Mesa Temple

Mesa Temple

Life Size Nativity Wisemen

kids sitting by an orange tree

kids posing by an orange tree on a large petrified log

Lemon tree

Very small grape size orange fruit tree (not sure what type of fruit)

Palm trees
Cactus garden

It was really fun and interesting to go see the lights at this temple. It was very crowded and there were lots of lights however, I haven't figured out how to take pictures of Christmas lights. I was amazed at all the fruit trees and really wanted to take some fruit off the trees but it just didn't seem right to steal from the temple. I did however get pictures of the fruit trees because coming from Utah, oranges and lemons come in a box or bag. To actually have them on a tree was crazy and the people walking past me as I was taking the pictures of the trees probably thought that I was a little crazy as well.

All I want for Christmas...

Lincoln lost his 4th front tooth this last week so we have been singing the famous two front teeth song to him all week. I keep offering him pretzels and he keeps reminding me that he can't bite them. hee, hee!

This is Brinley as a Starlette for her dance recital. She did really well. This picture is of her second dance. (her favorite) Her first dance she was a fairy and just as they started the music she decided that she needed to go potty (right then and there, front and center) I think she was nervous and couldn't hold back however only I noticed until she ran off the stage crying. We got things taken care of and she was able to do a wonderful dance to "dance with me Santa". What a memory and I need to keep in mind for the next recital that it doesn't matter how many times you ask if they need to go potty, you make them try. I have to say that Miss Katrina her dance teacher did an excellent job. They actually learned more in that short amount of time than most kids do in 2 years. What a great teacher!
This is our front room that has the tree in it. This would be the only place we decorated this year because there simply just isn't time. The picture is a little messed up because my disk apparantly went bad so I took the best of what I had and will invest in a new one this week.

This is what I have been working on for the past few days. We bought it in three small boxes with about 500 pieces and I managed to put it together in about 8 hours. I love it. I was able to set my computer up and feel like my world is back in working order.

I really think it has been fun out here. I have to laugh because when we go out shopping, we will see one guy with long pants and a sweater and walking with him will be a guy in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. We are still trying to figure out what we are supposed to be wearing to fit in.

The other funny thing that I really wanted a picture of is a couple days ago, the ice cream man came down our road with his cute music on, it was getting dark and as I watched him drive by the christmas lights were on all the houses as he drove down the road. That is something I haven't seen before. I wasn't able to get a picture because all I could do was watch him drive down the street.

Our house is starting to feel like a home and the neighborhood seems really nice as well as the ward. I have got to get out and steal an orange off of someones orange tree. That still amazes me that there are orange trees just on the side of the road. The palm trees are beautiful and the cactus plants are amazing. I will definitely get pictures of these things that probably everyone here in AZ thinks are just normal and put them on the blog.

For the record, anyone is welcome to come out and stay with us anytime they want. We are so lucky to live in a time where we can email, call, blog, chat, facebook and keep in touch with one another continuously. Thanks for being there for us and we will definitely miss not being there for Christmas.

Feeding the ducks

Goofy kids!

weekend news from Lincoln

My dad went to Arizona. I cried in bed. I miss my dad and that is why I was sad.
I went to IHOP and a play and that was a date.
(Lincoln took Doug's place and went on a date with me to IHOP and to see Curtains at Hale Center Theater. He was so excited that he went on a date with me.)

Lincoln's got it, do you?

Dresser updated

I have been corrected. This dresser was not made by my grandpa Ellis, it was my great grandma Standers and before that I don't know. I may need to refinish it back to it's original look someday!

I have had a dresser in my garage(s) for over two years and have finally found time to repaint it. This dresser was made by my grandpa Ellis for my mom when she was little and my mom painted it fuchsia pink and black to match her bedroom when she got married. I wish I would have taken a picture of it but didn't think about it until after it was done. After shortening my life by inhaling the lead paint that I sanded off, I feel pretty good with the outcome. Sorry it is so dark. I have it all painted but will need some help getting it out of the garage and into the house.

BRINLEY REALLY IS GROWING!

