My favorite Christmas gift.......

Is right here!!!! We had a wonderful christmas. I had to beg Teagan to get this picture of US. I kept telling her that ... all I (Mommy) want (s) for christmas is a family picture by the tree and I had to chase her around the kitchen and beg her. She finnally gave in and let us take one. Thank you Teagan!!

Christmas memories

Lately, I have been reminicing about so many christmas memories. I was trying to think back to my earliest memory of Christmas as a kid and it's got to be when our family moved to Fruit Heights when I was 6 and we were staying in a motel behind Cherry Hills (it is still there but I think they are apartments now) until my parents bought a home in Farmington. We were living there during the christmas holiday and I remember just a few things, visiting my grandparents in American Fork and then some sort of Slide I think that my brother got from Santa.

I really remember the following christmas. Our family had moved back to Alaska after living in Utah for 8 months. I really wanted a pair of roller skates and I got them. I wore them all over the house on carpet since there was alot of snow outside. My sister got a desk which we played school with all the time. My grandma Smith sent matching red pajamas which she made and embroidered our names on. I loved them. But this was the year that my curious eyes discovered half of my gifts and well...

My siblings tease me all the time but my Dad let me pass out the gifts as long as I can remember to everyone one at a time. I liked how we all picked a spot the night before in the living room where we were going to sit to open gifts. This was something I really liked to do. I did this up until college. I remember coming home to Alaska after my first semester at Ricks College and my dad asking me to pass out the gifts. I felt right at home again. You know I can only remember a few things I got for Christmas which is sad but more then anything I just remember my mom decorating the house with lots of christmas decorations and I love that. I remember whenever we got christmas cards my mom taped them to the door and so now I do this. I loved Christmas eve at the Paynes home. It was always fun to make the drive up the hillside and to jump on their indoor trampoline and eat dinner with them. They were family to us. When we were older we would go skiing on Christmas day and that was always fun.

I miss how all 6 of us siblings would sleep in the same room on Christmas eve. I wouldn't exactly call it sleeping we were so excitted and so hyper it would take us forever to fall asleep and just as one of us was about to fall asleep someone would yell, I think I hear Santa on our roof and we would all jump up and look outside.I also miss all the snow we got in Alaska (but i am starting to feel at home with the amount of snow storms we are getting here).

Another great christmas memory was when I was on my mission in Litchfield, Illinois. I was able to focus on Christ more then ever and not focus on the commercial part of christmas. I was serving with Sister Dillenbach, who has since passed on. She made the holidays so much fun. We had just moved into the area and were trying to get to know the members so it was more of a service month. It was hard to be away from home during the holidays yet it was one of my best Christmas's ever. We bought a tree and some people donated lights to us. We used pop cans as our decorations along with candy canes. Gotta love the mission! I remember our Christmas eve and we both shared and did our family traditions such as write a letter to baby Jesus expressing our gratitude for his birth and atonement and expressed things we would work on through out the year as our gift to him. We made cookies and drank egg nog. We even opened one gift since this is something we both did in our families on Christmas Eve. We also read the Christmas story and shared our testimonies. I am truly grateful for this opportunity I had to serve a mission and to experience a christmas out in the field. It was wonderful to serve and to help bring Christ and the gospel into many people's lives.

Ahh and of course our (mine and Brett's) first christmas together. How simple it was back then. We had been married only a few months and didn't have a whole lot of money since we were both in school. I do remember how blessed we felt because we were living in Brett's sister's home house sitting while they were trying to sell it and we were able to save money. How fun it was to pick out a real tree and decorate it with random childhood ornaments. It was great to have a break from school but still worked like crazy. I also remembered we had received a belated wedding card with money from my Uncle and we were just thrilled! But when I look back at this time I remember the best christmas gift I ever got was when Brett woke up early Christmas morning and made breakfast for me and brought it to me in bed. I will always cherish this simple gift. Now whenever Brett asks for ideas or hints for Christmas I just tell him Breakfast in bed.

