Fishing at Grandpa Cody's house.

Laying some brick for Grandpa Cody's walkway.

Grandpa liked their work ethic.

We visited with our sweet Grandpa Cody. The boys tried their luck with fishing El Casco Lake. No bites for the day, but a visit with Grandpa and Family made it well worth the trip. Better luck next time.

Sunset

"friendship needs no words"

Is this priceless or what? Breven, Sarah, Alyssa, Christian, and Brad: Friends Forever.

Musical Plants, rockin' out!

The Scientists!

Keeping their "scientific journal"

Their favorite part of the experiment: Emptying the soda bottles! (don't worry they really didn't drink that much!)

Planting the sugar snap peas.

This year Brad had to do a science project. He and his buddy Andy paired up and went to work. They're project was called, "Musical Plants" and they tested how plants were affected by music. They experimented with Church Hymns, AC/DC and none. The "none" plant grew the tallest. Peace and quiet isn't overrated even in the plant kingdom. The "Hymns" plant came in second, and you guessed it, AC/DC in dead last. Good job boys! Now onto the District Science Fair. Good Luck!

Where else but Quartzite?

LOVE THAT SIGN!

Guith's Quarters- That's how they roll.

Really, can the hat get any bigger?

I'll have a heart attack, please hold the ketchup.

The wheels on the bus go round and round.

Is this really necessary?

Girls in the back! Hang on!

Quartzite, Arizona If you've never been it's a MUST SEE. Where else can you buy a 3 foot long wrench? Where else can you order deep fried, artery clogging food and buy expired vitamins right next door? Any one need any "As Seen on TV" items like the Sham Wow? How about rocks? Everyone loves rocks right? The Guith's escorted us in their shiny red rhino from vendor to vendor for a day trip to Quartzite. We had a ton o' fun! Thanks so much Guith Fam, you're a blast!

FHE

Loaded down

I see the red moon risin' oh wait, isn't it bad moon? Rock on CCR!

Mesmerized by the fire.

Family home evening was a blast this week. Bryce gave a lesson about Lehi's family going into the wilderness and off we went to a bit of wilderness ourselves. We had done some serious tree trimming and had a back yard full of branches, so we asked our friends for a hand, and a truck (or two) and planned a bonfire FHE. Is that called a Fireside? Anyway, we ate our Popeye's chicken, lit a bonfire, watched the incredible moon rise, and were spiritually uplifted all in one night! We love FHE!

Boys Rule!

Bryce took the boys to his old tree fort. They were in heaven! They climbed to their heart's content. The two little cuties are cousins Cooper and Colton, who were learning the ropes from the big boys. Don't you love their sign? "BOYS RULE and girls drool."

The VanHorne Posse has been iniciated!

What a view!

Goin' on a duck hunt.

Clara and her cute hat doing what we do best.....snacking!

Chris, Brad, Bryce, Clara and Julia....keeping warm by the fire.

It's official! The VanHorne Posse joined us for an overnighter at the river. We had too much fun. It's always funny to shove 4 adults and 3 kids into a 20 foot Minnie Winnie! Thanks VanHorne's for still being our friends after that! And thanks to the Guith Fam for keeping us warm with lots of firewood. Let's do it again soon.

They will be missed.

Grandma Cody, always happy in the arms of her companion.

Uncle Mikey, hard working and fun-loving.

Our Family is acircle of strength and love.

With every birth and every union,the circle grows.

Every joy shared adds more love.

Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.

Two of our family members were called home this Christmas. We love them and miss them already.

Our Christmas Story

A knife and a Survival Book. That kept him busy all day.

Oh no, now he'll never sleep!

Rip it up!

Trying to pose in front of the tree was a bad idea. We covered it up and Bryce must have had a terrible headache with that star sticking out like that.

"Twas the night before Christmas and on the I-10,

Our family drove home in the car, stuffed to the brim.

All the stockings were hung by the front door with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The boys were snuggled up in the back seat,

All we could smell were their little boy feet.

Mom dozing off, dad wide awake,

Are we there yet? It's about all we can take.

The week had been great, the family so fun,

Tomorrow is Christmas, and all will be done.

So into the driveway we flew like a flash,

Tore open the garage and in with a dash.

Bring in the boys, tuck them into their beds,

While mom can't get the lists out of her head.

Stockings, cookies, camera, and toys,

Everything is just right for her little boys.

It really was such a wonderful sight,

Finally, it was time to say good-night."

Of course, that is until 5 AM when the boys woke up!

Packing it ALL in

Visiting with Great-Grandma Grandma and Pa Pa's house waiting for the spoiling to begin!

We officially out grew the family room, so we gathered in the garage too!

The Stackhouse Fam

The Munoz Fam

The Mettler Fam (missing a couple)

The 'Cuz clan

The Murrill's

We sure know how to pack in all the Christmas fun! Lots of visits to family. Too many gifts, but never too many hugs.

Cody Christmas

Yes, they really are upside down.Bouldering adventure.The boys were in heaven.

Ice skating- a rare form of torture.

All we did was eat.......

And sleep

Really Uncle Scott? Are nerf guns ever too big? Check out the eyebrow.

Fun with puzzles- BTBB and who?

All of the Artists

Matching pajay-jays

The Cody Clan

What fun to create new traditions and add to our favorite ones. That's just what we do. Thanks for all the fun Cody Fam! We really are a fun bunch huh? From matching pajay-jay's to pop-o's, the polar bear express, tamales, stockings, air mattresses, and a shared bathroom between the 9 of us for the weekend, how much more fun could it be? Oh wait, add to it endless hours of video taping for the annual Cody Christmas Movie Production! Can't wait to see what we captured. The boys were spoiled of course and we all enjoyed just being together again. Let's do it again soon!

To the MOON, really?

My brother is one to methodically plan out every detail of a surprise. He loves it as much as the person who he is surprising. After our awesome flight, he drove us to the Griffith Park Observatory, about as close as you can get to the MOON without boarding a shuttle. When he said "Fly me to the moon" he meant it. It was absolutely beautiful. The views of the sunset were breathtaking. As my family sat together watching all the wonders of this Universe, gazing at stars, and countless galaxies I couldn't help but cry. Families ARE Forever. We are but a small part of this Magnificently created Masterpiece. I am grateful to have been sent to a wonderful family and to begin a wonderful family of my own. God is Good.