One Firey Night!!!

On Sunday September 19th late afternoon when John and I were headed over to my parents for a late afternoon dinner we noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the other side of our mountain. We were thankful that the wind was blowing the smoke up and over us so we would not smell it. But when we arrived to my parents place you could smell the smoke!!

Later that evening John and I had to leave and go to a church related class at a home near our home. We left the boys at my parents with the plans to pick them up afterward. You could still see the heavy smoke coming up from the back side of the mountain. Although we were never worried about what was going on the other side of the mountain, I did have concerns on the smoke and what effect it would have on Joseph since he has asthma.

About the time we got to our class I received an message on my phone that parts of Herriman are being put on alert due to the fire. Still did not think anything of it. We enjoyed our class, but as we were leaving at 8:30pm and walking out to the car everyone was in awe to see that the fire had now breached our side the mountain and we could see the flames coming down the mountain. We learned then that they had started evacuating the area. I called my parents to verify that the kids could stay there for the night and that I would be in touch if we are to evacuate.

John and I got home and all our neighbors were out watching the hill side going up in flames. At this point our little area was only on voluntary evacuation, but two streets up were on mandatory evacuation. John and I did pack up a few things just in case we were to become mandatory. We did not feel a need to leave unless forced to. By this time it was roughly just after 9pm. I went in the house to get the camera and here are some of the photo's taken at that time from our street in the front yard.
This was taken just after 9pm
This was about an hour later.
Just after 10pm.
30 min later


At this point I was a little nervous but felt sure that it would not breach our homes. I felt prepared if we had to leave and John was confident that all would be OK. Our only concern were the houses just up from us and wondering if they would survive the night.

By midnight over 1500 homes had been mandatory evacuation and several hundred more on voluntary evacuation. John and I were so tired and at the same time so wide awake. John had come to me about this time asking if I was hungry and I replied yes. He said we should see if there is a place open to grab a quick bite to eat. We both said In and Out Burger which is about 2 miles from our home. **This part of the evening is sorta funny*** As we were headed there we noticed that parts of Herriman had been blocked off to support evacuations and the fire fighters. John and I got our food and I noticed that they were not letting anyone back up the way we came. I remember telling him that if the street we normally use to head to our house is closed off I am going to be really mad. Since the things we packed up are sitting by the door at home and we still had my father's truck there. Well Sure enough they were not letting anyone back into the Herriman area. By this time I was not a very happy camper. Good thing I still had a plan to get us home.

We parked our van across the street at the Super Walmart and walked up and over Bangeter Hwy just past the road block where we walked to a gas station. It was there that I called our neighbor BJ who works for a fire dept in another city in the Salt Lake Valley and was off duty. He came to get us and took us home. The part that made me even more mad was that I was so upset about not getting home that I lost my appetite and never ate my food. In fact I left it in the van parked in the Walmart parking lot.

Once home I was calm and decided I would try and get some rest. About 3am I was still laying in bed wide awake watching the local news going over the latest on the fire along with updates on the mandatory evacuations. I was also complaining because the winds had shifted a little causing us to smell the fire. So at this point I decided to go out back and take more pictures. When I walked outside I was in awe on how much closer the fire was to us and how fast it had traveled.
This was taken about 1 or 1:30am in our back yard.
at 3am from our back yard
also just after 3am
I wish I had a much cooler camera to catch the details on the flames here because you could see them with the naked eye. It made it feel scary.

It was about 4am when we finally gave into some sleep to just be wakened again at 6am to head to my parents to get the kids since both my parents were headed out the door for work. When we got there the boys were still sleeping so John and I crashed in the basement guest room. We woke about 9am to take the kids home and to see what had become of our mountain. The fire was just starting to be come contained but at least the major part was over. In total there 1650 homes evacuated not including those who voluntarily left, 2 homes had gone up in flames, and lots of smoke and soot damage.
This is the mountain from our back yard taken about 10am. It is crazy to see how close it did come. The base of the mountain is just under a mile from our home and we back up to an open space.

The things we have learned through this is to keep the things that mean the most to us in a more central area so that if we ever have to leave under short notice that we can just grab and go. We are very thankful that the fire did not take out more homes and feel sadness for those who did lose their homes. Our whole community is so grateful to the wonderful fire fighters who worked hard and quickly to put this fire out.

10 Years Ago.....

Today marks two special moments in my life....

8 months ago I gave birth to our very precious daughter Jocelyn, who has blessed our life in so many ways. Even though it has not been easy to live without her. We think of her everyday as she is in our hearts.

As we pass over these past 8 months we are also given a silver lining that 10 years ago today John and I joined together in marriage sealing together that one day we will have an eternal family. We are blessed to be have grown our family and as John says the best is yet to come.

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life and for always being there. I look forward to spending forever with you John.
Us just after being married and walking out of the Reno Temple.
This my favorite with downtown Reno in the back.


So the fun begins!!!

Joseph Starts Preschool

Wow!!! Now these past 3 1/2 years have sure gone by fast!!!

