God Bless Us Every One

The wise words of Tiny Tim from a Christmas Carol, "God bless us every one". I hope this Christmas is a happy and enjoyable. And may we all remember the true meaning of Christmas and may "God bless us every one"

Merry Christmas!!

Surprise Christmas Present

No, it's not what you're thinking...no new puppy or a handsome man knocking at my door saying he is my Christmas present. Not a set of new car keys or a trip to Hawaii. My Christmas present is.....a root canal!!! I am so excited! Ok- excited is definitely NOT the right word but considering I have been in horrible pain for the past 4 days, I am happy to know that soon the pain will be gone.

Thoughts of Christmas

How I love Christmas! I love the smells, food, lights, visits...everything! I have been thinking a lot about my Christmas traditions and some memorable Christmases. Today in church, a member of our bishopric spoke about gifts you give and receive.

So, here are just a few memories from past Christmases:

- One tradition our family loves is what we like to call "knicker-knocking". Basically a drop and run. There was a family in our ward when I was about 10 or 11. We decided to get them all presents and they would be the family we would knicker knock. So, we got everything ready, piled into "The Tank" (our big blue suburban) and got going. We were able to park so we could see this family as they got their gifts. I remember watching the young boy go to the door and call the rest of his family to the door. They were so excited, throwing the presents up in the air and looking at everything! It made a huge impact on my life at such a young age and helped me to always remember the true meaning of Christmas!

- One year in our gift exchange with our family, we decided to make all of our gifts. I remember making my little sister a small blanket for her doll. I think I was 8. I was so excited to make that silly blanket and even more excited when my sister used it for her doll all the time!

- When we go get our Christmas tree, we always will tie sleds to the back of the truck and sled behind the truck down the road. We loved it when we were young and now that we are older, we still do it and love it!

- We love to peak after "Santa" has shown up. One time when I was in high school, all 6 of us were sleeping downstairs and me and my younger sister decided about 3 that is was time to peek. We go upstairs and my sister sits down right on a stocking. All of a sudden the loudest siren goes off. "Santa" had brought one of the boys a police car with a siren and she sat on it. It was so funny. To watch her trying to cover it up with a pillow and then a mad dash back downstairs!

So many fun times during the Christmas season. But just as what was spoken about in church, it is all about giving and receiving the greatest gift of all....the birth and life of our Savior. I don't remember what gifts I have gotten but I always remember those things I did for others. And as that is how the Savior lived his life, in the service of others, I hope to do the same.

Entertaining Insights....from a 17 year old

Here are a few things that I was enlightened by the last few days at school

- "Miss Stokes, you probably should think about getting married"
- "Are you dating anyone? You should probably just date and play the field a little bit more"
- "So and so (names are obviously changed) thinks he's going to marry you"

So, entertaining day at HHS...always!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It happened!!! Finally it snowed. Granted it did take me a good 45 minutes to get to work and most of the drive, especially on I-215 I could not see the lines on the road. There were accidents everywhere and then add a bunch of high schoolers in that mix....oh man!

The kids were wild today with all the snow. All day I heard, "Wow- it's still snowing!!!" My afternoon class went out to measure how much snow. We measured 8 inches in West Valley. Crazy!!! Even though my ideal day of snow would be to stay home and read a nice book with the fire going and drinking some hot chocolate, it was nice to enjoy it from the inside of my classroom too!!

Moab and the Winter Sun 10K

My first time in Moab and it was for a 10K with my cousin Bryce. We had a great time and even though it was a quick trip, I loved it. It was NOT sunny. It was actually freezing and I was not properly dressed. I made it but was cold by the time I finished. My goal was 55 minutes. I did it in 56!!! If I didn't have to run that one lap around the track, I would have made it. Oh well. Next time.

Just so happens my good friend Josh was there running also. We started out together and then he creamed me!!! Oh well. Next time I'll get him. It was fun to see him and also Mike who was there.

Me, Emily and Bryce. I love road trips with these 2 and can't wait for the next one! The race was fun and I will soon recover. But it was so worth it!

