Cherie

This beautiful lady is my sweet niece Cherie St. John. She has been fighting Breast Cancer with courage, faith, determination, humor and love. She has been an inspiration to me. No matter how you look at it Cancer is no fun and not for the weak. Most of the time when you ask her how she is doing she will say "Better than I should be." Alway a positive attitude. Cherie has always been full of fun and when she is around there is a lot of laughter. I love that she always sees the good in everyone. As she is losing her battle I want her to know that I love her and think the world of her. I can also say I know that all the Brooks love her and that she is one of their favorites.

LOVE YOU CHERIE

 I love her smile, when you see it you can't help but smile also.

 Even when she lost her hair she is a beauty with class and style.

Cherie with her cute sisters.

A little update on Jack and a big update on our blog

To begin with it has been to long since I have updated my blog so I thought it was about time I did that. So now it is post overload. Read what you want (if anyone is reading these), but at least we will have a record of what has been going on.

As for Jack, he is now on his third round of chemo on Tuesday he will start his 3 week break. His last (on the 29th of Jan.) MRI showed no growth in the area where the tumor was and the Doctor kept saying that the MRI looked good. His blood was also good, right where they need to be. We were very encouraged We are so thankful and know it is because of all the prayers in our behalf. Thank you. Another thing that has became very clear to us is that things are in the Lord's hands and that it is His timing and not ours.

McKinley's Big Day

On February the 2nd McKinley was baptize a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How very proud we are of her deciction to do this. It was a great day and McKinley was very excited to take this step. What a cutie she is.

Just before the program started.

Her and her Dad

We are so glad we could be a part of this great day. Love you McKinley!!!!

Winter Wonderland

It all started about the 10th of January when we got back from VA with the snow coming and then it snowed and snowed and snowed. I think we were starting to think it would never stop. And boy was it cold!!! After it was all said and done it was the coolest January since 1949 and the snowiest since 1993. I am glad that we could hunker down in a nice warm home and wait the storms out.

View from Mom's basement at the beginning of the storm.

Same view as more snow came, the tree is more buried.

View out the front door, we got 25 inches in this storm with more storms to come.

After about a month without seeing the sun it was a welcome sight.

Everybody  had a lot of icicles hanging everywhere, love the sun on them.

Spending Time With Grandpa = Priceless

One of the best parts of going to VA was spending time with the Grandkids. We don't get to see them very often so it is great to spend time with them. Here are a few pictures with Kristy's kids and Grandpa. I am behind the camera but I loved my time with them also.

Grandpa telling Mitchell and Zachary about when he was little and while riding his horse he got caught in with a heard of wild horses.

 After they got out their horses Grandpa had given them to play with.

I don't know who was telling who a big story. Maybe Grandpa and Ellie wasn't too sure about it.

Ellie and Grandpa

Mitchell and Grandpa

 Zachary and Grandpa

Other Things We Did

While we were in VA one of Kristy's friends Jack Armantrout, who loves fishing as much as Jack, took Jack out twice to see if they could get anything. You know Jack loved it as even though he was very tried when he got back he felt it was worth it.  

Both Jacks excited to be going fishing.

Jack with a Big Mouth Bass, love his big smile. I think he is glad to be out in nature and in the sun.

Jack with a Crappie and yes they are a small fish.

Besides being with the kids I did put this puzzle together. A family tradition for as long as I can remember. We always put a puzzle together between Christmas and New Year.

Tyler, Kristy, Jack and I went to two movies while we were there. Jack and I don't go to movies very often so this was a treat for us. All I can say is that Les Miserables was amazing, loved it. The other movie we saw was Lincoln which was also great. I think we hit the jackpot.

Christmas Morning

After we all got downstair it was time to see what was in our stockings.

Ellie helping Coco get his stocking opened.

I think he was more excited then the kids and had his toy ripped apart in no time.

After all the gifts were opened it was time to try them out. A relaxing rest of the day.

Zach got a new DS and they all enjoyed it. Some of my favorite people.

Zach sure is a gift to all. Love this boy.

Love his smile.

Some Ellie and Zach time.

We had a great Christmas and we can't thank Tyler and Kristy enough. I think some good memories were made and that is what Christmas is all about.

A Warm, Relaxing Christmas!!! Christmas Eve

Tyler and Kristy invited Jack and I to spend Christmas with them in VA this year, so glad things worked out so we were able to. The weather was warm and it was very relaxing for us. Tyler and Kristy sure spoiled us. It was so nice to be away from doctors and not worry about things.

And the stocking were hung by the chimney with care (we did add ours).

The tree waiting for Santa.

Reading some Christmas books.

As tradition we had a little program . Ellie playing the piano.

Mitchell did also.

Zach entertained us with some songs he learned at Pre-school.

It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without the Christmas Story from Luke, Jack did the honors.

We finished up the evening watching "It's A Wonderful Life". Sure makes it Christmas!!!!

It was a great Christmas Eve even though we missed all the rest of the family it was nice to have a low key Christmas Eve with Kristy's family.

The Lights Are Magical

The first of December Jack's sister and his niece came to visit again. We are so happy when they come. We took them to see the lights at Station Park in Farmington and Temple Square. We were so glad that with them here we made the effort to see the lights, it has been way too long since we have been to Temple Square. I love all the lights at this time of the year, they are just so magical.

Fountain at Station Park in Farmington of course with Christmas Music .

 Love this picture of Jack and Merrilyn, the love they have for each other is fun to see.

 Christmas Tree with presents under. I think they did a great job with their decorations.


More of the fountain. 

You know that while we were at Station Park we had to have a pizza and this yummy dessert.

 Temple Square, nothing better.

 The red trees are my favorite.

My little bit of decorating this year, love my Santas (I know the picture is blurry but you get the idea).