a whole bunch of craziness

Addie was in the nutcracker again this year.  She was a medium mouse.  Hopefully when she is in it again two years from now, she will get to be something different.

 After the Nutcracker, Addie and I rushed to the Heelis Party to see Santa.  She made it in the nick of time.

 We made our annual sugar cookies.  It is nice to know I can still decorate cookies better than 3 people in this world.

 We had our family pictures taken.  The DeGraffenried Family Photo. Pretty cool, I think.

Landan and I have our first updated picture together since 2002

 So I had a crazy experience with the Santaquin Church fire. I drove passed the morning we heard about the fire.  I happened to see that my dad was there.  So I decided to see if I could go in.  I walked in, no one said a word.  So I walked down the hall and up the stairs to where my dad and Bones were talking to the investigator, church architect and firemen.  The church architect handed me a flashlight and told me to look around.  I was horrified with what I saw.  I got out my camera and started taking pictures.  When I got home I wanted to show my local facebook friends that there was a lot of damage done to the church.  I had no idea my pics would spread so far and so fast.  I was contacted by the Santaquin paper who asked if they could use them on their website. After checking to make sure that was ok I gave my permission.  What I am extremely shocked about, however, was to see my pics on FOX 13 news.  I never gave permission to anyone.  They were just there with my name above the photos.  I was kind of freaked out that my pictures had traveled that far. So I found out the reason my pictures were so high in demand is because the media was not allowed in where I had been taking pictures.  Who knew my pictures would actually be the only ones out there?  I sure didn't.

It was horrifying to see.

Below is the link to the actual news broadcast that my photos were on.

http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-arson-suspected-in-santaquin-lds-church-fire-20111215,0,571227.story

yep I turned 35 and stuff

 So here I am being all old and everything.  One day I will look back and say "remember when I thought 35 was old" I think I will post a picture every year so I could look back at the year before and say "what happened? I used to be much skinnier and have less wrinkles" unless I get botox and liposuction and then I will think there was a lot of improvement in my older years.  any way, it was a good birthday.  I was treated to diet cokes and other yummies.  I bought myself a new vacuum.  The best part of my birthday was finally getting my tax refund!  Wahoo!!

Thanksgiving was good!  We were thankful and ate a lot.  Friday we went to see "Arthur"  it was cute.  Saturday We went to see the town light parade.  It was cold and short. 

Now on to the crazy month of December..

Addie's gymnastics in house meet

Addie's team competed against each other so they could get an idea of what it is like to compete.  They didn't score them or anything but they went from apparatus to apparatus and did everything as if it was the real deal.   Addie did really well!  Of course my camera always decided to take the picture too late so I don't really have any great pics.

She was nervous all day.  After school she grabbed her beam and pulled it upstairs to the kitchen and googled level 4 beam routine and practiced over and over until she felt confident with it.  She is definitely self driven.

It will be fun to watch her compete.

winter is here

Halloween 2011

 Halloween time was fun and busy.  Here is a break down of the festivities.  3 class parties, 2 preschool trunk or treats, party at Grandma Patty's, trunk or treat at Grandma Carla's and trick or treating in the neighborhood.  I can't speak for my kids but I was tired.

My kids of course looked adorable.  Addie for the second year in a row was Princess Tiana.  Trey was a Santaquin main street construction worker and PJ was woody from toy story.

 At Grandma Patty's party Addie and Gracie volunteered to do the dishes.  Who is going to say no to that?

 Nephew Chad went as Michael Jackson.

 all the little ones at Grandma Carla's trunk or treat

 Trey is really into politics. Trey is standing over me right now as I write.  He requested that I tell you to "VOTE YES to prop 1&2 and vote for Carr, Payne and Wollebaek"  He also said don't forget to tell them "don't waste our investment"  He also wants you to know the he is running for City Council when he is 34 and his signs will say " Vote for Trey DeGraffenried Huff.  He is a good investment and a nice guy"

Addie and Trey both did well in the Reflections contest.  Trey placed 1st in dance choreography in the primary division and Addie placed first in dance choreography in the intermediate division.  they were both thrilled to get their trophies.  Trey said the best part was the trophy was a rectangular prism.