I love Christmas Lights

The annual "Go see the Christmas Lights" family home evening took place last Monday and it was so fun. Just a small group but we had a great time. And the lights were beautiful. As always. Now, if only there was a little snow.....



I love the Holidays and all that comes with it. Christmas Lights, parties, hot chocolate, snow, Christmas music, ABC Family Movies (with all the cheesiness involved- Just FYI, our DVR is full of them!!!) candy canes, family and the whole reason behind Christmas....to remember the birth of our Savior!

Remember the song from White Christmas....

Snow, Snow, Snow...That song that they sing on the train on the way to Vermont. They show up and .....it 76 degrees outside. I know that we aren't quite that drastic but that is kind of what I feel like right now. It's December 3rd and I think that we should have some snow now. Not that I just love it and want to go play in it (ok- I am ready for a nice big snowball fight) but I feel that we should have snow. Not that I control the weather but I'm just saying, A little snow would be nice!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! It is always so fun to go home to my hometown of Salmon, Idaho and enjoy family and the making of good memories. I know that it is no longer Thanksgiving but I still have so many things to be thankful for. So, here is just a small list...and they are in no particular order



- the gospel
- family
- friends
- an awesome bed
- food : )
- a warm car to drive to work in every morning
- my healtth
- the gym
- a great job
-great students to teach
- clothes
- pay day! : )
- Nightime (meaning a chance to sleep!)
- The Atonement
-wonderful parents
-awesome siblings
-to have been able to serve a mission
-my soon to be "aunt" hood (yes- Emily is pregnant!!!)
- the holidays

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Hunter High School Presents: White Christmas!! Last night, Melissa, Kaylin and I attended White Christmas put on by many of my own students. They did fabulous. I loved every second of it. Smiling the whole time as every song and every joke put me even more in the Christmas Mood. And the snow at the end....what a way to finish with a bang! I guess now I can sing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"

A fun day in Idaho

One week ago, Mary went through the temple and it was so great to be there with her. I had my PRAXIS test that morning at the University of Utah and was so happy to be done with that and head up to Idaho Falls. The first big snow storm of the year hit along the Wasatch front and and it took a bit longer to get there but I made it!!! It was a great day and so fun to see the family.

After the temple, we were standing outside of the foyer of the temple. My two cute brothers, Nate and Josh were there and we had the funniest conversation.

To set the scene.....We're all standing there and us three are talking. Nate says something to Josh and so Josh hits him in the chest.

Nate: Josh, don't hit me in the temple
Josh: Oh yea....
Me to Nate: That is not your temple, that is your chest
Nate and Josh: Ha Ha Ha Ha
Nate: Care, you should've been a blonde.....

It was then that I realized what he meant!!!! Such a funny moment. I sure love my family!! I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

PRAXIS: The newest swear word

Most of you may know, but I have been studying forever for the Social Studies PRAXIS test. I don't hate very many things but I do hate this test. It's so hard and seriously the worst test I have ever taken in my life. Yes, I have taken it a few times. I think this is number 8!!!! So, my thoughts on No Child Left Behind will be kept to myself but how I hate this test. But, I have studied as hard as a can and I just need to trust the Lord that things will work out the way they are supposed to.

Halloween 2009...A Halloween to remember

Halloween 2009. What an event. A party was planned and it ended up being bigger than we had ever anticipated. Thanks so a good friend, we had at least 200 people in our little house. The street was full of cars and around midnight, it drew the cops to our house and they ended our awesome Halloween party. We had a good time and we look forward to next year!

The five of us as characters from CLUE!!! Melissa doing an awesome job at Ms Peacock. Ms White was played by...yours truly. And I was no grumpy maid!!! Mindy in her flapper dress was a great Miss Scarlet. Ashley as Colonel Mustard and sported the bullet belt very well. And Kaylin being a fabulous Professor Plum.

