Thriller

Yesterday I surprised Brent with tickets to see Thriller at the Tuacahn Theatre in St. George.

Odyssey Dance Company has some amazing dancers! Every act was so amazing.. we can't decide what one was our favorite!

The first dance was Thriller. It was fun to see all the zombies dance to this Michael Jackson song. Next came the psychotic clown who tried to stab someone in the audience.. but the music cut off before he could - which made him very depressed and very funny (he also kept showing up in little odd places here and there throughout the night)! The next dance is called the Curse of the Mummy which featured Egyptian dancers and a mummy rising and loving the fact that there were a lot of girls. Miss Alli's Nightmare came next. It had a whole bunch of girls acting like there were 5 year old's performing. It was so funny to watch them all get way out of control. I totally understand how that could be a nightmare for someone! This next dance was truly amazing! It is a Romeo & Juliet theme to Frankenstein and his love. Some of the moves were absolutely amazing! Frankie accidentally kills his love when she doesn't want to kiss him, and he is dragging her all over the stage. Some of the positions she is put in were unbelievable! Next came a giggling girl (who I must add is a great giggler!) who sings "I saw Mommy KILLING Santa Clause". It was incredibly hilarious! That poor doll she used to mimic what her mom had done to Santa! lol. Next was a visually stimulating dance with glowing skeletons. It was done in black light and amazing to watch (probably one of my favorites). Next was a short little number about Marie Antoinette being be-headed. Their special effects on this one was really neat! The last number for the first half of the show is called Jason Jam. It was a very funny "stomp" featuring 3 Jason's, one of which kept getting distracted and into trouble. I loved his little teddy bear with the hockey mask on. It was definitely amusing and so funny (another favorite!).

The 2nd Act started off with the dance of a sugarplum fairy who gets shot in the middle of her number by Jason. Next came the Children of the Corn. A bunch of highschool kids go into the corn field and when scarecrows start to dance join in... but it doesn't end well for some of those kids. An amazing dance with a man and his dead love. It was amazing to watch the ghost fly through the air. Next came a Michael Jackson dance where at the end he goes with Elvis. The next dance was quite funny. It was a battle between team Jacob and team Edward. I think Jacob won when at the end he turned into a horrific werewolf and scared everyone away. The giggling girl came back next singing "Do You Want to Know a Secret?". Turns out she has an alien growing out of her stomach that is her best friend and sings to her! Next came a dance about the Salem Witches. Three girls were hanged and came back for vengeance! The magic was very cool! A number titled Lost Boys featured a group of vampires who attacked a girl. Blood was spraying out of their mouths! Super cool to watch, especially the acrobatics! Next was about a magician who changed himself into a girl. Really amazing! The last number of the night is called River of Blood Dance. It featured a group of girls tap dancing the River Dance... when all of a sudden someone starts shooting them. It was really funny! Some of them were trying to sneak away before they got hit. Some were trying to dodge the bullets. And the really funny part is that the shooter ended up being Bubbles the Clown!

It was such a fun night! I really loved every minute of it! Brent & I already decided that we are going back next year!!! Here are a few pictures of the Theatre and of the zombies and acts. Also a older promo video. Enjoy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Weekend with my family

After the funeral. I was able to go and spend some time with my family. I met them at the Theater to see RED (Retired and Extremely Dangerous). It was so funny - I loved it! After, we went to eat at the snow dragon for some yummy Chinese food. I loved every minute being able to spend time with my family. I miss them so much. Thanks for all the talks Paige, for always wanting to include me Cam, and for always letting me feel right at home Mom!

In the morning Dad and I decided to go on a four-wheeler ride up the canyon and just spend some time just the 2 of us. Dad took me on his favorite ride on the canyon. It was so breathtakingly beautiful even though we got rained and snowed on a little bit! I didn't realize how much I've missed the smell of being in the mountains! We went all the way to the top of the canyon. Such an amazing view! While there my Dad and I had a wonderful heartfelt talk, we hugged and I cried. My Daddy is the most wonderful man! I love him so much and miss being able to spend time with him. Dad I know you have been through a lot lately... but I want you to know that we love you and are so proud of you. Thanks for all you do. Love you Daddy!

