Introducing...

Thomas John Brooks

On Christmas Day we were able to go to the hospital to see Tommy. Congrats Joe and Julianne! We are so glad he is in our family. Click here for more Tommy pictures.

Guess what I will be doing for Christmas vacation!

Up, Up, Down, Down, left, right, left, right, B, A, select, start

Thanks Dan and Elizabeth!

I am no longer MIA

Gardner FHE at the Kurt Bestor concert

I have done more in the last month than just vote! So to those who think I have done nothing since the election here is the rundown...

November 21- Made an official decision for what we were doing for Thanksgiving. We were going to spend the Holiday here but decided to change our plans at the last minute due to Matt's Mom's health.... I don't recommend purchasing airline tickets this way.

November 22 - Watched the Cougars get trashed in the 4th quarter of the BYU/Utah game. Unfortunately, the game ended NOTHING like it did last year. This has been part of my blogging absence, it has taken a while to get over this loss.

November 24 - After much contemplation we decided it might be time to go looking for a new car. We figured the oil burning off into the air vents and the haze building up in our garage after Matt gets home from work cannot be good for his health. Not to mention that someone might think his car was on fire after he parks it at work. I have decided that I hate buying cars, they are expensive and it takes such a long time just to "test drive." However, I did want to laugh my head off when the sales man said "What do I need to do to put you in a car tonight"... I replied "Arby's no more than once a month"... I didn't really say that but if anyone gets it I should give you some money or something.

November 27 - Flew out to Illinois to be with Matt's mom who was in the hospital. We enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving meal on the plane that I provided. We had some turkey sandwiches, vegetables, wheat thins and some tic tacs. (We did get some left overs at Matt's sisters house later that night)

November 27-Dec 1- Visited with Matt's mom in the hospital and enjoyed soup from the Au Bon Pain Cafe in the Hospital. Matt's mom is now at Matt's sisters house, she will be staying there while she gets stronger and recovers. Just an FYI Andrew and Jessica are saints! They have had so many people flying in and out in the last month and they have been great hosts!

Dec 4 - We decided to help the economy by flushing our savings right into it... we made the purchase. I couldn't help but laugh to myself the next morning when I realized I had 4 different ways to get to work...5 if you include my legs.

Dec 6- After seriously considering being the Grinch this year and not putting up Christmas decorations, Matt took it upon himself to put up the tree and most of the other decor. Now that it is all up I am glad it is. I now feel a bit more Christmasy (is this a word?). Saturday night we went to the BYU/Utah State game at the ESA. That was INTENSE. It was a close game with tons of fans from both sides. Luckily BYU came out on top.

Dec. 8- Gardner FHE at the Kurt Bestor Concert....Did you know he has been doing this for 20 years? (lol)

Now you have it...if you read the whole thing I am impressed and should give you more money. But I just spent it all.

Did You?

I'm not ALL Bah-Hum-Bug

I did make these and they all have smiles and I gave lots of them away... so I guess I am not that bad of a Halloween Grinch (or am I just trying to justify now?)

Bah-Hum-Bug!

I have to admit I am a little Bah-Hum-Bug when it comes to Halloween (hence it's Halloween night and I am writing this post.) I don't like Halloween parties, I don't like to dress up, I don't like to answer my door to give out candy but I do LOVE to have the candy all to myself. Matt on the other hand likes to hand out the candy and tease the kids when they come to the door. At work today employees were able to bring their kids around for some candy. Matt wanted to dress up a little so my Martha Stewart-esque sister made a little costume for him. THANKS RENAE!! You are the BEST!

Till next year BAH-HUM-HALLOWEEN!

Invite me anytime!

Thanks G-ma for the tickets AND your prayers. BYU really needed to win and it makes it much more fun to watch.

26.2...all in the rain

Renae and Laura did it! All 26.2 miles in the rain. They did great.


Before Picture
I took them to the bus at 4:30am


Not very many runners were eating the ice cream so
Renae got some for everyone...Yummers!


Since I had to drop out I didn't run but
we still came for moral support. It is so great
to have family to cheer you on. Especially at
mile 16!


