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Well, Jodie and I decided that we needed to go to President Hinckley's funeral services. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
Well, it was forecast to snow all weekend, so we were worried if we'd even be able to make it. We decided to drive to Sandy and then take the traks up to the conference center in case we had a really bad storm. We knew we had to be there really early because there was a several hour wait for his viewing on Thursday and Friday; I know of some people who waited over 4 hours to see him. So, Jodie and I woke up at 5 and went straight up to SLC. It took us a little longer to get there because of the delay in waiting for the traks. They had us first wait in a line that wrapped around part of Temple Square. Then, they began filing people into the Tabernacle to wait so they didn't have to do so in the freezing cold temperatures (today was the first day in several weeks that the temperature was above freezing). Now, even though miraculously we didn't get any storm what so ever Saturday morning, it was very cold standing and waiting.
These bushes looked like we felt inside, frozen and wilted.
The temple was especially pretty that morning. The church was playing music from the Choir on the loud speakers, so it was very serene.
Here we are in the Tabernacle waiting. I was really glad to not have to wait outside in the cold anymore, Jodie even more so than me. We waited in there from about 8:30 to 9:00. Then they started handing out tickets and they shuffled us al over to the Conference Center.
Here we waited at the Conference center until the funeral at 11. For those of you who didn't catch the services, it was very good. I got emotional at two points; they were more of tears of gladness than anything. One point was seeing him walking with sister Hinckley and thinking about how they must feel to be together again. And then afterwards when I told Jodie about what Elder Holland said at my parents' stake conference with his battle with colon cancer. What an amazing man he was. I'm sure we will all miss him and look forward to seeing him again.
Here are some random pictures that Jodie and I have taken through the winter so far.
This winter has been a very interesting one. We have gotten A LOT more snow than previously; kind of depressing if you ask me, well, either of us. We're all ready for spring. But as you can see from the picture I took today on campus, we have a lot of snow after our weekend of snow storms.
For those of you who've been to BYU, this maybe a common sight. People sleep every where and in the most random places. During the summer, its outside on the grass. During the winter, however, people have to get a little more creative. For example, this guy is sleeping in the hall of the basement of the MARB. This building is part of the science labs area, so stuff like the cadavers, lab rats and rabbits, and chemicals are passing through here; not exactly the best place to sleep if you ask me.
I was taking the trash out last week at work and I found a HUGE icicle; it made a pretty sweet sword.
Jodie and I decided to make blueberry pancakes the other day. It was snowing pretty good and we didn't have much to do that Saturday. I started out making a Mickey Mouse pancake for Jodie and one thing lead to another and eventually ended in a tragic accident. Mickey got shot and Minnie Mouse was devastated by the disaster and would stop crying.
Well, it was kind of fun to make, but were definitely a pair of nerds.
Well, even though this is entitled G & G Brems' Anniversary, we don't have any pictures from their wedding anniversary yet. But they had their 65 wedding anniversary and a big party with all the kids to celebrate. So, Jodie and I went up to SLC to meet up with most of the Brems family. It was the first time that all of their kids had gotten together since Great Grandpa Nettleship passed away in 1993. So, here are some of the pictures we took.
Jenna found a new treat, chocolate covered strawberries. In this picture, she actually ended up taking a left over one from an abandoned plate. Oh, I don't know if you'll be able to see it very well, but Jenna is wearing a wedding ring; apparently some things are happening in Phoenix while I'm no longer around.
Jodie and I slept over in SLC with my family so we could stay with them a little longer. It was really neat because we got to go to Music and the Spoken Word that morning.
Here's a picture during the dress rehearsal right before they do the live broadcast.
And this one is at the same time just looking at the tabernacle.
Well, it was a really fun weekend and we were really glad to see the family again. It was definitely too short, but still lots of fun. Thanks for everything and congrats again to Grandma and Grandpa Brems for 65 years of being together; they are such a great example to us all.
Well, we finally got the pictures up for the Dominican trip, there's quite a few of them.
We left to go to the airport WAY early, like 4 am. Ok, maybe not a big deal, but when you see how many bags we took, it was quite the challenge getting everything going. Everyone had at least 3 bags, some had 4, filled with stuff for the missionaries or donations for people in the DR and Haiti. Needless to say, it took a LONG time to get through the ticket desk.
Some of our bags while we were getting everything set. These two in front were by far the two heaviest carry-ons that I've had. They were full of candy for 35 missionaries, at least 40 lbs each.
The rest of the bags
We arrived in the DR on Saturday night and then the next day we went for a walk around a park. We found a pretty cool tree to swing from.
Jodie swinging from the tree too.
Later that afternoon, the missionaries watched a devotional that had been recorded in the Provo MTC. We caught Presidente taking a quick little nap; with how much Grandma and Grandpa do for the missionaries, it didn't surprise me at all.
Sunday night we got together and began to prepare all the missionaries' Christmas stockings. We filled it up with little toys and trinkets, candy, Dominican flag pin, and other treats. We got quite the assembly line going too.
On Monday, we went to the historic area of Santo Domingo, or the colonial zone. This church was built in the early 1500's shortly after Christopher Columbus landed. It was very beautiful; to me it rivals any other cathedral I've seen in Europe in beauty and eloquence.
It had beautiful stained glass windows and very impressive arch structure for the roof.
After leaving the cathedral, we went to visit an old colonial fort. It was built by a contemporary of Christopher Columbus and later Columbus' lived in the fort for his private residence.