 Carlene finally had her baby.  Little Raquel was born on the 4th of November.  She is a cutie.  PJ wants to keep her.

PJ turns 4

It is true, the baby of my family is now 4!  It is kind of hard for me to believe. 

 PJ has really been digging cowboys lately.  Mainly because he loves Woody from Toy Story.  So we decided to have a cowboy themed birthday party.  We started by getting Diana Waite to design the invitations for us.  They turned out so cute!

Now PJ just didn't want to be any cowboy.  He had to be Woody.  I think he is the cutest cowboy ever!  Next We had Cowboy Andy( Isn't that awesome, since Woody's owner is Andy) come over with his horses and let all the kids go on rides.

 They all had so much fun!  Even my mom rode for a bit.

 While they were waiting to ride, the kids practiced roping a dog and cow (not real ones)

 and played ring toss.

 After all the riding and games were done, We had a pinata.  I thought the boot Pinata was awesome!

 Cousin Chase really knows how to whack an pinata.

 After the pinata, we had cake and opened presents.  It was a fantastic party for my little cowboy.


On his actual birthday, He went to Carl's Jr with the family and had Grandparents visit and shower him with gifts.  He loved them all but one of his favorites had to be the bed tent.

We love PJ.  He is very exuberant, happy, full of expression and has way too much energy.  He definitely add more excitement in our home.

Mostly Trey

 Landan and I went to Shirly's funeral last Saturday.  It was a nice service.  Later in the week I took my kids to the cemetery to see where she had been buried. I took a picture because I wanted to have a picture of the floral arrangement we sent.  I thought it was gorgeous.  It is the heartshaped one with the sunflowers.   I loved how the sun came shining through.

Trey has adjusted nicely to kindergarten.  The first week of school, He told me Miss Rowley was nice but she was not as lovely as Miss Stacy.(his preschool teacher)  He even wrote miss Stacy a note saying " I love you, I miss you"  Well last week Trey came home and said " Miss Rowley is nice and beautiful and gorgeous and sunshiny and I love her" 
He says the funniest things and asks the best questions. that often I do not know the answers.  He examines the toilet frequently. "where are those pipes that lead to the sewer when I flush.  I can't see them"  "Where does the water go after it goes down the storm drain?"  If I say " I don't know"  I get the response " Come on Mom, Just tell me"  I guess he thinks I am smarter than I am. or my latest favorite.  "What is a bureaucracy?"  He is a worry wart.  He is constantly brushing his teeth to prevent gingivitis.  Every time we get near water he asks if he is going to drown.  He rides his bike to school. Only he really walks it half the way because he might get going too fast on the hill.  He wants to be a crossing guard again this year for Halloween.  I was excited since we already have the costume.  However, He wants to switch it up this year and hold a GO sign instead of a STOP sign.  He is the funniest, most delightful kid, when he is not throwing tantrums. Now if I can just find his TORNADO SHELTER and NO DRINKING UNDER 21 signs that he wants for christmas, I will be the best mom ever.

A good friend

A few months ago, Sharolyn, who Megz and I lovingly refer to as Shirly, asked me to write down my memories of her.  I started to do so, but got a little lazy and never finished the project.  I guess people always think they have more time.

Sharolyn passed away Tuesday.  She was just 34 years old. She died of fibro sarcoma primary bone cancer.  I knew this time was coming but I was completely unprepared.


I met Sharolyn in 8th grade.  She passed me a note in vocational core that said " Do you watch Days?"  I wrote her a note saying I used to watch it with my friend Amy but hadn't seen it in a long time.  The next several notes was her catching me up on what had happened in the last few years of that soap.  We were instant friends.  I think partly because we both liked to be a little rebellious without going too far.  She always was full of energy. when I was with her we always laughed a lot.  We loved to be a little naughty like when we sang Entrepreneurship in Mrs Monteirth's class We changed it to entrepeneurSHIT.  I know I know super mature but it was hilarious in 8th grade.  Funny thing is.. later in life she was indeed an entrepreneur.

Sharolyn and I have remained friends since the 8th grade.  At some points in our life we were closer than other times. I remember when she was diagnosed with cancer the first time.  It was thyroid.  It was a scare for sure but she seemed to get over that one quickly.  Around this time, Megan, Shirly and I went to Vegas together.  It was such a fun time, which over the years we have joked about many of the funny things that happened on that trip.