Joseph started his 1st year of pre-school this past month, which he has been soooo excited for. On his 1st day of school he woke up much earlier then usual and came into me and said "Mom it is morning now time to take me to school".

Congrats little man!!! I love you and you are always a light in my day and life.

You Are Invited!!!!!

You are invited to a Lia Sophia Jewelry Party!!!!

When: Tuesday August 31st, 2010

Where: My place ( e-mail or call me for address and directions)

Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm



Don't miss out on fun, food and girlie play time. And lets not forget the a great sale of purchasing 2 items at full price and getting up to 4 items at half price. And as ALWAYS the lesser items are you full price items. Nice!!!


If you are not able to come but want to get something for this coming fall check out there web site HERE! Then you can e-mail or call me with your order.


Refreshments served and kids are welcome.
See you all soon!!!!

Family Reunions & Camping

This past weekend August 6th and 7th was the Jonas family reunion ( my mom's side of the family). Which was held at Pine View Reservoir up Ogden Canyon. We got there late afternoon Friday and had just gotten our tent up when this huge storm blew in with 50mph gust along with a down pouring of rain. Amazing that our tent made it standing, but others did not. After the little storm I was able to get this view from our camp site in time for the next half of the storm that rolled in later that night.






But before the next part of the storm rolled in we did get to have fun visiting with family and making sure the kids didn't burn the camp down.

My brother Sean and his wife Natalie and the cutest little niece ever Sophie.
I love this picture of Sophie.
My cousin Lacie
John and his candid of the Pepsi.
Joseph and his always amusing faces.
Jarren and Stockton playing some crazy death game. Looks like Stockton won this round.
My cousins Lacie, Skyler, and Blake
John and I

After surviving an eventful evening of and night of Thunder, Lightening, and Rain. Which the boys slept through amazingly!!! We began the day. It was nice day with a few rain showers to keep things cool, but still got lots of sunshine for the boys to enjoy swimming in the lake.

Looks like my dad got to be the sucker to watch the kids in the water!! hehehe
Stockton and Jacob just hang in.
Joseph..."wait for me!!" Stockton..."Hurry Hurry!" As you can Jarren and Jacob don't care.
"Look at us we are the mud dancers!!"
Look! Jacob was actually caught on camera!!!
My aunt Denise hang in on the beach and working on a game for the kids later.
The boys taking a time out from the lake.
My dad cook in in the dutch oven. Yummy!!!
Game time!!!
"Where did everyone go?"

Jacob's 1st Day Of Kindergarten!!

Thought I was surprised at how big Jarren is, well I am even more surprised that Jacob is now big enough for Kindergarten. This is his big moment!!! Which started August 3rd 2010. He has been so excited for school start and waiting an extra week due to Kindergarten testing was not easy for him. I hope he keep his excitement for school and learning.
Jacob all ready to go with his new Iron Man backpack.
Jarren's 1st day going to school with his brother Jacob. Just crazy to think.
Jacob's 1st time lining up for Kindergarten.
Jacob working on his 1st assignment in class while parents are saying their goodbyes.
Jacob and I as I say my goodbyes. I did good ...and yes I did tear up a little at the thought I have two babies in school. I think Jacob was glad that I was leaving and taking the camera with me.

Time For School!!!

I can not believe that Jarren is old enough to be in 3rd Grade. Time has gone by so fast and he getting bigger and bigger everyday. He has grown into such and young man with a great love for his brothers. This year is a big year for him since this year he will have Jacob coming to school with him.
Jarren's 1st day of school.

One Last Summer Get Away

So a week after school started for Jarren we decided to go with my parents to NV to see old friends and the beginnings of Hot August Nights Classic Car Show. We stayed up at Lake Tahoe, one of my most favorite place to be. When we first got there I did not realize how much I have missed living there. It was crazy to see how much has changed from the new freeway to new developments. The only thing that has not change is the best color of brown you have ever seen. John got to go out with his buddies and I got to spend time with my girlfriends that I have not seen a long time. The boys got to do their favorite thing and that is play in the pool and be spoiled by grandma and grandpa.
John's favorite paint job.
Stock 64'...John wishes he had one!
My dad's 68' Firebird.


"We're done and want to go swimming!!"
The Best view of the car show with Lake Tahoe in the background.
John and the boys with my parents in the back taking one last look of the Lake before leaving.
Wishing we could have stayed longer.

After leaving Lake Tahoe we stopped and stayed with my friend Amber and her family. We was a night of flashbacks when Vanessa came over and shared a footage from my sister's sweet 16 surprise birthday party. WOW!!! we were dorks. I think all of our kids enjoyed seeing us act all crazy in front of the camera. But then we were kids ourselves.
Jarren with Cameron and Kyra playing the DS of course.
Jarren, Cameron, Joseph, and Jacob just before saying good bye at Amber's.

This was a very enjoyable trip and a long over due one. Thanks mom and dad for having us come and Amber thank you letting us crash at your house and making one of the best breakfasts I have ever had.