We enjoy all the family christmas parties and eating and laughing together. We love attending christmas concerts and especially seeing the lights at Temple Square. Now that we have children Christmas time is so much fun and it feels so magical. They really bring the spirit of Christmas into our home and we love teaching them about the true meaning of Christmas and they understand. We also love to see their eyes light up when they see Santa at the store or hear the excitement in their voices as they talk about presents and making cookies for santa and leaving carrotts out for the reindeers (that is Teagan saying that).

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your family traditions. These memories are priceless.

Marshall family christmas party

Grandma Marshall on the phone. She has lost so much weight.

Grandpa Marshall along with some very happy great grand-daughters.

Brett and his Grandpa.

We made the trek to Grandma and Grandpa Marshall's through Sardine canyon to Logan in very wintery weather for a family christmas party yesterday. Brett loves to drive in snow storms. I just close my eyes and pray we make it to our destination. We missed the car pile up on I-15 which we are very thankful for. This is a fun Christmas holiday tradition every year. We usually reserve the cultural hall at the Marshall's church and have a dinner and play volleyball or basketball and watch Art and Mae open their gifts. This year both Grandma and Grandpa are in a nursing home and it is very hard for them to get around. We all came to the nursing home. It was fun to visit with Art and Mae and we are so glad that they are feeling better after the hard year they have had with their health.

Do we have to drive back home in the snow storm?

This was Teagan before her pre-school party. She loves wearing this dress.

Camera shy?

Maybe just a little. Teagan has so much energy and is always bouncing off the walls at home. However, at pre-school it is another story. Her teacher tells me she whispers everything and hardly says a word. I don't know if this is a good thing? We have been practicing for three weeks Teagan's part in her Christmas program and well here you go..............
CHRISTMAS IS FOR REINDEER. WHO PULL SANTA'S SLEIGH. Teagan did participate in the singing portion of the program. We love her pre-school teacher. She has had both of my girls and is so good with them. Thank you Marny!

The Nutcracker by Kelty and the Ballerinas

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert SPECTACULAR

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Stay Tuned - There is always a commercial before the news report on the Choir.

A month ago Brett spent awhile entering every family member in for tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas program. The only people out of my family and Brett's family who received tickets were Mike and Jen and they only got 4. They were not able to go so they gave their tickets to Pat and Keith who invited Brett and I along. We attended Thursday evening preformance which was the rehearsal night but rehearsal who are they kidding. It was amazing!! I am so glad that we had the chance to go. The music really put me in the Christmas mood. Thanks Mike and Jen!

All I want for Christmas is........

Kelty and Teagan what would you like for Christmas?

SILENCE....

Saturday was a day full of parties. We had our ward christmas party with a visit from Santa. I wasn't sure if Teagan would even go and sit on Santa's lap since the last few years she would have nothing to do with him. She did sit on his lap but did not look once at Santa she just stared straight ahead. Don't you just love Teagan's hat? She has been wearing that almost every day to every public place we go to. I just have to not even think twice about it. Today I heard Teagan and Kelty playing and Teagan was Santa and Kelty was sitting on Teagan's lap telling her what she wanted for Christmas and Teagan said to Kelty - You better shape up if you want santa to come. HMMM I wonder where she is getting that from? We also had Brett's company party in the evening. We were debating whether to go or just stay home to rest. We went but we were so exhausted and it didn't help that the entertainment was a string quartet who played beautiful christmas songs but it was way too relaxing for us that we were ready to fall asleep during the twenty songs or so they played. And to answer my title question,What does Steph want for Christmas? I just want happy, obedient and well behaved children, who get good grades in school (pre-school). This was my mom's reply every year when we would ask her what she wanted. What I really want for christmas is for Brett's throat to get better so he can swallow normally.

It's Grandpa Swings Birthday today

Had fun cruising the eastern caribbean with the family.

