery & our boys watching a movie.

We all happened to be in red & blue for our family picture. I can't believe how tall Clayton is getting! Merry Christmas!