The Temple

My little brother was able to take out his endowments while everyone was in town for the Christmas party. I have to say that it was one of the most amazing sessions I have ever done. It was so great to be able to see all of my brothers and sister-in-laws in the temple. I could even feel my dad there. 

I apologize for some of the photos. Alan was kind enough to take photos for everyone, but he had about 4 cameras. We weren't quite ready when he took this one.

 He got this one for us. I think it is really pretty. I would have cropped it but it's focused on the temple. Which in retrospect isn't a bad thing.

 I don't often share my Testimony to people, and I never do it online but I want to say that I know that the temple is the house of the Lord. I know that when I go to the temple I always feel that comforting spirit and I feel closer to God. I know that he loves me and only wants me to be the best that I can so that I can return to live with him. I know that because of the priesthood and temples my family will be together forever. I know that my dad is watching over me and my family and that I will see him again. I know that Ricky and I are sealed (or married) for time and all eternity and that knowledge always gives me such comfort especially now that he is getting ready to deploy. 

I Love Temples.

Ricky and I are hoping to be able to visit all the temples in Europe while we are stationed in Germany. It should be an amazing experience. 

Kent Family Christmas Party

While in Idaho Ricky and I were able to visit quite a few friends from high school and spend time with my family. It was great because everyone got be there. For my family that is a big thing. The family Christmas party was great. We played lots of Minute To Win It games and had a gift exchange for adults and kids. It got a little crazy but as always was a blast. Here a few pictures my mom took (I didn't even think about my camera the entire time).

Andrew stacking cups and Troy trying to hook candy canes.

 Daryl cheating at the balloon game.

 Up front is Sarah Marie doing the Rudolph game and Cara in the background doing the Gingerbread face off.

 Me, Robert, and Daryl staking bolts, with Alicia doing the balloon game.

 All the presents for the gift exchange.

 Me doing the balloon toss game. I was winning until the very end.

 The last game was a team contest. We had to race though a Christmas song pictionary then put 6 balloons into a pair of nylons and sing a Christmas carol. It was all very exciting and funny and if I remember correctly a tie.

All in all it was a great evening. 

Traveling

After about a week in Vegas Ricky's parents drove us back to Idaho with them. On the way we stopped at this particular gas station and got some snacks. When I came out the door there was a group of ducks that  started following me back to the car. 

 It made me laugh. They got very close so I fed them some of my cheese puffs. The ducks loved them.

 If you look closely you can see some cheese puff crumbs on the ducks beak.

It was a fun experience to have ducks so close. Another great memory.

Vegas

So Ricky and I got invited to go to Las Vegas with his mother and step dad to go see the National Finals Rodeo. It was a pretty cool experience and was great being able to hang out with family.

 While there we went to quite a few expos. After 3 days of that Ricky, Gunner (Ricky's little brother) and I were done so we went to an aquarium at one of the hotels. It was really cool. 

There were jellyfish.

 There was a shark tank with lots of sharks. 

 This really cool fish.

 Star fish

 An octopus that wouldn't stop moving. We couldn't get a clear picture of it.

 But I have to say the best part was the stingrays. 

 They were in a pool and you could pet them. I am a chicken but I got up the courage and touched a few of them but some of them just freaked me out.

Gunner absolutely loved it. He had no fear and would constantly come back to pet them again and again.

Unfortunately I forgot my camera the night that we went to the Rodeo so no pictures, but it was really cool. An experience that I will never forget. Thanks Mom and Ken for letting us come and do that with you!

BIG NEWS

So there was a lot of BIG news this last few weeks. First off, my little brother got his mission call! We are all very excited for him. I didn't get to be home when he opened it but thanks to skype I got to still sort of be there. 

This is him reading it to everyone.

He's going to the Benin Cotonou Africa Mission. He leaves March 7th and is so excited to go. 

In other BIG news, Ricky got Orders!!!!! We're going to the base Ramstein in Germany! We're still not completely set on the date we have to be there because Ricky still has to deploy but it will probably be either June or July. We are ecstatic about this news and can't wait to get there! So much to do and see! I'm not gonna lie I am going to be sad to say goodbye to all of our friends here in Texas but I wouldn't pass up this opportunity for anything in the world. I wish I could have gotten a picture of Ricky's face when he first found out. It was priceless. Now we just have to get through this deployment and then we get to go see the world!

Thanksgiving

So Ricky and I got to spend Thanksgiving with family for the first time in almost 3 years. Tony, Ricky's brother just moved about 4 hours away from us so we can actually go see he him more then once a year! I didn't take any photos while we where there but I did get some of Chester on the way up and by I, I mean Ricky cause I was driving.

We were trying to get one of him looking out the sun roof but he kept realizing there was a camera out. He's funny about cameras. 

But Yeah Thanksgiving was really good. We had a lot of fun being with family. Plus I didn't have to cook the whole meal! 

Time to play catch up

Wow I haven't blogged for almost 2 months. Shame on me, because so much has happened. Unfortunately I don't have all the photos uploaded that I want to show the world so those who read this will just have to deal with what I do have.

Right now that is just Ricky roasting marshmallows over an open flame.

Ha Ha Ha!!! I love how hard he is concentrating on making sure he doesn't burn it. 

This is how we have to do it in Texas.