Christmas

This year was Max First Christmas

Also the year that Zack really got into it meaning that he opened his own and wanted to open everyone else presents.

Oh how much fun it was to see Zack finally wanting to open up his own and got in to Christmas.

Even Max had some fun.

Even though Christmas was on a Sunday and we went to Church.(we are church going people)

Sacrament was still nice (and that was all there was) we sang a lot of Christmas hymns and several little talks.

After we got home changed and did our parts in making the food That we were assigned to We headed to mom's and dad's house for the BIG family get together. It was loud,CRAZY and a whole lot of fun.

My Nephew Ben now does what his dad (when he was still alive) did he is the one that sort out the presents and hands them out. When we all open our presents from each other.

It is such a wonderful day being with Family.

modern technology---who needs it?

Why do you need a i-pod, a DS, a cell, a Kindle or any other modern gadget when you have this to entertain you.

You are seeing this right; 5 teen boys being entertained by watching Max sleep.

Then some more relatives decided to watch him sleep, and when he woke up they played with him. So who really needs modern technology?
This was taken out in UT at Thanksgiving.

Fun times with the cousins

While we were out in UT for Thanksgiving we spent a few days with Janice, Jared and their kids.

One of the days we took all of them to McD's for lunch. This McD's is a music theme.

The area that they are in is the kiddy area (that is when I was able to take some pics.)

Everything that you see in that play area made some sort of music.

Oh, on a side note, this is what Zack and Joesph kept doing.

Such funny boys they were together the entire time that they were together.

They were laughing and giggling, having a good time with each other.

What a fun day for all of us.

Even we adults had a lot of fun as well.

90

My grandpa is 90 years old and still going on 16.

This is what he kept doing to the 9

I hope I am as lively and alert when I am his age. Also not forgetting a wonderful person.

Thank you

The Ipson family extends our unwavering gratitude to our veterans. You valiantly protected and do protect this, the greatest nation in the world. You are always in our prayers! I hope that we always prove ourselves worthy of your great sacrifices! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ben and I are instilling in our boys a love for this great nation, our brave men and women that valiantly serve in the military and reverence and respect for our beloved flag.

Even as a small baby.

Thanks again for all that you do past, present and future.

Three Years

It has been three long years since my nearly perfect brother-in-law, Duane passed away. I wish things got easier, or you missed him less, but its not that way -- it is still hard for all of us. So, this year I am going to share one of my earliest, sweet memories of Duane. Becky and Duane met and started to date when I was only 8 year old, they were so inseparable that they would stay up late, talking through the night. Duane’s parents didn't want him driving home so late at night so sometimes he just crashed on the sofa.

One Saturday morning I came out of my room to watch cartoons as I normally did, however, I saw someone on the sofa and raced back to my parent’s room scared! I told my Mom there was a man on the sofa and she just very casually told me, “Megan, don’t worry, it’s just Duane.” I smiled, shrugged my shoulders and thought “Oh, ok.” And went back out to the living room, turned the TV, sat crossed-leg on the floor and started to watch cartoons. I must’ve woke Duane up, because he turned over saw that I was watching cartoons, got up, went into the kitchen poured himself and me a bowel of cereal, came back to where I was in front of the TV, gave me mine, sat down next to me on the floor and we watch cartoons together.

I dearly love and miss my brother-in-law. He really was so much more like a big brother to me and I will always cherish those little moments we shared. He really did make my world more secure, happier and complete.

Halloween

This year we did Computer theme

Ben-Space Bar

Zack- Esc Key

Max-The Mouse

Me-Any Key

Gotta love Halloween it is such a fun Holiday get to dress up in something completely different and get to eat LOTS of CANDY see all the different costumes. Also in my family we order PIZZA.

Fish & Chips

This is Zack's version of Fish & Chips. What more can I say?

I Will Never Forget! Will You?

For the husband who told his wife I love you one last time before his plane went down in a field, for the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say I will love you forever, for the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died,for the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves, for the soldiers who fought back and lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember♥

Today marks 10 years since the attack. Our lives changed forever.

We as a country, united together and became close to one another. We wanted to fight for our country.

For those of us who are still standing lets stand together, fight together to elect into office the right people to make this country a better one, to rebuild it into what it was intended to be. A great country...One nation, under God, indivisible!

Ben and I are fighting for our country, we stand united with the purpose rebuild this into "One nation, under God, indivisible! Ben and I are teaching our boys that we need to stand-up for our rights!

What are you guys doing? Are you forgetting? I am NOT!!!!

