July 3rd, Stadium of FIRE!!!

STADIUM OF FIRE!!!!! Awesome performance by Carrie Underwood. My favorite was the "fly by" by the US Air Force!!! What a magical night. Also our 17 year anniversary!!!

Through the Years with Jim and Grace

As a young adult I wrote a poem for my dad entitled, “Fix it Daddy, fix it!” In this poem I mentioned several things that couldn’t necessarily be fixed with glue or a hammer and nails. After reflecting upon the deeper meaning of this poem I realize that these things could indeed be fixed through a Mother and Father’s love. The love of my mother and father has brought me much happiness in this life. My dad is Mr. Fix It! He can fix anything and everything and if he can’t it is just probably time to get a new one anyway! Being the last to leave the nest I had a lot of opportunity to spend time with my parents’ one on one. I will never for get my mother’s many rolls as she served in callings, volunteered and worked in the community, loved and cheered me on in my activities, nurtured and taught me in the way that I should go. I will always be indebted to them and the sacrifices that they made to provide and ensure my brother; sisters and I were reared in love and righteousness. They provided for our physical and spiritual needs as they taught us to love and serve one another. All that I am I owe to them and their special care in teaching and loving us even to this day. I love them and am so happy to celebrate this very special Golden Anniversary with them. Happy 50th mom and Dad!

We celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary in Utah on July 2, 2010! It was so wonderful being together as a family! We enjoyed visiting with their guest and catching up on old times. Congratulations to mom and dad being married for 50!!!!

Hannah

I love my grandparents!! They are so super cute!! One of my fav. memories was when grandma took Karson and I shoe shopping. It was super duper fun and we can always swap shoes because we are the same size. Don’t get me started on Grandpa!! He is a PARTAY animal!! One of my memories with him was when we made these cool battery things with him. It was super sciency with all these wires and stuff. He is so smart!! I’m smart 2 cuz I know my grandparents are da bomb!!


Grayson

On of my favorite memories I have with Grandma and Grandpa is going to the dollar store. We got to go to the $ store and buy five things each. It was so fun. I still have some of the things I got. It will be a memory I will always remember and cherish. I am so grateful to have such wonderful loving Grandparents.


Marisa,

(The real one)
I remember when you held me when I was a baby because of pictures. Love Marisa

(The one I wrote for her)
Some of my favorite memories of grandma and grandpa are the theme parties. Every year usually in the summer they come or we go there for a visit and Grandma and Grandpa put on a big party. We have had a Fiesta, Luau, Pirate Party, and a Cowboy party. It is so fun. I love my grandparents!!

Jeff

One memory of the Roeders that I will not forget was the first time that I met them. I had been dating Shannon for a few months when she decided that it was time for me to go to Colorado Springs and meet the parents. I was naturally apprehensive about meeting the patents and wanted to make a good impression. Several times I thought about heading back to Logan without meeting. However, from the second I came into their home Jim and Grace were friendly and welcoming. They both made me feel comfortable and relaxed. It felt like coming into the home of a good friend. Since that first visit Jim and Grace have been kind and gracious. I look forward to their visits and enjoy spending time together with them as a family. I appreciate their righteous example and deeply appreciate all they have done for myself, Shannon and our family.

Cake, cake, cake!!!

JUNE 28th, Marisa's 7th birthday! Marisa was so lucky this year she got to celebrate at home with friends before her birthday and at cousin's camp on her actual birthday with her cousins. Needless to say there was lots of CAKE!!!

Which path will you take?

A couple of months ago we were able to go on a wonderful 3 day hiking trip to Southern Utah. Jeff is an amazing tour guide! He read and researched where we should go, wrote out an agenda and organized the whole thing. There were about 14 of us so it was no small task. I often think about Father Lehi when we embark on such an adventure. Keeping everyone happy is a difficult task. Thank goodness there was little murmuring. One of the rules to qualify to go on this trip was NO complaining. In fact before the 3 day event my little nephews had to go on a practice hike with no complaining or carrying before their parents would allow them to qualify for the real hiking trip. We were about to do some serious hiking!

