New Years Celebrations

Ringin' in 2009 in Midway
As has been the tradition for the past 15 years, we got together with "The Cabin Crew" for New Years Eve. This group consists of some of Jeremy's high school friends and their wives, and a couple of others who joined in when we were in college. We've been meeting at Melissa Brady's parents cabin in Midway consistently for 15 New Years Eves. We also like try to get together every summer, as well.

We were the first of the 8 couples to have a baby, in 1996. Between all of us, we now have 25 or so. We were commenting the other night about how amazing it is that all of us have successful marriages. We have beat the odds! Eight out of eight couples are very happily married, and made it through those first ten years, when 50% of marriages fail. We feel very blessed. This group of friends is like family to us. We've helped each other through hard times, (like the Dukes losing their first child at the age of 20 months to Spinal Meningitis, and Melissa Brady losing her mom at an early age to cancer) and good times like engagements, weddings, baby blessings and of course, New Years Eve! Not everyone can make it to our gatherings, so some times we'll go a couple years without seeing one of the couples, but it's always like no time has passed at all. This year we had the Dukes of North Logan, the Archibalds of Smithfield, the Cantwells of Boise, ID, the McKennas of Bountiful, the Bradys of Kaysville and the most awesome of all, the Fillmores of good 'ol Happy Valley.

OK, I was seriously expecting an injury from this game. Good thing we had Dr. Duke on the scene.

Jen Cantwell and I are due within a few days of each other. She usually goes a little early, so we could even have our babies on the same day! Funny, we actually kind of look alike in this photo. I just love Jen.
We have a whole herd of little boys between the ages of 5 and 8 or so. They love the bunk bed room the best because of the readily-accessible climbing apparatuses.
We all got in a big circle and played kid games and the dads made up and add-on story. It was very entertaining to see what they came up with as they went along. The Dancing Divas.
We caught James (The Cantwells adorable Downs Syndrome boy) imitating the girls. It was so hilarious.

They were happy to make him part of the show. He's way too hard to resist. After doing a countdown for the all the little people at about 10:00, we put them all in bed, then enjoyed about four hours of relaxation, pigging out, playing games and laughing--adult style! Sadie and Jenna stayed up with us because they are the "big kids." Landon was at his cousin, Braden's house in Heber because there are no boys his age in this group and he can't bear the thought of hanging out with a bunch of little kids, or adults, for that matter. We missed him.


As always, the cabin provided good times and memories. I'm going to do a post one of these days with pictures from years past of our Cabin Crew adventures.

The Fillmore Family Party

After spending 2 days at the cabin, we drove to Smithfield for the Fillmore party that was supposed to be on December 19, but was postponed 2 weeks because of a snow storm and work conflicts. We spent two nights there, at G&G Fillmore's. Even though Christmas was over, it still felt all warm and fuzzy being with family and eating good comfort food. (This was definitely a weight-gaining week!)

We all went in on the material to make Grandma and Grandpa their own lap quilts. Lorrie did a beautiful job. I want one!

After 5 days away from home and doing nothing but sitting, visiting and eating, it actually felt really good to come home and start our normal routine. I love to vacation. I always love the break from everyday life, and appreciate the responsibilities that come with being home even more.