Family Manti Visit

I am so behind on so many things that have happened this year...one of them was our day trip to Manti.  Shon's brother Cameron was receiving his endowment and Shon and I hadn't been back down to Manti since we were first sealed. It is our favorite temple and it holds some special family memories and lots of family history.  Here are some pics of our trip from back in September. Keep in mind us ADULT children were left unattended without additional adult supervision and none of our little kids came...kind of like when the kids are away the adults will play!

This was after we went through. It was a good 2-2 1/2 hour time...so we were all a little tired.

Hence this picture of Cameron passed out and Dez trying to stay awake with music...

But she didn't need that when she has this crazy red head sitting next to her...

Then it was shake time (you HAVE to stop at The Malt Shoppe when you go to Manti--it's like a rule for us Frarys')

Post shake faces (bored, sugar high and stuck in the back seat)

 Oh yes and before we left town we stopped at the family cabin. Shon's grandpa himself helped build this cabin when he was just a young lad. So this also holds a special place in Manti for us. We need to get here more often...

And we have to thank our friendly chauffer, Shalynn, Shon's sister. She was speeding the entire time! LOL

Needless to say we had a blast, shared some memories, made new ones and had some good old family bonding time before Cameron left for this mission to Bakersfield, CA.

Lehi Pioneers Number 14! Or is that #14 Orem?

Ashton played his first year of tackle football this year.  He has played a few years of flag football and many years in baseball which we think is his sports calling.  But for now he is trying tackle football as well.  He mostly played defense.  At first you could tell he was afraid of getting hit and getting hurt. After quite a few conversations with him (mostly about how he would get hurt MORE if he didn't hit someone first) he finally got in the game.  There might be something wrong with hearing parents tell their children to go hit somebody...or should I say "You know you are a football parent when you yell at your kid to GO HIT SOMEONE!" Yeah-that was us...so for 3 months and almost every Saturday Shon and I ventured out for football.  

David was also playing flag football for Orem at the same time...so we have some schedule juggling and lots of calls to Grandma Frary to see if she could be at one while we try to get to the other...

When Dave was picking his jersey for Orem they had a number 14. Well Dave already knew that Ashton's jersey was number 14. So Dave snatched up that number as fast as he could! The shirt was a little larger, but he thought it was well worth it to have the same number as his brother! I love my football boys!

 We liked to call this one of David's game "hearding chickens".

 Going for the touchdown!

A solo pic at the scrimmage game.

 Going in for a block on D

 Group huddle--and this is where you can see he has the same butt as his daddy...

Getting ready to block...

Block assist...

It was a good year in football. Dave's team won a couple of their games and Ashton's team went to game 1 of the play-offs and lost. Here's to next season!

Christmas 2013 is coming!!!

So today like always we put up our tree. I ventured (Shon as well) for our annual black Friday deals. We didn't get all the deals we wanted, but we mostly got what we wanted to get the kids.  Santa was very nice to the kids this year. Now let's see if the kids can be good until he comes. :-)

Here's some pictures of our decorating festivities. Hope you are all getting ready for the great holidays to come and are enjoying your time with family.

Adding their "favorite child" ornaments...

Jordan isn't too sure where to put his ornament...

Now daddy helps while mommy watches....it's a tough job, but someone HAS to take the pictures!

The boys trying to make it look nice while we watch The Santa Clause 2 (I think of our Family faves)

And...drum roll please...it's done! (Except for Ashton's two ornaments that he will put on when he comes over next).

And now they admire and ask EVERYDAY if Santa is coming...

Thanksgiving Time 2013

We had a good Thanksgiving with our family this year. As always we went to Shon's parents house for dinner.  We felt a small void without Steve this year when we were getting ready and eating. He hated the holidays and as odd as it sounds we miss his grumpiness today.

Our small family has been through "hell" (excuse the language) this year. We are so grateful that we have our family and that we can all get together to enjoy everyone's company without any family drama or issues.

This is also our first year without Shon's brother Cameron who is serving an LDS Mission in Bakersfield, CA.

Here's some fun pics of our day...

That's me...I am the mom aka the blogger.  Don't I look thrilled? Actually I am smelling some yummy turkey and I am a little hungry. Hungry and red head should never be a combination...

This is what he does while he is waiting on turkey and his wife is ignoring him while blogging...(video game in hand). At least he talks to me more than I respond...sorry honey.

And then there is these two hooligans...don't let those smiles deceive you.

After this we talked to my mom on the phone (no thanks to Skype for working properly), although I think it was user error on my mom's side. lol

So then I was planning on posting more Thanksgiving pictures, but after smelling the turkey Shon and I became part of the cooking staff. Shon, his sister Meghan, Shon's mom and I were in the kitchen for a good 2 hours cooking away. The end result? It was delicious!  Then we were off to play Santa at Walmart like we always do...