Blessing Day

Maxwell Benjamin Ipson was blessed on September 4, 2011.

My wonderful in-laws were able to travel from Utah to participate with Max's naming and blessing. Joining Ben in the circle was: My Dad, Pete; Ben's Dad, Larry, Ben's Uncle Alan, Bishop Clutter, Bro. Long, and our Home Teacher Bro. Randy Hill. My nephew Ben, held the microphone. It was a very spiritual sweet moment in our lives. We are so blessed to have this funny, loving little man join our family.

Max looks a bit bored by the whole proceedings. He was an absolute angel and never peeped a sound during the blessing. He wore the gown that his great-grandmother Durney sent Zackary for his blessing. Again, I cannot stress enough what a wonderful day it was. The next day we celebrated his blessing with a combined family barbeque!

The combined family that gathered for the blessing! Minus my grandparents and Richard & Phyllis Summers.

Happy Birthday Max!

Love really is the very essence of life!
Happy birthday and welcome to the wacky Ipson world! Our little boy was born August 1, 2011 at 11:07 a.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 12.4 oz. and is 21-3/4" long! He has wave sandy hair and is very alert! Ben and I couldn't be happier, our life together just keeps getting better and better. I am truly blessed and am overwhelmed by the love our Heavenly Father has for me. I never thought I would be so blessed. I am deeply in love with Ben, Zack and our new little Maxwell Benjamin!

Yep, the ticker is right -- I am . . .

40 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I am officially overdue.

Just Call Me Oscar . . .

The combination of the oppressive heat and being 9 months pregnant has turned me into:

The good news is, if I do not deliver this little one by Monday morning, I am going to be induced. Ben and I are to report to the hospital at 5 a.m. Monday, August 1st. Thank you Ben for being so loving and patient!

Barefoot and Pregnant

I had my weekly OB/GYN visit today and I am dilated to a 2-3. It won't be long now. 9 more days until I am due. I can't wait for this new little one to become a part of our family.

Yes, I know . . . Barefoot and Pregnant! Hehehe!

I am truly blessed!

Left My Camera at Home!

Zack and I went to McD's with my Mom, big Sister and 5 nieces today. It was noisey, crowded and wild! But Zack loved playing with his cousins -- especially Grace, Hannah and his buddy, Emma. The older group (from Katie up to Mom) sat and discussed the most recent Harry Potter movie. We had a wonderful time. About 10 minutes before we left, Zack started interacting with another 2 year old boy. (Isaac) and the 2 of them were bouncing their little bums off the emergency door and making it rattle. Each time it rattled, they would burst out in hysterical laughing. You just couldn't help but laugh with them. I hated to pull them apart but it was already after 2 and way past nap time -- at least for me! As we were leaving little Isaac called out, "Bye-bye Uncle Zack!" (he has an Uncle Zack) It just melted our hearts.

Life is blessed and just a touch of giggles.

National Ice Cream Day and Romance!

Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984. He also appointed the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan recognized the popularity of ice cream in the United States (90% of the nation's population consumes ice cream)and stated that these two events hould be observed with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

I married into an ice cream lovin' family. They don't take their passion for this frozen treat lightly, they pile bowls full to celebrate even the slightest occasion and being a true Ipson my little Zack has become a true ice cream officienado. His favorite at this moment is Strawberry -- YUMMY! On Zack's 2nd birthday when we had difficulty getting downstairs to open his presents, we asked him; "Zack, do you want some ice cream?" and lickety split, he flattened out his body and slid down the stairs in a matter of a second. Of course, we temporarily skipped the presents and devoured cake and ice cream!

So, why am I discussing ice cream, other than it is National Ice Cream Month? On Sunday, we celebrated National Ice Cream day with giant waffle cones filled with ice cream and my precious, loving, romantic husband had attached a silver ice cream cone charm on my cone. He said it was to represent ice cream day and becoming a Mom again, but I've always wanted an ice cone to represent him on my bracelet. So, to me it represents all of that, but mostly, my sweet my husband.

I love my husband so much, I couldn't have asked for a better, harder-working, more honorable man. I am truly blessed.

Love Is the Very Essence of Life . . . .

Barnett Family Reunion 2010

"Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arched across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, and neighbors! Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue."

— Gordon B. Hinckley (Standing Something Cd: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts And Homes)

Thank you President Hinckley for this reminder. I am so blessed to have my life filled with love.

Like Father Like Son!

Ben loves to eat plain lemons, my dear little Zacky does, too!