Ok, so it has been a while....

Ok, I know that it has been awhile since I last updated my blog so Iwill try to sum up what has gone on in the last few months...

• October 31, 2008 -- Halloween

** Going from left to right in the photo:
Levi, Michael, Jesse, Sariah, Ta (Riah's best friend), and Jonah in the fireman suit.

Thanksgiving at Mom's -We usually have Thanksgiving dinner in the evening, but 'Big' Michael got drawn to go deer hunting. So dinner because lunch and I forgot my camera so no pictures. Jesse went hunting with Bumpa, Dillon, and Uncle Michael. They went hunting in Nogalas, AZ. They came home on Sunday with success, Michael got a deer!

November 30 was a very interesting day. I got a phone call at 12:15 am that my Grandfather -Walter Rogers had passed away. He was 92 years old. He had fallen outside at his home a couple weeks prior to his death. He spent the evening outside because he was unable to get up, it is because of that he caught pneumonia.

Tim's wife Brittny, kept trying to have a baby, but he just wasn't ready. We told her that he is probably waiting to see Papa. The interesting part was she went into active labor that morning and had baby Walter Aksel Rogers that afternoon.

On December 6, 2008 was the funeral. It was a beautiful event. I loved my Papa and will miss him terribly. He and Grandma where very special to me. I have very fond memories of both that Ihave been able to share with my children. They both lived a very full and useful life, they were wonderful examples, and very service oriented. It was fun to see all my cousins and family and friends that we haven't seen in quite sometime. It was sad because knowing this was the last time will be together as a complete family. Grandma and Papa were like the glue and the reason we were able to see each other, they loved to gather as family whenever or whatever a reason. Now that they both have passed, the resonsiblity is shifted to his children. I do hope that we will be able to have a reunion in this life and hopefully before we have to gather for a funeral.

Needless to say there was an overall feeling among all our my siblings of sadness over the holidays. The Rogers' loved the holiday season. This year is the first year we didn't have either one here with us, but I am sure though they were there in spirit. We actually didn't even get the christmas tree out until the middle of December. We didn't decorate much this year.

Seeing the Christmas lights the Mesa Temple.

The kids decorating gingerbread houses and they were actually getting along!

Christmas morning!

New Year's Eve we went to my parents again, and just hung out for the evening. It was pleasant, we visited, played the WII, and watched movies. My two older boys, Michael and Jesse, went to a dance. Michael wasn't sure if he wanted to go because he didn't know how to dance (and those that have been around him music was on, you would disagree with his statement.) Basically, he hesitated because he would have to dance with "girks" (girls - family joke). When we picked them up from the dance Michael was very please with himself because he dance with 6 "pretty girls". They both reported they had a lot of fun and looking forward to going to another dance.

New Year's Day we had to mourn for the loss of Sariah's tortoise "Spike". It is feared that Jonah knocked over his cage and Spike spent too much time on his back. It was such a cute tortoise. Now we are on the hunt for a new one. :)

That wasn't the best start to a new year, but to add to it, Eric lost his job. We have put up and out several applications, but with the way the job market has been we have had no success. So until something that Eric can do comes along he is able to work at DI. We are so glad for the opportunity and pray that we will be blessed to find him a job.

Speaking of jobs, mine is going well. We got a new principal that has helped our school and staff tremendously! I feel more confident in teaching and enjoying so much. I am respected as a teacher and person. I really enjoy teaching first grade, they are so sweet and so loving. I went back to work knowing that I was getting one new student, but I actually got 4! They are sweet and wonderful kids and glad that I have them in my class. One of the little girls came up to me and said, "Mrs. Kellogg, you haven't given me my hug today." It just make me feel so special to be surrounded by such tender spirits.

Sariah is so excited because she got her passport. Her and I are planning a trip to Japan with my mom and Jenny. Sariah's best friend spends the summers in Japan with her Grandma and we have been invited to visit this summer. So hopefully all will work out and we will be able to go. We are hoping it will be the week school gets out. We have plans to go to California and hope to spend a lot of time in the mountains the "Ranch". Eric and I are celebrating 15 years and hope to go to Hawaii or on a cruise to celebrate this summer. Everything is depended upon the economy. Wish us luck!