A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

So, that would mean that I've automatically got 5000 words down before I even write anything eh? The missionary brother is home!!! It was one of those bitter sweet experiences. I know how badly I did NOT want to come home from my mission and how perfectly satisfied I would have been to land in Salt Lake, hug my family that was NOT waiting for me (long story) at the airport, and then get back on the plane and head back to Toronto. Yes, I could be just fine living there right now sharing the gospel. But, all good things must come to an end and such it is with a mission. So, I have to be honest and admit that as excited as I was to see him, my heart was breaking at the same time, the moment I saw him coming toward us. It's been fun to have him around and I love to hear him tell stories about experiences he had while he was in California. Haley was sure excited to see Dallin...but when she really DID see him, it was a whole different story...










Maybe she really didn't remember the Dallin that she prayed for all this time. She looks a little nervous there having Dalling hold her. She's loves him now though. They're good buddies and she calls him "D-Bone."














Here's the happy couple!!













The other night Gary and I had the rediculously awesome opportunity of attending the Jass vs. Spurs game 3! That would be the one that the Jazz WON! It was a fun great game! At the time I met Gary, he had NEVER been to an NBA game EVER in his life. We managed to get some sweet tickets a while back and we went but that was nothing like this one! The crowd was seriously SO loud! It was awesome! My ears were tingling all the way home from the game, but it was SO worth it!

Scooootch

It was SO nice a few Sundays ago that Gary and I went for a ride around the hill on Channy's Scooter. It was so fun! I think Gary really liked it and wants one now :) I can't wait until we get our own scooter! (BIG Hint for Gary)

Yes, another birthday has crept up on me. DON'T even TRY to count the candles!

For conference weekend we had a whole bunch of people staying at my parent's house. About 10 YSA from Dallin's mission and then some extended family. We were having a Family reunion the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. One night we decided to play the Paper Bag Game. I have to admit, I'd heard of it before but never played...interesting game. I really wonder who came up with this one. We had a lot of fun though...some very flexible participants!

This pictures was taken outside the conference center right after the Young Women's Brodacast a week or so ago. Why did I attend? No, I'm not in Young Women's (I wish!) but Chandra sang in the choir so of course I couldn't pass that one up! She did such a great job and the choir sounded FABULOUS! And of course, Chan looked so cute! And of course the meeting was wonderful too! Did any of you see Chan on TV? She got some air time!


A few random boards I've made for some people recently. I hesitate to 'display' stuff on this, but some of you have asked me to...

Dairy Queen Flamethrower Sandwich

Currently the most hilarious commercial on public television! Feel free to watch this as many times as you want!

March 4th

OK, I've read so many times about how each of you have had problems with blogger. Well, I just typed up this great long blog and where is it? NO WHERE! I really don't want to take the time to type it all up again so it might be the condenced version. Sorry!

I've been meaning to post this story for a while now (as you can see it is no longer March 4th) but I've been SO busy with so many different things that something has had to wait, and the blog got kicked off the list. The only reason I'm actually typing this right now is because Gary has an exam to write and is still a school so I'm chilling for a few extra minutes before I go home from work.

Anyhow, Gary's sister proposed a new "Fears Family Tradition" recently and I thought I'd share with you this tradition and then tell you a little bit about our experience. Gary's sister, Liz, sent an email pointing out that March 4th is the ONLY day of the year that is also a command. It was suggested that even though our family is spread way out, the little mini clusters of Fears Family should get together to celebrate and begin our "March FORTH" celebration.

Our March Forth evening began with a family dinner and then a lesson given by Gary about the importance of Goal setting. After the lesson we ate dessert and each took some time to write down a big goal that we would work hard to accomplish during the next year. After we had our goals all written down we called everybody and all shared our goals with the family.

The idea is that on March 4th 2008 we will do the same thing again, however, this time we will review the goals and vote on the person that best accomplished their goal. The reward? Ahh, yes...there is a prize. Each person will put one dollar in a GOLDEN BOOT (March Forth, get it?) and the winner will get the money AND the lovely boot! In addition to that, at the end of the celebration each person will stand on a white sheet and trace their foot on the "March Forth" tablecloth. We will then embroder the sheet and watch our feet grow (well, some of us anyhow) each year.

I thought that some of you might like that fun little tradition! My goal? Well, yes...that is one of the main points I am writing this blog! Let me share with you a little story before I share with you my goal.

Last winter I signed up for a "Winter Running Series" with a few of my friends. It consisted of a race each month, a 5K, 10K, 10 Mile, and a Half Marathon. I did it because #1) I LOVE my friends and we enjoy running together. #2) I usually don't run very much in the winters so I thought this would be a good way to sort of push myself through the winter months. #3) I have wanted to run a half marathon for years now but always end up getting sick during the crutial part of my training and lose mileage and end up not being able to run, so I thought I'd try for the half again.

Well, I did it! I ran a half marathon. It was awesome and consisted of a LOT of training. However, after the race, I was so BEAT I decided to take a week of running off. Well, the week turned into months and here we are today. There was a point where I could honestly say that I NEVER wanted to put my running shoes on again. I am running again, not more than 4 miles a day. I'm basically starting over and it sure is tough! There is nothing better than running out yoru front door and not even knowing where you'll end up twelve miles later and I want that again! SO, my goal this year is to run TWO half marathons! Why not a FULL? Becuase I'm just not in the "want" for that yet. Why TWO? Because I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep myself motivated to continue running even after I run the first!

Anybody up for the challenge? Let's do it together! I'm so ready for anyone that wants to run with me!!! I'm planning on running a half marathon down the Provo Canyon (BEAUTIFUL COURSE) in August and then another one in January down in Phoenix, AZ.

The weather has been SO absolutely perfect here in Utah lately! I'm really excited for spring! So excited that the other day I made this so cute sign to hang in my house! Don't look at the uneven drill holes though, that's not the cute part.

And yes, March Maddness is underway! I entered NINE bracket pools this year! It's way too exciting and all I can do to NOT sit there and watch the internet ALL day long at work! Today I promised myself I wouldn't look at it until after I blogged...so that's the REAL reason I'm blogging today...just kidding!