Visiting Temple Square

September 2008

Josh had way too much fun playing in the reflecting pool at temple square.  In only a few minutes Josh was soaking wet, even though it was quite chili outside.  He absolutely refused to leave, he loves water!

Josh looking at the Temple and the water in awe.

Josh pointing to the temple and talking about everything he sees around him, he is becoming quite the talker.

Josh talks about Jesus Christ all the time and one of his favorite movies is "Finding Faith in Christ,"  which he calls "Jesus Christ movie."  He actually watches the entire movie.

Something really funny about Josh is that everyday without fail Josh will announce, "Clean up, watch Jesus Christ Movie" and then before I can say anything he starts cleaning up all his toys while singing the "clean-up" song.  He knows that I can't say no if he cleans up, he's a smart boy.  He does this with any movie he wants to watch.  What do I do if it is the 2nd or 3rd time he cleans-up?  Do I really let him watch all those movies in the day?  Still it is cute and I really enjoy having a clean home, especially when I don't have to clean it up myself!

September 2008 Visiting Friends

Josh and Andrew(Elisa's boy)

Visiting Elisa(good friend from BYU nursing school).

Elephant parade in Salt Lake City

Josh and Zac in awe seeing the elephants so up close.

Jill(good friend from college) came to the Elephant parade at the Gateway Mall with her cute daughter, Ella.  

It was fun to see friends and for our kids to have fun together.  I also got to see Wendi and we got to go to Cafe Rio without our kids, it was fun to be able to talk without the usual distractions.  I also got to go visit Jocelyn and her daughter Abby at their home.  Ericka Winkefield and her son Nickolas came to visit us as well as Nancy Kirk and her daughters (Abby, Anna, and Megan).   I miss my friends.  I have such great friends and hope that the next time I'm in Utah, I get to see some of my friends that I wasn't able to see.

September 2008 and the Hoogle Zoo

Josh loved the Hoogle Zoo.  He got to go twice; the first time with Mom and Dad and the second time with Grandma Stephens.  To say he loved it is an understatement.  He talks about the zoo several times everyday.  His favorite animal was the elephant, but he loved them all.

September 2008 and BYU Football

John and I got to enjoy the good old days of going to BYU football games.  We went to the BYU vs. Wyoming.  Of course BYU won and played well.  It was a blast and I was able to run into some old college friends that I hadn't seen for almost 5 years.  We sat by John's brothers for the first half and then my Dad and my brother Ben for the second half.  It was a fun date!

September 2008 Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Stephens

For the month of September John, Josh, and I headed to Salt Lake City for John to do a sub-internship at the University of Utah in Neurosurgery.  John had a really good experience and Josh and I were able to spend a lot of time with family and friends.

Grandma taught Josh to swim and took him to the Hoogle Zoo.  Josh was spoiled with attention from his grandparents and uncles on the Stephens side and of course the Edwards side as well.

Josh jumping in the pool to Grandma Stephens

Josh hanging out with Grandpa Stephens

Lake Powell August 2008

Gary and Scotty

John wake boarding.  He is so good at both water skiing(slalom) and wake boarding.  I love to watch him every time.

Becca and Nate.  We actually got a picture of Nate smiling, Yeah!

Gary, Becca, John, Chantell, Ricci, and Scott on banana boat.

Our evening family walks on the beach.

Marie & Becca (One of my best memories with Becca was the night when John and I got engaged.  As soon as we got home to John's house everyone was waiting up and Becca was first to say "Yeah, I now have a sister" and I immediately replied "Me too!")

Josh giving Dad a high five after jumping off the water slide.  Josh couldn't get enough he loved it.  They probably went off the slide 10 to 15 times, until Dad was too tired to go anymore.

Sunrise at Lake Powell(photo taken by Shawna).  Isn't this place beautiful.

John and Becca comparing tans.  This is what happens when you go to medical school, you no longer get a tan.

Gary and John(John's dad).  John's dad went on a six hour paddle boat ride.  Gary did the first three hour and my John(Johnny) did the last three hours.  John's dad of course did the entire 6 hours.  Wow!

Another family evening walk on the beach.  I love the beach!

Marie wake boarding at 6 months pregnant!  It was so much fun!  I only wish I could have waterskiied.  I'm afraid that I would have torn a stomach muscle with all the changes that your belly goes through during pregnancy.  I was a little sad because this was the first summer in 10 years that I hadn't waterskiied.  Waterskiing is one of my biggest passions.  Hopefully next year.

Josh laughing hysterically on the beach.  Josh loved the beach and played for hours and hours on end in the sand and water.

Becca and Nate hiding from the camera

Neurosurgery Here We Come!

John has officially chosen neurosurgery.  He sends in his applications in about a week and a half.  I'm excited for him because this has been his dream for so long and he has such a passion for it.  I have to admit I am very scared.  It is the most demanding field in medicine(as in the longest hours and the ups and downs with having such critical patients) as far as I know and will take so much sacrifice for both John and I.  I'm going to need so much support around me.  I'm so grateful that I have such a supportive family and friends.  I'll post where we are applying as soon as I know.  We could honestly end up anywhere, east coast, west coast, or the midwest.  John graduates in less than 9 months.  Where has all the time gone.  I cannot believe that we are almost done with this stage in our lives.