Saying Goodbye to Our Beloved Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

President Hinckley was truly a great man and accomplished so much during his lifetime as he served the Lord. I will never forget his love and his optimism. And I will always remember his sense of humor and laugh, which was contagious. Every time he spoke, I knew that he was a Prophet of God and he will be missed as the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What a reunion he must be having with his wife and those who have gone before! Even though it's sad he is gone, it will be neat to see the priesthood at work as a new prophet is called. I love you President Hinckley!

Mary Kay Turns the BIG 5-0

Before


After... letting the smoke clear.

This past Friday night,
Nicole Butler and I threw our bestest friend, Mary Mitchell a birthday bash!!!! Nicole has some awesome connections and so Mary's party was held in a mansion!
It was the perfect place to entertain!
We had lots of food including a chocolate fountain (thanks to Jan Wells) and

we played the video game called, "Rock Band" that Kiff Holyoak so graciously let us borrow.
That was such a hoot watching women trying to sing on key and keep the beat!!!
Go Mary and Katherine!

(On a side note; Before the party I had a terrible time setting the game up and after Nicole and I made a few phone calls, begging people we knew for help, I thought "there's got to be some boys in the neighborhood. I'm just going to hop in my car and look for some." And that's just what I did!!!! Yes, it was cold and dark but I was desperate!!! Two doors down, I saw a house with a basketball hoop and knocked on their door. After talking with the Mom, she let the boys come over and what lifesavers they were. They had everything set up and were out the door before the guests arrived!!!!)

Everyone,
including the birthday girl had a great time and
there was an awesome turnout!!!
The party was a success!!!
Mary got some hilarious gifts and she loved them all.

My personal favorites were the Jamaican Rum made to look like a Rastafari and
the Perfect Man,

complete with just the right things to say to any woman. Those two became fast friends!

The gang

A night we won't soon forget...
I take that back,
Mary might now that old age has set in.

HALO NEW YEAR!!!!

We had such a fun New Years Eve!
Having Jordan and Taylor back in Utah, the way we felt family togetherness was to have a Halo3 online party! It was so much fun and we stayed up wayyyyy too late! My sleep schedule is still thrown off and I should go to bed right now, but here I am blogging and having to head off to work mighty early tomorrow. Oh well.

As for New Year's resolutions, I don't bother and haven't for years. I figure, if I'm living the gosple, I'm always trying to be a better person, not just on January 1st. Though I do admit, New Years definitely makes me feel more focused and ready to be organized for what's coming up for 2008. This year, Kendal will be graduating and Mike and I will officially be empty nesters. My plan is to continue to work as much as I can, continue loving my husband, children and primary class and makeing frequent trips to Washougal. I also plan to fly out to Illinois to see my family. I'm shooting for September.

There's a lot to look forward to in 2008!!!!