Thankful Hearts and More Details...

The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur, but here are the details about our move back to Utah! It's nothing short of a modern day miracle. Amidst dozens of for-sale signs in our neighborhood, a young family bought our Missoula home. In a housing market crisis and a struggling economy - we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We had three people walk through our home to take a look - that's it. We had a deadline of when we really needed to be in Utah, and that was the end of October...Our buyers closed October 30th! We felt the Lord's hand helping and guiding us through each step, and we feel we're supposed to be in Utah.

We still own our home up in Butte – which we continue to rent. We have cherished our time in Montana; however a wonderful opportunity for Jody to continue to work in sales...but now along side his father opened up in Utah. That combined with a tremendous desire to be closer to family brings us back to our roots!

We are anxious to find a suitable home, and while we look, we'll be living in my parent's basement. We feel hopeful that we can find the right place in the next few months.

As for me, I have my Reporter Resume tapes ready to distribute at the Salt Lake Local Stations. You never know unless you try. In addition to all those great experiences up north...nearly freezing to death while doing a live shot for the news should be put toward something...right? It's always been my dream to report in the TV market with faces I grew up watching. We'll see if it's in the cards for me. At this point - Jody and I just feel humbled that we're here so safe and so blessed.

Leaving the "Treasure State" for a Greater Treasure...

It's true...after more than 3 years living in Montana; we have packed our bags and will be heading back down to Utah this week! Thank you to my Mother-in-Law, Irene, who flew up to help us pack. We couldn't have done it without her - She was so helpful! This is a bittersweet move for us, but we are absolutely thrilled to be closer to extended family. Our family is our greatest treasure!


Over the years, Jody and I have learned a great deal living up in Big Sky Country! We have shared sentimental and wonderful memories here including our first Christmas as a married couple, the purchase of our first home...and then another one, and of course - the birth of our beautiful daughter Gracie!


We will miss our fantastic friends the most! In addition to them, we'll miss living under an endless Big Blue Sky, a two lane highway with hardly any traffic, a more relaxed lifestyle, NO SALES TAX, and bolo-ties...most of you probably don't even know what those are...but it's the latest men's fashion in MT! But we won't miss below zero temperatures and seeing snowmen still standing in May. Jody and I built this snowman when we lived in Butte on Christmas Eve...He froze into an indestructible "Iceman" who stood in our yard until late April - So Crazy!


Jody and I have really enjoyed living outside of Utah for awhile to get a different perspective. We have been really touched by the dedication of LDS members here in Missoula who drive 3 hours to visit our Temple in Spokane, Washington. We are thankful for the experience we have had here, and all of you who have been a part of that. We will miss you all!!

A KPAX Goodbye...

Today was my last day working as a Reporter for KPAX-TV. My understanding and love for journalism has really grown in the past couple of years. I've been able to meet and interview many dignitaries and officials. The experience has been amazing! We celebrated my time at KPAX with a giant cake! Yummy.


On my last day I had to shoot an interview with a Zombie for one of my stories...you read it right...a Zombie. I guess it's a good thing I'm leaving when I start interviewing those coming back from the dead!


Here I am with our Weekday Anchor Jill Valley and our Weekend Anchor Trisha Hendricks. I've learned so much from all the people here.


Here I am with Irina Cates, who took my place on the Cops & Court Beat when I went on maternity leave.

One Last Party in the Garden City...

Tonight we got together with some of our wonderful friends who we have met over the past 2 years here in Missoula for a night of fun and laughter. Even though some jokingly asked if we were celebrating that we were leaving. :)


Thanks Janna for organizing this! We love all of our outstanding friends and hope we can always stay in touch!

The Girls!


What was in the punch? Really now!?


Here Jody and I are doing a wild Beyoncé rendition of "Irreplaceable" on American Idol Wii. To the Left...To the Left...

How This Little Pumpkin Has Grown...

Gracie will be 11 Months in just a few days! The time has simply flown by, and everyday is a blessing. I remember a year ago during October...that was when I really started feeling the effects of my pregnancy. Most of the day I couldn't breathe, and my stomach just kept stretching! But I couldn't wait for our own little pumpkin to arrive. Because I love the fall season so much, and the latter part of my pregnancy was during that time of year, I wanted Gracie's middle name to be "Autumn"...However, when she came out looking exactly like Jody - we both knew "Jo" was more than fitting!

LAST OCTOBER...


THIS OCTOBER...


Really...She just wanted to eat the Hay! Talk about a True Taste of the Season...Right?!!

The Most Unusual Places...

Why hang out in your crib...when you could be spending time in the cupboard or maybe even the sink! Gracie helped unload all the food items from the cupboard while I put the groceries away the other night. She enjoyed the comfort of the cupboard. I even closed the door to see what she would do...NOT even a peep. I opened it back up to a big smile. She loves to discover.

She's always reaching for the sink...so we let her hang out in there for awhile - supervised of course. This girl cracks me up!


Buy Aveeno Lotion...Gracie is a fan!

Time to Bundle Up!

Is she Ready for Halloween, or is she just Braving the Montana Chill? We went on a walk the other day and remembered very quickly why you wear so many layers of clothing in Montana. Brrr...It has gotten cold here! Gracie stayed warm in her Lamb Hat and Mittens. This was good practice for her - scoping out her Route around the Neighborhood - for her First Trick-Or-Treating Experience!

Tales of Those Troubling Teeth!!

Well, Here They Are! Can you see her THREE new pearly whites?! (If you maximize the picture - you'll get to see what I think are left over Sweet Potatoes on her nose too!...Yummy.) These are the little guys that have caused so many Tears, Tantrums and Sleepless Nights! The other front top tooth is on its way!


We will all be happy when they are cut. Poor little Gracie is dealing with the pain the best she can!


To take Gracie's focus off her teeth, (and because Jody loves waterslides) we decided to hit up the Wingate Hotel waterslides just down the street from our house. Gracie loves the water as much as her Daddy!


Splash, SPlaSH, SPLASH!!! She couldn't even look up for a picture - she was having way too much fun. Thank you to the little boy, from another family, who wanted to take part in the photo! :)

SPOOKY TIMES!

With so much Autumn Spirit in the air, we decided to have a PUMPKIN FEST! The food was extra spooky and yummy. I made Pumpkin Stew, which cooked in a pumpkin in the oven. The pumpkin looked a little deflated after an hour baking in the oven...but the stew was MMM MMM GOOD!




What would a PUMPKIN FEST be without Witch Finger Breadsticks, Caramel Apples, and Eyeball Cupcakes? We have really creative friends who surpassed my expectations when it came to the food. It was so fun.


The Little Ones loved the party too!

Party 'Till the Cows Come Home!

This picture is just CLASSIC! To say we just had fun at Qwivals Family Fun Center would be an Udder-Statement. We had a blast getting lost in the corn maze, riding the Crazy Cars, the Go-Carts, and sharing some ice cream!


I couldn't wait to kick off the fall season with a Corn Maze! It wasn't a crowded night at Qwivals so Jody and I were the ONLY ones playing an intense game of Laser Tag. Of course - Gracie played too. Jody carried her around, and they hid in the shadows. She was a pretty easy target since her white onesie was glowing under the Black Lights. But I think Jody used her to block my Laser Shots. :)