So we enjoyed our Thanksgiving and a Happy and wonderful Thanksgiving to you all!

What's Up?

Hey, How's it going? We haven't talked in awhile but things are good...

We have been off the radar for quite some time. I am hoping with some time off of work I can get y'all updated on the goods and bads this past year, cause there is a LOT!

For now, we love you all and are working on our family.

We hope you all use blogger still cause it is a great way to stay updated...so stay tuned for some huge updates! :-)

~Cristina

David's BIG Month...

So most of you reading this know that David turned 8 and he was Baptized and also introduced in to Cub Scouts.  He was super excited! I wanted to share all of the pictures for you all to see! Hope you enjoy!

His Baptism was an amazing day! I was nervous with so little family members that were unable to attend.  David was a little upset so we just focused on him that day and keeping the positives in sight.  I have to thank our old Ward family.  So many of them showed up and were there to have a lending hand at the last minute.  It meant SO much to us and even more to David.  

Ashton Age 12

As much as I love David and Jordan this post is just as hard to write.  I changed your diapers, I gave you bottles and I would drive in the middle of the night to get you to go to sleep.  I lied and told you that Pongo (101 Dalamations) was broke because you watched it over and over and over, and over, and over...We had McDonalds "mommy/son dates" when your dad and I first got married and I was even there for the "talk".

I have a hard time swallowing that you are 12 years old and that you will be receiving the Priesthood AND starting Junior High.  You have become one tough kid.  I loathe the day you start driving but for a couple more years the roads are still safe...

You are an amazing big brother and such a protector over them.  I sometimes catch myself just sitting back and watching you with them.  You were such a trooper when we were blessed with David and Jordan and you have opening accepted them as your beloved brothers.  You have a very large heart Ashton and we love you for it. 

Here is to many more years with you and me telling you all the time that you are not allowed to get married until you are 50!

I love you and Happy Birthday!

Love,

Step-mommy.

Anniversary!!!

So  you know you are a busy person when your visiting teacher has to remind you of an anniversary.  Our wedding anniversary was on February 22nd...dont worry we remembered that one because it was 10 years married! But today was our 4 year anniversary of being sealed! So...happy anniversary to us!!! Times 2! Oh and of course thank you Sister Smithson for reminding us! You're the best!!

Jordan Age 5

You know when you know something is coming and you kind of chose to ignore it because it depresses you? Well this is that situation.  I don't mean to make Jordan's post depressing, but knowing that Jordan is my last child and that is 5 and will be in kindergarten this year breaks my heart. 

On the brighter side of things Jordan is 5! Wow what a year for him! He started pre-school, then we moved to he stopped, then he started again, then he stopped again cause it was really expensive.  He is super smart though! He surprises me everyday! He is still sassy as ever! Those of you that talk to him often know what I am talking aboutl. 

He was super excited to be out of Sunbeams in church.  He is in a bigger group now.  He has given his first prayer and his first talk in Primary.  He constantly wants to do his shapes or numbers flashcards.  See, I told you he is a smartie!

Even though he wants to be a big boy he still snuggles with his mama. :-)

I love you my bugs...you will always be my baby boy!

Love,
Mom

David Age 8

So here we are another year later and I havent even blogged for a year! SLACKER mom! I always do reflections of my children around their birthday and today after I wished David a happy birthday, I remember that I always do a reflection of their past year.

David has had a very rough year of trials.  We have literally been through thick and thin.  This year I noticed my heart get even more tender than I thought it could for my child.  Knowing some of the things he has been through and some of the things he will have to deal with in  the future. 

He is such a tender hearted child and I hate that it has taken me a few years to learn how to help him deal and cope with the issues and troubles he has.  With that said I found that I grew to love you more as a mom even though I didnt think that was possible either. 

I heard recently that a mothe cant love an adopted child as much as she can a child she gave birth to herself.  That is NOT true.  My heart breaks for people who think that way and think you can never open your heart to a child who needs a loving home and family. 

Now that David is eight.  I am excited for his Baptism and to see him grow and learn more.  He is learning how to read books that I remember reading as a child.  I love watching him read and then understand what he has read as he re-tells me what he read.  He is awesome at math! He keeps coming home with 100% on his math tests! What a smart kid! He has started scouts and is trying vey hard to pass off his Bobcat so he can be a Wolf.  He was nervous at first but now I see the ambition he has to succeed in Cub Scouts and move up.

I love you David Frary.  I am so glad you are my child.  I am so glad you were entrusted to us and I am SO glad you are in our eternal family.

Love,
Mommy