Breezie

Isn't this a great shot of Bree? It was taken earlier this fall when we went to the Corn Maze just outside of town and they had this sandbox filled with dried field peas for the kids to play in.

Volleyball Champions!

This is me hitting the winning spike for our championship game! We got cool t-shirts

Just Spreading a Little Christmas Cheer...

Ok, disregard the video, it's really random and weird. Just enjoy the music. This guy really goes off the hook at about 2:15

Number 20 & 21!

Guess what Tara and I found out yesterday?

Pepperspray Training

So I finally pulled my pictures off my camera, and look what I found!

JJ's Big Game

Look out everybody. JJ had a personal best set today at 3-4-5 Fun Legue Hockey. 10 goals!! The scouts will be out for the next game.

Tom, Melissa and Trenton

I'm sorry Gill, but I think Trenton can show you up! :) Just look at all the cute faces he can make! I took their pictures a week or so ago in the Murray Park.

Jen this one's for you!

When Couples Dream....

Well at least they have the same taste....

I though this was entertaining. I love you guys!

My week-end trip

So this past week-end I drove to California with Melissa, Trenton, and a friend of ours for Blizzcon 2008, a convention about Blizzard games. It was a ton of fun and I'll post pics when I get them (Corbett has them...he's the friend) but he got REALLY into it and made an awesome costume (made it into the top 8) and I had to be his guide. Here's a video of it that came off the live feed. Someone else posted it, just so you know and I just happened to find it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfoKNXyLSKI

I met most of these people backstage as well.

Jon Payback

This is what happened to Jon's face after I punched in his jaw for posting that picture of me.

P.S. Happy Birthday Liam!!!

Check her out!

Look what I found in my old emails!

Babies Babies Everywhere

Well some of you may have heard already but Jason and I are expecting....yes Jon, AGAIN! We are super excited as we're hoping this means that we will be able to finally finish off our family...not THAT way, in a less killing and a more no-more-kids-being-born sort of way! Anyway we found out on Sunday and my expected due date is May 31st until I go to the doctor. Anyone care to join me? Tara? Melissa? Even Gill....Cole totally needs a new baby brother or sister! Also Gill could you put that baby countdown thing on the blog that you and Colin had? OK? OK!

Border Patrol

Check it out!

Hey, check it out!

So I thought I would update my blog and show everyone my side job. Check it out, taraleeevans.blogspot.com

Birthday Tradition Ideas...

Hello Family,
I need your help. Trenton is about to turn 1 on the 30th of September (this month). I'm trying to think of a birthday tradition we could keep in our family that celebrates the life of our kids, not just presents. Any ideas? I had a partial idea, but I don't know what else to do with the idea. I was thinking about writing down accomplishments and unique things from the year and cutting them into strips and have people who are there take turns reading them- but I want to add more pizzazz and creativity to it. Any ideas would be helpful, thanks. What do you do for your kids (or future kids as the case may be)?

NEW CALLINGS!

Hey everyone! It's time to guess what Jon and Tara's new callings are! We just ran into a member of our bishopric at a restaurant, and he extended callings to both of us. So, let's hear what YOU guys think it's going to be!

Strange Birthday

Huh! Well thanks to all those who wished me a happy birthday!! Let's see there was Dad, Mary...Dad, did I mention Mary? Hmmmm, wait a second, I think I have 10 people in my family!!! Something HORRIBLE must have happened to the other 7!!!!! MARY! IS everyone OK??????? Maybe I got the day wrong....is it the 31st today? Maybe my birthday got moved to September 1st!! Yeah, that's it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to our darling sister, daughter, whatever....... JEN!!!!

Using Google Reader

Hello everyone,

I don't know how many of you know about or use Google's Reader tool, but it's a great way to monitor all the blogs you like to read all in one spot. I thought I would show you how it works.

You of course need a Google account to use it, but I think we all have one just to use this blog.

The website is: http://www.google.com/reader

Once you are there, all you have to do is click on 'add subscription', and in that box you put in the address of the website you want to monitor. At first you will see all of the posts on the website, but after you mark them as read, you will only see new posts.

Now if you want to set it up so that you are notified when people make comments, just add another subscription, but add /feeds/comments/default?orderby=published to the end of the website. So for example:

http://evansfamilyconnection.blogspot.com/feeds/comments/default?orderby=published


Not all websites or blogs will work because they can disable the feature that allows this to work. But most do.

Also, Google reader works well on the iPhone.

Where is everyone?!

