One Voice

Today, in Sunday School, we finished up our study of
The Book of Mormon.

We cannot even begin to count the blessings we have received through reading this year. We are so thankful for the examples, both good and bad, which help us know how to return to our Heavenly Father.

However, the end of the book is always bitter-sweet as it ends with the testimony of just ONE VOICE.

Over... just like that.

Basketball came and went for Hummer. It was in there... intertwined with the play. Check out his schedule for the month of December:

Leave for School: 7:30

End of School: 2:20

Play Practice: 2:30-6:00

Basketball Practice: 6:00-7:00

(or a game: 6:30-8:30)

Home: No sooner than 7:00 pm

Needless to say, we're glad to have it all come to an end.

Welcome Home Hummer...

Welcome Home!

My First Born

It was only yesterday that I spent Christmas evening in the hospital. I left Christmas dinner at Grandma's house and spent the next 16 hours in the worst AGONY of my life...

That was only yesterday and yet today I think the AGONY is worse. For I woke up to find that my FIRST BORN is 17 years old.

Is it my imagination or does it appear to everyone that he is sliding through my fingers. Tear... Tear... Tear. I can take some comfort in knowing that he is, at least, still "sliding HOME".

Happy Birthday Ty!

So nice to meet you...

Say "HELLO" to Krista's new

BEST FRIEND!

We were surprisingly intruduced on this Christmas Day by

the WONDERFUL...

the FABULOUS..

the AMAZING...

Jeff Hutchins (a.k.a Best Husband EVER!!)

I Love You Sweetums!

After this gift was opened Jeff asked me if maybe now I could actually come to bed at night since I would now have the option to bring the computer to bed with me. Do you think I have a problem?

Merry Christmas to you all!!

The WISE wise man

Have you ever seen such a WISE wise man?

And as for the little SHEPHERD...

Well, this is probably an accurate rendition. It was a long walk.

That's Joseph you see over to the side.

JOSEPH, pay attention!

Look at the baby... the baby!
Not the wise wise man.

Tyson... how old are you?
You are distracting the father of the WISE wise man!

Focus people

...FOCUS!

This is suppose to be spiritual!

A Cullen Christmas

My Mom, Kristina, Em and I enjoyed a great night at The Festival of Tree's. At first it was pretty emotional as we realized that most of the tree's were dedicated to someone who'd passed away. However, after passing 200 or so tree's we got over the sadness and rejoiced in our own blessings.

When it was all said and done, our favorite tree ended up to be one of sentimental value to those of us who love VAMPIRES... Yes, The Cullen Family Christmas Tree. A teenage boy was manning this display and was laughing his head off. He proclaimed that almost every women passing by stopped to have her picture taken by the tree. He just didn't get it... can you imagine?

After The Festival we went to dinner and then it was shopping. We went to all the stores that were open and stayed until they closed. We saw the closing of TJMaxx (10:00), Kohls (12:00) and Walmart. Here we are about 1:30 a.m.

It was a great and much needed GIRLS NIGHT OUT! Not to mention a great way to begin the Christmas Season.

I SPY...

This has been quite a holiday season.
To make a long story short... we've been playing
"I spy an APOSTLE"...

It all began at the TOP... yes, with the prophet. We were at dinner and in walked Pres. Monson with his wife. He stopped to shake Tyson's hand. Then he asked Dillon if he was going on a mission. When Dillon replied with a "yes" the prophet then said, "Okay, you promised me ." I can't even tell you the impact this had on our boys... not to mention us and Grandma Hutch (who was with us). It was an incredible experience. Oh... what a way to begin the Holidays!

We couldn't believe it when only 4 days later we spotted another. We were in a concert when Jeff whispered to me, "There is Elder Uchtdorf". I didn't believe him but upon further starring, it was him right him in front of us with his wife. We had the opportunity to shake his hand later that night.

During intermission of this same concert, as we were watching Elder Uchtdorf... Jeff turned around for a little stretch. Then he said, "Krista, you will not believe this... Dallin H. Oaks is behind us." Again, not believing, I turned to look and sure enough he was. We were spinning at the chain of events.