Dad, Julianne, Mom and Joey

St. George

Football, Birthdays, Running, Shopping and Eating...What more could you ask for in a trip. Joe and Julianne were once again great hosts. We had such a great time and the only requirement to enter into their home was to wear our "Quest" BYU shirt. Joey informed us all that we needed to watch the BYU football game in our football shirts. BYU won (whaoo!) but played such a sloppy game (boo-hoo)

Happy birthday to Dad and Joey! I will post more pics when Julianne sends them too me (hint)

hApPy bIrTdAy DaRrElL!

Darrell is truly a great big brother. When we were in Europe he was the navigator, the travel agent and was always making sure the girls were doing alright. There are lots of fun, and humorous memories from that trip...

When we would be skiing/snowboarding together he would always be concerned about whether my boots were too tight or not tight enough. I remember snowboarding at Brighton once and it was SO cold. I couldn't get my boots tight enough because my hands were so numb. Darrell took off his gloves and and tightened my boots.

Hope you have a great Day!

RAID is a MUST HAVE!

Living right up against the Provo mountains has some great advantages. The scenery is beautiful, we see deer quite often (which I also hit with the car quite often) and the there are hiking trails right in our backyard. However, there are some not so great things. Each summer it seems we deal with SpIdErS! I hate spiders and it seems as soon as the weather gets warmer they start making an appearance in our garage.

This is typical of what we see. They are HUGE! So we keep a handy bottle of Raid in our garage. I have gotten quite brave and killed a few of these ugly things myself. Earlier this summer we finally got our house sprayed for spiders and actually haven't seen any for quite a while...until tonight!

Here is our experience...We were just wrapping up a great evening filled with shopping and dinner at Cafe Rio. We drove home tired, worn out and ready to go to bed. We pulled into our garage and Matt gets out of the car. I was gathering some of our things when I hear Matt yell.

"Sharon, get the Raid!"

I look in Matt's direction and see these 2 long hairy legs peeking out from the wall of diet coke that is lined up in our garage. Of course this just sets my heart racing and I couldn't do anything but scream and the only thing Matt can do is keep yelling at me "get the Raid, get the Raid, it's a TARANCHULA!"

By this point I am freaking out and immediately feel like spiders are crawling up my legs, but somehow I was able to give Matt the Raid. I stood way back so I couldn't see the ugly thing. Matt sprays and sprays and sprays until a cloud of Raid was forming above his head (which now we are laughing about) but it did the trick and killed the stupid thing. After my episode of freaking out and opening the garage door to get some oxygen I was finally able to bring myself to look at it. I had to get my camera because my description of the incident does not to justice to just how big, hairy, and ugly this thing was. eew! I sure hope I can sleep tonight!

Just to get an idea of how big it is Matt put a quarter right next to it.


The discard into the garbage...sick!

The list of things Matt has killed with Raid
1. Ants
2. Medium and Large spiders
3. Taranchula
4. Mouse (I believe Lisa has accomplished this too)

oops...forgot sunscreen!

Where did Matt sit at the game? We will be remembering the sunscreen for the next game!

That was a Thumpin!

Dear ESPN and all the other bias sports casters out there:

After the "controversial" call that was made last week in the BYU vs. Washington game I couldn't help but notice that no credit at all was given to the highly skilled BYU team. All week I was subject to hearing the negative comments regarding the BYU football team when in fact they did win the game by making an exceptional play of blocking a kick.

The purpose of the this letter is to ask, did you see the game? If you missed it I have enclose a picture of the half time score bored. And believe me it didn't get any better for UCLA!

Sincerely,
Cougar Fan

me and Matt

Laura and Sam

Nate and Dad
Nice hat hair Dad!

In case anyone missed it the final was 59-0. Go Cougars!

Update

I know many of you have been on pins and needles just wondering how my foot is healing up. After wearing my lovely and fashionable ankle brace and boot for over 4 weeks now I had a follow-up doctors appointment this week to see how things were shaping up.

The good news...
It seems that my split tibial tendon is healing up quite nicely. It's not as painful as it was. Also for those inquiring minds that wanted to know... during this whole ordeal my doctor did inform me that I needed to stay off my foot as much as possible but he did give me clearance to at least do the bike. My bike riding has helped me accomplish another big milestone. After trying to read the third book in the twilight series for almost a year I have finally been able to finish it and now I am half way through the 4th one. However, don't be deceived folks! I huff and puff and sweat my eyes out on the bike when I am in that mode I just can't be reading but I have found that I can read during warm up and cool down.

