Happy Birthday to Cody!!

It's Cody's favorite day of the year! And a day for me to celebrate him! I had some time to think today about this man I am going to spend eternity with- Because it is his birthday I can brag a little bit about him. He is someone who avoids the spotlight but he deserves a moment in it!
Cody is always kind and always has something good to say about everyone.
He is very motivated and has an incredible drive in life.
He loves me and I never have to worry or wonder because he shows me every day.
He will be an awesome Dad one day- we were babysitting one night and as he read books to this 2 yr old before bed, I watched him and he was so cute, it was precious.
He is FUN and can always make me smile.
He is clean and I never have to pick up after him..ever!
Best of all he has a strong testimony and so much passion for the gospel.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!


We celebrated early this year and had a party for Cody and Kailey the day after Christmas. I was so excited for Cody to open his present- I couldn't keep the secret any longer! I told everyone because I was so excited! The birthday boy and birthday girl! Kailey got an ice cream cake but I made Cody his favorite cake. I was excited for him to open his presents so I hurried and made a sloppy 2 layered cake but I told everyone it would still taste good and it was made with love. We ate both cakes together but Matthew called Cody's cake the "love cake" all night and said Aunt Nat put love in it! It was so cute.
SURPRISE!! A trip to fabulous Las Vegas!

We stayed at the Monte Carlo for cheap and got a free buffet. It was the best deal EVER!

Cody and the Blue M&M- he loved the M&M Store!

The M&M Factory- Cody loved walking through here..

Mystere- Amazing acrobatic show.. Amazing!

The water fountain at the Bellagio played Christmas music during the show.

Almost time to celebrate the New Year- They were all getting ready.

Overlooking the Strip..

The Excalibur
Cody and one the "the Blue Men" after the show- we sat in the middle of the front row and we were given a poncho to wear- Luckily we didn't get dirty with all the paint/food but we had so much fun!
This was part of the living garden show at the palazzo- those girls were in statue costumes and they put on a cool show. They are wearing more clothes than all the girls in Vegas put together!

Finishing out 2008....

We hope you all had a great Christmas! We were snowed in in Idaho for part of the week- it was really fun though! Christmas morn we braved the snow drifts and went to my sister's house to watch the kids open presents! We had to wait to open ours but it was fun to see the kids and they were really fast :o) PRESENTS!!



Buster was Santa's Helper. He was in the house again too.

The Nativity play- Kailey was Mary and Matty was Joseph- they were so cute! Cody and the boys were the Wise Men. They looked good in their costumes(I had to force them..).
PJ's on Christmas eve!

It's begining to look alot like CHRISTMAS!!

Warm Hot Punch, Lights on the house, Cookies in the oven, Christmas sing alongs and a small tree on a pile of presents! It's almost Christmas! We are all ready, done with the shopping long ago and we are enjoying the season! We also made it to temple square early this year, we love this tradition and we are glad we went while it was still somewhat warm out!
We had a "Christmas Party" with Chad and Allison and Kyle on Friday night. We dipped chocolates, drank Hot Punch and Eggnog, watched Lampoons Christmas, played some games and opened presents! We had a great time- All in less than 2 hours as Chad and Allison drove all the way from IDAHO to come to our party and had to drive back that night! :o)

Then Saturday night was Xactware's Christmas party at the Zermatt in Midway. We got all dressed up and had a fabulous dinner and continual gourmet dessert available all night long! Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband were the entertainment and they were hilarious! They sang a song about Eggnog that will be stuck in my head forever! Also a memorable version of "The GRINCH went down to WHOVILLE"- sang to the song "The devil went down to Georgia."

Merry Christmas!

YAY for Cody!

Cody Kartchner – scored 4.9 out of 5- in his student surveys for the month of November, making him a top trainer at Xactware!!
John Filler (one of his students)–“Instructor was very attentive to all participants, making sure everyone was following all of the time. Nice attitude and very patient.”
Good Job Huni!