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Just A Bunch of Turkeys!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends!
Hope you had a safe and fun holiday!
We sure enjoyed a full house of turkeys and hams... Oh and we also ate turkey and ham too...

We remembered our veggies....

The rolls are the most anticipated part of dinner... as you can see... Steve and Ashley can't seem to share just ONE roll!!!

Lauren and Morgan are ready to eat! "Get this picture over with

and give me some ROLLS!!!"

Morgan: Nate you have turkey breath!

Nate: Oh that's it!!! Gimme a kiss! I'll show you turkey breath!

All the cute little couples sitting around for a free meal! They'll pay for it later...

All this fun and food makes Morgan sleeeeeepy...

I think she needs to eat more to grow into that hat!

Must. Rest. Tummy. With...

F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L!!!

Apparently Kirby threw out his turkey carving shoulder...take five cowboy!

Ashley: Oh Stevie-weevie...just try this.

Steve: Ugh! I don't have any room...

Ashley: If you loved me you would try it...

Steve: So this is what married life is, eh...?!?!

Someone check Steve's vitals...I think he's in a coma!

Keri found a warm spot to cuddle up to... as Kyle thinks to himself...

"Self...I wonder how I'll be able to get some pie and not wake Keri up..."

Mom..."FINALLY! Some peace and....Hey! What are you

doing with that camera?!?!"

We sure missed our family that could not be with us.

Luckily Tara was able to enjoy Thanksgiving with Kirby's family in Logan, UT.

Sadly, Shalee and Travis had car troubles and couldn't come down to Portland. Maybe next year things will work out better!

However, we did want to highlight Lauren's room that she cleaned SPOT-LESS for them to stay in. Let's see how long Lauren can keep it this way!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Finally...our Halloween post! Even though it had rained earlier that day our ward hosted a Trunk or Treat evening at the meeting house. The Young Men and Young Women were in charge of the games and Lauren was in charge of the "fishing pond". It was such a fun night! Lauren and Morgan looked fantastic in their costumes! Lauren's friend Jessie designed her gothic Dorothy costume and a family friend (THANKS Paula!!!) sewed it together. Lauren got to wear it to school and received TONS of compliments on it (especially from the boys!) She ABSOLUTELY loves it!!!
Telephone call between Morgan & Tara:
Tara: Hi Morgan! How are you doing?
Morgan: Fine
Tara: What are you going to be for Halloween?
Morgan: Guess...Here's a clue...Who is Queen of the Nile?
Tara: Cleopatra
Morgan: Yes!
Tara: Hey that's cool! I saw a Cleopatra costume at Target and I almost got it!
Morgan: Okay...go get a piece of paper and a pen or a pencil
Tara: Okay...?
Morgan: Write this down - "Go to Target and buy Cleopatra costume."
Tara: (laughing) OK!

Apparently Morgan's tactic work...

Tara's office in Provo has a costume contest every Halloween. While she didn't win, she receive lots of compliments. The best part was Morgan being twins with her big sister!!!

At a Halloween party that weekend Corey & Tara dressed up as a doctor and nurse. Corey sure looks happy with the best looking nurse in the world! A nurse like that would cure any ailment!

Ashley & Steve painted the town red as Bonnie and Clyde! Ashley looks a little too happy sticking it to the man and Steve is a regular smooth criminal!

Speaking of criminals..."Have you seen this guy?" Detective Keri is hot on Kyle's money trail with the help of her magnifying glass and trusty mustache! Wait, is that Kyle or the unabomber?

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!!!

Keri's left hand sparkles!

After 2 weeks of creative dates and thoughtful letters, Kyle Knight proposed to Keri on October 1st, 2009.

Kyle has been in love with Keri ever since his Freshman year of high school when he first saw her in Seminary during her Senior year! Yes! She is older than him... and cuter of course!

Originally they were going to have a phone date at the same restaurant but in different cities. But as she was talking to him on the phone he walked in the door! Later that night she found a map at her house which eventually led her to their special spot on Mt. Tabor where he gave her a final letter. As she realized that every first letter of the previous letters spelled out:

M-A-R-R-Y M-E, Kyle got down on one knee and proposed.

She screamed YES! YES! YES! YES!

They plan to get married in the Portland, OR temple on March 20, 2010

So... save the date and come celebrate with our family this Spring!

CONGRATULATIONS KERI & KYLE!

Ashley & Steve's Wedding

Ashley and Steve were married on September 26, 2009.

We were so blessed to have so many of our family and friends there to celebrate this special day.

In the morning the house was full of girls, make-up, curling irons, hairspray and Oregon football!

Ashley was such a beautiful bride... Steve cleaned up real nice too!

All the sisters were brides maids including a couple of Ashley's friends. Morgan was the flower girl. Nate was one of Steve's groomsmen and Corey filled in last minute.

Bishop Rowley did an EXCELLENT job performing the wedding ceremony. Great words of wisdom and love were shared.

Morgan caught the bouquet and Corey caught the garter. The cutest thing was when Corey pulled Morgan out and danced with her!

CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY & STEVE!

Lauren is 18!!!

Lauren had her 18th birthday on September 5th! None of us can believe it!

Just yesterday she was singing along to Barney songs, playing dress up and wearing her dad's cowboy boots, and making friends on the little league soccer field DURING the game!

Some of our favorite things about Lauren is how contageous her smile is. Whenever you see a picture of Lauren or are in her presence and she has a big smile on her face you can't help but be filled by her light! She is such a wonderful helper and hard worker. She is always there to help those in need and lift others up when they are down. She is a very loyal friend and loves everyone no matter who they are or what their circumstance. Now she is learning to drive, getting ready to graduate high school and start her college career. How did she grow up so fast?!

WE LOVE YOU LAUREN!!!

Cherished Memories of Grammy

On July 31st my dear Grammy passed away. She is home now with her daughter Barbara, Grandpa, my dad and little Jessica. What a homecoming that must have been. I will miss my dear Gram. I will be forever grateful for my visit to Florida before her passing. I Can Only Imagine her joy!

Ashley's Getting Hitched!!!

On the afternoon of June 7th Steve Contreras proposed to Ashley at the Heceta Lighhouse on the Oregon Coast. After dating for over a year, our whole family is excited to finally welcome Steve to the family on September 26, 2009. The ring bears special meaning from Steve's family so be sure to talk to Ashley about it's history. So far the planning has been going smoothly and Morgan is eager to be the flower girl for her lucky sister. So SAVE THE DATE and celebrate with us this September!

Memorial Day Weekend

Tara and her boyfriend Corey drove up from Provo, UT to spend Memorial Day weekend with us. It was great to have the entire family together (plus Corey, Steve & Kyle) for a couple of days. On Saturday we all went to Seaside and flew kites in the typical Oregon beach weather. Even though it was breezy we managed to pull out our smiles for a group picture.

Prom 2009

Friday night Elise came over to give us some ideas for hairstyles. Elise and Keri grew up together and she went to school for hair and makeup so when we found out she was in town for a visit we asked for her help. Just wanted you to see before and after shots. These girls are beautiful either way but it's fun to see them transform into pure elegance :)
It took three ladies two hours straight. A big thank you to Kristi Rutter and Kaylee Alberts for all their help. It was a lot of fun!


Saturday Night and the girls are ready. Lauren and Amber are slowly coming down the stairs. Jesse is watching with a funny grin.....wish we could of gotten it on camera.


It's time to leave for the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. But, of course not before we take more pictures in the backyard. The sun was setting but not for these three kids. This night to remember was just beginning.
Three friends, Lauren, Jesse and Amber ... Jesse, you are a lucky young man - let the fun begin!