*Just a side not about the Twilight series. I have to be honest...I am only reading the 4th book so I can have closure and be done with it. I am NOT one of the crazies out there. I know some of you know where I live and beg with you to please not come after me after saying that. WHEW! I just really needed to get that off my chest!

On to the bad news...
I have to wear my fashionable foot gear for another two weeks! I am trying hard to rotate all my shoes so I don't just wear out the right one...and that is just one of the problems I facing!
I have not been able to run for over a month and it is killing me! Everyone out there...Be grateful for your feet and tendons that work properly. Since the no running I have been forced into my only option...the bike. Can I just tell you all that my butt is sore ALL the time. Not from working so hard as I know most of you are thinking. It is from the dang seat. It is not comfortable and doing the bike everyday is a killer on the rump! Hopefully after these next few weeks I will be able start running again.

hApPy BiRtHdAy!

Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy Birthday
This is your day so have a lot of fun
(boom, boom, boom)
We're all waiting for the cel-e-bration
for the cel-e-bration to begin, so
blow out the candles on your cake
and make a wish. Serve everybody's
favorite dish (favorite dish, boom, boom, boom)
Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy Birthday
This is your day so Happy Birthday to
YOOOOOOOU!

Rise and Shout...

I love cougar football. Especially when BYU brownies, 3rd quarter sundaes, and a great view is involved. While Sam and Laura and Nate and Tara baked in the hot sun, Matt and I sat in the Loge seats with my parents. Thanks Grandma for the tickets! We had a great time.

I am officially depressed!

Today was a sad day. After 10 weeks of training, 268 miles including a 17 mile long run and a mini breakdown I finally decided to drop out of the marathon. I have always thought I was so lucky to run for over 10 years and never had to deal with an injury...well the time has come that it is my turn. I have a split tibial tendon. The marathon is 39 days away and I am supposed to stay off my foot for 6 weeks. After that I will be re-evaluated to see if surgery has to be done. So while Renae and Laura are running I will be on the sidelines in my ankle brace and boot being their biggest cheerleader. Good Luck! I miss our long runs already.

MRI Images

Just a side note...Matt and I make quite a pair. Him in his knee brace and me in my boot. People at work keep wondering if their was some type of domestic dispute.

Love/Hate Relationship...

I love them, I crave them and so from time to time I make them. I eat so many of them my stomach hurts but I still find myself going back for more. I tell myself "this is the last one" with every single one that I eat. I brush my teeth so I will no longer have the "taste" in my mouth but shortly after I start craving the marshmellowy crisp that they offer. If I was home alone I would eat the whole pan...something that I am known to do. With Matt at home I at least try to contain my inner beast. So this relationship is love, hate, love, hate but in my heart I just truly love...

RiCe KrIsPy TrEaTs

Nice Job Nate!

After hours and hours of coaching Nate FiNaLlY got up on the wakeboard we made sure he wore a helmet.


JUST KIDDING
i just thought it was a funny picture of him messing around


This is what he can really do

Something Gross...

Matt is shedding like no tomorrow

and

He is bruising quite nicely

More Surgery Pictures...

Funny Note... at the hospital Matt was in the recovery room still trying to maintain his dry sense of humor. He said to the nurse "do you think I should cancel my 4:30 tee time?" Really the joke was on Matt because he kept repeating the SAME joke at least 6 times to the same nurse. He doesn't remember even saying it once.

The nurse shaving Matt's leg


After surgery


The recovery


One of Matt's first outing after surgery

My Cousin Jay

Searchers find hiker's body
Draper man believed to have died after falling off cliff in Tooele County
By Melinda Rogers The Salt Lake Tribune