Jon and I are tired of being one of the only two families that post on here anymore. WE want to hear how everyone else is doing! By the way, here is a couple of pics from our professional photographer.

If you've ever flown before, you'll appreciate this...

Tara and Jon Update

Hello All!

We love being married and living together has been really fun! I am waiting until my hope chest finally gets moved in and then I will try to post another virtual tour so that everyone can see the place when it is moved into and beautifully decorated! :)

We can't be happier with our new family ward and look forward to receiving callings. Yesterday we met with our new bishop and he gave me the heads up that he might call me into the Primary as a Music Specialist, how fun!!!

We have enjoyed putting together our first family home evenings! This last Monday I taught a lesson on President Monson's Hallmarks of a Happy Home and Jon got out his handy dandy laptop and laid out a monthly budget for us.

Yesterday morning I received a call from my family saying that my great grandmother was in the hospital on life support and would pass away within the next couple of days. This was a shock to me as just less than two weeks ago she was at our reception/family dinner chatting away and hugging everyone. Probably one of the most special parts of that reception day was when she presented Jon and I with our wonderful down comforter and cover, an exspensive item on our list that we were sure no one would purchase. This picture was taken just moments after she gave us that comforter.

So Jon and I might be making an emergency trip to Boise this weekend to attend her funeral. But here is the wonderful news. My family has decided that Jon and I will be the ones to do her temple work and to seal her and her husband together!!! Although my heart aches to lose a grandparent that I was so close to growing up, I am so excited for what is to come.

There is the update, we will keep you posted!

Sea world

Look! Jon is feeding a dolphin!

Flood alert!

We made it! We're in Kissimmee (appropriate, eh?) and we've been
taking our Sunday easy. We got tickets to go to Disney world, busch
gardens, and sea world so we're excited to start the real fun
tomorrow. In the meantime, it started raining this afternoon and
turned into a flood alert! Jon and I celebrated in style, sporting our
ponchos while walking to a nearby restaurant. More to come!

Jon and Tara - Preception in Bridewater

He is here! Cole Evans Chalmers, 9lbs 10oz

Click here to see more

Some funny videos

Alright everyone, here's a few funny videos that I've picked up out here in Utah:

The Truth About Google Earth (Colin should like this one)

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" done by an Indian Group, with English subtitles (REALLY funny)



Facebook in Real Life



An important news report about World of Warcraft (Tom should watch this one)


'Warcraft' Sequel Lets Gamers Play A Character Playing 'Warcraft'

Da Da Da Da...

So I was noticing that the Evans FAmily calander is missing something on July 25th. I think somebody's getting married=) I'm excited for you Jon and Tara, you guys are a cute and fun couple. I'm excited to be at the wedding. I'm sorry I missed the Reception in Nova Scotia. Just hearing you guys talk about it brings back memories... Anyway, I'm excited for you both. Please post pictures of the Nova Scotia reception.

Virtual Tour

HA HA!

Bree and I look hilarious in this pic!! Agreed? Agreed.

Newfoundland

We went to Newfoundland for the weekend. We did a presentation on Family History and Temple work. Mum had lots s comments about how great her presentation went.
Anyway it was all over by 2 and so we went with Bishop Pilling ( CES coordinator) and did the tour of St Johns, Signal Hill and Cape Spear- the farthest point east in Canada. Here are some pics

Hey there!

This is a little old but still funny!!! Jason is too funny!

We're on our way!

Only 4 weeks till we're in nova scotia!

New Job

So I FINALLY got my summer job and it is the best job ever!!! I showed up on Tuesday thinking I was going for an interview so I'm all dressed up in stupid uncomfortable dress clothes and shoes and apparently I was actually there to start work. So my first day consisted of 5 hours of cuddlingbabbies (I know, rough job right?) But to make all you feel sad for me, I was in very uncomfortable clothes and shoes. The next 2 days consisted of playing with the rompers (2 1/2 -3 1/2 years) and taking them for walks along the water front. I have the hardest job EVER!!!! Tomorrow I will be taking 12 rompers bowling..... should be interesting!!! YAY ME!!!!

Update!

I can't wash the cut yet, so it still looks pretty grody, but you can
sort of make out the stitches, all 11 of them!

Jon crashed his bike

We're at the emergency room and he's definitely getting stiches,
update to come.

Some pics to look at!

Our photographer is great! I found her at a bridal fair and she was the only one that wasn't part of some big corporation and snooty. She posted some of her favorite pics so far on her blog so I thought I'd show them to you. This is only the start, this weekend we're picking up the discs that will have hundreds of images to choose from. But we thought we would give everyone a sample so that you can help us choose a good one for our invitations! So leave comments!