She was with me during the time I was dating Landan, in fact some people thought he was dating her and not me.   While Landan and I were engaged, we went with Sharolyn, Michael and Ty on a trip to Moab.  We had a great time.  She had purchased this really unattractive van/car that we went on road trips in.  I am looking at it in the background of this pic and thinking it looks a lot like the van I now drive.

She was at my wedding.

Sharolyn, Along with Melissa and Heather entertained at my wedding.  Shirly was a great pianist and singer.  She also had many other talents.  She made an incredible video for my Special Olympians as well as making the wedding videos for two of my siblings.

Sharolyn tried out for American Idol and made it on air.  She dressed as half man/half woman and did a duet with herself.  It was hilarious.  I remember how excited she was about that.  Sometimes her exuberance for things or the way she looked at a situation made me roll my eyes.  However, it is funny how those eye rolling moments are actually what I find most endearing about her. She was simply Sharolyn!  She seemed to always know who she was and it didn't matter what others thought.

In the last 5 years or so, I noticed a certain maturity about her.  Her view on life was so incredibly optimistic.  I can't help but wonder if subconsciously people know when there isn't much time left.

When she called me to tell me that she had cancer again, I remember feeling very upset but also thinking she would get through this one just like she had with her first bout of cancer a decade earlier.  When I found out doctors gave her 3 months to 2 years I was devastated. It was so unfair.  She hadn't had all the worldly opportunities that she so desired. 

I am grateful for the last year of opportunities I had with her.  Whether it was going to see a play at Hale theatre.  Or going out to dinner, meeting at her house for pizza or visiting her at the hospital it was always a good time.  Her attitude was so positive that sometimes I forgot that she was sick. I admire her for that!

This picture is with a cast member from "hairspray"

She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed. "Some people come in our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts-and we are never, ever the same."  Thanks for being my friend, Shirly, I love you.

pinewood derby and no training wheels

 For activity days, we had a pinewood derby.  It was a daddy daughter date.  Unfortunately Landan had to work so I got to be dad.  The girls had a lot of fun.

 None of these girls had the fastest cars.  BOO! They are so sad

Addie and Trinadee were acting out what would happen if Trinadee's car beat Addie's in the loser round. Good thing Addie's car was victorious!

This has been a big summer for my boys.  First, they both learned to pedal.  SO they got their bikes. Then they both learned to ride without the training wheels.  PJ conquered it first and does it with a lot more ease than Trey.  Trey is way too aware that there is a possibility of him getting hurt.

the big 40th surprise

For my mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary, we took them on a scavenger hunt.  The first clue was delivered to their house by Phil and Jeannette.  The clue told them to go where they went on their first date.

There first date was at the Huish watching "tora tora tora" obviously a movie my dad selected.  My kids gave them their next clue to the orchards where they spent most of their dating time fixing sprinklers.  (How fun) Kyle and Carlene Family met them there to give them their next clue to Aunt Paula's house.  My dad's sister Paula is the one who wanted them to get married. My dad said My mom was too young for him so unless an angel appeared to him he wouldn't marry her.  Paula dressed as an angel and appeared to my dad.  The rest is history...  The next clue was to the Red Barn where they get their weekly ice cream cones.  At that point Jimmy drove them up the canyon to the last location, which was their tree.

 here they are walking to the tree

 This is the new tree they started in 2009  because the original tree was dying.  The original tree was carved in 40 years ago it was a heart with JED +CH and then again in 1996 where they added "still in love"

 when the parents arrived all 40 of us were waiting there with balloons.  That is right folks, on their 40th wedding anniversary they have 40 members in their family. 

WE sent them soaring!

Only 39 went up Jeffrey's got stuck on his braces.  Hee hee it was one of best moments of the night.

 We presented the parents with their gift.  Because the original tree was dying, Tommy and Jimmy cut out the part that had their writings on it and framed it.

 We then had cake that Bones made.  He makes the best chocolate cake

picture of all of the grand kids.

It was a good time!  I think we all had fun and my parents liked it