Temple Square

I like going to temple square each year and looking at the lights then going in the visitor center to walk by the pictures of Christ's life and take the time to tell the story to the kids. I think it is a good reminder of why we celebrate the season.

Before Chirstmas Fun!

Sorry it has been a while. With Christmas planning and Don gone so much I haven't made the time to post.
I was so excited that both the boys were willing to visit Santa this year. Jaron REALLY wanted the Thomas the train track and a helicopter. We said that was too expensive for Mommy and Daddy to buy so Santa would have to bring that one. So he was extremely willing to sit on Santa's lap to tell him he wanted the track with the helicopter. Bryson really loves strangers right now, so he was happy to sit for a second. The problem came with the batteries to our camera that ran out, thus the not too awesome photo.
This year Don's family had a Christmas party the Sat. before Christmas. We plan to have a party before Christmas when all the children can make it for those in the family that want to be at their own homes for Christmas. His family had lots of laughs and fun together. We had a bowling tournament, played dodge ball at the church, made gingerbread cookies, opened some gifts, then all the kids feel asleep to a movie while the adults played games. I was a little under the weather, but Don and everyone else was happy to take care of the kids. It was great to all be together!
Divinity is another one of Don's families Christmas traditions. His mom makes it every year, so I have taken this up. The boys love it! But then again it is all sugar. I really like caramels, so that is my Christmas candy. Even better for you too, sugar & fat : )

Bucket Head

So really what is with putting the bowls on their head? We do this all day long, there are usually pretending to be firefighters. Bryson actually started it, but Jaron likes the idea too. Pardon the naked/pantless children.

Christmas Card 2008

December 2008

Family & Friends,

We are rich!! In blessings I mean. By the worlds standards I guess we are poor, but we don’t like to think of it that way.

With Don’s dislocated knee this past August his sports have taken a hit. But the family is picking up his extra time with ease. With full-time school and working 35 hrs/week there isn’t much time for play anyway.

Don’s plans for the next year are to get our “real life” underway. He will be graduating in May with his degree in Exercise Sports Science. Then we will pursue a career in the postal service. Even with the economy on the slump we are confident that we will be taken care of. We have a loving Heavenly Father that will show us what way to go as he already has done so many times.

I love being a mom. It is the greatest job out there. I am so blessed to have a husband that can make it possible for me to be a stay-at-home mom. Being on Resident Council and in the Stake Primary adds variety to my life. In my spare time I pick up side jobs of making cards or scrap booking when I am up to it.

Jaron will be 3 in February. He is the brightest, kindest, most fun loving kid. He loves to sing, play sports, watch sports with Dad, exercise with Mom, & play the Wii. He is making connections in the gospel which are priceless. His favorite song right now is “Latter-Day Prophets.” Yes, he can sing the whole song without missing a name.

Bryson just turned one in Oct. He is really becoming his own little person. He loves to follow his brother around, play with the bowls & clothes pins, and sing & dance. He is so curious he forces himself to stay awake if anything new is around him. His new courtesy smile always makes me laugh.

We are so blessed to have a wonderful family that supports us. We are blessed to have friends that reassure us with their kindness. We are blessed to have the gospel. And what else matters? Aren’t we all rich in our own ways? Just take a second to notice.

~Hughes Family

We started a blog this year. You do need to be invited by me to view it. Please e-mail me if you are interested.

E-mail: pamela_hughes@hotmail.com

don_hughesyet@yahoo.com

Phone: 587-5074

Address: 207 University Village

Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Max John Barlow

Max is here!!! He was born Dec. 5th @ 8:06am. He weighed 8lbs. 6oz. and was 21" long. So I think I am a little baby hungry; I just couldn't put the kid down, or maybe he is just that dang cute. Probably a little of both.

Tree 2008

Don isn't a big fan of all the Christmas decor. He tells me every year I have to wait until the day before Christmas to get a tree and things. Well he knows how much I love the decorations so, Dec. 2nd the tree went up. After putting it up Jaron says, "It's so pretty mom let's take a picture!" So here it is.
My favorite part is the ornaments. Don & my family gave us an ornament every year while growing up. His represent something about him over the past year. It is really fun to look back.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite Holiday's. This is when my family gets together. We get together for July 4th, Thanksgiving, weddings, & funerals.
Thanksgiving is filled with traditional food. We start the day with cinnamon rolls & had ribbon Jell-O with dinner. Those are the two things that my Aunt Linda always made every Thanksgiving we went to her house. I also remember my mom's pies.
Now that all of my Dad's brother's & sister's kids have grown up and have families of their own we no longer all get together. But I will always cherish the memories, even if I didn't always get along with my cousins.
Now it is just the Kent Barlow family that gets together for Thanksgiving. This year it was just the 5 of us. Tyson, Scott, Tricia, Stacey, & Me (taking the picture). I want my kids to know the same great holiday, so I am trying to keep those same traditions that I remember alive; not just the food but the great time with family. This year was a success I think.
We have started a new thing with just our family and that is the day-after-Thanksgiving sales. This year was a bust for me personally, but it was fun anyway. Those early morning hours always seem to bring out the silly side of everyone.
This year family shared not only good times, but a stomach bug & cold. Bryson and I had a horrible cold leading into Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving day the stomach bug broke out starting with my niece Aubree. Every family seems to have gotten it to a degree. Bryson started us off, then Don, them Me, and a week later Jaron is feeling the effects. This is the first time I have had vomiting children, so wish me luck.