Snow and shattered windows

So, two weeks ago, I woke up to the dreaded snow!!!! Not cool. The roads are yucky and people are driving crazy. So, I'm driving to work, totally focused on the road. I get off of I-215 on 4700 South like I always do. I go through Bangeter Highway and am in the process of passing a semi truck. All of a sudden, I hear what sounds like a gun shot!!!! I have no idea what is going on. My ears are ringing and I am freaking out. I look in my rear view mirror and my back window is shattered! I drive a long, fumble around for my phone to call my parents and every bump I hit, the window falls in! Oh what a morning.

Of course it is snowing so I have to do something with my car and it's not very wise to have a wide open window at a high school. Especially a high school in West Valley. Thank goodness for the auto teacher. He said it was some freak thing that happens every once in a while when the warm air from inside and the cold air from outside can make it shatter. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the shattered glass but my parking sticker survived and the glass. So, my whole back window looked this this....
Techna-Glass became my very best friend and even came out to West Valley to fix my window. What a wild day and one of those things that should never happen again. But....you never know!!!

I love my Hunter Wolverines

I'm back!!! I know it has been awhile. It's funny the busyness ( I hope I spelled that correctly, if not forgive me please!) of life. When you are super busy and have no time to blog about all the crazy things in your life, everything happens that you want to write about. Then, you have all the time in the world and are bored out of your mind and nothing happens. So, it's been one of those so busy I don't have time to think kind of few weeks and everything crazy happens.

So all I want to say is GO HUNTER WOLVERINES!!! Tonight I experienced one of the best football games of my life. I will have to rank this game as #2 because my little brother's state championship game last year was for sure is #1. And, for anyone reading this from Salmon, I will always be a Savage. I'll always bleed orange and black!!!

So, Hunter Wolverines, coming in as a Cinderella team from game one. Had a rough start but are now on a roll. We became Region II champs by beating the two big power houses in the region, Cottonwood and Skyline. Tonight was again the Lone Peak Knights, #3 in the state. After back and forth scoring, we go into overtime. And then another. And another. And finally, another. 4 overtimes was just about enough to stop my heart. But, when we finally stopped them it was amazing!!! Congrats boys on a wonderful win!

I am so proud. As a teacher, I taught so many of those boys playing out there. They are great young men who conduct themselves in ways that represent Hunter, their families and themselves in a positive way. I have seen the way football has helped shaped them into the men they will one day become. I know it seems silly but I really think that they learn more than just football. They learn hard work, dedication, teamwork, discipline, responsibility and how to work as one. What wonderful things for young people to learn!

So, we've almost got it. The turf, here we come! Keep it up Hunter Wolverines and let's show the rest of the world who we really are!!!

Oh the changes that happen in our lives

Sometimes we just need a good change....Even if that requires a new bedroom!!! Yes, I bought a chair and spent hours figuring out my bedroom and now, I feel like a whole new woman!!! I love it and my room is so cozy!!! Just what I needed....
I traveled to Idaho last weekend for an awesome football game played by Josh, #42!!! If he could, he would play every position. He is the "yeller" for the kickoff!!! Also plays running back and linebacker. But, this game he played center. And he has also played quarterback and probably a receiver too!!! Josh is an awesome football player and as a big sister, I am so proud of him and how he conducts himself on and off the field. Congrats on a big win last week and last night!!! Good job Savages!!

Say hello to the newest missionary in the Stokes family....Sister Mary Stokes. Her mission call arrived and for Mary, ok for all of us, Josh's football game was the longest ever. I swear there were more penalites than ever! We were waiting until after Josh's game to open it. Right there in the South Fremont High Parking lot. The Stokes' like to open their mission calls in random places, especially parking lots! I also opened mine in the parking lot at the Idaho Falls Temple.

We waited and waited and finally, everyone was there. Becuase of the ridiculous Idaho weather and it being 35 degrees, we all crammed into our suburban and waited in anticipation. Sister Stokes will be serving in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission and leaves January 13!!!! I am so excited for Mary and she will be wonderful. And soon, we will also send out Elder Nathan Stokes! Crazy!!
What a fun few days to spend with the family. Soon, our family will be all over the place so it's fun to get together when we can!!!