Disappointed after missing a phone call from a son who had recently embarked on an LDS Church mission, Jay Adamson headed to the mountains of Tooele County to find solace where he and his oldest boy had shared countless treks. But something went terribly wrong Wednesday when the 40-year-old father of six from Draper hit the trail in the Lakeside Mountain range. Concerned family contacted authorities when Adamson, an experienced outdoorsman, failed to return home from a hike he had navigated alone before. More than 70 volunteers joined a 28-person county search-and-rescue team to look for the missing man Friday and Saturday. Those efforts culminated Saturday when a family friend found Adamson's body at the bottom of a cliff around 11 a.m., said Tooele County Sheriff Frank Parker. Investigators believe Adamson died from injuries after he fell off the cliff, Parker said. It was a gut-wrenching discovery for those who knew Adamson, an outdoor enthusiast who was pursuing an engineering degree from Brigham Young University while managing a Draper-based toy company with family. Adamson's 19-year-old son, Riley, had departed for Stockholm, Sweden, on Monday to start an LDS mission, said Adamson's mother-in-law, Mary Jo Hansen. The teen had called his father from the airport in Sweden. Adamson was sad that he had somehow missed the call on his
cell phone. So Adamson went to do what always cheered him up: hiking. "He was missing Riley and said 'I'm going to hike in my favorite place,' " Hansen said. Adamson's family reported him missing after they went looking for him and found his car near the Marble Head Mine area, just northwest of Delle and along the western edge of the Great Salt Lake. The man had sent his wife, Marcie, a text message Wednesday saying he was going hiking in the area where his body was found, Parker said. The man's death is a shock for family who marveled at Adamson's expertise on the trails. "He does this all the time. He's always out hiking," said Adamson's brother, Don Adamson, of Cottonwood Heights. "I never wanted to go with him. He was so fast at hiking he'd leave me in the dust." Besides enjoying the outdoors, Adamson loved spending time with his children, said Don Adamson, who called his brother a "great dad." Jay Adamson worked at the family business, Glow-Tec, a manufacturer of Play-Doh-like products for children, and was also enrolled at BYU, his brother said. Adamson is survived by daughters Natalie, 17; Amy, 10; Rachelle, 8; Melissa, 6; and a son, Jeremy, 13; in addition to his son Riley and his wife, Marcie.

A funeral is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the family's LDS stake center, 1187 E. Draper Parkway. A viewing is scheduled for Tuesday evening. On Monday, a memorial account is to be set up at the America First Credit Union under Adamson's name.

Update

My cousin Jay's body was found today in a deep ravine. His backpack had water, food and an insulin kit. He was fully prepared to hike for the day and accidentally fell. It is believed that he didn't suffer. We are glad that his body was found but we are saddened that he has died. Our payers go out to Marcie and her 6 children as well as the rest of the Adamson family.

Please Pray for Jay

We went searching today and the terrain is tough, it's hot and no sign of Jay. We will continue the search tomorrow. Click here for the details

The worst part is over...for both of us

Whew! I am glad those weeks are over! Matt had surgery on July 10. To be exact this is what he had done arthroscopy, lateral meniscus repair and ACL reconstruction. The surgery went well however, they originally thought he would just have ACL reconstruction. After they tore into his knee they found a damaged meniscus. Because of the meniscus repair Matt had to be no weight bearing for 2 weeks instead of one.

More pics and details to come...

Gidee-up!

I FINALLY changed the music on my blog. I am sorry to everyone that I didn't put it on random shuffle. I know you are sick of "Think of Me"... Anyway, I heard this song the other day and I couldn't help but smile. Turn up the volume and have a listen. Who does it remind you of???

Aspen Grove

We had a great time at our family reunion. It was fun to visit with cousins that we haven't been seen in a while. These are some of the things we did.

Family Pictures
Our reunion always starts with a family picture. Don't worry this is not the final picture. This is just a candid shot while we were getting ready for the professional to take the real one. There were 105 of us this year. We had generational shirts this year. Red = Gma and Don, Green = Aunts and Uncles, Brown = grandchildren, Blue = great grand children. Thanks Tami for the picture.


The kids went to their groups.
Amanda and JD
going on a trust walk


We played lots of Rook and other games


Brandon, JR, Joey and Tyler


Some participated in Aspen Follies


Joe


Sydney and Amanda

We ate food...no cooking or dishes to do is a HUGE plus!


Amanda, Sydney and Robert all giving bunny ears to each other


Diane and Norm

We did the ropes course

Laura, me, Renae, and Marcie

Played badminton

Robert and JR
Went to Frontier night

Dad driving around Gma and Don


Brittney

We made "drink runs" for the loaded stuff

Laura and Lisa

We golfed in the Gardner Open
We had 65 of us participate. Matt wasn't planning on playing because of his knee but at the last minute he decided he could play only off his right foot. Matt and I both won for the longest drive! We won a BYU driver cover and BYU golf towel.





We remembered our great grandparents



and...we just hung out

Don and Mom


Laura, Sam and Me

See everyone in 2010!