It was fun to text our family and let them know every time we "spied" someone new. My brother told me that he was tempted to send me a text that read: "Krista, be careful backing out of the concert tonight. I'm sure Elder Eyring will be standing behind your car. Try not to run over him." Sadly enough, we never spotted him.

OH My GOODNESS!!

Fast apology if you caught the "Oh My Goodness" before I did. Last night I quickly added Alvin and The Chipmunks without listening to the song all the way. Then all of the sudden Alvin was shouting swear words at Dave... then Theodore chimed in along with Simon. Before I knew what had happened my ears were burning with a very EXPLICIT version of this innocent song. So sorry if you had to hear it too! Lesson learned... always listen to your music ALL the way through before you post it!

Again, sorry... so, so sorry!!!

Krista, WHY?

Krista, why do you look like that?
Reply: You mean why do I look half dead?

Have you recovered from being sick?
Reply: No. I'm hacking like a hammer and coughing a lot doesn't fair well with a woman my age (if you know what I mean).

We hear you pulled a muscle putting up your Christmas decorations.
Reply: Yes I did but it has since healed.

Is it true that the arm of a porcelain figurine broke off in the bottom of your foot?
Reply: True in-deedy.

There is a rumor that you slipped on the ice, broke your head and now you are in a coma? Is that true?
Reply: That one would be a lie.

Well, we don't feel that is a reason NOT to blog. It's not like you've had anything to do.
Reply: You're right. I've been selfish. I should have done it after the Forgotten Carols or when we got home from The Festival of Tree's. If not then, then after Kurt Bestor. I guess I could have taken a break from Peanut Brittle Night or our annual "Deer Hunt". I could have missed The Palmer Party or The Jefferies Party or The Johnson Party or The Butler's Baby Blessing and Birthday Party or The Johnson Birthday Party or The Palmer Cousin Party (oh wait, I did miss that one... had another party). Well, maybe I could have done it while Ty was at baseball camp last week or at least while he was at baseball camp this week. I'm sure I can do it when he is at baseball camp next week. No, I could have done it while Jeff was out of town for 3 days. Oh wait, I should have done it after one of Dillon's 4 play productions or after one of his 8 basketball games or maybe after the GHS football banquet. I should have done it instead of narrating the Christmas program in Sacrament Meeting or making the posters for the Ward Party or I should have just skipped The Ward Party. Let's see... I should have been blogging, I've had pretty of time!

As BUSY as we've been...

we've LOVED this Christmas Season.

Hope it has been the same for all of you.

Merry

CHRISTMAS!

Lovin' the LIGHTS!

I've got to hand it to Jeff...
he really went all out on the LIGHTS this year!



What are you saying? This isn't our house?
Come on... let a girl DREAM!
I married a great man who is a lot of things but a "Christmas Light Guy" he is not. So play along, for my sake...
Now, once again, doesn't OUR house look nice.

We're all in this "TOGETHER"

High School Musical

was FABULOUS!!

It didn't take Dillon long to figure out the perks that come from being in show business.

On Stage...

Dill will be performing in the Jr. High School production of "High School Musical" next week. He will be performing every night but has a SPEAKING PART on Thursday and Saturday. The information is listed below if you'd like to drop in and see him in action!

Where are we?

Sick in bed...

Feeling half dead.

Except for Dillon (he got the shot).

3 + 3 = Family

On Saturday a new family was formed...

New rings found fingers...

New smiles found faces...

New siblings found love...

and old friends became sisters...

Congratulations Jared and Em!
We Love You!

I think this is the cutest picture of Mackay and Gracie! Both are so sweet!

In case you didn't know... they are brand new siblings.

Oh, and in case you didn't know... Jared is my brother! :)

A Peck of Pickle Juice

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers;
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper... "

Hold on, hold on. A new version of this nursery rhyme has been written in honor of our circumstances over the past few months.