This picture is a classic. How many members of the Dagley family does it take to look at the meat?

We want to wish Keith a very happy birthday today. We want you to know we love you Grandpa and Dad! We look forward to celebrating tonight.

Laie Temple day - Families are forever!

Tonight we walked over to the temple with the girls. Kelty wanted to pick the pretty flowers but Teagan she wanted to go into the temple. She asked me if she could go in the door and I told her she had to be bigger and she raised up on to her tippy toes and said I am bigger mom I want to go in. Then I tried explaining she needed a piece of paper called a temple recommend to go in to the temple and I asked Brett to open his wallet and he pulled out our temple recommends. I showed her what it looked like and explained how we got one and then she grabbed mine and said Ok mommy I am going into the temple. What a smart cookie. There was no stopping her and I pray she will always be that determined to get to the temple. Also, this morning Brett and I did a session at the temple and our session was so full. They brought in folding chairs and tried to cram as many people in. This is a good problem to have. The cute native lady sitting by me named Ada said I guess everyone had the same idea we had to come to the temple. I told her I was visiting and then she told me how the temple is closing next month on the 29th for 18 months to be renovated. She then told me, "Where am i going to pray for 18 months?" It is too expensive to fly over to Kona and it is cheaper to fly to vegas but I can't afford a plane ticket so I will come to the temple every day it is open until it closes next month. I asked her if she lived in this city and she said she was from the other side of the island and that it take her an hour and a half to drive to the temple. I realized how much I take the temple for granted. Brett and I made a goal before we married to go to the temple once a month and there have only been a few months that we have missed in our 9 years of marriage but I thought of this sweet lady who will have to wait 18 months to attend again and I told her that I will go for her as much as i can. I have made a new goal now. The temple will have a new meaning for me now. I am so thankful for teaching moments like today. It was touching to teach my daughter, Teagan about the temple but I realize that my Heavenly Father taught me a valuable lesson as I heard those words today, " Where am I going to pray the next 18 months?" We need the temple more then ever to face the adversary and trials in our lives.

We have the sweetest view from our rental house. It is fun to eat outside on the patio and to hear the waves crash against the rocks. Yesterday we hung out at Waimea Bay. I love this place. Every time we come to Hawaii we have to come here. One of my favorite places. Brett is in the waves kicking.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I have many reasons to be thankful. I am thankful for Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ who created this beautiful world we live in. I am thankful for my parents who have taught me, loved me unconditionally and are great examples to me. I am thankful for my two daughters, who teach me about love, the world around them, patience and forgiveness and most of all I am thankful for my Husband, Brett who is the best husband ever. How did I ever end up with this guy is beyond me but I hope he knows I love him so much and I am thankful for the Father he is to our girls and the husband he is to me. I am thankful that he honors his priesthood and that he is such a great worker and supporter for us. Life is good and I feel so blessed!

We are having fun and eating lots!

ALOHA!!!

We made it to Hawaii and the girls did surprisingly well on both flights. Thank goodness the girls slept for 3 hours on the longer flight to HNL. Teagan always wants to leave and go somewhere and when we get to the place or we are on the way after 10 minutes she says she wants to go home. So after we were waiting in the airport for several hours Teagan said she wanted to go home and didn't want to go to Hawaii no more. I told her it was too late to return back home. She had to toughen up and go to Hawaii. Now that we have been here 24 hours. I think she is loving it and may not want to go back home.

This is what i call a piece of heaven. I love walking bare foot on the beach.

My two little mermaids.

