More Mischief

Shortly after I filmed this, Spencer couldn't get up and instead of waiting for me to help him, he stepped in the fountain.  He couldn't wear his shoes for a few days because they were soaked.  Sydney on the other hand knew better.  :)

her words

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. I was shocked and devastated that my dear friend Allie found out her cancer has returned. Needless to say, many MANY tears have been shed for her and her new fight. It has been so sad in our home these last few weeks with worry and concern for Allie and her family. Feeling angry and furious, I read what she has journaled on her blog. How wrong is it that her words bring me peace and help my testimony in Christ grow? Even though I don't envy what she is going through, I envy her strength and clarity. She truly is amazing! If you would like to know more, her blog is at www.caringbridge.com/visit/allisonarnett. Her family blog is at http://www.arnett6.blogspot.com/.


Sooooo, I've been having pain off and on for a couple years in my hips, back, shoulder, neck, and spine. The last few blood tests have showed that I'm anemic and after supplements it actually got worse. I am also being treated for an under active thyroid which has a suspicious node. Well after what Allie is going through I thought I better get it all checked out. The burning pain has spread to my collarbone, hips, and arms. Add to that night sweats and shortness of breath and I am getting no sleep.

Off to the doctors to find out what is going on: I saw an orthopedic surgeon today. It turns out my symptoms are identical to those of someone who has cancer in the bones and I am getting a full body bone scan on Monday. I am crippled in fear with what the results will be and now am in complete and total awe of Allie. All I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep and avoid the world and yet I don't even have the diagnosis yet. The dr gave me painkillers and anti-inflammatories which haven't helped yet. It is pretty sad when I am praying that I have rheumatoid arthritis. Please keep Allie in your prayers and if you don't mind throw one my way too. :)

signed - a ball of stress

10 Seconds of Mischief

Loving doors like these when I was little, I couldn't resist letting them do this for a few seconds. You can see them about to get reprimanded at the end. Yes, I must've looked like an awful mom.

Temple Square Tour Continued

Sydney in front of the Christus statue.

Sydney and Spencer standing in front of the replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue at the visitor's center on Temple Square.

JB's Restaurant - Road Trip Oh Nine

JB's is where you eat only because of it's proximity to Temple Square.

For tradition's sake, the kids have to climb here.


Spencer vs. the empty cup. And the winner is......

Joseph Smith Memorial Building with Nana

Nana Giving us a Tour of her Mission

My mom works in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She took us upstairs to check out the view.

Spencer is physically and mentally unable to keep his hands out of water.


Everywhere we went or looked there were brides getting their pictures taken.


Isn't that a great view!

I love this pic.. families are forever you know. :)

Nana's Church History Mission

For her mission, my mom works in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building training other missionaries to use the computers. Then those missionaries help visitors use the computers in the Church History Building to find their ancestors.

Sydney looking up everyone she can think of.

Looking up a great uncle of mine, I got choked up reading from a journal of a member of his battalion. Start reading at the paragraph "Sunday 13th."

My little brother Kevan's FamilySearch record.

He was killed in a car accident because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. Let's just say I'm the seatbelt enforcer.

First Night with Nana - Road Trip Oh Nine

Nana is serving a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is staying in a one bedroom apartment across the street from the Conference Center and Temple. Every time I go outside I am in awe of the majesty of the Temple.

Nana, is taking us to her apartment. It rained a lot when we first arrived in Utah. Thank goodness I packed ponchos in my 72 hour kit.


Everyone goes to bed really early here, so we had to keep the volume down. That's why Sydney's so close to the TV.


The nails were part of an object lesson about how anything is possible. Spencer thought they were better suited between his toes..

jump on it - Road Trip Oh Nine

We couldn't come to Utah and not come here with Jen, Kya and Brennon.

It doesn't get better than an hour of jumping and flipping on wall-to-wall trampolines.

Sydney flipping. My battery died right after this, so you've been spared more pictures. :)

If you watch the background, you can see Spencer and Kya.

Sizzler - Road Trip Oh Nine

While in Utah, I have been taking the kids to all the restaurants I've missed eating at all these years. Sizzler is one of my favorites. Their Malibu Chicken and Cheesebread is the best! :)

After dinner we took pictures of the kids in the flower mound.

As much as they don't want to be, they truly are best friends.


Kya and Spencer

Sydney and Kya

Two cuties!

The kids began playing in the rocks.

Brennon got a kick out of putting rocks in the vent.

Waiting for Fireworks - Road Trip Oh Nine

After the parade we went inside to wait for the fireworks to begin.

He is so your son Richard!

Spencer and the beach ball he caught at the parade.


Spencer made a feed bag out of the plastic a dry cleaning business gave out.


Dason hasn't seen my brother, Brian, in four years. They are shoulder to shoulder because Dason was sick.

Since I don't have any pictures of any of these two together, I am posting both.


Dason and my brother Gary.

This is so Gary! Dason (and I) are lucky to have him in our life! He is such a good, caring, and fun uncle and brother.

They hawd.



No one is safe from Gary's torture. I think I still have repressed memories from the "little brother" torture I received.

Shortly after this, we left to see the fireworks. Dason wasn't feeling well, so we drove to the field with everyone and sat in the car to watch. The display was short and sweet at 10 minutes long. Jen went with me to take Dason back to Spanish Fork. When we got back to Orem, Brian, Steph, Gary, Jen, and I stayed up talking for hours. It was so nice to be together with family. I wish it could happen more often.

Summerfest Parade - Road Trip Oh Nine

Jen and I were walking through the craft booths when we got an unexpected call from Dason asking to be picked up. We stopped what we were doing, loaded everyone up, and drove to Spanish Fork to get him.

He went to Costco with us to get supplies, and in about an hour he wasn't feeling well again. While we scurried getting everything ready for the barbecue and parade, he relaxed in a recliner.


Gary did a great job grilling steaks! Jen's friend Leslie brought over twice-baked potatoes that the kids and I tried for the first time...yummy!

This is Jean Skinner and her granddaughter Mikkayla. In 1977, we moved from California to this house in Orem on the street behind her. Before knowing our last name, Jean saw my brother Brian in the neighborhood and because he looked so much like my dad she asked, "Are you related to a Glenn Tippets?" We told her that he was our dad, but he's dead now. She said, "I served a mission with him in Montana."

Parade Time


Burrito anyone?

This was a blast from the past!

I haven't seen Kirra (Peterson) Cook in over 20 years. She was such a sweetheart! She was a talented dancer, gymnast, diver, etc... She has taught dance for years and now just does choreography. One of her former students (Randi Evans) is on So You Think You Can Dance. Another one of her students was on it last year as well.


Kya and her BFF Katelyn


Rod grew up with one of the creators of South Park. He told Gary that a few of the storylines "feature" his life exactly.


Sydney and Kylie - Cousins or BFFs?


Spencer with his cousin & hero, Tevan.


Dason feeling under the weather with the flu. H1N1?


Spencer, Kylie, Sydney, & Brennon




Lots of friends and family came this year.


They collected candy, water bottles, ties, beach balls, party favors, and more.





Sister Tippets and her favorite daughter.


Kylie & Sydney enjoying the parade, but mostly enjoying being with each other.