Today we (Brinley and I) jumped the gun a little and bought Brinley a big girl car seat. We thought she would be in the front facing baby one until she was 10 years old. Turns out we were wrong!

Height is great Weight- 2 smidgeons off perfect - Give her a glass of water!

Rules for Doug's info
New fancy chair that Brinley says is awesome and she can't believe that she gets to have it.

I found one that is just her size WOOH-HOO!

Family pictures

Thanks Jan and Shad for managing to get all of us in the pictures. We appreciate you both.

School work

When you have kids in school, it seems like they come home with about 15-20 papers a week. I pretty much have stopped looking at them because basically, it's annoying! Well I have a stack of them on the cabinet that is about 2 inches high. I decided I had better do a quick look through today before I throw them all out.

Looking through them I noticed that Lincoln's teacher has had them doing a weekend news page where they write and draw a picture of what they did on the weekend.

These were actually kind of cute and I could tell exactly what they were. I thought I would share them and I guess I will put them in his photo album so that he can see how cute they are when he is older. But let it be known that I am not going to be doing this with every page that is sent home. UUUGH!

Lincoln hiking Angels landing with his dad and uncle Steven.

Lincoln playing soccer

Lincoln at Grandpa Bob's on Labor day with all the grandkids making stepstones with their hand and footprints. I like how he showed them all standing in the cement and the colored stones as well as (I believe) Monique bent over on her knees helping out at the bottom or could that possibly be the ever famous Ayvri that wanted to do it over and over and over again.

Arizona

Well, it's official. Doug will start working as of this next Monday in Arizona. What does this mean for us?

1. A Job
2. temporarily short/long term family seperation
3. thoughts about our house - sale
4. moving - when - where - how
5. Again, much appreciated answers to our prayers with as usual, questions of "What is really next for us?"
6. We do love Arizona and hope that this works out for us, however, we also love Utah and the people that live here.
7. Is this deja vu?

Wish us luck!

Growing up

These are all the grandkids from the Aguilar family. They are growing faster than we can keep up. We have starting from the left, Dallas, Hilary, Shenay, Josh, Ayvri, Caleb, Davin, Denny, Shandra, Lincoln, Anna, Holly, Brinley and Addy. We usually get the grandchildren picture at the Spruces every year but missed this year.

We took advantage of Labor day to have this picture done so that we wouldn't miss a year. Dallas the oldest has just received his mission call to Guadalajara, Mexico and so we will not have another year with them all together for a couple years.

We love the kids and their great individual personalities that they each bring to the family parties.

Great Saturday Fun!

We had a really fun day yesterday out a Jordanelle with Aunt Jan and Uncle Rod playing at the lake. We have the funnest relatives and I love that we are able to socialize for hours and it never gets old. Sadly enough, I took my camera but left it up at the truck when we were down at the lake.

My kids were able to go on a boat for the very first time and they both rode the tube behind the boat. They had a blast. Doug did a little water skiing and also rode the tube. I enjoyed watching them all.

Terrah, my cousin brought up some dark blue frosted sugar cookies so that was an added bonus to see everyone with blue teeth, lips and even a couple noses. Jan was able to get a picture of Brinley and Cora after the cookie. It's a classic.









On the drive up we were able to see the hot air balloons flying right above our truck. I was able to take a few pictures until Lincoln became to panicked thinking that I would fall out the window of the truck.












On the way home, I got a picture of a great sunset over the Great Salt Lake. It just so happened to be a very scenic and fun filled day.









Thanks to everyone that came and especially thanks to Jan and Rod for sharing your day with us.

1st day of 1st Grade

Happy 1st day Lincoln!

Well, I didn't get the memo that everyone takes their kids to school on the first day. I did take Lincoln to school, early, showed him his classroom and then brought him back home so that he could ride the bus with his friends. No one was on the bus! I had to drive Lincoln back to school because we watched out the window for his friends to come down the street and none came along, therefore, we missed the bus. Uuugh! Oh well, he made it to school and was so excited.

Doug Lincoln and Steve hike Angels landing

This last weekend Doug And Lincoln had the opportunity of meeting Steve out in St George and then hiking Angels landing at Zion National Park. Above are a few pictures that they took along the way. Looks like lots of fun.

