Williams Family Christmas Party. December 21, 2009

We were happy that we could attend the Williams annual family Christmas party at the Veenker's. It's not often that we are in town for the party of the year. Everyone comes together for dinner, games and of course the highlight is the Nativity put on by all of the kids. Look at these darling angles. Grant was a sheep. I must add the cutest sheep ever!

So focused!;)

We took the left over sparkles from Carly's wedding. They were a big hit!

My darling kids...minus Carly and Joel who were honeymooning!

Then we headed to Idaho to spend Christmas with my Mom. We stayed at my Sister Dana's house. It was a lot of fun and somehow Santa found us!

The Art Museum at BYU 12-21-2009

Perfect photo op.

The Spoken Word (Christmas program) Dec. 20, 2009

We stayed at the Plaza Hotel the night of Carly's wedding. Steve and my brother-in-law Rod thought it would be great to get up bright and early the the next day and go to the Spoken Word. It was their Christmas Program and all I can say is WOW....It wonderful and very moving! If you ever get a chance to go put this high on your list of things to do. It worth every minute and more. Our feet hurt So bad from walking in high heals the day before that Camille's motto was "Comfort before Pride" She opted for her tennis shoes. :) You go girl!

The gang waiting for the doors to open. We were so lucky to sit on the second row and that was by choice. Rod, LaNae, Blake, Steve, Kaylee, Tyler and Camille. Grant stayed at the hotel to babysit Grandma. ;)

Carly and Joel's Wedding Day. Salt Lake City, Utah December 19, 2009

Carly has always dreamed of getting married in the Salt Lake City Temple. It was a little crazy as we are from Texas and the Goodman's from California but everyone was willing so with A LOT of effort we made that dream come true. It was a delightful, sunny and beautiful day but it was winter in Utah and 18 degrees outside. By late evening it was at freezing! Not only was it one of the coldest days... it was the busiest as well. It was the day after finals at BYU and Salt Lake Temple had 76 brides to marry that day. Carly and Joel were married at 4:20 in the afternoon.

The Goodman's and the Williams outside right before the sealing. The Goodman's are wonderful people. We feel blessed that Carly found such a wonderful man in Joel and a wonderful family to marry into. You worry your whole life as parents about this crucial decision your kids will make in choosing a spouse. We are pleased with Carly's choice.

Outside the temple right before the sealing.

Dad with his little girl! I remember when Carly was born Steve was so worried about raising her in" this kind of world." He said...I don't know what I would do if anyone ever did anything to hurt her." He loves his girls.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goodman....Coming out of the temple.

Family and friends at the temple! It was large gathering and so much fun to be around so many that we love.

Carly and Joel with her friends and roommates.

Three generations....Carly, Me and my mom (Loraine Emery)

We had a wonderful dinner at the Lion House hosted by the Goodman's. They were so wonderful to work with and so generous!

Matt Goodman making a toast. With WATER of course!!

Steve and I thanking those who came.

Carly and Joel taking their turn thanking so many for their support and love.

That's my boy...Grant.

3 foot long sparklers for the send off.

As they ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.

The funniest thing of the day was when I came back into the the Lion house after sending the kids off....There was Steve all by himself at the table finishing his meal. ;)

**All of my kids were so wonderful and such great help. It was so nice with such a hectic day to see my kids all step up to help where needed without being asked. Tyler pushed my Mom around in her wheelchair most of the time, getting her where she needed to be. Camille and all of the kids were good to focus on Grant and be at his beckon call. Poor Blake, Tyler and Dave Smith ran around most of dinner time trying to get Carly and Joel's luggage gathered and where it needed to be before they left on their honeymoon. It not an easy feat as the traffic was terrible and so they literally ran back and forth from the hotel to the Lion House with luggage (big luggage) and it was FREEZING!! Thanks kids I love you...

Reception at BYU December 18th 2009

We had a small reception that BYU catered for friends and family the night before Carly and Joel got married. It was fun to see so many friends that we have not seen in years! Here are all of my darling kids! The wedding cake.

We had Dave and Nichol Hall and Dave and Rebecca Smith both there at the same time. The Halls were in our ward when there was only one Keller Ward. The Smith's traveled all the way from Utah for this wedding. They have been such a big part of my kids lives. It was fun for all of us to reunite here in Utah. Both great families!

My sister RaeAnn and her family were there.

These are our friends Jon and Jerri Walton. We use to babysit their kids for them when Steve was in Grad school at Noter Dame. We lived in South Bend, Indiana. The Walton's have since moved to Alpine. We have exchanged Christmas cards for years...it was such a treat to see them again.

My nephews Dillon, Derrick and my darling boy Blake. This pictures looks very posed!

This was such a fun picture! Steve and I worked and MET at the testing Center at BYU years ago. Our boss was a great lady named Linda Shirley (in the middle) She is still working there and both Tyler and Carly have worked for her. They call my kids the legends because they are the off spring of two old testing center employees. Linda tells us that she has not had such a tight knit and close group as we all were since we left and graduated. I believe her because we sure had a great group of kids to work with. Tyler told me that he is working at the Testing Center again this semester. Do you think she will still be there when Camille makes it to BYU? We love Linda!

This is a picture of One of Steve's childhood friends Darwin Kinghorn and his wife that now live in Lehi, Utah.

We had a fun and enjoyable night. It was the beginning of a great weekend!

December 2009 in the blink of an eye!

December was pretty much all about Carly...Just ask the other kids! ;)

We were able to enjoy the morning of December 18 th in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple with Carly getting her endowments out. What a wonderful and rewarding time as parents to see one of your children enjoy the blessings of the temple. I am not sure that anything can really top this experience. This was the first time we met Matt and Kay Goodman from Tristan, California. They are wonderful warm people and what an addition to our extended family. They were a joy to work with. We are thrilled to have Joel Pierce Goodman join our family.

Carly and Joel leaving the temple. We met up with all of our kids and the Goodman's at Olive Garden. It is one of Carly's favorite places to eat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Don't you just hate starting the new year already falling behind? Well that is exactly where I am. Playing catch up and everyday I am falling farther and farther behind. I have e-mail reminders and phone calls letting me know that the blog has been neglected. Really I am aware of this fact but honestly I am so far behind that I am avoiding it all together. I am not sure I would even continue the blog but I have already printed (in book form) two years worth of blogging and it is such a valuable record for the family. I may not be good at much but hopefully one day my kids will appreciate my effort at recording our memories, after all they are among my most precious blessings... So be patient and over the next few weeks I promise to get up to date. :) We had so much happen at the end of 2009 and much more to come in 2010 so hold on for the ride!