We were able to see some of the most beautiful creations. It is amazing how glorious and different each area we hiked was. One in particular was called “Spooky.” It is a slot canyon where wind and water have eroded a large crevice within a huge rock formation. Now this crevice is large enough for SOME people to pass through from one end to the other. As we faced the entrance we realized that not everyone in our party would be able to make it through the tight constricting passage way and instead they would have to walk up and around and meet us at the end.

We parted and went forward with some sadness that everyone would not be able to experience the adventure, the challenges and the beauty that was found inside. Inside the canyon it was squishy, a whole new meaning to “get skinny.” There were some curves where your chest and your back were flush against both walls. We had to strattle turrets, push and pull each other through holes and hard patches. We had to work together to ensure every ones safe exit on the other side of this grand formation. We made it through and we realized we didn’t know where to go next so we decided to follow the path with the most footprints. We had to climb up a steep sandy hill at the top was a vast plane of desert beauty. We went a little ways and to our great joy we could see the ones we had left behind coming to meet us. Now I don’t know exactly what THEIR journey was like but the point is we all got there.

In life we are all going to take different paths and have different journeys but hopefully we will all get there! ETERNAL LIFE is our goal. When our chest and our backs are up against the wall, and when we need someone to push or pull us through a trial, I hope that we will be able to turn to one another more importantly, “Turn to the Lord.”

Recently I read a conference talk entitled “Turn to the Lord” by Donald Hallstrom. In the talk he says “Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually.” Lets face it we all have EARTHLY CIRCUMSTANCES. He said, “deal with these matters directly and with all the strength you have. “Hold on thy way” and without delay turn to the Lord. Let him share your burdon. In the most difficult circumstances of life there is only one source of peace. The Prince of Peace Jesus Christ.”

“The most exemplary act was the atonement. It required Jesus to suffer the “pains of all men.” The atonement is for all men and all pains. Not just a means to over come sin. If we turn to the Lord and put our trust in Him he will deliver us in His time. He will not allow us to suffer more than we can bear. He will forever light our way our truth and our life. He is our brother and our Savior. He loves us and he alone left foot prints for us to follow. I am grateful that he has given us a living prophet Thomas S. Monson on the earth today to guide our paths and help direct us in the ways that we should go.

I testify of the truthfulness of this Gospel and the remarkable way that it was brought again to this earth. I applaud Joseph Smith his strength and his courage to take on and complete such and awesome task that would come to lead so many to a path of righteousness and eternal life. I love him and am indebted to him. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding…and he shall direct thy paths. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

THANKSGIVING in MAY?

This was so beautiful! We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. We were visiting for our Nephews baptism. It was a perfect day!

HALLELUJAH!

I cannot think of a better way to culminate the Easter season than singing the Messiah! The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society performed Parts II "The Passion and Resurrection" and III "Hope of Eternal Life" of Handel's Messiah yesterday at Artemus Ham Hall at UNLV. We were accompanied by a full orchestra which is a real treat!! It was an amazing experience. We have been working on this music since January and let me tell you every minute counted!!! There are 150 pages of music that make up parts II and III of the Messiah. The texts are based on Bible passages and repeat them selves but in intricate weaving melodies. It is hard to believe that this music was composed int just 24 days! Frideric Handel must have truly been inspired and guided in composing such a masterpiece!!! As we rehearsed and rehearsed this beautiful music I was touched by the spirit and found such peace and love in the message that it brings. "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."

Photo's after the Concert!

SUN DANCE!

Spring Break Skiing! Grandma and Grandpa Boyce took Jeff and the Kids skiing. The kids had a blast learning to ski for the first time! We finally purchased coats this year! We have never really had a need for winter coats living here in Vegas. I decided this was the year. I bought them all a size too big so they will last for a while. We borrowed everything else from friends and family members to complete our skiing get ups. I don't ski! Plus I hurt my back recently from falling while ice skating with the kids so no chance for me!!! It was a beautiful day! The kids went to ski school in the morning and then we broke for lunch and we barley finished our sandwiches before the kids were getting on their gear for more!

Heading to the Ski Lift!

Here comes Hannah!

Followed by Marisa!

Watch out for Gray, he was a speed demon!

Here is Jeff the pro! It was so fun to see him skiing! He has always been a great skier. He hasn't been able to ski much since we've been married. I wonder why? He is still a champ!