Saying goodbye to Brian

 

I have been avoiding my blog for so long because I knew this was the next thing I needed to talk about. I guess writing it down will make it real, and I don't want it to be real. I want to wake up and tell Brian about my terrible dream and to never ride a dirt bike again. I met Brian just over 10 years ago, but I feel like I've known him my whole life, it was an instant friendship.

 

I first read about a missionary named Elder Buttars from Randy. He was so excited to have him as his companion and even more excited that they were distant relatives! I still don't know exactly how they are related... something like Randy's great grandfather and Brian's great grandfather were brothers. But it didn't matter- they thought of themselves as brothers. They loved and fought like brothers. During one of their fights Brian said, "I can't do anything right around here" and Randy never let him live that one down. Randy would say that they would be in a fight and Randy would want to stay mad but Brian would have this grin on his face or do something to try to make Randy laugh. Believe me, he made some funny faces... and he had the BEST smile ever! They served together for 4 months in the Olangapo, Philippines Mission and lived in the same apartment but with different companions for another 4 months. Brian was with Randy when I got mad at him and told him I wasn't going to write for a while... which Brian called my "dear John" letter. He said that Randy came out of the house and kicked a bucket of water so hard and it almost hit Brian. I'm going to miss that story.

 

After Brian got home from his mission, he set up a vacation with his family and some of his old missionary companions. Randy and I had just gotten married and were living in Utah. I think Brian felt bad taking Randy away from me right after we had gotten married so I was invited too. We hurried back from our Oklahoma reception and chose to go to Lake Powell for our honeymoon with the Buttars family, the McGregor and Simkins (neighbors & friends of the Buttars), and three other missionary companions. I know a lot of people thought I was crazy... but it was the best decision I ever made. This was when I first met Brian and his family and to this day it is one of my favorite memories and favorite vacation. We became instant friends and like I said earlier, I felt like I knew them my whole life.

 

November 30th, Randy called me from work. I started talking to him like I normally do and asked how he was doing... it took me a while to realize that he said "not good". I had to step back and ask what was wrong. He had just found out that Brian had passed away Saturday, November 28th. Brian was born for Utah and the mountains. He loved to mountain bike, ski, ride dirt bikes, all that fun stuff that Utah offers. He was out on his dirt bike and somehow got into an accident that basically killed him immediately. No one saw exactly what happened. We couldn't get to Utah fast enough... we needed to be there with our dear family the Buttars which now included Brian's wife Colette (who was two weeks away from having their 3rd child) Brian's son Cole(3),and his daughter Hallie(2).

BYU vs USF

 

As I mentioned before, Noah was so sweet to get us some great seats so we could help cheer him on. We were so excited because not only were we going to see Noah play, but we were there for his very first starting position!! His name, his picture, and our hometown (BARTLESVILLE, OK!!) lit up over the big screen at the Energy Solutions Center where the Utah Jazz play! It was so awesome!!

 

Randy taught seminary for 3 years and Noah was one of his students. They have stayed friends ever since. Noah even let Randy cut his hair one time... now that takes some trust!! We went to all the games when Noah played in high school and have always enjoyed watching him play. I think for Randy it brought him back to the days he played basketball for Bartlesville (he was really good) and he could relive those days again through Noah.

 

We met up with Noah after the game. He played AWESOME! We were so proud of him. He played most of the game until they sat the starters. Yes... BYU beat USF!! Side note: Randy bought this awesome BYU pullover that he is wearing in the picture. I didn't find anything so I just wore what I had been wearing all day. As we were going to our seats I leaned over to Russ Madsen and said jokingly, "I hope San Francisco isn't green!" He started laughing and said, "Actually, they are!" Just my luck! I'm down in the BYU family section wearing USF colors! Luckily when they took off their green warm-ups they were wearing yellow!

 

I love this picture of Noah and his fiance, Kendall. She actually made this to say "Hartsock" and I thought it was adorable. Kendall is so sweet, Noah really found himself a great girl. We also met her sister, Ashton, which was fun since we have an Ashton. They are both super sweet girls and we enjoyed getting to know them better too!

Hanging out in Utah

 

Randy and I lost a dear, dear friend right after Thanksgiving- Brian Buttars. We hurried up to Utah to be with his sweet family and stayed with our friend, Russ Madsen. We spent most of our time with the Buttars, but we did find some time to go up to Park City and see one of Russ' stores, Wolf Summit Golf. It's an awesome store! Those of you into golf or hockey should check it out! Here is Randy and Russ standing outside of the store.