Polar express a Christmas favorite

We have a nephew who is an elf this year on the Polar express train ride in Heber City. Thursday night was dress rehearsal night and we were invited by Grandma and Grandpa to go. I told Kelty and Teagan there was a special surprise after school. When we arrived at the train station Teagan was excitted to go on the train but Kelty had no idea what was really going on until I told her she was riding the polar express to go to the North Pole. When we walked to the ticket booth Kelty asked me where her pajamas were becuase she saw lots of kids wearing them and I told her I didn't bring them then she said did Grandma bring them? FYI - if you do this don't forget to dress them up in their pj's. Kelty loved it. On the train ride she kept saying, "I have never been to the North Pole". They loved seeing Santa and Mrs. Clause. They especially loved getting the bell from Santa's helpers and having the conductor punch their tickets. What a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Kelty wants to go back again with her dad this time and she wants to wear her pajamas.

It pays to run!

No, I haven't won any money in the races I have ran in. Although, I could make a living out of running professionally but that is out of my league. Over the last 11 months I have collected change along my several running paths. Yes! Yes! I am embarrased to admit I stop and pick up all the shiny pennies or dirty dimes on the road. On Saturday I counted the money a total of $41.53. Not bad for a street rat! However, it won't pay for the next race I decide to register for. And just remember Finders keepers, losers weepers! I don't want anyone trying to claim back their dirty money. Oh yeah and running is good for the heart so it pays to run!

Sisters

I am way excitted about these pictures. My friend Heather took them. She really did capture their personalities. Thank you for being patient with my Teagan! I can't wait to start working on the christmas cards now.

Seriously...

If Arlington, TX is selling Unleaded fuel for under $2.00 why isn't Utah? I spent the last 3 days near Dallas, TX for a seminar. I had to pinch myself everytime we went by this sign. Just a few weeks ago we were paying over $3.00 a gallon. Hopefully in the next few weeks we will be under $2.00. The weather was so nice and sunny in Texas. I invited my mother to come along and had a nice time visting and enjoying mother daughter time. When we left Salt lake it was a blizzard but luckily we came home to nice weather today.

We stayed on Ballpark avenue in Arlington. We were near the new Dallas Cowboy stadium and some other ballpark fields. Enjoyed running in 80 degree weather. I think I could live out here.

I am so excitted for my brother and sister in law!!!

They made their annoucement on Halloween and it wasn't a trick!

"Kiss the Girl" and "Arrrr Matey"

Teagan was so excitted to be a Pirate!

Kelty was another princess this year. Does this stage end? The last 3 years she has been a disney princess. I told her next year let's be a cowgirl. She told me she was going to be Cinderella.

So many halloween parties this past month thanks to Krista and Sean and Ariel. The girls had fun dressing up in their costumes for school and Halloween. We have had the most perfect fall weather and nice tempatures for running, playing outside and trick or treating. We started off Halloween day going to visit Brett's grandparents. Grandpa Marshall had fun showing off his great grandchildren to everyone and offering free rides to the girls on his walker. We then drove over to visit Brett's parents and show off the girls in their costumes. They had fun playing on the "park" at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Thanks for lunch. Then on to Kaysville to trick or treat around the neigborhood. This year was especially fun to see the girls run from door to door. After coming home and rummaging through her candy, Kelty said, with excitement, I can't wait now it's christmas time. Not quite but it's just around the corner. Then off to visit my parents and to show off the girls to some of the nieghbors around there and to see some fun pumpkins carved by Sean and Ariel. All I have to say is, "I knew it!" then off to get the last candy stash at Mike and Jen's before retiring at the Cabin for the night. What a fun eventful day. I am glad Halloween is over! It was great sleeping in today and finding 3 deer outside our window this morning. Can I just say I love 4-wheeling and the great outdoors! We went on some fun rides today with the girls and Heather please check out Teagan's face in all our pictures. It's the camera I tell you. Oh and we put up the christmas tree at the CABIN not our house. I mock people when they put it up earlier then Thanksgiving and now I have to mock myself since we wouldn't be up there till December. And yes, Brett also, put up our christmas lights at our house this afternoon. I know when you have nice weather like this you can't pass up the opportunity!!

Playing outside with Teag! She told me she beat me down the sidewalk.