Speaking of invitations, we're hoping to send them out the first week of June. I'll send out individual invitations to the addresses Mom provided us (Thanks Mom!) and then also send out a package of invitations to Mom and Dad so that they can distribute them to people in the ward, family friends, coworkers, etc. So if you guys also have people you would like to pass on invitations to, you can do one of two things... You can email me the addresses ASAP, preferably by June 1st (i.tickle.ivory@gmail.com) OR you can send or hand deliver them yourselves and have them be a part of the package I send to Mom. So, if you prefer the latter just leave a comment with the desired amount that you would have that would be great.

As far as the addresses I have been given so far, they're most just Jon's siblings addresses and also Mom and Dad's siblings and their children's addresses.... and gradparents.

So without further adue (sp?).... Here are some sample pictures! Notice the one where we are squatting in the orchard, there are REAL DEER in the background!

This is cute...

I saw this video and I thought you would all enjoy it. Have fun!

A funny thing I heard....

One more thing, we have a show here called American Idol. I'm sure you've all heard of it. Anyway, one of the kids in the top three is from our town here in Murray, Utah and he is LDS; so that is kind of fun.

He said something on the news last week that made me laugh and I thought I'd share the laugh with all of you.

Question by the news- what is your favorite pickup line?
Answer by David Artchileta (I can't spell)- "Do you like water? Then you like 70% of my body."

Have a great one and keep smiling=)
Love from Melissa

Hello Family!!!

Hello Evans Clan,
I hope all of you are doing well. Thank you for the mother's day greetings- happy mother's day to all of you Evans women, and you too Gillian!!! You are pregnant, and going through all that comes with it makes you a mom already!

Tom and I just started a family blog (well Tom is at work and doesn't know it yet). I've never done this before, so it's new. But hopefully it will be good. I sent invites to those of you I have email addresses for. If you didn't get an invite but you would like one, please email me your address and I will add you to our blog. My email is melissaevans97@gmail.com

I love you guys!!!
Luv,
Melissa

Hapy Mothers Day & Mum and Dads Sealing date

Sunday is our sealing anniversary and also mothers day- happy mothers day to Jackie, Sharon, Jennifer, Gillian & Melissa

New Home!

So, to break up the monotony of the "Gillian Posts", I've decided to add a little bit of spice from the life of Jon. Tara and I sat down this morning to work out some marriage stuff, specifically finding a place to live. We found an ad on the BYU website, got in touch with the couple who were selling it, and checked it out this morning. It's a little basement apartment on a quiet street close to campus, which is what we were hoping to find in the first place. To make a long story short, we signed a contract for our FIRST HOME! HOORAY!

The End

P.S. I'm moving in at the end of June, at which point we'll send some pictures, or upload a video tour, or something cool like that.

The End (for real)

Colin

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Great minds think alike Colin! I didn't read your comment before posting my last post. Or I guess we could say fools seldom differ as my dad always used to say.

Gill Is WAAAAAAY Too Bored!

Has anyone else noticed that this has turned into the Gillian Blog? Hmmmmm! Anywho, I just thought I would break it up and post something. So here it is...something.


PS that whole May the 4th thing even though it came from Gill, you have to admit was pretty funny.

This kid is awesome!

Conference

Hey everyone, just thought I'd give you all the heads up that I'll be singing in conference this weekend in the SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION. So when you're watching (like I'm sure that you will ;) look for me!

The End

I'm cool!

I just thought I would let everyone know that I FINALLY got my licence a couple weeks ago. Sorry I didn't post sooner but I was drowning in a sea of homework. Look out pedestrians of the world because I'm coming for you!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

Josh's Birthday!

Just wanted to let everyone know that it's Josh's 22nd Birthday today! I saw the date on Facebook, right before I sucessfully cancelled my account. (Yea!) It's too bad I didn't notice it was coming up earlier or else I would have written him last week. Well, he'll have a to receive a belated birthday email this year. :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!

Kool Aid Bags

Does anyone want a kool aid bag or wallet? I will make it for free BUT you must make me at least 2 sales!!! They are super cute and attract a lot of attention so you just have to make the sale. Dorky? Yes. Lame? Maybe but in a cool way!!

*Tara, you could use one to hold your camera equipment!

*Dad, you could put....um....cats in it!

*Gill, maybe you could put your new baby in one

*Tom...you could wear it over your face! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Winter Camping

I had my first winter camping experience this weekend. I recommend it to everyone!

