My Adam

Blogworthy? Perhaps not. I just think Adam's niece is really cute.

The other day, Adam's parents were babysitting our little niece Alyvia. When I got there she said, "Hey Jen!" Then pointed to Adam and said, "There's your Adam, Jen." Later, Adam left to use the restroom. Alyvia looked at me and said, "Jen? Where did your Adam go?" I think it's sooo cute that she knows we're a packaged deal. Also, while Alyvia has granted me ownership of Adam, she has not done the same for him yet...he's my Adam...but I'm just Jen...at least in her world so far. What a cute girl she is.

Within 6 Months

Yesterday, December 20, 2008, was the six month mark...and now there is officially less than six months until Adam and I get married. Hurrah! Updates: My mom made the model dress and will be starting on the real deal soon...we are still getting fabric and stuff together. We have bridesmaid fabric...it is lovely. We've picked our tuxes...I think...and our colors. Location is still under consideration but the Logan temple is in the #1 spot as of today. Woohoo! Less than 6 months!

My Nana's Funeral

My Nana's funeral was on Monday, December 15th. My camera's battery died so these are all stolen from Aliese's blog. I could get my dad's camera and put the effort into doing things myself but why do that when I can just theive them? Anyway, at the funeral, Adam, Jacob, Darrin (BIL), and my dad were all paul bearers (plus two cousins, Dad's uncle, and some guy).

It was FREEZING outside...with wind chill it was something like 9 degrees...it was cold though.
While the boys were paul bearing we got a picture with just the girls. Of note: at my grandad's funeral 3 years ago (almost to the day) a picture of our family was taken and it is seriously the best picture we have ever had. As the upcoming pictures show, funerals/a good cry yield great family pictures. Below is Mom, Natalie, Aliese, and me.

And here's the family picture...quite a good one really. Me, Adam, Jacob, Natalie, Aliese, Darrin, Mom, Dad.
After the dedication of the grave, I was ready to go...it was SO COLD...but my dad is a chatter (I guess he has the right to linger at chat at his mom's funeral though) so Adam and I huddled in near this tree to hide from the wind. Apparently people thought it was a prime photo opt because Natalie and Aliese both took a few pictures (we're not looking at the camera but I still like it ok...even though or eyes are squinty). Then Aliese and Darrin like the pose so much they got some too.

After the funeral, my dad took us all out to Olive Garden. I just realized this is the only picture in which I have a neck. I was scarfed in all the others. The picture of Natalie was taken by Aliese...it's Natalie with my dad's camera, she was given the job of taking pictures throughout the whole thing...so Aliese got one of her.

My Nana

Leone Beckstead Chipman 1929 ~ 2008
Leone Beckstead Chipman passed away Wednesday December 10, 2008 at her oldest daughter's home surrounded by family members. She fought a valiant and courageous battle of Multiple Sclerosis, all the while keeping her sense of humor. She was born in Salt Lake City on May 11, 1929. Her parents are Merrill H. and Vera Leone Wheeler Beckstead. Leone graduated from East High School. She did beautiful embroidery and also wrote poetry. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She held many positions in the church and served in various presidencies but she particularly enjoyed Relief Society. She married Lester Chipman in the Salt Lake Temple on June 19, 1951. They had three children. Leone is survived by her children; Kathy Felt-Harris (Tom), Stephen Chipman (Carolyn), RaKell Kilpatrick (Andy), her grandchildren; Chad Felt (Lisa Bendtsen), Todd Felt (Shanna), Aliese Fry (Darrin), Jennifer Chipman, Jacob Chipman, Natalie Chipman, and Jessica Chipman, and her great-grandson, Ethan Felt; and brothers and sisters, Merrill Beckstead (Nanette), Judy Billeter, Diane Berntsen, Cheryl Ford (Clyde), Leo Beckstead (Lorene), and sister-in-law, Colleen Diamond. Preceded in death by husband, parents and brother-in-law, Bud Billeter. Graveside services will be held at 12:00 Noon, Monday, December 15, 2008 at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family will receive friends at a viewing Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, and Monday from 11:00-11:45 A.M. at the mortuary prior to services. Interment - Wasatch Lawn Cemetery.

Major Catch up

I have been crazy busy and finally have had a chance to update...sorry about the overload but at least there are pictures!

First, my friends, brittany and kody, got married on December 3rd and I was one of the witnesses (I'll email you all the pictures I have, Brit). They did a tiny civil ceremony and will do the big bit next month.

Kody, Brittany, me, & Krista are signing the paperwork.

Brittany and Kody - while the judge was reading their vows.

Their first kiss as husband and wife

Next, while I was waiting for Brittany and Kody's marriage license to process, I got a text from the future SIL, Lindsay. She had her baby that morning. So now I have a cute little [almost] nephew, Max Wesley.

This is all I've seen of baby Max so far...cute picture I'd say.

And now we shall rewind back to Thanksgiving...all the pictures are stolen from Aliese's blog because I'm lazy. We had a small Thanksgiving with just my immediate family and my ill grandmother. It was quite lovely...all homemade food eaten on china...our Thanksgiving's are very fancy pants.


We played games that night...and pretty much every night the whole weekend. Note: I didn't sleep the night before Thanksgiving or the night of...and when I don't sleep, I get quite hyper...it's as close to being drunk as I'll ever be...the picture of me covering my face is because I started laughing so hard I was bawling...not cute.

After the games, Adam and I went shopping...around 1 am ish...we met up with Darrin & Aliese at 4 am. The shopping was done at about 10 am...then I took a 7 hour nap.

Ok, this is a bad picture of me but I had to include it...we (Darrin, Aliese, Adam, Jen) went to Chili's for dinner on Saturday night. We got some skillet queso and chips to share...I asked the waiter if I could steal the skillet, she seemed like she wanted me to, so I did...it's in the bottom "to go" box...wood base and all.

There you have it...the abridged version...if you want more details go to Aliese and Darrin's blog.