It goes as follows:
"Tyson Hutchins drank a peck of pickle juice;
A peck of pickle juice Tyson Hutchins drank.
If Tyson Hutchins drank a peck of pickle juice,
Where's the peck of pickle juice Tyson Hutchins drank?"

In answer to your question...
The "peck" is right here!!

FYI... water is the only juice in those jars.
Every ounce of actual juice was ingested.
Scary thing... these aren't all the jars we emptied.
Click here, here, and here for the whole story.

The PROOF is in the pain

Today Dillon exhibited an act of TRUE LOVE.

We are planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with Grandma & Grandpa Hutch. However, over the weekend, Dillon got very sick. He knew he couldn't be around Grandpa if he was not better.

So this morning, he went to see Dr. Beazer. When he was offered "THE SHOT"... Dillon quickly said, "Give it to me". Dr. Beazer, as well as the nurse, could not believe their ears... nor could I.
If you know Hummer, you know this act was a very signifigant one for him (click here and here for the story). Hummer then rolled over on his stomach and took the pain with not a single tear or whimper...

and he did it all in the name of LOVE.

I've got to admit that I shed a few tears watching my son turn into a man right before my eyes. But Hummer knew that Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without those he loves most.

Every act of love deserves another. So to Walmart we went to get a reward. Dillon tensed his "hiney" so hard when they gave him the shot that he really had a hard time walking when it was over. So here he is in Walmart choosing his treat. (Thanks Walmart for thinking of the crippled consumer.)
Way to go Hummer. I've never been more proud of you. You're action will prove to make this THANKSGIVING one we will always remember!

What's in your basket?

You know the old saying,
"What's in your wallet?"

Well here it is better said,
"What's in your basket?"

For we keep pulling out
the wallet to

FILL THE BASKET.

Just looking for FUN

A few years ago I subscribed to a magazine. It was so much fun. I read it from front to back as soon as I received it.

So, in my quest to have more fun, I subscribed to another one. Again fun. Although I couldn't read them both the day I received them, I did finish by the end of the month.

So again, in my quest to fill my life with more fun, I subscribed to another... and another... and another.

Now there is no fun just StREsS!

I can't possibly read all these magazines and you can't just throw them away without reading them... there might be something life changing in them! Now I'm just looking forward to the day when the subscriptions run out. That will be fun! Maybe then I will have time to finish them all.

Oh, when will I ever learn the
"Moderation in All Things" lesson?

Baskin' in it

Oh how we love
Grandma
and appreciate all she does to support the boys.

Can she really help it if the warm sunshine puts her to
sleep
even during an exciting game?! :)

Yaba-Daba-Do!

Don't mind us ... we're just

CeLEbRaTInG at the Sinclair

GAS is under $2.00!

Yee-Haw!

***Sidenote: This photo was Hummer's idea... Surprise, Surprise! Did we get several strange looks from the other customers pumping gas? Well yes, a few ... okay, we got A LOT!

A Clear View

Hummer's NEW eyes.
Pretty handsome... huh?

Dillon vs. Goliath

In perfect "Dillon Fashion"...

"Goliath" was brought to his knees

during the last game of the season.

Don't be confused, we really are playing in this game. Our little team really is there. Can you see those little pieces of red and black? Oh... there we are!

Let me put things into perspective for you... an accurate measuring of the size difference on this day. Meet #99 (a.k.a "Goliath"). Ummmm, may I please see a birth certificate?

In answer to your question... Yes, that is our little Dillon attacking said "Goliath". Just as David of old ... no fear... clear goal in mind.

TOUCHDOWN!
Goliath, where are you?
Oh, you are behind me.
You may be BIG but you are oh, so
S L O W !

Ending the season with an, ever so sweet
WIN! Dillon beats Goliath!

As we walk away from yet another season,
we are so THANKFUL we get to watch our boys enjoy the things they love.

So, away the chairs go for a few months...
but NO FEAR, it'll all start over again!

We are thrilled to announce that Hummer received
"The HEART of the Team"
Award from his coaches!

Congratulations Dill!