Sunday, December 30, 2012

Christmas Documentation!

As it gets closer to the end of the year, I worry I haven't posted enough blog entries or included enough info. to genuinely describe 2012 in the Tebbs household.  I make a book out of my blog each year as a family history effort and hope I've captured the majority of highlights.  

Here is our Christmas... (with Garrett in the MTC and loving it!)  

Hillary and Patrick drove up the Saturday prior to Christmas and left to drive as far as Vegas where his family lives on Christmas night.  They recently purchased a nice TV for their apartment so we gave them a gaming system and a couple of games for inexpensive entertainment.



Hailey got a guitar and kitchen items she can take to college with her (CAN'T BELIEVE I'M LOSING ANOTHER CHILD IN 8 MONTHS!)  She also is a HUGE giraffe lover...



No more toys for this boy... Things for his new bedroom and a snowboarding outfit.  He is also the gift card king--loves them!



Cooper was a happy camper with his little bundle of treats and "roast pig" squeaker toy.



We enjoyed many family parties and events throughout the season, found opportunities to serve and hopefully remembered the true meaning of Christmas in our efforts...

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Growing Up (a before/after perspective)...

Grayson was 18 months old and Garrett was 6-1/2 when we moved into this house.  They shared a large room together which was able to house a full bed for Garrett and a twin bed for Grayson with lots of room in between.


They each had their own closet and shared a bathroom.  My dad painstakingly painted all the black and white checks on the wall and the room had a Nascar theme with car pictures on the walls.


The minute Garrett left on his mission, Grayson had his new bedding ordered, we were picking out furniture and buying a few accessories for his "man cave."


He chose everything himself and now we can't get this 14-year-old to leave his room!!  He loves it!!!!



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Fun Night Out!


Snowstorm.  Accident on freeway.  Thai food.  Wedding reception in Orem.  More food.  Scary men in photo... FUN NIGHT!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

St. George Expedition Relay

Our 2nd annual 50-mile relay in St. George Utah--love it!  Started out looking pretty fresh at 8 am and 50-degree, cloudy weather--perfect for running.


Karen was Runner #1


The exciting starting line... 5 runners per team--two legs each.


Karen finishing her first leg.


Lauretta finishing her first leg.


No one wanted the uphill Snow Canyon leg--5 miles of steady climb--so I owned it...


...and then a killer last mile which warranted a race hat (and jacket removal) upon completion :D


Michelle enjoying her first leg.


Heidi is always ready to pump out some pavement.


Karen finishing Leg #2--she is the first one done.


Lauretta waiting for a car to cross the street.  Missed her race skip this year...


Trying to figure out why I got the crappy legs this year.  Most of this one was in dirt!


Michelle waving at the air exchange after her final run so Heidi could start.


Heidi couldn't wait to be done with the race... She keeps coming back though so she must secretly love it OR us!


We finished 17th out of 45 teams--7 hours after we started--yay for us!


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

"Two Years is a REALLY long time!"


Today we said goodbye to Garrett for two years.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It's funny how we prepare our boys--from birth really--teaching them how to pray, preparing them for baptism and confirmation, teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ, listening to them sing "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission" in Primary, working on their Duty to God alongside them, making sure they're enrolled in seminary throughout high school, getting them to early-morning mission prep class their Senior year, etc., etc.  The mission call is the ultimate goal, right?  Then why is it so bittersweet when the day arrives and the only thing you've ever wanted for them is here and it is SO. PAINFUL!



I know I'm a bit prejudiced but Garrett is one of the most prepared young men I know (next to my nephew Connor) to serve a mission.  He's mature, he knows and lives the Gospel, he has a strong testimony, he can talk to anyone and he knows how to love.  Most of all, he is willing AND worthy to serve. He will be a fabulous missionary!



The reason it is so difficult for me as John put into words as we slowly drove away from the Missionary Training Center today: "Two years is a REALLY long time..." with tears streaming down both of our faces.


...and as many friends who said goodbye to Garrett stated in their written messages: "Return with honor."  I KNOW he will.  I love you son and will miss you TERRIBLY but wouldn't have you doing anything else at this time of your life!

Monday, November 19, 2012

The White Board Tells The Story...

We have a white board on the wall in our house which I use daily to remind me of where I should be and when.  I believe Sunday was one of the busiest days our family has had in a long time...


Hillary and Patrick flew in Friday night to take part in all of our family activities.  Sunday was Hillary's 21st birthday.  After Garrett, John and I reported to the high council that morning, we had a big birthday breakfast to celebrate.


Garrett spoke in Sacrament Meeting before entering the MTC on Nov. 28 to serve in the Mexico Leon Mission.  His friend and our neighbor Adam Alvey spoke too so there were 600 people in the congregation.  I was glad the choir was asked to sing.  Between the choir members and Young Men and Young Women who participated, we had more than 50 singers.  It was amazing.  They sang "As Sisters In Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth.


Garrett did an excellent job and we had more than 100 family members, friends and neighbors join us for enchiladas, salads, nachos and desserts after the meeting.



We still had a quite a few people lingering two hours later but Grayson turned 14 a few days ago so we gathered our family members who were there and went into another room so John could ordain Grayson to the office of Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.

The next excited event for Grayson was his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.  I am SO proud of him.  He completed all the requirements while he was still 13 years old and earned almost 50 merit badges.





I love the part in the program when all those who have earned their Eagle Scout award are asked to come forward and sit in the Eagles Nest.  Very cool.


Grayson was given the Eagle Charge and Pledge.


We are proud parents.


Grayson with his Eagle Scout award.  (I totally look like I've been up since 4 am--oh wait, I was!)


The wonderful day ended with Garrett being able to baptize and confirm a friend he has been attending the missionary discussions with.  What an amazing opportunity for Garrett and a neat way to begin his mission next week with a baptism already under his belt...

...and yes, I slept in this morning.  Didn't get out of bed until 6:55 am.



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Happy 14th Grayson!!!

Can't believe he's 14...  


It was our turn to host the MPJH basketball breakfast so it was fun to "party" this morning with 17 boys who ate and ate and ate!!  John must've made 100 pancakes and we went through 80 pieces of bacon and 50 sausages and gallons of milk, OJ and apple juice.


Good thing they had to stop eating so they could get to school on time :)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

All About Grayson...


This time it really is all about Grayson.  My blog is intended to be a year-long journaling of activities our family participates in so I can have it bound in a book we can look back on and see what we've done throughout the year.  

The Spirit Assembly at Mueller Park Jr. High this week was all about the boys basketball team.  Individual posters were made for each boy on the team then put up on the gym walls for the games.
 


It's basketball season and Grayson plays on three teams, so yes, it's going to be about him these next few months...



Mueller Park has seemed to struggle with its sports team as long as I've had children there.  Smaller student body may be a factor.  Haven't been able to figure it out.  However, Grayson gets a LOT of Varsity playing time and has been doing what he does best, despite the losses...