The Elders Quorum had planned to travel to Scout Island, somewhere along the South Shore for an overnight camp out but it started snowing that day, so instead of canceling the event, we moved it to somewhere close by.

It was a learning experience for me, so here is how it went.

Once we parked our cars, we had to take our gear into the woods. I had a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and a 10 man tent. I managed to fasten my sleeping gear to my pack. I put my arm through one strap, reached for the second one and realized it was ripped off! I had to hang the bag from my neck to haul it into the woods while carrying the 60 pound tent. This seemed fine, we didn't have all that far to go, but today I can no longer turn my head to the right.

Once we found our spot, we began to set up our tents. Speed was important as the snow was coming down heavy. As I go to put the stakes into the ground I find nothing but rock. There was nowhere else to move the massive tent so I had to hope the wind would stay calm.

The snow was building up on the tent so I thought, great, some insulation! But it didn't take long before the whole tent collapsed under the weight (I was not inside at the time). Luckily it didn't snow too hard after that so I didn't get squashed during the night.

So what do you do once you get things set up? You cut down a tree or two, build a fire, and stand around it for several hours trying to keep warm and dry. Then you go to bed.

The ground was lumpy, I forgot my pillow, but I was warm while falling asleep. I thought dressing in multi-layers would suffice, along with my sleeping bag and an extra blanket someone gave me, but it wasn't too long before I woke up freezing and damp. The night went on forever, struggling to keep comfortable. I was on my home by 6am.

So next time I plan to be more prepared by:

Having a proper backpack (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having a cold weather sleeping bag (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having a small portable tent (available at Mountain Co-op)
Having better to clothes to stay dry (available at Mountain Co-op)
Other cool things from Mountain Co-op (available at Mountain Co-op)

These are all great things to have as part of your emergency planning as well.

By the way, Mountain Co-op has very convenient gift cards available on-line 24/7. Great for last minute birthday gifts for those who have a birthday coming up in 6 days (April 5th).

Does it appear Gillian is rubbing off on me a little bit?

Our First Road Trip/My Birthday

So I know my birthday was at the beginning of March but it's been a while since anyone has posted so I thought you would like to see this. Jon and I took our first road trip with out new car and went to my home (Boise, ID) for my birthday! Jon drove the whole way, to his request mind you. We spent Saturday with my dad making dinner and watching football. (Jon's newly accuired interest since coming to the States) Sunday we went to church and had the family over at my Mom's for linner. The picture is of everyone firing confetti bombs at the same time. I thought it was pretty cool. :)

So that's what we've done recently! We are also applying to be managers of an apartment complex. We would get free rent and hourly pay! We have an interview on Friday, so if you wouldn't mind keeping that in your thoughts and prayers. Hope everything is going well in your corners of the continent! We miss you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN.....I mean DAD!!!

Hey dad, one year closer to getting all those SWEET seniors discounts!! Have a good one and hopefully mom will make you a special supper....oh wait, she does that EVERY night! Show some appreciation man, take her out and pamper her! HAHAHAHAHAHA Have a great day daddykins!

PS That's supposed to be you with the walker and that's mom beside you. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Happy Saint Patty's Day!

Wishing everyone a good one!

TARA

p.s. Mary, notice the sun glasses. :)

Finally!

So I finally found a job. I'm going to be the HR Supervisor at a Toys R Us not far from where we live, so it'll be a nice short commute. It's a progressive position as well so that means I'll end up with a lot more money and responsibility. So yay!

Funny English Kid

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

Happy Birthday Mom! Hope you have a great day and dad does LOTS of nice things for you...like flies you up here to see Jen. Awwwww, wouldn't that be the BESTEST day EVER????

Vid of Trenton

He's talking now...kinda... He does this a lot now, just sits there and makes those noises.

I should have been a thief....

So, here at library security, we have a certain rivalry between our security and the museum security, such that we play "pranks" on each other sometimes to test the security of each building. This morning, we walked into the museum and stole their huge donation box right in front of them. Mark another victory up for library security!!

Lot's O Love!

I was just looking at pics of all of you guys hanging out at mom and dad's and just really hope that you all realize just how lucky you are to be able to do that! It seriously makes me so sad sometimes to be so far away from my family! Just know that I think of you all often and wish we could all be together more. Thank the Lord for eternal families!!!!!!!

P.S. Nice try Gill with the whole "Jen is a dork" template...well played but I have to say, you mess with the bull, you get the horns!







Gill smells like dog food!