 

Randy also placed a call to Noah Hartsock, who is playing basketball for BYU, to let him know we would be in town while BYU was playing San Francisco. Noah got us some great seats, and we cheered super loud for him! Russ is very appreciative to Randy for taking him to the game in this picture! Just kidding! Those two boys are crazy when they get together!

 

After the game (which was at the Energy Solutions Center in SLC) we headed over to Temple Square to see the lights. Now that is something that you should always take time to see if you are in SLC during the Christmas season!

 

It was so cold, but there were people everywhere enjoying the beauty of the season and the spirit of Christmas on Temple Square.

Christmas Party cont'd

 

The Christmas party also included face painting. Most of the kids came away with something Christmas, but not Austin. He saw the skeleton bones and had to have it! Ashton also got her face painted with a pink tree like Addie.

 

The kids got to fish for a snack. I think Ashton got gold fish, her favorite snack. Austin got cookies and I think Avery got Teddy Bears and Addie got fruit snacks or something like that!

 

And they had a craft station to make an ornament for the tree. They really enjoyed doing that too.

 

And to top off the night... we received a Christmas concert from Aaron Neville. It was funny that he was our entertainment this year because Randy is always trying to imitate his voice! We had a great time and the kids totally crashed when we got home.

COP Christmas Party

 

ConocoPhillips had their Christmas Party again at the Bartlesville Community Center. We had such a great time... and there were so many activities for the kids to do. Our first thing was to grab a picture with Santa! We got there before the line got long luckily!

 

Here are the kids letting Santa know what they want for Christmas. Avery and Austin want motor bikes and Addie wants a bicycle.

 

They also had BoBo the clown there making balloon creations. Austin had him make a sword and the girls wanted poodles.

 

Ashton loves her green poodle... can you tell?

Girls Weekend!

So, my friends and I are the "crazy moms" that like the Twilight series. There, I admitted it!! But more importantly, Amanda came up with a great idea last year to make this a really memorably "movie night" by heading down to Dallas for the weekend. And the tradition has stuck. Once again, for the premiere of New Moon, we headed down to Dallas for a girls weekend. Here I am with Natalie Springer and Amanda Vaclaw in the lobby of our hotel.



Our first night Lauren got us reservations at Maggiano's for dinner. Yummy!! Here I am with Emilie Vaclaw, Natalie Springer, and Lauren Murray. We ate like this all weekend! Dallas has some great restaurants... and yes, we got dessert at every place we ate! Movies, shopping, and eating... what more can I say!



We got our midnight showing tickets at an awesome IMAX theatre. This theatre was very smart and decided to show Twilight to those who had purchased tickets to New Moon. So of course we bought tickets for that also so we could have good seats for New Moon. It was a great night and great weekend! Sadly my camera was out of batteries so I don't have any more pics, but I have some great memories! I grabbed this pic from Lauren's facebook! This is us at the theatre: MaryAnn Egan, Lori Ahlert, Mary Eve, Chelsea Eve,(next row) Robbie Vaclaw, Stacy Lard, Jacque Bulliegh, Natalie Springer, me, Lauren Murray, and Amy Christiansen.

From Picture to Reality...

 

My father-in-law is an amazing woodworker. It's always been a hobby of his... if you can't find him in the house he's probably in the garage working on a project (or he's at the golf course- the life of a retiree!). In fact, my whole Christmas tree is loaded with beautiful ornaments that he made from his scrollsaw. I had to buy a seperate Christmas tree for my kids to decorate because I love my Christmas tree with just his ornaments! I've never asked him to make me anything even though there have been many times I've wanted to. I always felt bad asking for something for myself. I tried to talk Randy into either asking him to make me something or apprenticing with his dad so he could learn how to do what his dad does! I think it's an amazing talent. Well, I finally got the courage up when I saw a picture in a magazine. I love organization and I've always wanted something at the door for the kids to be able to sit and take their shoes, coats, hats, scarfs, etc. off or on. I didn't think it looked too difficult so I asked- and he agreed! This is it's first public showing... can you tell how proud I am!!! There are times that I just stand there and stare at it. Thanks, Papa John!! I LOVE IT!! It means so much more to me because it comes from you! I know it took a lot of time and effort and I really appreciate it- I love you very much.