An Afternoon of Good Friends and Play-Dough!

Please no one be jealous of my awesome work schedule!! Considering that school has been in session 7 weeks, and we have only had one full week of school. Yes, you read correctly one full week. This past week, Fall Recess!! Thank you for two days off and a Monday work day. So, one of those days, I decided to go to Logan and see some friends.

We had a great day. Went to the most awesome hamburger place for lunch and then AriAnna, Hunter and myself hit up the shopping. In the process, AriAnna bought Hunter a play-dough thing that makes hamburgers. He was so excited and held on to it the whole time. He almost made it in time to play with it but about ten minutes from the house, he fell asleep.

So, the little guy is asleep and what do two 27 year old women do..... Play with play-dough!!! It was so funny! We just started looking at it and then decided to see how it works. And boy, we made some masterpieces!

Oh the happiness on our faces to be playing with playdough. Below, the wonderful masterpiece!



Every time AriAnna and I get together, we have such a great time. We talk for hours about everything and it's so good to get together and visit. And even if it's conversation admist a bunch of play-dough made for kids 3 and up, it is so worth it!

Once a Cowgirl, Always a Cowgirl

I don't mean to have a theme for these blogs but I guess lately, it's cowgirls!!! I went home to Idaho a few weeks ago to watch my little brother Josh play a mean football game and also to help with the annual "Moving Cows" weekend. Bringing cows down from the upper place has always been a fun family affair. Gas up the motorcycles, four wheelers and pickups and get to work!

Not only do we get to ride all over on our "toys" but it's beautiful there too!!!
Nate and Josh on their bikes. They got a little muddy but of course they loved it!

My awesome dad! We always have so much fun bringing the cows down and working them. It's a super busy time but always a fun time and that also means that fall is coming!!!

Just a little bit of Randomness...

I love the Keplers and the Johnsons. I went to Logan a few Mondays ago to have dinner with my best friend and her family. It was so good to catch up with Keith and MarLa. They are great! And Hunter was on a roll!!! Threw a crayon right in Ryan's drink!!! I think basketball should be in his future!!!
This is pretty much the sweetest bruise I have had in a while. While up at Snowbird on a date with Josh, I had to show off a little bit when it came to riding the mechanical bull. As I climb on, I hear from Josh, "Let's see it cowgirl" Talk about pressure...So, I got situated and this was the result. The arm form was excellent but I am only about a 3 second rider. As I hit the "soft" landing and did some crazy volleyball roll and in the process came out with this sweet bruise. So, yes- I am a true cowgirl, but this cowgirl can bruise!!!

We have been living in our house for a year now. What a year it has been. Though we don't see each other much, we've had a great time in this house. We decided to have a "Wednesday Weannie Roast" to celebrate the occasion. It was just a select few. The important people in our lives!Josh and I



We have had a great year in this house. We just signed another year lease so I am looking forward to another great year.

Boating: The time of my life

The Annual 30th ward Boating Trip happened last weekend. Melissa and I went up Friday afternoon. We loaded the car with coolers, sleeping bags, swim suits and towels. After we finally found the place, we had a good time getting to know people from our ward and also make some new friends.

After a fun night of chatting, eating and boating people started leaving and about 11 we started to prepare for a long nights sleep in the Honda!!! We ended up not having a tent like planned so in the Honda we were. It was a long night but we had a good time. Because of the nights sleep,we ended up getting up pretty early and hitting the lake. 7:30 am, Melissa, Ryan, Devin and I were on the lake. And it was that morning where I got up for the first time on a Slalom ski!!! Thanks Devin for taking us out that early morning and for kindly encourging me to get into that freezing cold lake!!! You're awesome!!!

Horray for a fun day of sunshine and skiing. And Melissa on the wake board!

I love boating and love to be outside! It was a fun weekend and can't wait for the next boating adventure and my chance to attempt the Slalom one more time!