It had a great view of the area. It over looked the main river running through the DR and its outlet into the ocean.
They also had different weapons of war from different ages, including a few tanks and armored vehicles. It was neat to get inside and see just how cramped they are inside.
I don't think anyone would want to mess with a girl like this.
They also had some artillery guns that you could move around. On my side you controlled the lateral movements of the gun, on Jason's side you controlled the vertical movements. With both of us at the gears, you could move that sucker pretty quick.
After leaving the fort, we went to go see Christopher Columbus' house. It was cool to see the old governor's mansion.
When we got home that afternoon, we started making dinner for all the missionaries. We have a tradition of having breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve- so we did the same thing for the missionaries. It was pretty intense and required everyone's help to cook.
Jodie and I pause for a picture.
Here's the line of missionaries starting to eat dinner.
After dinner, we had a Nativity. The Jamaicans were the wise men, Jenna was Mary, and we had some North Americans fill in the other positions. Over all, it was very nice.
Again, following tradition, we got to do a musical talent if we had one. Many of the missionaries sang, including these Jamaicans. They sang a few Christmas songs in a very tropical, caribbean way; it was amazing.
We were then Santa's helpers in getting the stockings to all the missionaries; we got to hand them all out.
Here they are just opening some of the gifts.
We also set up some games that we could play with the missionaries. With toys they they received, they would compete within his branch and then have a final showdown with the 3 other districts to become champion of the MTC
The old paddle board.
Flying the little straw helicopters.
The husband of a lady who works for my Dad, just retired. In order to keep busy, he started taking up sewing and made little botties for all the missionaries.
The next day, we went to go spend some time at a resort nearby. It was so much fun. But here's Mom, Jenna, Angie and Jason running into the water..
Jason was able to throw Jenna into the water, pretty impressive actually.
Jodie and I spent some time building a dream house instead of a sand castle; It was pretty cool
The first scuba trip that we all went together on. Jodie and I missed the first day that everyone else went on because Jodie was getting certified and I was taking the course with her as a refresher course. But once we went out into the ocean, it was so much fun. We saw all different types of fish, coral, and other sea life.
Jodie and I
The beach in front of the resort. It was so nice to go walking down the beach and just relax, especially since Utah was getting tons and tons of snow.
Sitting on the steps of the Faro de Colon. Its a memorial light house built in honor of Columbus. It has a museum that has a room for every country in the Americas a few others. It was pretty cool to see the early history of the area.
This was taken outside of Christopher Columus' tomb. 4 places around the world claim that they have his body. The DR claims that they have his skull and femur. Either way, very cool building.
Down the hallway of the museum. Off to each side is the rooms devoted to each American country.
After seeing the Faro de Colon, we went to a place called tres ojos, or the three eyes. It was really cool because it was like three eyes were just poking out. It was a series of caves that you could go through. It was very, very cool to see.
In this pool there were a bunch of turtles and fishes; it was really cool.
Grandma and Grandpa with Angie and Jason.
Here's a really good shot of the caves.
Most of the family taking a pictures.
We were right across from temple when we were staying at the MTC, so it was very cool.
Here's down the hallway at the MTC. It was so much fun to be around the missionaries again.
Later, we went up to the north end of the island so we could take a tram up the mountain. It was really cool because it was really high, right next to the ocean, and had a Christ statue like Brazil on top.
Just a picture from on top.
The statue
Jodie and I- Jenna had both told us that she wanted us to pose diferrently because in all of my pictures
Grandpa and Grandpa and Jenna on top of the mountains
Mom Dad and Jenna on top
Mom, Dad,and Jenna along the path around the mountain
Jenna at another fort The donkey is a fun little touch.
Well, those were the big main pictures that we got from everyone's camera. Hope that you enjoyed them and everything is going well for everyone.
Well, it was forecast to snow all weekend, so we were worried if we'd even be able to make it. We decided to drive to Sandy and then take the traks up to the conference center in case we had a really bad storm. We knew we had to be there really early because there was a several hour wait for his viewing on Thursday and Friday; I know of some people who waited over 4 hours to see him. So, Jodie and I woke up at 5 and went straight up to SLC. It took us a little longer to get there because of the delay in waiting for the traks. They had us first wait in a line that wrapped around part of Temple Square. Then, they began filing people into the Tabernacle to wait so they didn't have to do so in the freezing cold temperatures (today was the first day in several weeks that the temperature was above freezing). Now, even though miraculously we didn't get any storm what so ever Saturday morning, it was very cold standing and waiting.
These bushes looked like we felt inside, frozen and wilted.
The temple was especially pretty that morning. The church was playing music from the Choir on the loud speakers, so it was very serene. 
Here we are in the Tabernacle waiting. I was really glad to not have to wait outside in the cold anymore, Jodie even more so than me. We waited in there from about 8:30 to 9:00. Then they started handing out tickets and they shuffled us al over to the Conference Center. 
Here we waited at the Conference center until the funeral at 11. For those of you who didn't catch the services, it was very good. I got emotional at two points; they were more of tears of gladness than anything. One point was seeing him walking with sister Hinckley and thinking about how they must feel to be together again. And then afterwards when I told Jodie about what Elder Holland said at my parents' stake conference with his battle with colon cancer. What an amazing man he was. I'm sure we will all miss him and look forward to seeing him again.