Proud Sister

Yes, I have to brag about my big brother. He did the West Valley City Triathlon last Saturday and guess what? He came in first place. Wooh-hoo! I knew he was fast but to be able to beat out 2nd place (his brother-in-law) by almost two minutes when he is is almost 10 years older than him is pretty darn good!

He has done this with his brother-in-laws for the past few years and I finally had the chance to go out to watch and what do you know, it was raining so bad that I turned around and came home. Uuuugghh! Apparantly the rain, thunder and lightning didn't stop him. A great big congrats to SHAYNE, CHRIS and WADE. They all came in within the top ten.

Shayne also beat his time last year by about a minute. Yay!

Race Date Triathlon 2009
Overall Finish List
Standard
Overall Name City Bib No Age Age Group Time Pace
1 Shane Aguilar WVC UT 467 44 1 M 40-44 1:08:15.8 13:39/K
2 Chris Harding WVC UT 474 35 1 M 35-39 1:10:09.7 14:02/K
3 Shawn Marsing 503 28 1 M 25-29 1:10:19.6 14:04/K
4 Talon Kohler wvc UT 505 17 1 M 15-19 1:12:20.0 14:28/K
5 Kristen Martinez West Jordan UT 525 31 1 F 30-34 1:12:59.8 14:36/K
6 Gus Thunberg SLC UT 494 38 2 M 35-39 1:15:59.2 15:12/K
7 Carson Malen Salt Lake City UT 511 14 1 M 12-14 1:17:47.8 15:33/K
8 Chad Meier WVC UT 482 45 1 M 45-49 1:18:13.8 15:39/K
9 Wade Meier WVC UT 483 42 2 M 40-44 1:18:41.8 15:44/K


Male 40 to 44
Place Name City Age Bib No Overall Time
1 Shane Aguilar WVC UT 44 467 1 1:08:15.8
2 Wade Meier WVC UT 42 483 9 1:18:41.8
3 Scott DeSena Sandy UT 42 472 10 1:19:19.4
4 Dennis Nordfelt West Valley City UT 43 486 27 1:28:29.1
5 Shawn Kennedy Sandy UT 44 532 35 1:31:07.4

Disclaimer: The above picture has been taken from Sara's blog (thanks Sara) and it is actually last years race because as you all know I missed this years and Sara hasn't put pictures up of this years race yet for me to steal. hee, hee.

Lincoln's name

Origin of the name Lincoln:
Transferred use of the surname derived from the city of Lincoln in northeastern England. The name is found written in Latin in the 7th century as Lindum Colonia, which is probably a Latinate rendering of the Welsh llyn (lake, pool) and the Latin colonia (colony).

The meaning of the name Lincoln is From The Lake Settlement

The origin of the name Lincoln is English

Notes: Abraham Lincoln, U.S. president. Nickname: Linc.

Origin is boring but our son isn't!

Findings for the name Brinley

I thought this was kind of funny being that I live in Utah and have a daughter named Brinley:

Commentary on the name Brinley:
Never heard of the name Brinley? You must not live in Utah. The state is a naming world unto itself, and while the rest of the country wasn't looking Utah parents made Brinley a major in-state hit with multiple popular spellings. The spelling Brinley gives it surname style, while Brynlee is more like a composite name ("Katelynne") that emphasizes the nickname Bryn.

The meaning of the name Brinley is Burnt Meadow

The origin of the name Brinley is English

Camping with friends 2009

This weekend I was able to gather a few of my old friends for an overnighter camping trip. It was so fun to see everyone and their families.

These friends go back about 15 years and we all met from a young adult ward. We have traveled from Florida to California (and between) and to Hawaii together and have had a blast doing things like camping, running rivers, snowmobile, cross country ski, spelunk, hike, kayak, snorkel and just plain have a lot of fun.

We have watched each other grow in our own personal ways such as finishing school, getting married, becoming parents and bringing additions into our circle of friends.
It was great to see everyone again and to be able catch up with what we have missed as well as bringing up our crazy old stories and just being able to chat with one another.

Thanks Friends