Grandpa Strate

Today Brent's grandpa passed away. Kent Strate was the father of Ellen Strate Cox, Brent's mother who returned to her Heavenly Father after a long fight with cancer when he was 12.

It was a complete surprise this past Friday when we received word that he wasn't doing well and only had a few days left. We had no idea that he had been bed-ridden for over a month and hadn't been able to eat or drink for weeks. We, and some of Brent's family, decided to go say goodbye to him on Sunday. We are so grateful that we did! It was a very difficult day for everyone.

This morning around 6 am we got a call that he had passed. What a blessing that we were able to make it up there and say our good byes. Below are pictures from his funeral that took place on October 15th.

Conference Weekend

I am so truly grateful for the gospel in my life! For a worthy priesthood holder in my home and to be able to go to the temple and renew those covenants I made with my Heavenly Father. I look forward to each and every conference and the chance to hear from our beloved Prophet and the officers of the church. It is truly amazing to hear direct answers to our trials and problems from those inspired talks.

This year we were able to go up to Salt Lake to spend time with Brent's sister Karen and her husband Ryan. It was so wonderful to spend time with them. We didn't do much but it was wonderful to be able to see family and relax. We were able to stop at Mark & Emily's too. It is always so fun to see them. We really do love all you guys so much! We weren't able to watch all of conference do to the fact that Ryan is not a member and we didn't want to force him... but what we did watch/hear was amazing. I am so grateful for the internet and for the chance I have to watch it during the week, and for the opportunity to read it in next months ensign!

Sunday was my Dad's birthday and it was wonderful to be able to go and see him. I always love spending time with my daddy and all of my family. I love you guys so much. Happy Birthday again Dad. I hope it was a good day for you!

Labor Day Weekend

Brent's brother Mark & his family came down for the weekend. It was such fun having them all here. On Saturday, Em and I took off for a girls day. We went to alot of fun little stores here in town. It was really fun getting out of the house and getting creative. Sunday we went to Bryce Canyon (pictures below). It was so amazing! We went on one hike that went though some of the pillars. It was truly beautiful and fun to go with family. Scott was so cute. He kept saying "WOW" at everything and loved hearing his echo. He had an especially fun time seeing a chipmunk. He got quite close to it too! Monday Em & I again left for girl time. We went down to St. George to see one of her friends and to go shopping. I really loved spending so much time with Emily and gaining a stronger friendship with her. It was so great to spend time with them and Scott. He is such a cute little kid.

Thanks so much for coming down! We loved every minute of the time we were able to spend with you! We definitely need to make a trip up there soon.

Gemma Bean

Since Gemma is practically our kid, I decided it would be fun to throw her a little birthday party. She turned 2 this month. It was really fun to spoil her and to have family and friends come have fun with us. We went up the canyon a little ways to a place called 3 Peaks to eat. We brought hot dogs ... which we had some trouble cooking. It was really windy and a fire took a while to start. Then we forgot to bring skewers to cook them on. After scouring the area we finally found some sticks. It was really yummy and so much fun to have everyone and their dogs there. Thanks to everyone for coming and for the gifts ... Gemma loved them all!

My birthday

My birthday was so wonderful this year! My friend Shanae schemed with Brent the day before to get a birthday cake for me... it was very yummy. Thanks you guys. Its great to have such good friends!

Brent planned a surprise day for me... and trust me it was all a total surprise! Brent arranged for both me and him to have my birthday off. He woke me up at 5:45 AM and told me that I had 30 minutes to get ready. He then lead me to the car and told me to put a blindfold on. He drove us to McDonalds for breakfast, which we ate at the park, and then we continued on our journey. 2 hrs later (and a nice nap) I was told I could take off my blindfold. To my surprise Brent told me where we were going.... the Grand Canyon!! I couldn't believe it!! It was so amazing to see one of the world's greatest wonders. It was truly breathtaking! It was a perfect day with my wonderful hubby! Thanks for making it such a great birthday!